Obituaries
Mary Margaret Ratliff Smith
Services for Mrs. Mary Margaret Ratliff Smith are 1:00 pm on Monday, November 23, 2020,
at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with visitation from 11:00 until the time of the service with burial at St Francis Cemetery.
Mrs. Smith passed away on November 19, 2020, at her home after a brief illness. She was born on August 11, 1951,
to Norman A. “Buddy” Ratliff and Mary Getwan Ratliff. She worked with the Brookhaven School system for 25 years.
She was a lifetime member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for all her life. She taught CCD classes and
was a member of several prayer groups. She participated in the Eucharistic Ministry for many years. She enjoyed playing Bunko with her group, watching Jeopardy,
gardening, painting, and she was an avid reader, and loved most of all, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her father, and brother, David Ratliff.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 34 years, Danny G. Smith; mother, Mary Getwan Ratliff;
sons, Matt Jackson and wife, Amy, Chad Smith and wife, Leslie, Craig Smith and wife Kathy and daughter, Paige Jackson.
She is also survived by her brother Norman Ratliff and sister, Jane Smith and husband, Doug and sister-in-law, Michele Ratliff;
7 grandchildren, Mary Parker Brister, Kathleen Jackson, Henley Jackson, Evan Smith, Mollie Howard, Bennett Smith, and Celia Smith
and 5 great-grandchildren, Jackson Brister, Lennie Smith and Gracie Howard, Dalton Howard, and one on the way.
Betty Tinsley Cothern
Graveside Service for Mrs. Betty Tinsley Cothern of Brookhaven are 11:00 am Saturday, November 21, 2020, at Damascus Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Betty Tinsley Cothern, 79, went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 19, 2020, at Southwest Regional Medical Center.
She was born on June 19, 1941, to the late Robert Carey Tinsley and Ottice Mae Tinsley.
Mrs. Cothern was a retired Registered Nurse and was a pianist at New Sight Baptist Church, where she was also a member.
She will be missed by all that knew and loved her.
Preceding her in death were her parents.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, James Cothern; daughters, Missy C. Wilson and special friend,
Corey Hall; Dana C. Smith and husband, Chris; brother, Bobby Tinsley and 7 grandchildren, Hunter Wilson and finance, Rachel Elliot,
Sarabeth Smith and husband, Taylor, Savannah Case and husband, Jared, Hillary Wilson, Sophie Love Wilson, Lillianne Rushing,
and Jaimee Noelle Rushing, and her great-grandson, Rhett Wilson.
Joe Ann Pepper
Graveside Services for Mrs. Joe Ann Pepper of Brookhaven are 10:00 am Tuesday, November 17, 2020
at the Family Cemetery, located at her home, 862 Marion Lane, Brookhaven, MS. There will be no visitation.
Mrs. Joe Ann Pepper, 71, passed away on November 14, 2020, at her home.
She was born on August 15, 1949, to the late Curtis Leroy Fielder and Susie Mae Fielder.
Mrs. Pepper was a retired nurse. She loved Barrell Racing, Pleasure Riding, and raising her animals and gardening.
She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death were her parents, and brother Roger Fielder.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Roger Pepper; son, Jamie Pepper and wife, Jenny;
daughters, Lisa Crosby and husband, Ricky, Rowan Nations and husband, Rodney; brother, Wayne Fielder and wife, Sandy;
sister, Marguerite Chestnut and husband, Eddie and sister-in-law, Patty Fielder. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren,
Colton Welch, Sloan Nations and wife Emily, Georgianna Lewman and husband, Casey, Wyatt Pepper, Gabe Nations,
Lucas Crosby, Julianna Crosby, Caleb Nations and Rosa Pepper; along with great-grandchildren, Tegan, Tatum & Tansley Lewman
and sweet great grandson coming in December, Samuel Nations.
Gloria Rushing Owens
Gloria Rushing Owens 85, of Seminole, Florida, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2020.
She was born January 21, 1935 in Brookhaven, Mississippi, the daughter of Elem and Velma (Martin) Rushing.
Gloria was married to Gaddis H. Owens (deceased). She was one of Jehovah's Witnesses associated
with the Pinebrook Congregation in Pinellas Park, Florida.
She is survived by a daughter, Angela (Mark) Woodall and two sons, Gary (Jackie) and Lee (Nancy) Owens.
Gloria is also survived by her siblings, James Ben, "JB" (Martha) and Clovis (Jeannie) Rushing, and
sisters Opal (Wayne) Currie and Sheila (Stan) Stewart and grandchildren, Jennifer (Roderick) Patrick,
Amanda (James) Barbour, Rebecca (Max) Lundgren, Jonathan and Abigail Owens and three great-grandchildren, Jonah, Andrew, and Luke Patrick.
Gloria was a devoted mother and friend. She received the most joy from helping and giving to others and from studying the Bible.
She worked hard to raise her family and enjoyed crocheting many beautiful gifts.
