Obituaries
Jeff Ray
Funeral service for Jeff Ray will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at Riverwood Family.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Jeff was born December 12, 1957, to Preston Allen Luther “A.L.” Ray and Etta Pearl Smith Ray in
Brookhaven, Ms. He passed at the age of 63, on March 26, 2021, in Wesson, MS while at home.
Jeff was a graduate of Copiah Lincoln High School in 1975 and Copiah Lincoln Junior College in
1977. He went on to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of
Southern Mississippi in 1981, and later his Master of Science in Management from Belhaven University
in 2006. He was employed as a Social Worker with Van Winkle Home Health, the Department of
Human Services in Brookhaven, Ms and Jackson, Ms, King’s Daughters Medical Center, and
retired from the Mississippi Adolescent Center as Director of Risk Management in 2012 after 27 years with the state.
Jeff was a very talented drummer. He began his journey with music with his first band, “The Rejects”,
at the age of 15. He went on to play in various bands, Pluto Bandito, Elbert Shiver, and Cry Wolf to
name a few, making lifelong friends and an impact on everyone he met. He was also a member of the
drum line at Copiah Lincoln High School, Copiah Lincoln Junior College, Mississippi State, and the
University of Southern Mississippi. Although music was a lifelong enjoyment, his pride and joy were
his children and grandchildren. He never missed an event no matter how small, or far away. He led in
life with great support and wisdom that will not soon be forgotten. His love for teaching his
grandchildren to fish or the discussion of his latest book will be greatly missed. He was the most
amazing father and grandfather we could have asked for.
He was survived by his brother, Michael Ray (Sandra); sons, Zachary “Zack” Felix Ray, and
Preston Loranzy Ray; daughter, Dorothy Claire Ray McManus (Jared); grandsons, Jayden Ray, Landon Ray,
and Brian Ray; granddaughters, Isabelle Ray and Scarlette McManus; and mother of his children Ruthie Catt Stewart.
Proceeded in death by his parents, A.L. Ray and Etta Pearl Ray; and brother, Preston Ray.
Ervin Deen Brister
Funeral service for Mr. Ervin Deen Brister will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at Powells Grove Pentecostal Church
with interment at the church cemetery. Visitation is from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service.
Ervin Deen Brister, 90, passed away in his home on March 27, 2021.
Born April 13, 1930, he grew up in Jayess with a large family and was spoiled by his three older sisters. He served
as a marine in the Korean Conflict, where he sustained injuries at Bunker Hill. When he returned home in 1953,
he married his sweetheart, Loretta.
Before becoming disabled by his war injuries, Ervin Deen worked as a farmer. No one could leave his house
without taking home a mess of greens or a watermelon. He also raised cows and kept hunting dogs. After he
was no longer able to see well enough to hunt, he still took his dogs out and ran them. He could identify each
dog by its bark. Even in his last days, he could recount the name of every dog he had owned and describe
what kind of hunter it was. He told and retold the story of an old dog that could climb trees to catch squirrels.
Until his health kept him home, he attended Powell's Grove Pentecostal Church, where he sat on the front pew.
Everyone could hear him pray. He believed in praying without ceasing and prayed even before he took a sip of
water or had a bowl of ice cream. He began his mealtime prayers with "Kind, wonderful Jesus, dear Lord and
Savior" and, after enough protest from his granddaughters, ended with, "Bless the hands that prepared it."
Ervin Deen was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Loretta Barnett Brister; his son, Don Brister;
an infant son; his parents, Connie and Sarah Brister; his brothers, Purvis Brister and Clayton Brister; and
three sisters, Azemer Coon, Joyce Honea, and Jimmie Brister. He is survived by two sisters, Connie Mae Clark
and Izettie Carney; his daughter, Debbie (Alan) Moody; his daughter-in-law, Gwen Rayburn; grandchildren
April King Davis, Amber King (Sihya), Adam Brister, Anthony King, Connie Brister Boyd, and West Brister
(Ashdon); great-grandchildren, Emma Siler, Grayson Davis, Ethan King, Corbyn Pekins, Guydon Brister,
Isabella Brister, and Sophia Brister; and his long-time caregivers, Betty Colyer and Shanne Cupstid.
