Obituaries
John Stephen Magee
Graveside service for John Stephen Magee will be 2 p.m.,
Thursday, September 3, 2020, at Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery in Lawrence County.
Mr. Magee, 60, of Bogue Chitto, died August 28, 2020 at his residence.
He was born January 22, 1960 to Marvin Doyle Magee and Naida Miller.
He was retired from the oil industry and was a dedicated father and grandfather.
Mr. Magee was a member of Easthaven Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his father, Marvin Magee; stepfather, Robert Eaton Sr.;
and brothers, Robert Eaton, Jr. and Michael Magee.
He is survived by his mother Naida Eaton; son, Donald Magee; daughter,
Catie Goldsmith; brother, Paul Eaton; and sister Janet Phillips. There are also
four grandchildren who will miss their grandfather greatly, Cayleigh Long,
Laney Goldsmith, Wyatt Goldsmith, and Gracie Magee, Lifelong best friends,
Brian Smith, Sammy Smith, and Ricky Tardo, as well as a host of nieces
and nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Lessie Pearl Allgood Turpin
Services for Mrs. Lessie Pearl Allgood Turpin of Brookhaven are 1:00 pm on Tuesday, September 1, 2020,
at Macedonia Baptist Church. Visitation is from 11:00 until time of the service and burial at the church cemetery.
Mrs. Lessie Pearl Allgood Turpin was 89 years old when she went to be with her Lord on August 29, 2020.
She was in her home, surrounded by her family.
She was a faithful member of Macedonia Baptist Church where she was involved in Sunday School and several church organizations,
she played the piano for over 60 years.
Her life was truly a blessing to all that knew her. She will be dearly missed by her family and everyone that loved her.
Preceding her in death were her parents and husband, Ralph D. Turpin.
Those left to cherish her memory are son, Keith Turpin and wife Kathy, two grandchildren, Lacie Case and husband Hunter,
Hollie Dunn and husband, Garrett, and three great-grandchildren, Charlee Kathryn Case, Rylee Addisyn Case, and Maylee Evelyn Dunn.
She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends.
James August Smith
James August Smith of Brookhaven, Miss., passed away on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, surrounded by family at his home.
He was born Oct. 1, 1925, in Brookhaven, Miss., to Charles and Lena Smith.
Smith served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS Chicopee (AO-34), a fleet oiler.
His military service spanned the American, European, and Pacific theaters of operations
and he earned four battle stars for combat action in the Pacific.
He attended Brookhaven High School and entered the Navy during his senior year. After being discharged from the Navy,
he completed high school. He continued his study at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College, earning an associate’s degree,
Millsaps College, earning a bachelor of science in geology, and Mississippi State University, earning a master
of science in petroleum geology. He was an honor student at each level of study.
While at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College, he met the former Mary Nell Hart of Brookhaven, Miss. They were married in 1948.
Smith joined Exxon as a petroleum geologist in 1952. He served with Exxon for 34 years in assignments across southern Louisiana,
including many years in Exxon’s Southeast District Production Department in New Orleans. He rose quickly within the company
to leadership positions, earned numerous awards, and was known as a pioneer in offshore oil exploration.
When he retired in 1986, he was Exxon’s senior geological scientist for the southeast U.S.
Smith enjoyed travel and took his family on vacation across the U.S. and Canada: camping, taking pictures, and collecting rocks.
He loved deep-sea fishing trips, hunting, gardening, planting trees, raising blueberries, woodworking, and puzzles.
Upon retirement, he and Mary built a home in Brookhaven where they enjoyed more than 30 years of children, grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, friends, and other family coming to visit.
Smith is survived by his wife of 72 years, Mary Smith, one daughter, Linda Smith, two sons, Bruce Smith and wife Brenda,
and Glynn Smith and wife Sharon. He had seven grandchildren, Ginger (Cliff) Daniel, Jeffrey (Lisa) Smith, Kevin Smith,
Thomas (Jennifer) Rohr, Courtney (Rick) Paschal, Kaitlin Smith, and Glynn Smith. He also had four great-grandchildren,
Ella Daniel, Briggs Smith, Tucker Smith, and Harper Paschal. He is also survived by one sister, Frances Allred.