A virtual memorial service is to be held 2:00 p.m. central time on Saturday November 21, 2020.
Please contact one of the family members for information. Burial will be at Riverwood Family Service, Brookhaven, MS (riverwoodfamily.com)
Faye Mahaffey Furr
Funeral service for Mrs. Faye Mahaffey Furr will be 11 a.m., Saturday, November 14, 2020,
at Riverwood Family Funeral Service, with burial to follow at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mrs. Furr, 88, of Brookhaven, was ushered into the portals of heaven on November 10, 2020.
The Lord presented her to her parents, Benjamin Lee Mahaffey and Mary Lillian “Kate” Mahaffey,
April 6, 1932. Mrs. Faye was a member of First Baptist Church, Brookhaven. She was a secretary
with the Mississippi State Tax Commission until she retired. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother,
and great grandmother, as well as a good steward of all that God entrusted her with. She will be greatly
missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Fred Warren Furr; her parents; brother, Albert Paul Mahaffey;
and daughter-in-law, Debbie Furr.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are, her children, Robert “Bobby” Furr (Joyce), Ann Fraizer (Joe),
and Lisa Burt (Van); sister, Edna Calhoun; ten grandchildren, Chris Furr, Katie Furr, Cliff Furr, Megan Burt Smith,
Josh Frazier, Ryan Burt, Eric Frazier, Cindy Riendeau, Katie Gracey, Tommy Stratman; and 12 great grandchildren,
Amelia and Graham Furr, Stella Smith, Joe Frazier, Travis and Trace Riendeau, Mason Gracey, Rachel,
Caralynn, Andrea, Jacob, and Hailey Stratman; as well as many other loving family members and friends.
Robert Louis Brown
Robert Louis Brown, 64, was born on December 4, 1955, in Brookhaven.
He passed away on November 10, 2020, at Jaquith Nursing Home.
He was preceded in death by his parents,
Robert Eugene Brown and Billie Waldrop White Brown; sister, Debra Susan Brown,
and a special sister, Karen Adams who was only 4 years old when he was born.
She took him under her wings and protected him like a little mother hen; he was also
preceded in death by his two nephews, Sid and Brad Beasley.
He is survived by two sisters, Lisa Rudesill
(Patrick) of Hammond, LA. and Diane Beasley (Sidney) of Wesson, MS; brother, Ronnie White
of Brookhaven, MS. His uncles, Tommy Brown
and Wayne Brown of Wesson, MS.; along with several nieces and nephews and other family members.
Robert was a special part of our family and we are rejoicing today because we
know he has a whole new body and is sitting
on the right arm of our Lord and Savior.
God is Good! All the Time!
Rebecca Elizabeth Vaughn Furlow
Services for Mrs. Rebecca Elizabeth Vaughn Furlow of Wesson are 3:00 pm Sunday, November 15, 2020, at Riverwood Family
Visitation will be from 1:00 until the time of the service with interment at Easthaven Cemetery.
Rebecca “Becky” Nettles Vaughn-Furlow was born in Pascagoula, MS on June 13, 1946 to parents, W.E. and Elizabeth Nettles.
She passed away peacefully at her home on November 12, 2020. She is preceded in death by her parents,
husband, Glen Vaughn and husband, Benton Furlow. Brothers, James Nettles and Jeff Nettles,
sisters, Joyce Butler, Kathleen Garren, and Peggy Ritchie.
Becky is survived by her children, Angie Jordan and husband, Bob, Chad Vaughn and wife, Mendez, Bethany Lewis and husband, Keith.
She was a very proud “Gran Gran” to her grandchildren, Leighton Jordan, Kailyn Jordan, Olivia Grace Lewis, and Glen Vaughn Lewis.
Becky also enjoyed the companionship of her beloved dog, Sammy.
Becky was a graduate of Brookhaven High School; attended the University of MS; was a graduate of School of Bank Marketing at
the University of Colorado & Bank Management School for Marketing Managers at the University of Wisconsin.
She graduated from the Graduate School of Banking of the South at LSU in 1987.
She worked for 51 years in retail bank and operations at Trustmark National Bank in both Brookhaven and Jackson, MS.
She transferred to Marketing and finally to Human Resources where she was the Director of Human Resources when she retired in 2014.
She was the first female Executive Vice President at Trustmark. She wrote several articles that were published in banking magazines and journals.
After retirement, she enjoyed being a columnist for The Clarion Ledger and The Daily Leader for a short while.
She was an active member of Heucks Retreat Baptist Church where she taught the Adult Ladies Sunday School Class, was a member of the choir,
chair of the Personnel Committee, and member of the Stewardship Committee. Before moving to Heucks Retreat, Becky served as a long time
Sunday School teacher and chair of the Missions Committee,
Transportation Committee, and Building Finance Committee while attending First Baptist Church in Brookhaven.
