Obituaries
Marilyn McLain Hedgepeth
Funeral service for Marilyn McLain Hedgepeth will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at Monticello Baptist Church with interment in Monticello City Cemetery. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of service. The Reverends Jon Daniels and Sam Taylor will officiate.
Mrs. Hedgepeth, 84, of Monticello, MS died June 19, 2021, at King’s Daughters in Brookhaven. She was born in Morton, MS August 26, 1936, to the late Earl Howard Walker and the late Mary Sessums Walker. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from University of Southern Mississippi. She was employed by Lawrence County School District as a Music Teacher. She also taught private piano lessons from her home. Mrs. Hedgepeth served as pianist and organist of Monticello Baptist Church for over 60 years. She served in many clubs including Past President, Twentieth Century Club; Gideon’s International Ladies Auxiliary; Keeping in Touch (KIT) Club, and Senior Adult Ministry of Monticello Baptist Church, as well as the Retired Teachers Association.
She is preceded in death by husbands, Paul King McLain, Jr. and Lamar Hedgepeth and her parents.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, The Reverend Paul King McLain III (Ruthie), Douglas Walker McLain, and Daniel Earl McLain; daughter, Mary Frances McLain Boyd (Chris); sister, Margaret Walker Stormo (Don), three grandchildren, Alex Christopher McLain, McLain Christopher Boyd, and Mary Elizabeth Boyd. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Ronnie Hedgepeth (Linda), Danny Hedgepeth (Lora), and Jackie Williamson (Steve) and step-grandchildren.
Gifts in her memory to Monticello Baptist Church Music Ministry, P.O. Box 814, Monticello, MS 39654.
Charles Alvin Hamilton
Funeral service for Mr. Charles Alvin Hamilton will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Copiah County.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service and burial will follow in the Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Charles Alvin Hamilton was born July 28, 1939, in Beauregard, Mississippi, to John Shelby Hamilton and Willie Myrtis Martin.
He lived 81 years and went to be with the Lord June 18, 2021. He was a graduate of Copiah Lincoln Junior college. Mr. Hamilton
was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School classes and served as Deacon. He was employed with
the National Guard as Chief Warrant Officer 5. After retiring, Mr. Hamilton enjoyed the simpler things in life, gardening,
woodworking and fishing. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, James Shelby Hamilton; and brother, Lloyd Shelton Hamilton.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife, Rachael Loraine Hamilton; sons, Charles David “Chuck” Hamilton and wife,
Kenta, Karl Bradley “Brad” Hamilton and wife, Kim; daughters, Teresa Kaye “Tracey” Bridges and husband, Robbie, and Katrina Lynn Castilaw
and husband, Mark; brothers, William Ray Hamilton, Robert Earl Hamilton; 12 grandchildren, Daniel, Frances, Amanda, Preston, McKinnley,
Tanner, Brandt, Nikki, Shelly, Allison, Laney, and Liam; and six great grandchildren, Leo, Lenny, Marie, Paul, Sawyer, and Swayze.
Cora Kathleen Moak Alexander
Services for Cora Kathleen Moak Alexander, of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm, Saturday, June 19, 2021,
at Riverwood with visitation from 1:00 pm until the time of the service and burial at Hollywood Cemetery in McComb.
Cora Kathleen Moak Alexander, 93 went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 16, 2021, at Diversicare of Brookhaven.
She was born on May 6, 1928, to the late Robert Curtiss Moak and Stella Mae Etheridge Moak.
Mrs. Alexander was a member of Mission Hill Baptist Church and Order of the Eastern Star, McComb, Miss-Lou Daylily Club and Packrats Camping Club.
She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Gordon Lae Alexander; grandparents that raised her, Julius and Wreta Etheridge,
special cousins, raised as siblings, Edwin Etheridge (Grace), Percy Quin “Pete” Etheridge (JoAnn), and Marlene E. Varnell (Gene);
sisters-in-law, Jonnie Boyd (Thurman), and Veda Grace Boone (Clyde).
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Michael Gordon Alexander and daughter, Sherry Purvis and husband, Tommy.
She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren, Mary Walton, Robyn Carbery (Joseph), M. Dean Alexander (Leslie), Paul Greer (Kim),
and Melanie Lembo (Mike); along with 12 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and numerous extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Baptist Children’s Village, 114 Market Ridge Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157 or your favorite charity.
