Obituaries
Shanna Michelle McFarland Miller
Services for Mrs. Shanna Michelle McFarland Miller will be held Thursday, August 13, 2020, at 2 p.m.
at Lighthouse Community Center with visitation being prior to the service starting at noon. Interment will be at Wallace Lee Cemetery.
Shanna Michelle Miller, 32, of Corinth, passed from this life on August 8, 2020, in Memphis, Tennessee. She was born on June 27, 1988,
in Brookhaven to Thomas Leroy McFarland, Sr. and Mary Evelyn Smith.
She loved the time spent with her children and family and following her dad in the many chores that he was involved in.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Winnfield McFarland, Mary Jane McFarland, Sam Earl Smith, and step-grandfather, Willis McManus.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Jeffery Brian Miller; parents, Thomas Leroy McFarland, Sr. and Mary Evelyn Smith;
daughters, Kendra Rhinaye Jones, Chloe Danyelle Jones; brother, Thomas Leroy McFarland, Jr.; and sister, Nikki Danyelle McFarland,
and grandmother, Sue McManus. She is also survived by nephews and nieces, Tommy Dearing, Sean Dearing, Seth Smith, Landon McFarland,
Laidyn McFarland, and Bay Bay McFarland.
Thomas Gordan Winborne
A graveside service will be held for Mr. Thomas Gordan Winborne 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at Easthaven Cemetery.
Mr. Winborne, 93, of Wesson, passed from this life August 10, 2020, at Haven Hall. He was born in Bogue Chitto, MS January 24, 1927. Mr. Winborne was a retired cabinet maker and was the owner of his own business. For his enjoyment, he would spend time outdoors, hunting and fishing. His family was especially important to him and spending time with them was most important. He will be missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Annie May Ward Winborne; parents, William Thomas Winborne and Francis Allen Winborne; daughter, Camillia Ann Winborne; and eight brothers and sisters.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his daughter, Pamela Winborne Allen and husband, Ricky; sister, Yvonne Herring; three grandchildren, Richie Allen, Regan Allen, Renata Coghlan and husband Cheyenne; six great grandchildren, Ryan Allen, Rileigh Allen, Madison Allen, Rhett Allen, Raini Neal, Lauren Coghlan, Justin Shedd; and one great, great grandchild, Carter Shedd along with other loving family members and friends.
David Roberson
Graveside service for Mr. David Roberson will be 3 p.m., Friday, August 14, 2020, at Bethel Temple Cemetery. There will be a memorial drive through visitation Wednesday, August 12 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church, 1610 Caleb Drive. (Hwy 84 East Frontage Road)
Mr. Roberson, 77, of Brookhaven, passed from this life August 9, 2020, at Post-Acute Medical in Hammond, Louisiana. He was born in Lynn, Mississippi October 30, 1942. He was the owner of Brookhaven Transmission for 40 years. He was also a lifetime member of Heucks Retreat Volunteer Fire Department and served 17 years in the Auxiliary Sheriff Department. Mr. Roberson enjoyed visiting the Smoky Mountains and soaking in the beauty of God’s creation there. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Lewis David Roberson, Sr., and Lucy Lou Roberson; brother, Rev. Jack Roberson; sister, Helen Grimes; son-in-law, Chris Smith; daughter-in-law, Bethany Roberson; and father and mother-in-law, G.T. and Bertha Orman.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife, Geraldean “Jerrie” Roberson; son, Alton Roberson; daughters, Tammy Martin and husband, Rev. Joel Martin and Amanda Smith White and husband, Samuel White; sisters, Dottie Capps and husband, Mike, Peggie Flowers and husband, Wiley, and Mary Cannon; 12 grandchildren, Hayley Philips, Garrett Roberson and wife, Heather, Parker Roberson and girlfriend, Terrah Adams, Ashlyn Martin, Cassidy Roberson and boyfriend, Will Carr, Leyton Roberson, Addalyn Martin, Isabella White, Micah Smith, William White, Mia Smith, Annistyn Martin; four great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and honorary grandkids.
We will proceed to the cemetery from Riverwood at 2:30 p.m. for those who would like to join the procession.
Pamela Fortenberry Kirk
Memorial service for Mrs. Pamela Fortenberry Kirk will be 5 p.m., Wednesday,
August 12, 2020, at Heucks Retreat Baptist Church. Visitation begins at 4 p.m. at the church.
Mrs. Kirk, 71, of Brookhaven, passed from this life August 7, 2020, at her residence.
She was born in Franklinton, Louisiana, August 22, 1948. Mrs. Pam retired from
teaching many years in the Brookhaven School District. The definition of teacher is a
person who instructs. Mrs. Pam was an excellent instructor, but she was so much more.
She had a passion for each student she met. She not only taught them, she invested in them.
She will be missed by all that loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Ken Kirk; her parents, Henry Harold Fortenberry
and Marie Morgan Fortenberry; and her daughter, Olivia Kirk.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her two sons, Kevin Kirk and Alden Kirk and wife,
Kecia; sister, Peggy Purvis; four grandchildren, Madison, Josie, Carter, and Breece;
and other loving family members and friends.
Betty D. Langston
Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Denton Langston passed from this life on Friday, August 7, 2020 at Beehive Homes of Brookhaven.
Betty was born November 20, 1929 to Herbert Lynette Denton and Elizabeth Kennedy Denton in Corinth, MS. The family moved to Tupelo when Betty was a young girl where she lived for the next several decades. A graduate of Tupelo schools, Betty attended Randolph Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia and Ole Miss. She relinquished her crown as the second Mississippi Miss Hospitality to marry the love of her life, Judson Davis Langston, in 1951 while he was on leave from the United States Navy. While living in California, she attended the School of Design at Contra Costa College in Concord.
