Obituaries
Jean Gerard Oliver
Memorial service for Mrs. Jean Gerard Oliver will be 2 p.m., Friday, August 23, at Riverwood.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until time of service Friday.
Jean Gerard Oliver, 79, went to be with the Lord August 20, 2019. She was born August 6, 1940 in
Winona, Mississippi, to her parents, William Smith Gerard and Mary Prince Gerard. Jean was the
beloved wife of Bill for 57 years. She leaves Bill, her son, William, Jr. “Hudson”; daughters,
Rebecca “Becky” and Kimberly “Kim”; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Jean graduated from Winona High School and attended MSCW for two years. While in high school
she was active in various clubs and organizations. She was elected “Miss Winona High”,
“Most Beautiful”, “Head Cheerleader” and “Homecoming Queen” by her fellow students and
classmates. She was an excellent swimmer and diver. Jean was an accomplished watercolorist
and long-time member of the Gaddis Group (watercolor artists) and exhibited in local and national shows.
Jean was a kind, humble, loving, and generous lady. She loved people, animals and life.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Mary Gerard Young.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church in Ridgeland, MS,
Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, MS or Faith Presbyterian Church in Brookhaven, MS.
Clara Juanita Thomas
Visitation: 5:00-8:00 pm Wednesday, August 21, Riverwood Family
Service: 11:00 am Thursday, August 22, Wesson Baptist Church
Lie in state 10:00-11:00 am
Interment: Wesson Cemetery
Clara Juanita Thomas, a faithful servant of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, was called home on the
morning of August 19, 2019. She celebrated her 86th birthday two days prior surrounded by family and friends.
Juanita was born on August 17, 1933, to Shelton Sebron and Clara Culpepper. The eldest of four, Juanita
dearly loved her siblings, Virginia, Mary, and Shelton Sebron Jr.
On December 20, 1952, Juanita married the love of her life, Jack Christopher Thomas. They had one daughter,
Susan, who was the apple of their eye. Juanita and Jack were happily married for 52 years before his faith became sight.
A pillar of her community, Ms. Thomas was loved by all. She was an active member of Wesson Baptist Church
and was a mother figure to many students at Co-Lin, where she was affectionately known as “Mama T”.
She served at Copiah Lincoln Community College for 42 years as Dietician and Campus Hostess.
She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Shelton Sebron Culpepper Sr. and Clara Lee Culpepper;
her husband, Jack Christopher Thomas; and her sister, Virginia Turnage.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan Thomas Diamond; her son-in-law, Robert Leslie Diamond,
Her granddaughters, Jennifer Diamond Little, Jessica Alane Diamond, and Julie Diamond Fugler; her grandsons-in-law,
Scott Little and Blake Fugler; and her great granddaughters, Holly Katherine Little, Mallory Ann Little, Vivian Claire Fugler,
Kayleigh Grace Little, and Lillian Faith Fugler. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and
nephews who affectionately know her as “Aunt NeNe”.
Rachael Lynn Case
Funeral service for Ms. Rachael Lynn Case will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, August 20, 2019,
at Riverwood Family in Brookhaven, followed by interment in the Wellman Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation is from 9 a.m. until time of service Tuesday.
Rachael Lynn Case, 27, of Brookhaven, passed from this life August 16, 2019. She was born October 16, 1991,
to Roger Dewayne Case and Lori Marie Case.
She is preceded in death by her daughter, Railyn Nicole Brister; grandparents, Roger Case, Gary Martin, Sr.,
and Katherine Smith; and uncle, Carey Martin.
Those left to cherish her memory are her parents; sons, Brantlee, Jayston, Brody, Vance, and Rowdy;
daughter, Jaizey; brother, Jeremiah Case; sister, Nikki Case; grandmothers, Cathy Martin and Ede Case;
uncles, Michael & Marty Martin, Shane Case; and aunt, Deborah Martin.
Willie Olline Paden
Graveside service for Mrs. Willie Olline Paden will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, August 20, 2019,
at Powell’s Grove Cemetery. A memorial service will be held following burial at Powell’s Grove Church.
Mrs. Paden, 77, of Jayess, passed away at her residence. She was born March 22, 1942, to Thomas Oliver Hux
and Pauline Caves Hux Thames. She was a registered nurse and used her nurturing heart to care for patients
in Hospice care. She loved her family, her dog, Paden and her cats. She spent her free time reading and really
enjoyed learning new things.
She is preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Willie C. Thames; and daughter, Tara Pauline Paden.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Willard Paden; sons, Jeff Paden and Brian Paden; daughters,
Rhanda Hamilton and Kelley Givens; brothers, Thomas Hux, Don Hux, Paul Hux, Mark Hux, and Ronald Hux.