Joycelyn Sketchler Fonseca
Joycelyn Sketchler Fonseca, age 94, passed away after a brief illness at King’s Daughters Hospital in
Brookhaven, Mississippi. She was a native of Algiers, Louisiana, a long time resident of
Des Allemands, LA and Brookhaven, MS. She was most recently, a resident of Haven Hall Healthcare
Center in Brookhaven.
She was a woman of many talents, including sewing, cooking, gardening, photography and art.
She loved caring for Abby dog. She was a member of the Camelia Society of Brookhaven.
Some of her work history included working for South Central Bell and was a restaurateur. Her wonderful
recipes, we will always cherish. She treasured her family, surrounding herself with paintings, portraits,
and pictures and held them close to her heart. She was full of compassionate for strays, be it people or animals.
She was a devoted member of St. Assisi Catholic Church in Brookhaven.
She is survived by sons, Raymond Fonseca, Jr. (Georgine), and Stephen Fonseca (Connie),
grandmother of Mark Fonseca (Ingrid), Michael Fonseca, Matthew Fonseca (Kristen) ,
Monica Breaux, (Kerry), Bart Fonseca, Carol Rasmussen (Nick) , Megan Fonseca Wallace,
great grandchildren, Victoria Kimball (Jason), Michell Harris (Mark), Joel Fonseca,
Saidee Fonseca, Evan Dempster, Matthew Fonseca (Allie), Gabriel Fonseca (Courtney), Dylan Lewis,
Halie Page, Alyssa Fonseca, Zachary Breaux, Laken Breaux, Joseph Wallace, Aurora Pearl Wallace and
Abby Grace Rasmussen great, great grandchildren, Ayden Kimball, Avah Kimball, Lorelai Kimball,
Sebastian Kimball, and Rye Fonseca. She will be remembered and greatly missed by all.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Joseph Sktechler and Mathilde Hargis Sketchler,
husband, Raymond Fonseca Sr., brother, Charles Sketchler, sisters, Emily Ballay, Yvonne Foucha,
Leila Forrest, Isabell Bulot and Marie Babineaux.
Wesley Fredrick Kent
Graveside service for Mr. Wesley Fredrick Kent will be 11 a.m., Friday, March 26, 2021, at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. Greg Warnock will officiate.
Mr. Kent, 94, of Brookhaven, slipped into the arms of Jesus March 24, 2021. He was born in Bude, MS January 30, 1927
to his parents, Hubert Leroy Kent and Mollie Ann Sullivan Kent. He served his country in the United States Navy,
a part of that “greatest generation”, during WWII. He was a graduate of MSU and USM, as well as attended
Copiah Lincoln Community College and Southwest Community College. Mr. Kent was the owner of Kent Realty
after retiring as the District Director of MS Farmers Home Association and he served on the Board of
The Natural Conservation Service (NRCS) for many years. He was also a longtime volunteer with the
Salvation Army, not only serving as a “bell ringer” but also coordinating other volunteers during the Christmas season.
Mr. Kent exemplified integrity and faithfulness, serving God, family and country. He was a Life Deacon at
First Baptist Church Brookhaven where he also taught Sunday School and he was a member of Brookhaven Exchange Club.
Mr. Kent enjoyed gardening, hunting, tree farming and just spending quality time with his family. He will be greatly
missed by his wife of 67 years as well as all his family and friends.
Mr. Kent was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Edwena Kent Price and Juanita Kent Wallace; and brothers,
Wayne Kent and Barnett Kent.
He is survived by his precious wife, Ida Louise King Kent; son, Wesley Allen Kent and wife, Wanda; daughter,
Pamela Louise Kent Matthews and husband, Greg; brother, Kenneth Allen Kent; two grandchildren, Colby Allen Kent and wife,
Erica and Mollie Ann Matthews. He is also survived by his extended family and friends.
The family requests that you take precautions for the visitation and practice social distancing.
Helen Suzanne Allen Rester
Funeral services for Helen Suzanne Allen Rester will be Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at 1 p.m. at
Macedonia Baptist Church. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 24, from 12 p.m.-1 p.m. at
Macedonia Baptist Church with burial at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Rester, 55, was born March 11, 1966, in Memphis, TN, to William Clinton and Peggy Sue Allen.
She went to be with her Lord on March 19, 2021, at her residence.
She is preceded in death by her son, Hunter Brooks Rester.
She was a former dispatcher of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Lincoln County, Madison County
and Franklin County Sheriff’s Departments. She was also a member of Macedonia Baptist Church.
