Obituaries
Aline Furlow Allen
The funeral service for Johnie Aline Furlow Allen will be 11 a.m., Monday, July 31, at Riverwood Family with interment in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Riverwood.
Mrs. Allen, 91, of Brookhaven, passed away July 26, 2023, at Silver Cross Nursing Home. She was born in Utica, MS, October 14, 1931, to Johnnie McCree Furlow and Gracie Ida Hamilton Furlow. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and will be greatly missed by all that loved her.
Mrs. Allen is preceded in death by her husband, Billy Frank Allen; her parents; three children, Gary F. Allen, Deborah K. Armstrong, and Darrell W. Allen; three grandchildren, Somer Allen Truxillo, Leif Armstrong, and Kristy Allen; sisters, Doris Parson, Bobbie Hickman, Janice Case, Jerline Case; and brothers, Vernon Furlow, Willie Furlow, Harold Furlow, and Ronnie Furlow.
She is survived by her children, Janice Sisung (Andy) and Brenda Allen (Danny); sisters, Margie Smith and Bernice Benoit; four grandchildren, Shane Allen, Stacie Gornet, Alicia Williams, and Ashley Boudlauch; a host of great grandchildren; special nephew, Michael Furlow (Martin) as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Jetty Cathryn Paxton Gary
Mrs. Jetty Cathryn Paxton Gary, aged 84, went to be with her Lord on July 26, 2023. She was born on September 19, 1938, in Eupora, MS, the daughter of Ralph Castle Paxton and Gertrude Blalock Paxton. Jetty spent her childhood in Eupora, MS, and graduated from Eupora High School. She went on to MS State University where she received a double master's degree in Business Education and Elementary Education.
Jetty and Harold both grew up in Webster County. They met at ages 15 and 16. Harold asked Mrs. Jetty, the city girl, out on their first date...a movie complete with popcorn and Cokes. Their circumstances could have taken them in different directions, but God had a plan for their lives. They married on April 28, 1963, and have been married 60 years. They were each other's one and only true love. God's plan for them included new jobs, relocations, and a family, two beautiful daughters.
As Harold once said, "A successful marriage depends on an open dialogue, forgiving, praying, attending church, loving and caring for one another." Harold and Jetty centered their lives around Christ and the true meaning of I Corinthians 13: 4-7.
She was well known in the field of education. Mrs. Jetty taught school in Meridian, Yazoo City, Forest, Hernando, Monticello, and Brookhaven. Her husband was an employee of the US Department of Agriculture, and every time they were transferred, it gave her the opportunity to teach in many school districts. She taught and touched over 3,000 children's lives. She taught students who became Mayors, Chiefs of Police, Doctors, Lawyers, firemen, policemen, principals, teachers, bank presidents and pastors. Mrs.
Jetty impacted many people - always correcting their English, if necessary.
Mrs. Jetty was the glue that kept their family together. She always cooked more than enough because she never knew who was coming to eat. She welcomed everyone anytime. Her door was always open, and she would often meet you in the driveway with a hug and an invitation to come in and stay awhile.
Mrs. Jetty was an active member of First Baptist Church of Brookhaven, MS. She taught Sunday School, served on numerous committees, and played hand bells for many years. Her love for her church, her pastors, and her friends was boundless. If there was a need, she met it; if there was an opportunity to serve, she served.
Known to her treasured grandchildren as "Nonna", Jetty was always dressed - with her hair done and her makeup on. Her taste was impeccable, and she aways displayed her beauty both inside and out.
She was an outstanding "Nonna", mother and wife. She always wanted her two daughters to have their priorities in life to go in the right direction. The example she set for her family is in full display in the lives of her girls and her grandchildren. Their successes are exemplary of the character, morals, integrity, love, and generosity that they have all demonstrated in their own lives. Mrs. Jetty lived for her family and friends, and her love for them will last throughout their lives. Her influence will live on through them.