She was a current member of the Grand Cougars Club at Brookhaven Academy, facilitator for Widows Support Group, board member of Capital Club,
treasurer and member of Board of Directors of the Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation, member of the Board of Directors of the MS
Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, where she served as the former chair of the Nominating Committee, and a member of the Leadership Council of Greater MS Girl Scouts.
Her former Civic involvement included being a member of the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement, Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women
where she was a finalist in 2003 for the MS Business Woman of the Year, director of MS Economic Council, participant in MEC’s Leadership MS,
consultant for Project Business Division of Junior Achievement and Board Member of the Educational Foundation Trust.
Becky was also an active member of the Kiwanis Club, Capital Area Human Resource Associates,
Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, and Board of Hinds County Workforce Investment Network.
Becky’s professional involvement included Financial Women International Member, National Board of Directors
of the Bank Marketing and BMA’S National Executive Committee. She was chosen two years to inclusion in the
Outstanding Young Women of America and was the Beta Sigma Phi’s “Girl of the Year” of MS in 1968.
She also was a Gala Honoree from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in 2015, received the Woman of Achievement Award from the Girl Scouts in 2015.
She was the first woman elected to serve as president of the Brookhaven Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce,
where she was the winner of the Membership Award for 3 years. She was the former director of United Way, Linbrook Arts Council, Kiwanis Club,
Boys and Girls Club and the American Cancer Society. She chaired the Mayor’s Awareness Committee to make Brookhaven a more accessible
city for people with disabilities, was the first female member of the Board of Directors for Brookhaven Academy. Becky organized and led a widowed support group for many years.
Becky was loved and admired by family, friends, and colleagues that she met over the years. She made an impact on many lives and her leadership will be
missed by many. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Heucks Retreat Baptist Church, debt reduction fund.
Nona Meek Sutton Leggett
Services for Mrs. Nona Meek Sutton Leggett, of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm, Thursday, November 12, 2020, at Riverwood with burial at Matthews Chapel Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 12:00 until the time of the service at Riverwood.
Mrs. Nona Meek Sutton Leggett, 62, passed away on November 8, 2020, at Kings Daughters Medical Center.
She was born on November 10, 1957, to Isaac Daniel Meek and Jeane Rose Paugh Meek.
Mrs. Leggett was a nurse for 42 years. Throughout her rewarding career, she
worked in Hospice, Home Health, and Pediatrics.
She enjoyed sewing, cross-stitching, gardening, and people. Most of all, she loved being with her grandbabies,
her dogs Baxter and Harley and cats, Taco and Cheeto, and her best friend and husband, Frank.
She also loved making holiday gifts, and candy. Her fudge was requested every year.
Preceding her in death were her parents; brothers, Lance Meek, Blair Meek; son, Richard Sutton, and also her children’s father, Gordon Sutton.
Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Frank (Bub) Leggett, that always kept her smiling;
son, Shawn Sutton (Kristine Ball); daughter, Nisa Sutton; step-son, Chris Leggett (Erica);
brothers, Foster Meek, March Meek; sisters, July Meek (Georgette Bourg) Dara Meek, Tarla Phillips (Ronnie).
She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Avery Fischer, Harrison Sutton, Jameson Sutton,
Miles Sutton, Chelsea Jackson (Brendon), Cody Leggett, Tyler Leggett, and mother-in-law, Opal Leggett, along with a host of nieces and nephews.
Mark David Olin
Mark David Olin, 58, of McComb, passed away of natural causes November 6, 2020, at his residence.
He was born on September 8, 1962, in Miami, Florida, to the late Theodore Olin and Mary Ann Olin.
He was a Production Supervisor for Georgia Pacific and served his country in the United States Army as a lifeguard.
He enjoyed boating, fishing, woodworking, and water sports.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and brothers, Darrell Hansen and Vernon Hansen.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 27 years, Anne-Marie Olin; brother, Tim Olin, and sister, Cynthia Knowles,
and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Paul Edward Willingham, Sr.
Graveside service for Mr. Paul Edward Willingham, Sr. will be 11 a.m.,
Thursday, November 12, 2020, at Mt. Olive Church of Christ Cemetery.
Mr. Willingham, 81, of Brookhaven, passed from this life November 7, 2020.
He was born May 15, 1939, in Brookhaven to parents, William Edward Willingham
and Ruby Nell Dunaway Willingham. During his lifetime he provided for his family
by working in the Timber business. For pleasure, he took time to hunt and fish, and
just enjoy his family. He was a member of Brookway Church of Christ.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Willingham; his parents; son, Paul Willingham, Jr.;
grandfather, Bailey Dunaway; and sister, Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Willingham Ratcliff.
Those left to cherish his memory are his grandson, Paul Willingham III; sister, Barbara Willingham;
and two great grandchildren, Nathan Edward Willingham, and Brayden Edward Willingham; and
other loving family members, F. J. Ratcliff, and Bailey and Abby Dunaway.
