Obituaries
Benjamin Ray McDavid
Funeral services for Benjamin Ray McDavid will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 2:30 p.m.
from the chapel of Riverwood Family Funeral Services. There will be a visitation held on Tuesday
from 12:30 until the time of the service.
Benjamin, age 44 and a resident of Bogue Chitto, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2019 at
Southwest Regional Medical Center. He was born on January 9, 1975 in McComb, MS to Randal
and Judy Alexander McDavid. Benjamin was a mechanic, and a hard working father to his
three beloved children.
He is preceded in death by his Pop, Rudy Smith; brother, Toby Smith; grandfather, Lester McDavid;
grandmother, Mildred; and Paw Paw, Temp.
Those left to cherish his memory are his parents; son, Benjamin Randal McDavid; daughters,
Pamela Michelle McDavid and Brandi Dawn McDavid; sisters, Shannon McDavid Ferguson,
Melissa Sue McDavid Parsons, Cathy Smith, Dawn Smith, and Michelle Smith. He is also survived
by his granddaughter, Emma Laray McDavid; as well as children, Chase Mahuron and Jossolin Bethard.
Jeff Thomas Twiner, Jr.
Funeral service for Mr. Jeff Thomas Twiner, Jr. will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 24, 2019, in the chapel of
Riverwood Family Funeral Service, burial will be 2 p.m., at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Jackson. Visitation
begins from 9 a.m. until time of the service, at Riverwood.
Mr. Twiner, 78, of Brookhaven, passed away April 21, 2019, at King’s Daughters Medical Center.
He was born May 11, 1940, to the late Jeff Thomas Twiner, Sr. and the late Stella Mackey Twiner.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Twiner is survived by his cousins James and Ruby Simpson, Alvin Jamison, Karen Sue Brady,
Sylvia Smithie, Amy, Jaymie, and Jack Heard, Jimmy, Tasha, and Ella Jayne Moore as well as many
other loving family members and friends.
Claude Clinton Day,Jr.
A memorial service for Mr. Claude Clinton Day, Jr. will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2019, from the chapel of Riverwood Family Funeral Service. There will be a visitation held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Claude, 79, of Brookhaven, passed quietly from this life and into the arms of Jesus, Friday morning, April 19, 2019 , he was born July 12, 1939, to Claude Clinton Day, Sr. and Opal Boyd Day. He served this great country in the United States Air Force. He was employed in the Oil Field Industry for 42 years and after retiring, he continued to work, nothing was too hard, or too lowly, he was always ready to help a neighbor with odd jobs. Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD; and He delighteth in his way.” Mr. Claude was the very definition of a “good man, spending as much time as he could with his family, a true treasure we will forever hold in our memories. He was a member of Clear Branch Baptist Church, being very active with several different groups until he became physically unable to attend, but continued to support his church family, and anyone who needed support, through prayer.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Roland Day, and sister, Elsie Faye Barmes.
His family does not grieve as those who have no hope, for Mr. Claude was not only a “good man”, he was a believer in our Lord Jesus Christ, so until Jesus returns, or until each one joins him through death, he leaves his wife of 34 years, Sharon Mullins Day; sons, Delynn Day (Ellen), Nathan Deese (Rachel), Aaron Deese (Kristel); sister, Shirley Nash (Billy); five grandchildren, Keygan, Gabrielle, Josh, Blake and Jill; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
We would like to thank the servants of Hospice Compasses for their compassion and their quick response to our needs; we also want to thank a couple of very special ladies, Barbara and Teresa, who spent time and energy to help care for Claude in the last two weeks, you were truly appointed by God.
Jeremy Lee Smith
Visitation: 11 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Monday, April 22, Riverwood Family
Graveside service: 1:30 p.m., Monday, April 22, New Salem Church of Christ Cemetery
Joyce Lofton
Funeral service for Mrs. Joyce Marie Bardwell Lofton will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 18, 2019, at Riverwood Family, with interment following in Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday evening, April 17, at Riverwood.
Mrs. Lofton, 80, passed away April 14, 2019, at The Aspen of Brookhaven. She was born May 11, 1938 to Henry Bardwell and Fannie Mae Adams Bardwell. She loved taking care of others, which makes her choice of employment as a Sitter, a very important occupation. She was a garage sale enthusiast, finding the perfect treasure was fun, but her passion was her family, spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, who were her most important treasures.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Dewey Lofton, Sr.; daughter, Shirley Jene Todd; her parents; brothers, Floyd Bardwell, Allen Bardwell and Henry Bardwell, Jr. and one sister, Annie Lee Hodges.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Dewey Lofton, Jason Lofton, and David Lofton; and her brother, Avrice Bardwell. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Brad Pickett (Rachelle), Lacey Lofton, Susan Todd, Daniel Lofton, Kris Todd, Ethan Lofton, Sheri Musgrove (Brent), Jessica Lofton, Lyndsy Lofton, Gage Lofton, Karlie Herring (Kevin); 14 great grandchildren; and a special friend, Sharman Richardson.