She is survived by her husband, Harold Ray Gary; two daughters, Carol Gary and Cathy Gary Oldham (Trey), all of Brookhaven; eight grandchildren, Walker Gary Franck of Denver, CO; Courtney Carol Franck of Dallas, TX; Paxton Ray Trull, Catherine Nicole Trull and Christin Elizabeth Trull DuBois (Jeremy) all of West Point, MS; Hayley Renee Oldham of Madison, MS;
London Elise Oldham of Puckett, MS; three great grandchildren, William Camden Payne, Divi Frances DuBois and Tucker Jo Trull all of West Point, MS; two sisters, Patsy Paxton Hennessey (Johnny) of Monroe, LA; her twin sister, Etty Paxton Brown of Eupora, MS; five nieces, two nephews, and a number of great-nieces and -nephews; Gene and JoAnn Thames; Jeff, Michelle and Charley Nunnery. Mrs. Gary was predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Castle Paxton, and grandson, Cameron Scott Trull.
Visitation will be Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at Riverwood from 5:00 - 8:00 pm and Thursday, August 3, 2023, from 9:00 - 11:00 am at First Baptist Church in Brookhaven, MS. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am.
Graveside and burial will be at Riverwood Memorial Park
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 589, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or Halo Haven, 622 Cougar Trail NW, Brookhaven, MS 39601.
Faye Ashley Straw
Faye Ashley Straw passed away on July 23, 2023, at the age of 88, in her home in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Faye was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi (Copiah County) on September 23, 1934, to Alious Simon and (Jaretha) Josephine Thompson Ashley. She graduated from Mississippi College in January of 1955 with a degree in Elementary Education. She became an elementary school teacher, and taught in the Orange County, Florida School System for many years. She later became a pre-school teacher at the First Baptist Church of Orlando Pre-School. She became an Assistant Director there and it was from there that she retired. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Orlando, Florida for fifty-five years and was very involved in the Adult Choir for several decades. When she moved to Alpharetta in March of 2013, she joined the Brite Lites Sunday School Class at the First Baptist Church of Alpharetta, Georgia.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Franklin Delano Straw, of York, Pennsylvania, who passed away in May of 1990. The couple met in Orlando, Florida and were married on June 15th of 1960. They lived in the Orlando area all thirty years of their married life. Faye continued to live in the Orlando area until she moved to Alpharetta, Georgia in March of 2014. Faye was also preceded in death by six sisters and one brother, all of whom lived in Mississippi. (Mary Owens, Thelma Furlow, Milma Wiselogel, Ruth Blackledge, Ann Bone, Sadie Linn, John Ashley)
Faye is survived by her four children, Scott Franklin Straw (Eileen) of Roswell, Georgia, Benjamin Simon (Ben) Straw (Diane) of Davenport, Florida, Elizabeth Faye (Betsy) Straw of Roswell, Georgia, and John Ashley Straw (Debbie) of Parma, Ohio; one brother, William Moses Ashley, of Ridgeland, Mississippi; four grandchildren Randy Straw (Jenn) of Woodstock, Georgia, Benjamin Straw and Claire Straw of Davenport, Florida, and Joshua Straw of Parma, Ohio.
A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Cottonwood Estates, Alpharetta, Georgia, and she will be laid to rest beside her husband in the Hazlehurst, Mississippi City Cemetery on Friday July 28, 2023, after a graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage donations to Gentiva Hospice Care as a way of helping us thank them for their care of Faye during her final months. Faye was also a supporter of Samaritan’s Purse.
Jean Avent Dunn
Graveside Service for Jean Avent Dunn of Brookhaven are 10:30 am, Monday, July 24, 2023, at New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery with visitation at Riverwood from 9:00 until the time of service.
Jean Avent Dunn passed away July 20, 2023. Jean was born September 28, 1931, in Drew, MS, the youngest of three children to John and Ethel Avent.
During treatment for Polio as a child, she developed a love for reading that she carried with her until the end of her life.
She started a career as a lab technician in Brookhaven shortly after finishing high school, working in both hospitals and clinics. She loved being a part of the medical community and remained interested in medicine and healthcare all her life.
Jean married James Gerald Dunn in 1951 and together they had two children and shared 62 years of marriage.
As an oil field wife, Jean moved with her family many times before she and Gerald retired back to Brookhaven, MS. She served as a women’s Sunday School teacher for Central Baptist Church for many years and was an active member of Eastern Star.
She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, husband James Gerald Dunn and son, Charles Dunn.
She is survived by her daughter, Jerry Dunn Floyd (Allen), of Mendenhall; two granddaughters, Jana Johns (Brad), Allison Winstead (Shey); and four great grandchildren, Josh, Justin, Elyzabeth and Reagan, all of Mendenhall.
She will be missed by all who loved her.
