Obituaries
Katherine Boyte Rawls
Private Graveside service for Mrs. Katherine Boyte Rawls will be Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at Henry Moak Cemetery.
Mrs. Rawls, 79, of Bogue Chitto, passed away July 8, 2021. She was born April 1, 1942, in Brookhaven, to her parents,
Essie Edward Boyte and Melva Irene Martin Boyte. She worked as a bookkeeper and was a member of the Brookhaven Lion’s Club.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Winston “Pete” Rawls; sons, Robert Rawls (Amanda) and
Bruce Rawls; daughters, Debbie Rawls Newman (Randy) and Kara Rawls Cook (Bill); brother, Lynn Boyte (Rebecca);
ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Brookhaven Alpha Lion’s Club, PO Box 295, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or
Topisaw Baptist Church, 2668 Topisaw Drive SE, Bogue Chitto, MS. 39629.
Gerald Lee Smith
There will be an 11:00 am graveside service, Friday, July 9, 2021,
Terrys Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Magnolia Mississippi.
A resident of central. Gerald L. Smith passed away July 6, 2021, at the age of 79.
Gerald is survived by his loving wife, Sandra; two daughters, Shanna Landry (Marc) and D’Shay Bourgeois and fiancé (Phillip Kidd)
and one step-daughter, Joni Albertini (Oscar). He is also survived by six grandchildren, Morgan Spencer, Miranda Gendron (Bryan),
Kristen Bourgeois, Todd Bourgeois (Mallory), Heath Myatt (Jana), and Amy Palmisano (Chris); and eight great-grandchildren, Eleanor Gendron,
Mackie Gendran, Samuel Gendron, Vera Spencer, Ross Spencer, Zoeigh Bourgeois, Hollin Myatt and Cambrie Myatt.
Gerald was a native of Mississippi and retired from CN Railroad. He would always proudly tell everyone he was from
“William Switch” Mississippi. He loved his family and enjoyed gospel music. He will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Boyce and Lois Smith; brother, Paul Smith, and son, Anthony Todd Smith and his first wife, Dorothy Cutrer Smith.
Terry Wayne Gandy
Funeral service for Mr. Terry Wayne Gandy will be 11 a.m., Saturday, July 10, 2021, at Poplar Springs Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Friday, July 9 at Poplar Springs Baptist Church.
Mr. Gandy, 66, of Hazlehurst, died July 7, 2021, at his residence. He was born June 1, 1955, to Wayne Clarence Gandy and Bobby Jean Jones Gandy. He retired from Sojourner Timber where he was employed as a Truck Driver and was a member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church. Mr. Terry was a loving family man, thankful for every moment of time spent with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by those he loved.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Angie Gandy of 27 years; sons, Luke Gandy (Donna), Josh Gandy (Sandy), Micah Gandy (Amanda); daughter, Mattie Daniels (Jacob); brothers, Bob Gandy (Patricia) and Pat Gandy (Cindy); six grandchildren, Shannyn, Kayleigh, Emmery, Johnathon, Ava, Isaiah, and expecting a new grandson, Owen, in November. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Yvonne "Bonnie" Watts-Smith
Funeral service for Yvonne “Bonnie” Watts-Smith will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at
Riverwood Family with interment at Hillcrest Church of Christ Cemetery. Visitation is from
11 a.m. until the time of service. Joel Smith and David Smith will officiate.
Mrs. Bonnie began her life journey March 23, 1937, born in Brookhaven, MS to Ezra and Mae Watts.
After graduation she pursued a career as Counselor’s Secretary at Brookhaven High School.
Mrs. Bonnie was a faithful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
During this journey she became a master chef, and author of a family cookbook. She has enjoyed
many different crafts including woodworking, ceramics, painting, and mosaics. She also has
enjoyed gardening and preparing satisfying meals to please her family and friends. Mrs. Bonnie
was called away from this journey July 2, 2021, she was 84 years old.
She is preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Eloyce W. Porter, Dorothy W. Case, and
Shirley W. Labeth Callender.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 65 years, Harold W. Smith; sons, Gary W. Smith,
Mark K. Smith, and Don M. Smith; nieces, Deborah Smith and Rebecca Crosby; four grandchildren,
Anna Beth Parker, Nicholas W. Smith, Brooks Smith, Savanna S. Vaughn; and nine great grandchildren, Holden,
Aiden and Nolan Parker, Asher, Stanton and Everly Smith, Emma and Vance Smith, and Davis Vaughn.
She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Larry Leon Rials
Funeral service for Larry Leon Rials will be 11 a.m., Friday, July 2, 2021, at Riverwood Family
with interment in the Bogue Chitto City Cemetery. Visitation is 10:00 until time of the service.
Mr. Rials was born December 8, 1955, in Sorrento, Louisiana to Eric Lee Rials and Lenora Jean Prather.
He passed away June 26, 2021, at Forrest General in Hattiesburg, he was 65 years old. He spent his life
working in the oilfield and as a mechanic. He enjoyed riding motorbikes in his free time but spending time
with his family and friends was the most important thing in life to him.
