Obituaries
Everette Gerald Wilson
Services for Mr. Everette Gerald Wilson will be held on Monday, December 23, 2019, at 2:00pm at Riverwood Family with interment at Mt Zion Church of Christ Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday Evening, December 22, 2019, from 5:00 – 9:00pm also at Riverwood Family.
Everette Gerald Wilson, 77, of Brookhaven, passed from this life on December 20, 2019, at his daughter’s residence. He was born on May 13, 1942, in Brookhaven, to Everette Wilson and Ruth Irene Case Wilson.
Mr. Wilson worked for Deviney Construction and was a member of Brookway Baptist Church. He loved life, family and music and also loved playing his guitar and mandolin. His favorite was playing bluegrass music with his friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Betty Wilson, two granddaughters, Lauren Elizabeth Watts and Meghan Hux.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children, son, David Wilson and wife Diane; daughters, Cheryl Cummins and husband Richard and Angie Watts and husband Gary; two sisters, Paulette Thomas and husband Ronnie and Sandra King and husband Neal. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Christopher Farmer, Rebecca Brock and husband Greg, Brittany Thompson and husband Brad, Kaitlin Watts, William Watts, Jason Watts and wife Kaylee, Laken Herrington and husband John, Aaron Cook and wife Chrystina and Breanna Hammond and husband Michael along with fifteen great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by a special friend of 25 years, Gloria Leggett.
William Calvin Spencer
Services for Mr. William Calvin Spencer of Bogue Chitto are 2:00 pm Sunday, December 22, 2019
at Riverwood Family with burial at the Bogue Chitto Cemetery.
Visitation is 1:00 pm Sunday until time of the service at Riverwood.
Mr. Calvin Spencer, 91, went to be with his Lord on December 18, 2019 at King’s Daughters Medical Center.
He was born on August 19, 1928 to the late, Sidney Brown Spencer, Sr. and Cordelia Amanda Brister Spencer.
Mr. Spencer was a member of Bogue Chitto Methodist Church. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War,
and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was retired as a salesman for Pet Milk.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and wife, Sarah Nell Sasser Spencer.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sons, Richard Calvin Spencer and Robert Hollis Spencer and wife, Linda Sue.
He is also survived by a brother, Sidney Brown Spencer, Jr., and 2 grandsons, Alexander Hollis Spencer and Zachary Stephen Spencer.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to St Jude or the Bogue Chitto Cemetery Association Perpetual Care.
John Harrisse Nations
Services for Mr. John Harrisse Nations of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm Saturday, December 21, 2019, at Union Hall Baptist Church with burial at the church cemetery.
Visitation is from 12:00 pm until the time of service.
Mr. John Harrisse Nations, 60, went to be with his Lord on December 18, 2019, at his residence. He was born on September 19, 1959.
John was a Missionary and painter; and was a loving son, father, and husband. He enjoyed Mission work, gardening and spending time with his family.
Preceding him in death were his father, John Ralph Nations; brothers, Mike Nations, and Dennis Nations.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Loreen Nations; mother, Mavis Warren, and step-father, Jesse Warren;
sons, John Alexander Nations and Zachariah Nations; brothers, Chris Nations, Roy Nations and step-brothers, Don Warren and Jess Warren.
Ralph Lawrence Sartin
The funeral service for Mr. Ralph Lawrence Sartin will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 18, at Riverwood Family,
with interment at Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday evening at Riverwood and will
resume at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning before the service.
Mr. Sartin, 76, of Brookhaven, passed away December 15, 2019, at University of Mississippi Medical Center. He was
born in Algiers, Louisiana December 19, 1942 to his parents, Robert and Elvis Maude Sartin. Mr. Sartin worked
in the oil industry for 25 years with Shell Oil and continued as a consultant with them until his retirement.
He was an avid outdoorsman but also enjoyed a good book and caring for animals. His most beloved
treasure was his family. His grandchildren were the jewels in his crown. He will be missed by all who loved him.
Mr. Sartin is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Kenneth Paul Sartin.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife of 36 years, Rebecca Leary Sartin; sons, Robert Earl Sartin,
Steven Ralph Sartin and wife Jodie; daughters, Ginger McMillan and husband Ray, Dena Jackson and husband,
Robbie; six grandchildren, Robyn Morehead, Brady Hall, Holly Chappell, Kristen Blanks, Dana Agre, and
Mackenzie Jackson. He is also survived by three great grandchildren and his sister-in-law, Joan Sartin.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brookhaven Animal Rescue League, P.O. Box 3477, Brookhaven, MS 39601
Royce Randall Britt
Services for Mr. Royce Randall Britt of Brookhaven are 10:00 am, Monday, December 16, 2019,
Riverwood Family with interment at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation is Sunday, December 15, from 5:00-8:00 pm at Riverwood.
Mr. Royce Randall Britt, 72, went to be with his Lord on December 13, 2019, at King Daughter’s Medical Center.
He was born on August 31, 1947, to the late Roy and Mildred Allen Britt.
Mr. Britt, having served faithfully and honorably, was retired from the United States Army after 23 years. His daily job was as an infantry mechanic,
but this inadequately describes how highly skilled and trained he was, having attended some 28 separate military classes.
His highest honor came in the form of silver wings pinned on his chest by his father, Roy Britt, the day he earned his Green Beret, as a Special Forces Paratrooper.