She is survived by her parents; son, William Casey Rester and wife, Mackenzie Marie Rester; brother,
William Bradley Allen; four grandchildren, Ember Marie Rester, Michaella Marie Rester,
Hermione Grace Brooks Rester, and Luna Belle Rester.
Sue Ann Edwards Hamm
Funeral service for Mrs. Sue Ann Edwards Hamm will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 24, 2021,
at Sylvarena Baptist Church, with interment at the church cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m.
until the time of service.
Sue Ann Edwards Hamm was born at home on Steele Road, Steele, MS, March 1, 1947, to John D.
and Christine Marie Edwards. She was the fourth child and first daughter in what would eventually
be a group of six siblings. Like most farm children of her age Sue’s childhood was more about work
and responsibility than it was about play and adventure. In Spring she helped plant the gardens.
In Summer she helped pick, can, and otherwise process the produce so we could continue to have
food throughout the coming Winter. Sue was an excellent student while attending grades 1-12 at
Haperville Attendance Center in Harperville, MS. She went on to marry the love of her life and raise
a family while traveling the states with her husband for work. Later in life she would gain her BS in
counseling from Liberty University. This was an apt degree as Sue always had the ability to show empathy
and concern for the needs and problems of others. Her deep faith in the love of God and the grace of
Christ made her the perfect conduit for the Holy Spirit to move in the lives of others through her with
His gift of counsel. Through her guidance, an untold number of souls were won for Christ. Throughout
her life it was not uncommon for her to have persons not related to her living in her home as they
overcame problems in this life. Her generosity seemed almost infinite as she gave not only of her time
but also of her resources, often doing without herself so that others would have what they needed.
Her church family was always central to her life. She studied scripture and taught Sunday School
for most of her life, sharing the love of God.
Sue was preceded in death by her father, John D. Edwards; brothers, John Milton Edwards and
Steven Thomas “Tommy” Edwards.
She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, August F. Hamm; daughters, Misty Karen Williams Wise
and Cynthia Grace Hamm Tronstad; son, David Ashley Hamm; as well as 11 grandchildren
and five great grandchildren.
Kenneth Ray Wallace
Memorial service for Mr. Kenneth Ray Wallace of McCall Creek are 11:00 am, Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Kenneth Ray Wallace, 62, passed away March 20, 2021 at his residence.
He was born on January 18, 1959 to the late JJ Wallace, Sr. and Vera Mae Grooms Wallace.
He enjoyed old cars and going to softball games.
Mr. Wallace will be missed by all that knew and loved him.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Larry Wallace and JJ Wallace, Jr., and a sister, Linda Murray.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carmen Wallace; son, Cory Matthew Wallace and wife, Karla Wallace; daughters, Brandi Turnage and husband, Dan of Monticello and Misty Troulliet of Brookhaven.
He is also survived by his brother, Dennis Wallace and sisters, Sharon Smith and Clarece Dier. Along with his 5 grandchildren.
Lewis Walter Brown
Graveside service for Lewis Walter Brown will be 2 p.m., Thursday, March 18, 2021, at Rosehill Cemetery.
Mr. Lewis, 82, of Brookhaven, passed away from this earth to his heavenly home on March 13, 2021 at 11:20pm, at his residence.
He was born in Houston, Texas, October 14, 1938 to Junius Walter Brown and Audrey Lee Thames Brown.
Although plagued by different illnesses in his latter years, his kind heart and generous spirit were known to all who met him.
He was retired from Shell Oil where he worked as an electrician and held his friends, with whom he worked, dear to his heart.
He was a lifetime lover of learning, especially where his faith was concerned. At the time of his death he was a member of Fair River Baptist Church,
and in his earlier years, he was an active member of Union Baptist Church and Easthaven Baptist Church. He was a man of great faith and integrity
and as honest in his love of his family and friends as he was of his Savior. He was always one who shared his Christian spirit with anyone he met.
He was a loving husband to Mary Ruth Brown with who he shared fifty three years. They had one son, Shawn Blair Brown, who preceded him in death.
“Oh my, the stories they are sharing now!”
Mr. Lewis was also preceded in death by his precious granddaughter, Nealey Blair Brown, and his two sisters, Carrie Fritch and Frances Mizell.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary Ruth Brown; daughter, Heather Vaughn Brown; three grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth Brown,
Payton and Colleen Brown. The family would like to express a special thank you to his first cousin, Sandy Thames Braswell, for her many years of love and support.