He is preceded in death by his father; daughter, Stacy Morris; brothers, Ronnie Rials, Sammy Rials;
sister, Sandra Patrick; nephews, Wayne Pickering, Jr. and Corey Rials; and his grandparents.
He is survived by his mother; daughters, Tiffany Smith (Wayne), Jessica Rials, Ashley Gros, Rainy Lirette, and Lacey Denham;
brother, Ricky Rials (Kim); sisters, Brenda Townsend (Don), Becky Skelton (Kevin), Erica Leggett (Chris), and Angie Rials; and grandchildren, Tristan, Madelyn, Jeremiah, Braedyn, Akeriah, Kialand, Noah, and Caleb. He is also survived by numerous other grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Joseph Earl Pugh
Services for Mr. Joseph Earl Pugh of Monticello are 11:00 am, Friday, July 2, 2021,
at Monticello Baptist Church with visitation from 9:00 until the time of the service. Burial will be at the church cemetery.
Mr. Joseph Earl Pugh, 87, went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 30, 2021, at his residence.
He was born on December 18, 1933, in Oak Grove, Florida.
He was retired from Georgia Pacific and was a member of Monticello Baptist Church.
Mr. Pugh enjoyed hunting, fishing, sports, gardening and spending time with his family and friends.
He will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Preceding him in death were his parents; Joseph Albert Pugh and Willie Celeste Enfinger;
wife of 66 years, Anita Faye Pugh and son-in-law, Randy Foster.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Debra Foster, Suanne Foster and husband, Wayne,
Vicki Godwin and husband, Doug; and brother, Elvin Pugh and wife, Peggy.
He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Stacey Foster, Skye Smith (JJ), Mandy Foster, Douglas Godwin (Elizabeth),
and Joey Foster (Rebecca); along with 4 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
William Arnold Morgan
Graveside Service for Mr. William Arnold Morgan, of Brookhaven is 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 29, 2021,
at Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at Riverwood.
Mr. William Arnold Morgan, 81, passed away on June 25, 2021, at The Aspen.
He was born on July 21, 1939, to the late Pervis Arnold Morgan and Thelma Lou Scott Morgan.
Mr. Morgan served his country in the United States Navy where he retired as Master Chief.
He was awarded the Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Five Good Conduct Medals,
National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.
He was also an avid Ole Miss Football fan. He will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Jo Ellen Kennedy; and brother, Delane Morgan.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Charline Moore Morgan; sons, Glenn Morgan and wife, Shannan
and Gary Morgan and wife, Jennifer; daughter, Paula Rushing and husband, Richard;
brother, Dennis Morgan and wife, San; and sister, Judy Fountain and husband, Steve.
He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Will Rushing and wife, Brittany; John Rushing and wife, Kelli;
Matt Rushing and wife, Candice; Mark Rushing and wife, Anna; Jefferson Rushing and wife, Greer;
Seth Rushing and wife, Caroline; Mary Anna Rushing; Sara Kate Rushing; Joseph Morgan and fiancé’ Katelyn;
Julianne Clayton and husband, Adam; Jeremy Morgan; and Anna Grace Morgan; and 6 great-grandchildren.
Tammy Michele Byrne Jackson
Graveside Services for Mrs. Tammy Michele Byrne Jackson, of Brookhaven, are 1:30 pm,
Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at Mt Olive Church of Christ Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 12:00-1:00 pm at Riverwood.
Mrs. Tammy Jackson, 61, went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 25, 2021, at her home.
She was born on April 8, 1960, to the late L.C. Byrne and Myrtle Byrne.
Mrs. Jackson was co-owner of Event Plus and was a homemaker.
She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; and brother Mike Byrne.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Clayton Bruce Jackson.
Dustin Tyler Durr
Dustin Tyler Durr, 25, of Brookhaven, passed away June 12, 2021.
He was born on November 6, 1995, to Billy Dean Durr Sr. and Pamela Marie Durr.
Dustin was a member of Big Springs Baptist Church. He loved playing the Bass, playing pool, camping, hiking, kayaking and putting smiles on everyone’s faces.
Preceding him in death were his grandparents, Versie Lee and Helen Durr and Roger Dale and Rita Dean Plunk.
Those left to cherish his memory are his parents; brothers, Mason Durr and Carson Durr and sister, Helen Brehannah Durr, along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Michael Daniel McDermott, III
A graveside service for Mr. Michael Daniel McDermott, III is 2:00 pm,
Saturday, June 26, 2021, at Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Kemper, MS.
Mr. Michael Daniel McDermott, III, 62, passed away on June 24, 2021.
He was born on August 9, 1958, in Laurel, MS.
Mr. McDermott served his country in the United States Navy.
He was self-employed as a Heavy Machine Operator and was of the Episcopalian Faith.
He will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Preceding him in death is his father, Michael D. McDermott, Jr. and brother, William Michael McDermott.
Those left to cherish his memory are his mother, Doris Evelyn Smith;
daughters, Courtney Johnston and Jessica McDermott, and 2 grandchildren, Bailie McDermott and Alex McDermott,
along with niece and nephew, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Jackson Smith; great niece, Remington Smith, and great nephew, Rowdy Smith.