She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, Chris Hamilton, Natalie Williams, Darren Givens, Cieara Etheridge,
Aaron Paden, Tara Pepper, Colton Hamilton, Olivia Paden, Adi Paden, Averi Paden; and 17 great grandchildren.
Catherine Alice Callendar
Services for Mrs. Catherine Alice Callendar of Brookhaven are 11:00 am Wednesday, August 21, 2019
at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with visitation from 9:00 until time of service. Interment at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mrs. Catherine Alice Callendar, 72, went to be with her Lord on August 18, 2019 at her residence.
She was born on October 12, 1946 to the late John Everret Fairchild and Ruby Lois Harveston Fairchild.
Ms. Catherine was a member of Clear Branch Baptist Church and will be missed by all that knew her and loved her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; twin sister, Carolyn Fairchild; sisters, Ruth Waldrop, Virginia Smith;
brothers, John Fairchild, Jr., and Marvin Fairchild.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, of 54 years, Dale Callendar; sons, Jassen Callender (Stacy) and Justin Callendar.
She is also survived by her brothers, Henry Fairchild, Roy Fairchild; sisters Margaret Fairchild and Lydia Fairchild Brent
and her 4 grandchildren, Justin Callendar, Jr. (Heidi), Danielle Callendar (Lucas), Hunter Callendar, Jud Callendar and great grandson, Langston.
Clayton Edward Golden
Services for Clayton Edward Golden of Bogue Chitto will be 2 p.m., Sunday,
August 18, 2019, at Riverwood Family, with interment in
Wellman Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m.,
Saturday at Riverwood and will resume Sunday from noon until the time of service.
Clayton Edward Golden, 15, passed away August 13, 2019.
He was born on August 27, 2003. Clayton enjoyed hunting, fishing, the outdoors,
music and he was a huge Chevy fan.
Preceding him in death were his great grandparents, Vernon and Dorothy Smith,
and Edward and Juanita Howard; and his cousin, Don Bessonette.
Those left to cherish his memory are his father, Carlos Golden and step-mother, Jenea;
mother, Victoria Cartier and step-father, Josh; brothers, Dennis Menard, Evan Cartier
and Nickolas Boshart; sisters Shaylyn Cartier, Destiny and Deanna Steadham; maternal
grandparents, Judy and Jim Jordan and Audrey Newman, and Bo and Bertha Smith; paternal
grandparents, Derrick and Darlene Abbott; a very special aunt and uncle, Veronica and
Brian Branch; uncle, Bo Smith and wife, Rachel, aunt, Vallery Bates and boyfriend, Jeremy Morgan;
very special cousins, Braxton, Chloe and Mya Branch, Kaylee Bates, Hayden Gunnell, Liza Morgan,
Connor, Hunter and Tripp Smith and very beloved and special aunt, Mary Bowman.
He was also survived by his beloved girlfriend, Ashlyn Bowman and his friend/sister, Carmen Bryant.
He never thought of his siblings as being “half". They were his brothers and sisters.
Jerry Wayne Stroud
Jerry Wayne Stroud, 69, of Natchez, passed away August 13, 2019, at his residence.
He was born November 25, 1949, to Donald Ruby Stroud and Leda Watkins Moore.
He is preceded in death by his father.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Patricia Ann Stroud; his mother,
Leda Watkins Moore; son, Joshua Wayne Stroud; brother, Charles Stroud and wife,
Pat; sister, Jackie Beach and husband, Alfred; one grandson, Daniel Ethan Stroud;
and a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
J. Ronny Smith
On the hot, summer day, of August 15, 1946, a little boy named James Ronny Smith entered this world. He was joyously welcomed by his parents, Oddee and Mabel Smith, his big sister, Glenda, and big brother, Paul. “Little brother”, Joel joined him when Ronny was nine.
Growing up on Macedonia Church Road with neighboring boys and girls, Ronny’s young life was an idyllic one of attending Sunday School, preaching, revivals, RA’s, and even “feeding the preacher”, as his mother habitually did. Whether riding bikes, playing baseball on the homemade field in the pasture (there was always a “slew” of kids in “Mabel’s yard”), or slipping off with a group of boys to swim in the “prohibited” muddy pond, Ronny’s growing up years were typical of life in the rural South during the peaceful, slow years of the 1950’s.
Beginning school at Loyd Star, Ronny had no idea of the grace gifts that God would pour out on him during those twelve years - gifts that included strong, Christian teachers and coaches, life-long friends, and in class with him a little shy, first-grade girl, named Carolyn Calcote, who would later become his wife of 53 years. God continued with special blessings for Ronny. One was the athletic ability to play basketball, which culminated in being the point guard on the 1963 Loyd Star state champion basketball team. The blessings continued to abound as Ronny attended Co-Lin, where he left his legacy as academic high honors, as class favorite, and as Mr. Co-Lin. Playing for coach Alton Ricks, he became the all-time record holder for assists as point guard on the Wolves’ Basketball Team.