Robert Earl Blaise
The funeral service for Mr. Robert Earl Blaise will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 22 at Johnson Grove Church of Christ with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m., Friday, July 21, at Riverwood Family and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at Johnson Grove.
Robert Earl Blaise of Brookhaven, Mississippi, entered into the presence of Jesus on July 17, 2023, at the age of 88 years. He was born October 15, 1934, to Ernest Joseph Blaise and LouVella Stevens Blaise. He lived a long life of integrity devoted to caring for those around him.
Robert Earl graduated from Brookhaven High School, Class of 1953. He attended Copiah-Lincoln Junior College and received his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi Southern College in Hattiesburg. He taught social studies and coached football and basketball in both Mississippi and Florida. Still affectionately known as “Coach” to his students, Robert Earl impacted the lives of many students both in the classroom and on the playing field. He also served his country in the Mississippi National Guard.
Robert Earl loved Jesus with his whole heart and was active in the local church. He was a member at Johnson Grove Church of Christ in Bogue Chitto and, when living in Florida, served as an elder for many years at South 14th Street Church of Christ in Leesburg.
Robert Earl married the love of his life, Opal, on June 3rd, 1958, and they were together for 65 years. They have four children, nine grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. His proudest title was Papa. He was a devoted grandfather and great grandfather, beloved by all.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Ernest Blaise, and three sisters, Elise Kuhn, Birdie Ratcliff, and Betty Strawbridge.
Survivors are his wife, Opal Redd Blaise of Brookhaven, daughter Karen Braden (David) of Brookhaven, sons Bob Blaise (Marva) of The Villages, Florida, Bruce Blaise (Teri) of Starkville, MS, Mike Blaise (Sheryl) of Leesburg, Florida, nine grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Johnson Grove youth group, 669 Auburn Drive SW, Bogue Chitto, MS 39629, or the Berean Children’s Home, 1180 Berea Tr. S.E, Bogue Chitto, MS 39629.
Special thanks to the many caregivers over the past two years.
Hazel Lorene Goforth Dean
The funeral service for Mrs. Hazel Lorene Goforth Dean will be 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 18, at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Ellisville, MS. Visitation is from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service. A burial service will follow at 3 p.m. in Riverwood Memorial Park in Brookhaven, MS.
Mrs. Dean, 89, of Ellisville, Mississippi, passed into glory to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 16, 2023. She was born in Newton County, Mississippi June 26, 1934, to Daisy and Marvin Goforth.
She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as working in the assembly line at the Potter Company in Wesson, Mississippi for many years. She was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Ellisville, Mississippi, where she made many friends. She was a woman of integrity and was well loved and respected by all who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Erwin Dean; her parents; son, Marcus Joel Dean; and sister, Aylene Conn.
She is survived by her son, Stephen L. Dean; daughter, Debbie Dean White; daughter-in-law, Tania M. Dean; six grandchildren, Jeffery White, Emily White Sparkman, Meghan Dean, Rebecca Dean, Kimberly Dean, Nathaniel Dean; and two great grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
Lewis Henry Mazer, Jr.
The funeral service for Lewis Henry Mazer, Jr. will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 19, at Riverwood Family with burial Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, July 18, at Riverwood.
Mr. Mazer, Jr., 86, of Brookhaven, passed away July 16, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida March 5, 1936, to Lewis Henry Mazer, Sr. and Vera Byrne Mazer. He was a Millwright with Georgia Pacific Paper Mill.
Mr. Mazer was loving husband, father and grandfather and a member of Cold Springs Church of Christ. He was a man of great faith and a true “fisher of men”. Mr. Mazer loved his family and his faith family, but sharing his faith in Jesus Christ with others was the greatest passion of his life. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Bonnie Lou Eubanks; daughter, Dorothy Jane Lambright; and daughter-in-law, Tina Mazer.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, JoAnn Mazer; his children, Lewis Mazer III (Denise Hulsey), Lynne Rowell (Lester), Keith Mazer, Wayne Mazer (Peggy), and Lenita Mazer; sister, Lucy Ann Mazer; 14 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and 3 great, great grands. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Judes Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.
Jae'Briya Chleo Naricisse LeFlore
A Memorial service for Jae’Briya Chleo Naricisse LeFlore of Brookhaven are 10:00 am, Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Riverwood Family
Jae’Briya Chleo Naricisse LeFlore, 23, passed away July 4, 2023, at UMMC in Jackson.