Davis’s time in the navy early in their marriage and his career with Levi Strauss in their empty nest years, both led to extensive travel. They loved experiencing different countries and cultures together.
Mississippi always held their hearts and they came home to Brookhaven in 1986.
Betty was a member of the Forthian Club of Tupelo, and was a life member of Junior Auxiliary. She was honored to be the first life member of Garden Club of Moraga, California. She was also a member of Wildwood Garden Club, Matinee Musical, Climbers Club and the Arts Council in Brookhaven.
Throughout her life she was an active church member and was guided by a strong faith.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her brother Herbert Lynette Denton, Jr. She is survived by her sister Margaret Ruth McCall of Baton Rouge; her three sons Dave (Beth) of Wesson, Ken (Christy) of Columbus, Indiana and Nat (Pat) of Roxie. Additional survivors are 8 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service will be held at Riverwood in Brookhaven. For the safety of all she loved and whom loved her, we ask that you attend only in prayer.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Brookhaven Trust or to the First United Methodist Church of Brookhaven.
L. Ralph Smith
A memorial service will be held for Mr. Smith 10 a.m., Saturday, August 22, 2020
at Church of the Redeemer.
Lonnie Ray Beavers
Funeral service for Mr. Lonnie Ray Beavers will be 2 p.m., Saturday at Solid Rock Pentecostal Church,
with interment at Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation for friends will begin at noon at the church.
Mr. Beavers, 78, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life August 6, 2020 in Meridian, MS. He was born in
Lincoln County, MS November 22, 1941, to Felix and Annie J. White Beavers. He was a carpenter by trade
but was so much more. He was a faithful husband and father and he absolutely loved his five grandchildren
and three great grandchildren. He will be missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Thomas Beavers, Monroe Beavers, and
Bobby Wayne “Pete” Beavers; sisters, Betty Sue Gill and Elaine Richardson; and granddaughter,
Alyssa Chance.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife, Patricia Arnold Beavers; sons, Ricky Beavers
and wife, Brandi and Jonathan Bunyard and wife, Holli; daughter, Donna Beavers Chance; sisters,
Mary Johnson, Joyce Ruby, Dorothy Martin, and Johnnie Boyles; his five grandchildren, Justin Beavers,
Tracy Gerald, Jessica Chance, Sullivan Bunyard, and Whitlea Bunyard; and three great grandchildren,
Autumn Beavers, Alex Gerald, and Logan Gerald. He is also survived by numerous nieces and
nephews as well as other loving family members and friends.
Rex Anthony "Tony" Baker
A private graveside service will be held for Mr. Rex Anthony “Tony” Baker at a later date.
Mr. Baker, 58, of Brookhaven, passed from this life August 5, 2020 at his residence. He was born December 21, 1961 to his parents, Rex Allen Baker and JoAnn Williams Baker Myrick. He was employed as a Finish Carpenter. Tony was an avid fisherman and loved being in the great outdoors. He had a small garden that took up most of his free time and it gave him great pleasure to share all that he would grow. Tony was a good-hearted man and will be missed by those who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Sonia Geneva Smith Baker; his father, Rex Allen Baker; stepfather, Roger Myrick; and stepson, Joshua Lee Lambert.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his mother, JoAnn Baker Myrick; step daughters, Amanda Marie Gatlin and husband, Tyler and Lisa Lambert and Brandon Rakes; sisters, Terri Baker Moak and husband, Frank, Renee Baker Darby and husband, Ted; four step grandchildren, Teagan and Brennan Gatlin and Emma and Connor Rakes. He is also survived by four nieces and two great nephews as well as other loving family members and friends and his precious little dog, Maggie.
Keely Ellen Ballard Adams
Graveside service for Ms. Keely Ellen Ballard Adams will be 11 a.m., Saturday,
August 8, 2020, at Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery. Service will be officiated by Rev. Jacob Glasz.
Ms. Adams, 34, of Hattiesburg, passed from this life August 2, 2020, in Metarie, Louisiana.
She was born November 17, 1985 in Natchez, Mississippi, to Kenneth C. Ballard and Miriam Smith Ballard.
She graduated college with a degree in nursing and worked as a Registered Nurse. Keely was a
compassionate soul and truly cared for the people she ministered to. She worked in the Intensive Care Unit
and she also worked as a traveling nurse. Her free time was enjoyed by golfing, swimming,
and attending concerts. She will be missed by those who loved her.
Keely is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Lamar smith and her paternal grandparents,
Lillie and Mayo Manuel.
Those who are left to cherish her memory are her parents; her sister, Karly Rose Ballard Dyess and husband,
Ryan as well as a niece, Madison Paige Dyess and nephew, Gabriel Lee Dyess; and grandmother, Mary B. Smith.
She is also survived by her long-time companion, Kevin Roper.
Deborah Welch Reeves
Mrs. Deborah Welch Reeves, 68, of Bogue Chitto, MS, passed from this life August 6, 2020,
at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven. She was born August 26, 1951, to
G.C. Welch, Jr. and Tommie Ruth Baker Welch. She was a member of Topisaw Baptist Church.
Mrs. Reeves is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Wayne Welch.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her husband, Wayne Reeves; sons, Tom C. Wallace
and wife, Pam, Billy Reeves and wife, Sarah, Alan Reeves and wife, Miranda, and Chris Reeves;
daughters, Patricia Wallace and Tami Thornhill and husband Scott; brothers, Kent Welch and wife,
Jeanette, Steve Welch and wife, Barbara, and Mark Welch; and one sister, Marsha Welch. She also leaves
behind 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren as well as a host of other loving family members and friends.
There are no services at this time.