Once released from his duty to his country, he was able to continue to provide for his family in another job he thoroughly enjoyed,
as a truck driver. He was also an accomplished pulpwood hauler and could throw a 300-pound stick of pulpwood over his shoulder in his prime.
Although he lived a quiet life, he loved his family extravagantly. He and his wife were best friends for 52 years
and were known to have some pretty competitive Scrabble and Domino games. They could also cut a rug in their living room listening to Percy Sledge.
He was infinitely proud of his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren. You knew each of their accomplishments if you talked to him for a minute
because he loved to brag on them.
His stories and jokes will be missed but will live on in those he leaves behind: his wife, Sandra Reid Britt;
their children and their children’s spouses, Jason and Leslie Britt, and David and Felicia Britt Spray; and 6 grandchildren, Jacob Britt,
Sydney Kay Britt, Katie Spray, Anna Leigh Spray, Aidan Spray, and Leni Spray.
Thomas Sean Bessonette
Thomas Sean Bessonette, 34, of Ruth, died on December 11, 2019.
He was born on January 3, 1985.
He worked as a Meter Tech and was a member of Topeka Tilton Baptist Church.
Thomas Sean will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Homer Bessonette and Rebecca Lipscomb Bessonette, and brother, Danny Bessonette.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Tiffany Bessonette; sons, Laiden Bessonette and Evan Bessonette;
daughter, Brianna White; brothers, Timothy Bessonette, Homer Bessonette, Leon Bessonette;
sisters, Robin Bessonette and Doraine Bessonette.
He is also survived by Danny Hughes, Cheryl Hughes, Chance Greene, Candace Greene, Jamie Muir,
Chaz Courtney, Spencer Courtney, Paul Muir, Luke Rushing Donald Murphy, Bobby Joe Hudson and Grimmy.
David Beasley
Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, December 13, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Liberty, MS.
Service will be at the church at 1 p.m. with burial at a Family Cemetery.
John Bennie Castilaw
Services for Mr. John Bennie Castilaw, of Ruth are 1:00 pm, Thursday, December 12, 2019, at Victory Baptist Church with interment at the church cemetery.
Visitation is Wednesday, December 11, 2019, from 5:00 – 9:00 pm, at Riverwood Family and will resume Thursday from 12:00 pm until time of the service, at the church.
Mr. John Bennie Castilaw, 78, went to be with his Lord on December 9, 2019. He was born on May 27, 1941, to the late, Henry Bennie Castilaw and Willie Maude Castilaw.
John was a member and Deacon of Victory Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Topisaw Lodge #413 and enjoyed hunting, “piddling” and visiting the nursing home and shut-ins.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and sister, Revia Bryant.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Tennie Rae Castilaw; sons, Glen Castilaw and Steve Castilaw and wife, Celeste;
daughter, Vickie Rushing, and husband, Johnny; brother, Robert Castilaw, of Haslet, Texas; and sisters, Ruth Temple, of Baton Rouge, LA and Dorothy Staford.
He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Will Rushing, Zane Rushing, Kaitlyn Castilaw, John Stephen Castilaw and step-grandchildren, Colby Cade and Caitlin Cade; and a special cousin, James Castilaw.
Dorothy Ragland Mercier
Funeral service for Dorothy Ragland Mercier is 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15, 2019 at Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven,
with visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 14 at Riverwood. Burial is at Beauregard Cemetery.
Dorothy Mercier died at home December 9, 2019. She was born December 20, 1922 in Elmhurst, Illinois to Bess and Chester Ragland.
Dorothy graduated from Vanderbilt University. After World War II she met her future husband, naval officer George T. Mercier, Jr.,
in Washington, D.C. They were married in 1946 and lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Houston, Texas before retiring to Wesson.
Dorothy had a lifelong love for gardening and music. She was a member and past president of the Wesson Garden Club. She shared
her beautiful singing voice as a choir member and soloist throughout her life. She lived a life of faith and was a member of Wesson Presbyterian Church.
Preceding Dorothy in death were her parents, three sisters and a brother.
She is survived by her husband of 73 years, George Mercier, Jr.; her children George T. Mercier III of Houston and Wesson;
Anne Woodson and husband Lee of Galveston, Texas; Laurie Mercier and husband John of Portland, Oregon; Patricia Nicklas
and husband Ed of Houston, Texas; and Chester Mercier and wife Leslie of Houston, Texas. She is also survived by ten
grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
The family would especially like to thank special friend and caregiver Wynn Jones, Cheryl Sanders, and the staff
of Diversicare and Hospice Ministries.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
Malcolm “Buck” Franklin Butler, Sr.
The graveside service for Mr. Malcolm “Buck” Franklin Butler, Sr., will be 10 a.m., Thursday, December 12, 2019,
at Butler Family Cemetery. There will be a visitation from 5-8 p.m., Wednesday evening, December 11, at Riverwood.
Mr. “Buck” Butler, 85, of Brookhaven, passed from this life December 10, 2019, at King’s Daughters Medical Center.
He was born November 29, 1934, to his parents, Steve Butler and Allie Lee Pennington Butler. Before retiring,
he was employed at Potter Company for 38 years, and served as a Deputy with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department.
Mr. Butler was a member of Fair River Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Laura Belle Butler; his parents; and two brothers and two sisters.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Judy Butler Case, Malcolm Butler, Jr., Nancy Butler Grace, and
Wanda Butler Bell. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.