She was born November 17, 1999, in Detroit Michigan.
Ms LeFlore loved being a mother, daughter and sister. Fought a strong fight for eight years against heart disease, even when all odds were against her., but most of all she loved and touched a lot of people with that beautiful smile and would brighten up any room she entered. She was a fighter. She came into this world fighting and left here fighting and was able to give the gift of life by donating her kidneys, saving two lives before she left this world. She will be missed by all that loved her.
Preceding her in death were her father, Henry LeFlore and son, Jer’Monte Kelly.
Those left to cherish her memory are her mother, LaToya Motley; son, Jai’Ayden Kelly; her partner, Jermone Kelly; brothers, Jai Riq Motley, MonToya Motley, Micah LeFlore, Henry Leflore, Jr, Hank LeFlore, Adonis Pittman, and sisters, Khalika Burten and LaTonya Johnson; along with her grandmother, Euriana McCray; grandfather, Don Reed; great grandparents, Evelyn and Henry Rawls, aunts, Kristian McCray and Latisha Shepard, and a boat load of uncles, aunts and cousins.
Howard Justin Hall
Graveside service for Howard Justin Hall will be 2:00 pm, Friday, July 14, at Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Hall, 43, of Brookhaven, died June 23, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Brookhaven MS., March 18, 1980, to Howard Hall and Martha Deborah White Hall.
Justin worked as a manager at Wilson’s Auto. He was a dedicated employee there for 15 years. He enjoyed cars, going to car shows, auctions, and everything that involved a car lot. The car lot was his favorite place to be. He also loved to be outdoors and spent time grilling for his family and friends. Justin was a people person, his favorite thing to do was to make others laugh. He also enjoyed annoying his loving sister, Debi. He always tried to look his best and will be remembered and loved for being very CREATIVE and EXTRA.
Justin will be greatly missed by those who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his father, Howard Hall and sister, Tammy Hall.
He is survived by his mother, Martha Hall Ferguson, and his sister, Debi Hall Dunaway. He is also survived by his special friend, Candice Jones, and her daughter, Erica Jones. Justin loved Erica as his own daughter, and she loved him as well, they shared a special bond, and Donny Wilson, his lifelong best friend, father figure, role model and mentor, as well as other loving family member and friends.
Randy Glenn Pepper
The funeral service for Randy Glenn Pepper will be 11 a.m., Friday, July 14, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, July 13, at Riverwood Family and will resume Friday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Pleasant Grove.
Randy stepped into the glory of heaven on July 11, 2023. He was born November 2, 1954, to Marlon Alvin Pepper and Bonnie T. Pepper, and was given 68 years to live, work, and witness, and he will be greatly missed by all those whom he touched.
Mr. Pepper was the owner and operator of Randy Pepper Mill Works.
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…the Lord upholds him with His hand.” Psalm 37: 23-24 describes Randy perfectly. He was a good man, and he was a loving husband, he adored his wife, Jill, of 49 years and cared for her compassionately and graciously. He was a loving daddy, pawpaw and father-in-law and loved his friends as well as his faith family at Pleasant Grove, but his deepest love was for his Lord. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke it was meaningful. Randy was a faithful member and deacon of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and was honored to serve the Lord there and in the community.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Don Pepper; mother-in-law, Eva Nations; sisters-in-law, Joe Ann Pepper, Peggy Pepper, and Barbara Pepper; special nephew, Jody Pepper; and great grandchild, Jacob Tyler Wallace.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Cynthia Jill Pepper; children, Heather Wallace (Darron) and Hope Smith (Toby); brothers, Roger Pepper, Tim Pepper (Renee), Terry Pepper (Judy); brother-in-law, Dudley Nations (Susan); sisters-in-law, Jackie McCullough (Reggie) and Lisa Jackson (Jimmy); six grandchildren, Trace Wallace (Shyann), Marla Price (Cameron), Nealie Smith, Cole Wallace (Hannah), Ashley Wallace, Ali Wallace; nine great grands, Thorne, Raephe, Bayleigh, Jordyn, Aubreigh, Mackenzie, Lyla, and Kohen, and his pride & joy, Mallie Sue Price. He is also survived by his father-in-law, Curtis Nations, as well as other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blair E. Batson, 2500 N. State St. Jackson, MS 39216; Burn Foundation of America 3614 J. Dewey Gray Circle Building C Augusta, GA 30909; or a charity of your choice.