After marrying the “little first-grade girl”, he continued his education at University of Southern Mississippi, graduating with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. After a brief four-year coaching career, Ronny returned to the family business at Oddee Smith and Sons Construction Company. It was during this time that Ronny and Carolyn’s wonderful grace gifts were again sent by the hand of God. Their son, Jereme Calcote Smith, arrived in 1975, and their daughter, Autumn Carol Smith, arrived in 1979.
After a few years, Ronny was led to pursue the office of Lincoln County Chancery Clerk. Successfully elected in 1979, he served for 20 years. Having considered the 20-year service as a special gift from God, he retired in 2000 and rejoined the family business. Ronny was blessed to work for 19 years with his brothers, Paul and Joel, his son, Jereme, and son-in-law, Chris. Other special blessings came at this time in the form of grandchildren, Taylor, Blake, Riley, and Jake.
During these years, Ronny enjoyed serving on Bank of Brookhaven Board, in various positions with Co-Lin Athletic Alumni, and as president of the Loyd Star Foundation. In 2001 he was inducted into the Co-Lin Athletic Hall of Fame.
Ronny continued his years of service at Macedonia Baptist Church as Deacon Sunday School teacher, and as a member of the Finance Committee. He continued actively servicing until just a few months before he retired to go to heaven on Tuesday, August 13. There Ronny will reside eternally serving Jesus, his Lord, and awaiting Carolyn and his family to join him.
Ronny is preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Fred and Winnie Calcote; brothers-in-law, Dale Calcote, Fred Calcote, Jr., Stanley Calcote, and Kent Calcote.
Those left behind to cherish his memory are, his wife, Carolyn Calcote Smith; son, Jereme Smith (Beth); daughter, Autumn Thornton (Chris); brothers, Joel Smith (Cindy), Paul Smith (Connie); sister, Glenda Hart (Gerald); four grandchildren, Taylor and Jake Smith, Blake and Riley Thornton. He is also survived by his special cousin, Scott Smith (Marcia); sisters-in-law, Evelyn Case (Charlie), Ruth Calcote, Betty Calcote, Mary Ellen Kimble; and brother-in-law, Calvin Calcote (Shirley).
Celebration of Ronny’s life and celebration of God’s work in that life will begin at 4 p.m., Friday, August 16, for the family. It will continue at 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. for friends to visit with family.
The funeral will be 11 a.m., Saturday, August 17, preceded by visitation at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the service begins.
Hilda Faye Goodson Myers
Services for Mrs. Hilda Faye Goodson Myers of Bude are 10:00 am Thursday, August 15, 2019
at Bude First Baptist Church with burial at Midway Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, August 14 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.
She will also lie in state from 9:00 am until time of service at the church on Thursday.
Mrs. Hilda Faye Goodson Myers, 72, went to be with her Lord on August 12, 2019 at her residence.
She was born on November 8, 1946 to the late Edgar Goodson and Edith Bonds Goodson.
Mrs. Hilda enjoyed fishing, shopping and especially spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her parent; husband, William Myers; sister, Onnie Longmire, and step-brother, Jimmy Lofton.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Leroy Loflin and Justin Gauthier; daughter, Shanna F. Arnold;
brother, Phillip Goodson and sister, Jo Schneyer. She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Wade Ellis Hall
Services for Mr. Wade Ellis Hall from Brookhaven are 10:00 am, Thursday, August 15, 2019,
at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with interment at Gum Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation is Wednesday, August 14, 2019, from 5:00-8:00 pm also at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Wade Ellis Hall, 44 passed away on August 12, 2019, at University of Mississippi Medical Center.
He was born on March 16, 1975, to Phil Dexter Hall and Sandra Kay Hall. He worked as a Millwright
and was a member of Gum Grove Baptist Church.
Wade loved fishing, hunting and spending time with his family, friends and especially his grandchildren.
He had a big kind heart and was always so generous to so many, along with having a soft spot for animals.
Preceding him in death were his father; grandparents, Maxie and Ella Hall, Fred Emfinger, Preston Morse, and Gus Jr. and Elaine Laird.
Those left to cherish his memory are his parents, Sandra K. Hall, the late Phil Dexter Hall and wife Cindy;
son, Mason Elias Hall; daughter, Alisanne Bailey Hall; brother, Todd D. Hall; and sisters, Melissa Jordan and Misty Newman and husband, Billy.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Raymond Hall and Raylen Reed; Lavada Morse “Mamaw Vada” and many aunts, uncles and nieces and nephews.