Flora Smith
Flora N. Smith
The funeral service for Mrs. Flora N. Smith will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at Little Bahala Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. There will be a visitation on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Riverwood Family. Bro. Bendon Ginn and Bro. Douglas Clark will officiate and interment will follow in the church cemetery.
“Our sweet, precious mama had many extraordinary gifts. Gifts that could have been overlooked, but these gifts weren’t overlooked by the many souls that she touched.
Mama was a lover of people and a fixer of broken wings. Mama listened with her heart, not her ears. Mama was the best friend that a friend could have.
Our daddy and mama gave us the gift of seeing what a true life love story looked like. Theirs was a life spent honoring, supporting, cherishing, fishing, hunting, and loving one another without abandon and for all of the world to see.
Mama’s grands and great-grands were the light of her life and in turn, their “Granny” was the light of theirs. Mama’s life long desire, even into her last days, was that ALL would know the healing power of Jesus Christ and the gift of His eternal salvation. Thank you Lord for the blessing of our Mama and praise Jesus for taking her into your Kingdom.”
Flora N. Smith, age 85 and a resident of Wesson, went to be with her Lord on April 14, 2019. She was born on November 16, 1933 to J.O. and Willie Hutson in Natchez, MS. Mrs. Flo was involved in many different clubs and activities, including the Lads and Lassies H-H Club, Homemakers Club, Quilters Club, Troll Mates, and a founding member of the Magnolia Crappie Club. She was a loving, caring and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and friend who will be dearly missed by all of those who had the privilege of knowing her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Sam Goings; sister, Patsy Gaskin; and great-grandsons, Mason and Matthew Sanders.
Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 67 years, Alfred “A.E.” Smith; daughter, Jean Smith Sanders; sons, Leslie Smith and wife Lois, James Smith and wife Margaret, Larry Smith and wife Cheryl; brother, Jerry Goings. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Michael Sanders (Elisha), Mark Sanders (Misty), Courtney Boutwell (Kevin), Drew Smith (Kerri), Erin Rhoden (Garry), Cara Purdue (Matt), Trey Cathey (Rebecca), Paige Polk, BreAnna Davis, and Derrick Sebren, as well as 25 great-grandchildren; sister-in-laws, Edouida Smith and Valerie Smith, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Little Bahala Cemetery at P.O. Box 55, Wesson, MS 39191 or to Gideons International at P.O. Box 1106, Brookhaven, MS 39602. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Kathy Boswell, Helen Woods, Deaconess Home Health, Dr. Ed Moak, Dr. Ruth Fredericks, Dr. Phillip Ley, Dr. Al Johnson, Madina Dixon, Dr. David Muholland, and Dr. Ronald Delrie.
Annie Belle Roberts
Mrs. Annie Belle Walls Roberts, 99, a resident of Brookhaven, MS went to be with the Lord April 14, 2019 at the Beehive in Brookhaven. She was born on May 19, 1919 to Archie and Ola Walls of Brookhaven.
Annie Belle was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Hollis Roberts, two brothers, Lamar Walls and William Archie Walls Jr., two sisters, Bessie Castilaw and Ruth Williams.
She is survived by her sons; Billy (Peggy) of Clinton, MS, Reggie (Mary Ann) of Gonzales, LA, Glenn (Reba)of Brookhaven, MS, eight grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and other extended family members.
Annie Belle was a long-time member of Wellman Baptist Church and then Victory Baptist Church. She was an active member of the Sunday School and the WMU, until she went to live at the Beehive Assisted living facility.
Visitation will be at Riverwood Family Funeral Services on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., funeral service will be Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Riverwood Family with burial at Wellman Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Victory Baptist Church or Wellman Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.
Don Driskell
Memorial service for Donald Grady Driskell will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 15, 2019, First Baptist Church, Brookhaven. Memorial gathering will be from 9:00 until time of service.
Donald Grady Driskell, 86, of Brookhaven, passed from this life April 12, 2019, at University of Mississippi Medical Center, in Jackson, MS. He was born August 14, 1932, to John Grady Driskell and Annie D. Perkins Driskell. He was a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones and formerly Executive Vice President of First Federal Savings and Loan. Don served his country in the United States Army as a Captain. He was past president of the National USM Alumni Association, and elected to USM Hall of Fame and an active member of the community, serving on the Board of Trustees of the Brookhaven Separate School District as well as serving as past president of the Brookhaven/Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, past chairman of Industrial Development Foundation, and past chairman of Mississippi Savings and Loan League Legislative Committee. Donald was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Brookhaven, serving as deacon and Sunday School officer. He was loyal to his family whom he loved and served well as husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 64 years, Marilyn Roper Driskell and children, Blair Driskell and Jennifer Schoenhurst, Glenn and Vickie Driskell, Bill and Leslie Ashford, Bruce and Jill Black, and Dan and Rachel Spivey; one sister, Carreen Bolen; and brother-in-law, Bob Roper.