Betty Stanfield Penn Smith (Betsy)
Services for Betty Stanfield Penn Smith (Betsy) are 11:00 am, Friday, March 19, 2021 at First United Methodist Church
with visitation from 10:00 am until time of the service and burial at Rosehill Cemetery.
Born October 31, 1939, to John Sidney Penn Jr. and Betty Watkins Penn Denson (Step-father Richard “June” Denson)
passed away on March 14, 2021 surrounded by her family. Also preceding her in death were her sisters
Judy Penn Ewing and Melinda Penn Bethea, Great Aunt Ruth Penn, Gladys Stone and James B Stone.
Survivors include Ralph Smith, Jr (Denise Thompson with son Dustin); Richard Smith and daughter Olivia Smith;
Sydney Wilson and sons Gabe and Penn Wilson; Stephany Smith with sons Noah and Watkins Smith;
and Cameron Smith (Candice) and Allie and Zachary Smith. Also surviving her: Robyn Ewing (Jenifer) and Bryan Ewing; Mack Bethea ,
Shelley Kennedy (Brad) Daniel Bethea; Emily Bethea; sister Nancy Penn Pavy (Bob) Trey Pavy(Jessica) and Matthew Pavy,
Sarah Nann Bryant , Andy Bryant (Taylor) and Adrian Bryant (Hollie), along with a host of cousins and relatives .
Betsy was a 1957 graduate of BHS, where she was salutatorian and homecoming queen .
She attended the W and graduated from the University of Mississippi. Betsy enjoyed rearing her children, playing tennis ,
teaching school in the Brookhaven Public School System, and working an advertising agency
before launching Betsy Smith Properties, her real estate firm for over 3 decades.
She had a lifelong affection for First United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School for 50 years and served on various
and numerous committees and especially loved her card-writing disciple group these last years. Her heart and love for
Homeseekers’ Paradise was evident as she served and presided on various Boards including King’s Daughters Medical Center, Trustmark National Bank, Willing Hearts Circle,
Habitat for Humanity, Southwest Mississippi Board of Realtors, Charity Ball, Climbers Club , DAR, and Mission Mississippi, still always ready to coach tennis or lead a scouting group.
The red and white Volkswagen bus with standard stick shift , affectionately called the Betsy Bus, would travel to gyms all over the state of Mississippi for gymnastics ,
softball, basketball , baseball, football , tennis or track. Some of her fondest memories as a child were playing sports and keeping the baseball stats during summer leagues,
and she passed along this passion for sports to her children. She loved the Raiders and could often listen and watch several ballgames at one time.
Her car would be parked in the driveway with the car door wide open with a local team, and she would have another game on the radio that sat on her kitchen counter.
Betsy was a wonderful mother .....certainly the old woman in the shoe had so many children she didn’t know what to do could apply on many levels. But we woke up for school each day
to a morning devotional and a hot breakfast and came home to something in the crockpot for supper. She never stopped mothering and mentoring. Betsy loved games, competition,
and comradery and enjoyed her last game of Dictionary at Christmas. Ever the wordsmith, Betsy enjoyed the English language, writing colorful descriptions in her real estate advertising.
The Southwest Real Estate Board honored her recently with a One- of –a- Kind Award for her contributions and high ideals and principles in the real estate profession.
What an honor to be thought of that way by peers and competitors alike.
Betsy’s legacy of being an advocate for those people less fortunate and forlorn or who do not have a voice will resonate loud and clear long after she is gone.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial to the First United Methodist Church, Methodist Children’s Home, KDMC Foundation or Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County.
Helen Jean Reeves
Funeral service for Mrs. Helen Jean Reeves will be 1 p.m., Thursday, March 18, 2021,
at Riverwood Family. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Reeves, 73, of Wesson, passed from this life March 12, 2021, at her residence.
She was born March 16, 1947, to Ralph Reeves and Nellie Reeves. She was employed
with Civil Service in Payroll and Logistics. In her leisure time she enjoyed painting,
sewing, bird watching, and gardening. Her presence will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Roger Dale Reeves and her parents.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Ronald Reeves and wife, Teresa and Randal Reeves;
sister, Mary Nell Magee; five grandchildren, Hannah Smith, Allison Smith, Rachael Watson,
Cameron Reeves, and Gabriel Reeves; and three great grandchildren as well as other loving family members and friends.