His grandsons served as pallbearers.
The family would like to thank his caregivers over the past year, Quinta Brewer and Mary Price, for their devotion to his care.
Robert Wiley Moak
Graveside service for Mr. Robert Wiley Moak will be 2:30 p.m., Monday, August 31, 2020,
at Moak Family Cemetery in Wesson, MS. Visitation is from noon until 2 p.m. Monday prior to service, at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Moak, 73, of Wesson, died August 29, 2020. He was born May 1, 1947, to
Howard V. Moak and Josie N. Moak. He served his country in the United States Navy,
for which we thank him for this service. Mr. Moak provided for his family as an oilfield
worker for 40 years. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Howard Wayne Moak, Johnny M. Moak,
and Ellis Ray Moak.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Erma Moak; daughters, Mary Ann Treadway,
Jeanne Deniece Hebert and husband, Larry; brothers, Richard Carroll Moak and wife, Dolly,
Jimmy G. Moak and wife, Joy; sister, Rose Mary Pickering and husband, Garry; six grandchildren,
Howard Hebert, Kyle Hebert, Brandi Angelle, Jeremy Treadway, Cadianne Hebert, and Christopher Treadway.
He is also survived by nine great grandchildren and a host of other loving family members and friends.
Dorothy E. Benson
Graveside service for Mrs. Dorothy E. Benson will be 2:30 p.m., Sunday,
August 30, 2020, at Easthaven Cemetery.
Mrs. Dorothy E. Benson, 87, of Brookhaven, completed her journey here August 28, 2020.
She was born October 17, 1932 to her parents, Hugh F. Ferguson and Frances Smith Case.
She was a proud American, serving her country in the United States Airforce during WWII.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph “Joe” Benson; her parents, father, Hugh F. Ferguson
and her mom and dad, Frances Smith Case and Rufus M. Case; son, Christopher Benson; daughter,
Teri Lynn Benson; and sisters, Alice Warren, Yvonne F. Ogle, and Pat Case Jacobson.
Those who remain to hold her memory dear, are her daughter, Susan Marie Benson
and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to organizations close to her heart, which are
Trinity Park or Angel’s Attic , c/o Church of the Redeemer P.O. Box 804 Brookhaven, MS 39602.
Barney J. King
Graveside service for Mr. Barney J. King will be 2 p.m., Sunday, August 30, 2020,
at Divide Methodist Protestant Church Cemetery.
Mr. King, 83, passed from this life August 28, 2020, at his residence. He was born in
Lawrence County October 10, 1936. He was a retired self-employed Building Contractor
and a member of Divide Methodist Protestant Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ira Martin King and Vela Elsa Lambert King
and his sister, Olean King Rutland.
Those who are left to cherish his memory are his wife, Janie Mahaffey King; sons,
Randy King (Tina), Eric King (Bridgette); daughter, Phyllis K. Smith (Tommy); brothers,
Holton King and Pat King; sisters, Inell Gunnell, Alteen Tanksley, and Doris Smith;
eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Robert Carroll Allbritton
Graveside service for Mr. Robert Carroll Allbritton will be 2:30 p.m., Wednesday,
September 2, 2020, at Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from
Noon until 2 p.m. at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Allbritton, 86, of Brookhaven, passed from this life August 27, 2020 at his residence.
He was born in Brookhaven September 27, 1933. He worked as a Truck Driver to support
his family and he supported his country serving in the United States Army during
the Korean War. Mr. Allbritton was a member of Ramah Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, J.B. Allbritton and Icie Chisolm Allbritton; sister,
Aline Foster; brother, Archie Allbritton; and sister-in-law, Carrie Boyte.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Martha Dump Allbritton; sons,
Stacey Allbritton (Sandy), Michael Springs (Kathy); daughters, Darlene Roberts (Allen),
Jolene Poole (Andrew), Stephanie Wilson (Charles); 12 grandchildren and nine great
grandchildren as well as sisters-in-law, Nita Allbritton, Mildred Prather, and Mary Risinger.