He is also survived by his 15 grandchildren, Ryan, Matthew, and Marielle Driskell, Hannah and Russ Butts, Caroline and Hunter Harrison, Alford Driskell, Daniel Ashford, Madeline, Harrison, and Carlisle Porter, Lydia and Barnabas Spivey, Mary Liz Black, Emily and Tye Warren, John Clay and Cerissa Ashford; and five great grandchildren, Kaylee and Jordan Ashford, Noah and Elle Warren, and Chloe Mathews.
Memorials may be made to Blair Batson Children’s Hospital, 2500 N State St. Jackson, MS 39216; First Baptist Church, Brookhaven, 200 E Monticello St, Brookhaven, MS 39601, or The Cornerstone Foundation, 9032 Woolmarket Rd, Biloxi, MS 39523
Eunice Marie Roth Persick
Brookhaven, MS. She was Born August 2l, 1923 to Agnes Greely Roth and Louis Boissac Roth Sr.
She is Survived by her daughters Evelyn Efferson (Carroll), Julie Persick McCulloch, Patti
Alderman {Tommy}. Nine grandchildren Rusty Efferson (Charmaine}, Leslie Yellott {Robbie},
Steve Efferson {Katie}, Jamie Berthelot {Steve}, Matt McCulloch (Sagan}, Cameron Alderman,
Chelsea Alderman Chaves {Guillermo}, Cartianne Alderman, Cory J Alderman {Kayla}. Ten
Riley and Blake Efferson, Tre and Brock Berthelot, Mia McCulloch, and Tomas Chaves. Three
great-great-grandchildren: lrene and Brand Efferson, and Parker Simon. Brothers: Louis Roth
(Margaret|, Jimmy Roth (Myrtle).Sisters: Rita McKee {Robert}, Rosemary Lawless, and Bunny
Roth, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband Julius John Persick Jr., her parents Louis and Agnes
Roth, sisters Melanie Roth, Sally Delatte and her dear friend and sister-in-law Edith Morgan.
Noonie or Aunt Eunice. At her request she was lovingly called "Maw Maw Faf by her
grandchildren and the majority of others who knew and loved her.
17,2019 from 9AM to 1O AM, service at 1O:OOAM, at Baker Funeral Home. Burial to
follow at Hillcrest MemorialGardens, Baker, Louisiana.
Cory Alderman
Glenda Montgomery Tarver
Visitation will be held at Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven, MS. Sunday, April 14th, 2019 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at New Prospect Baptist Church Brookhaven, MS on Monday, April 15th, 2019
with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. and services starting at 2 p.m. followed by burial at Alderman Cemetery in Brookhaven, MS.
Glenda Montgomery Tarver, 82, a resident of Brookhaven, MS passed away Thursday, April 11th, 2019
at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS. Born on August 6th, 1936 in Meadville, MS.
She was the daughter of W.O. Montgomery and Floy Parsons Montgomery.
A 1954 graduate of Bogue Chitto High School. She served as a Unit Secretary for several years at KDMC in Brookhaven, MS.
She was a member of New Prospect Baptist Church and taught Sunday School and served Christ in many different ministries
throughout her years. She deeply loved her church family. Mrs. Tarver enjoyed farm life, gardening, Bible study and visiting
with many friends over a cup of coffee. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She recently resided at the Bee Hive Assisted Living Home in Brookhaven, MS and dearly loved the staff and residents.
She is preceded in death by her parents, W.O. Montgomery and Floy Parsons Montgomery; Husband, Earl Tarver; brothers,
Parsons Demille Montgomery, Wendell Montgomery, Ronnie Montgomery, Woody Montgomery and a sister Melba M. O’Brian.
She is survived by her children; Tammy Tarver Barnes { Joe }, Sonda Tarver Johnson { John } and Wally Tarver. Grandchildren;
Marshall Tarver West { Kendra }, Joseph Barnes Jr. { Laurel } , Jonathan Barnes { Kayton }, Jana Johnson Hewitt { Justin } and Kara Beth Johnson Power { Brady }.
Great Grandchildren; Chloe Grace West, Ellie Kate West, Joseph Barnes III, Ann Magnolia Barnes, Russell Lane Hewitt and soon to be Beckham Tarver West.
Her brother Reggie Montgomery { Nancy }, Sister-In-Law Jeri Montgomery, and brother in law, Clark Barber
Pall Bearers will be Marshall Tarver West, Jonathan Barnes, Justin Hewitt, Brady Power, James Tarver and Tim McDowell.
Honorary Pall Bearer Joseph Barnes Jr.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to New Prospect Baptist Church
or The Mississippi Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Glenda Tarver.