Jo Helen Lofton
Services for Mrs. Jo Helen (Hicks) Lofton, of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm Thursday, June 17, 2021,
at Grace Baptist Church with visitation from 12:30 until the time of the service. Interment will be at Concord Baptist Church Cemetery in Franklin County.
Mrs. Jo Helen (Hicks) Lofton, 87, went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 14, 2021, at her home.
She was born on July 21, 1933, to the late Wallace Monroe Hicks and Lena Mae Hicks Newell.
Mrs. Lofton was a homemaker and a member of Northview Baptist Church.
She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Loyd H. Lofton; daughters, Carolyn Ann Halford and Brenda Faye Henderson;
sons, Johnny Lofton, Loyd Lofton Jr.; brother, Everett Lee Hicks, and son-in-law, Harold Lynn Case.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Gerald Wayne Lofton and Ollie Jenkins; daughter, Deborah Kay Lofton Case;
son-in-law, Roger Dale Halford, and sister, Betty Andrew, and sister-in-law, Maxine “Lofton” Hicks, and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family request that food can be delivered to Deborah Case’s Home
1937 Palmetto Trl. NW, Brookhaven, MS 39601
James Fairbanks Anderson
Memorial service for James Fairbanks Anderson will be 3 p.m., Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Riverwood Family. Rev. David Fortenberry will officiate.
James was born in Marshall, TX, May 7, 1991, and he lived here 30 years. He was an avid outdoorsman as well as enjoying playing guitar.
He is preceded in death by his grandmothers, Linda Anderson, and Frances Duke; grandfather, Rabon Freeman; nephew, Waylon Jay Anderson; and cousin, Corbitte Smith.
He is survived by his parents, David Anderson and Tasha and Darlene Freeman and Amy Fauver; brothers, Douglas Freeman, Robert Anderson and wife, Chelsey, Ben Smith and wife, Natalie, Julian Anderson, and Kris Campbell; sister, Kayla Sides; Cyndi McCaleb, Cherish Latting, and Courtney King; grandparents, Doug and Cheryl Anderson, Wesley Duke Jr., and Laverne Freeman. He is also survived by Jeff and Stephanie Freeman and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Doyle Samuel Byrd
Services for Mr. Doyle Samuel Byrd, of Brookhaven, are 1:00 pm, Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Riverwood with visitation from 11:00 am until the time of the service.
Burial will be at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Doyle Samuel Byrd, 84, went to be with his Lord on June 9, 2021.
He was born in Newellton, LA. on June 10, 1936, to the late Samuel Preston Byrd and Dixie Crawley Byrd.
Mr. Byrd was a broker and consultant in Insurance and Finance for 55 years and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church
where he was currently Church Treasurer and served for 18 years. He was Training Union Director of the Jr. High boys from 1963 - 1972.
He loved to quail hunt in Kansas with Howard & Gerald and loved LSU Football “Geaux Tigers.” He was National Man of the Year in 1972 for
Paul Revere Life Insurance Company and the entire United States and an announcer for Brookhaven Academy Football from 1972-1983. He was self-appointed Mayor of Loyd Star.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Peggy Entrican Byrd; his parents; and an infant son.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Patsy Allen Byrd; Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Patsy Allen Byrd; daughter Amanda Byrd Rawls and husband, Robert, step son, Darryl Hatcher and step daughter Tawanda Smith and husband Glyn
and sister, Geneva Barfield and husband, Billy.
He is also survived by his 4 grandchildren, Preston Rawls, Liza Rawls Trahan and husband, Travis, Lauren Smith Case and husband, Collins,
Ty Smith and wife, Sara and great grandchildren, Lillie Case, Mae Case and Hatcher Smith, along with lifelong friend. J.D. Thadison. He will be loved and missed by all that knew him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Macedonia Baptist Church Building Fund.
Christopher Anthony Nations
A Graveside Service for Mr. Christopher Anthony Nations of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm, Friday, June 11, 2021,
at Riverwood Memorial Park with visitation from 12:00-1:45 pm at Riverwood.
Mr. Christopher Anthony Nations, 49, passed away on June 9, 2021, at Lawrence County Nursing Home.