Margaret Elaine Smith
Services for Mrs. Margaret Elaine Smith of Brookhaven are 1:00 pm Saturday, August 29, 2020, at New Sight Baptist Church with burial at the church cemetery.
Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 pm Friday, August 28, at the church, and will resume again on Saturday from noon until the time of the service.
Mrs. Margaret Elaine Smith, 80, went to be with her Lord on August 26, 2020, at her home.
She was born on June 30, 1940, to the late Robert Lee Furlow and Nell Allen Furlow. Mrs. Smith was an active member of New Sight Crochet Club
and New Sight Baptist Church and was a former member of the Eastern Star.
Preceding her in death were her parents and husband, Joel Sherman Smith.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Rhonda Sisco and husband, Danny, Renae Maxwell, and husband, Richard and
Krista Smith and husband, Don; and sister, Geraldine Fauver. She is also survived by her 7 grandchildren, Heather Seago, Daniel Sisco,
Adam Smith, Dustin Sisco, Jacob Maxwell, Josh Maxwell, and Austin Smith; 10 great-grandchildren, Mikaylan Seago, Madison Seago, Kinsley Seago,
Tucker Smith, Preston Maxwell, Eli Sisco, Gunner Smith, Emma Sisco, Emery Maxwell, Mamie Kate Sisco, and Taylor Matthew Smith, that is expected in October.
Jimmy Dale Lynch
Graveside service for Mr. Jimmy Dale Lynch will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 29, 2020,
at Gum Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service
at Gum Grove Baptist Church.
Jimmy Dale Lynch, 57, of Brookhaven, died August 25, 2020, at University of Mississippi Medical Center.
He was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi June 21, 1963, to Charles Thomas Lynch and
Ruth Ann Murphy Lynch. He received an Associates Degree in Drafting and Design. In his
free time, he enjoyed working with wood and watching races at Pike County Speedway.
Mr. Lynch was a member of Mississippi Transplant Team of America. In lieu of flowers,
the family asks that you make donations to Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency (MORA).
He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Kim George.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sons, J.T. Lynch and wife, Ashley, Landon Lynch,
and Shane Lynch; Sister, Michelle Primm and husband, Tim; and one grandson, Jase Lynch.
He is also survived by two nieces, Madison Smallwood and Sydney Smallwood, and one nephew,
Peyton Smallwood as well as other loving family members and friends.
Emma Jean Dedmon Norton
Funeral service for Mrs. Emma Jean Dedmon Norton will be held 2 p.m., Friday, August 28, 2020,
at Solid Rock Pentecostal Church with burial at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Visitation will begin
at noon on Friday, until the time of service.
Mrs. Norton, of Wesson, completed her journey on earth August 25, 2020, at the age of 88, at her
residence. She began this journey January 19, 1932, born to David Damascus Dedmon and
Eurvie Esther Carter Dedmon, in Holly Bluff, Mississippi. Mrs. Norton was a homemaker,
but that included everything from making wedding cakes to making pageant dresses and
making clothes for her family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother to 12 grandchildren
and great grandmother to 26. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy and will be greatly missed by those who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Robert Norton, Jr.; parents; grandson, Clay Norton;
daughter-in-law, Jena Presley Norton; brother, Harold D. Dedmon; and sister Clara Mae Dedmon.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her sons, John Alvin Norton (Kim) and Joe Robert Norton III
(Cathy Lynn); daughters, JoAnn King (Neal), Linda Jean Smith (Tony Lynn), Mary Esther Chance,
Kathy Diane Smith (Craig); 12 grandchildren, Lori Norton Brown (Chad), Sarah Marie Adams (Gary),
Darren White, David Lynn Case (Jennifer), Joseph Darren Dunn (Lenie), Justin Clark Dunn (Kacelyn),
Joe Robert Norton IV (Sara), Sonny Wade Norton (Beth), Michelle Lofton Thornton (Brad), Dennis Smith, Jr.
(Shyannah), Daniel Evan Smith (Janele), and Mollie Elizabeth Howard (Michael); and 26 great grandchildren.