He was born on January 16, 1972, to the late John Ralph Nations and Mavis Ann Walker Warren.
Mr. Nations was a truck driver and heavy equipment operator. He loved motorcycles and listening to music.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and brothers, Mike Nations, Dennis Nations and Johnny Nations.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sons, Christopher Chad Nations and Josh Anthony Nations; daughter, Brittany Nations and brother, Roy Nations.
He is also survived by two grandchildren, Brandon Anthony Nations and Sophia Renae Nations and other family members, Roy and Lexy Walker.
He will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Henry Edward Folkner
Mr. Henry Edward Folkner, 63, passed away June 5, 2021 at King’s Daughters Medical Center.
He was born on February 9, 1958, to the late Luther Henry Folkner and Delores Delight Mann Folkner.
Mr. Folkner was a Boat Captain in the oilfield. He enjoyed fishing, and motorcycle building.
Preceding him in death were his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Christopher Stephen Folkner; daughters, Crystal Folkner and Stephanie Chugani;
brother, Stephen Jack Folkner and his three grandchildren, Kevin Hitt, Courtney Hitt and Donavon Folkner and one great-grandchild.
He will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Claudette Webb George
Funeral service for Mrs. Claudette Webb George will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2021,
with a Mass of Christian Burial at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Brookhaven
and interment in Riverwood Memorial Park following. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service in the church.
Mrs. George, 88, of Brookhaven, was greeted by her beloved husband in heaven on June 3, 2021.
She was born the youngest of 4 children on March 3, 1933, to World War I Veteran Charles Carey Webb
and her French mother, Reine Louise George Webb. She was a beautiful red-haired southern lady with a
deeply spiritual soul who lit up a room with her smile. She enjoyed a variety of colorful things in life.
From arts and crafts and restoring antiques, to looking through old photographs, to singing along to her favorite
music and singing lullabies while rocking her grandchildren, every part of Mrs. George’s life was filled with an
abundance of appreciation and gratefulness. She also took great pleasure in the beauty of flowers, birds, and all nature,
she cared deeply for her pets and passionately for her family. Reading God’s Word daily and growing spiritually
was top priority in her life. She never met a stranger and was bold and lively in sharing her love for Jesus.
She was a member of St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Mrs. George will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, William A. George; her parents; brothers,
James Webb and Charles Webb; and sister, Eugenia Klotz.
Those left to cherish her love and memory are her sons, Billy George and Michael George (Sue);
daughters, Mary Catherine George, Rosanne Malone, and Angie Smith (Darren);
seven grandchildren, Jennifer Mixon, Wesley George, Kristine Foster, Brandon Malone, Frances Ricks,
Joshua Smith, and Christopher Smith; nine great grandchildren, Blakelynn, Brie, Buck, Brayleigh, Briar, Vidalia,
Charlotte, Conner, and Eric. She is also survived by nieces and nephews who she loved dearly, other loving family members and friends.
The family wishes to thank all her caregivers for the many years of loving care. Memorials may be made to
Hospice Ministries, 397 Brookhaven Street, Brookhaven MS 39601 or St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 227 E Cherokee Street, Brookhaven, MS 39601
Shirley Durr
Services for Shirley Durr of Brookhaven will be 11:00 am Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at Riverwood
with visitation from 9:00 until time of the service. Burial will be at Little Bahalia Cemetery.
Shirley Durr, 85, passed away May 31, 2021, at her residence.
She was born on November 26, 1935, to the late John Floyd and Myrtis Case Floyd.
Shirley was a member of Little Bahalia Baptist Church and was a Regional Manager for Shoney’s Restaurant.
She loved her family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and loved cooking for others.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Billy Gene Durr, daughter, Jean “Jeanie” O’Rorke;
and infant son; brothers, Bennie, Kendall, John “Tottie” Pete Floyd and sister, Marlyn “DeeDee” Stevens.
Those left to cherish her memory are Terry Sherritze; daughter, Anita Gandy; sister, Janice Quin and four grandchildren,
Heather O’Rorke, Michael O’Rorke, Samuel O’Rorke, Leanne Sullivan, and great-grandchildren, Christopher, Austin, Tyler, William,
Ethan, Savannah, Gavin, Matthew, Emma, Declan, Eleanor and Marley.
She will be missed by all that knew and loved her.
