Obituaries
Jerry Lavell Barnett
The funeral service for Mr. Jerry Lavell Barnett will be 2 p.m., Friday, February 3, at Riverwood Family with interment in the McComb Pentecostal Church Cemetery. Visitation is from noon until the time of service at Riverwood.
Mr. Barnett, 80, of Jayess, died January 29, 2023, in Southwest Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS. He was born in Jayess, December 11, 1942, to Byzar Barnett and Eitel Barnett. He was a member of First Pentecostal Church in McComb.
Mr. Barnett was in the trucking business most of his life. He also enjoyed traveling for pleasure and riding motorcycles. He also enjoyed involving himself in western culture and restoring old cars. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Vondell Barnett; his parents; brothers, Devon Barnett, Derl Barnett, and Nolan Barnett; and his sister, Evelyn McKenzie.
He is survived by his daughters, Donna Boyd (Stanley), Tammy Lambert (Kelvin), Connie Barnett (Raymond), and Nora Thornhill (Landon); eight grandchildren, Rodney Boyd (Amanda), Richie Boyd (Laronda), Kelbi Rutland, Zach Rayborn (Raelyn), Dillon Rayborn, Ryan Lambert, Lana Thornhill, and Dennon Thornhill; 12 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
Judge Jerelene "Judy" Martin
The funeral service for Retired Judge Jerelene “Judy” Case Martin will be 11 a.m., Thursday, February 2, at Friendship Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Wednesday evening, February 1, at Riverwood and will resume at Friendship from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Judge Judy, 82, of Brookhaven, died January 28, 2023, at her residence. She was born in Brookhaven, December 11, 1940, to Grady Bernard Case and Perline Wilson Case.
Judge Judy served two terms as Lincoln County Justice Court Judge. She also served as Deputy Coroner in Lincoln County and worked as an EMT for King’s Daughters Medical Center and medic at Georgia Pacific. She spent time living in Ethiopia and Brazil, traveling the world with her husband and family as he pursued his profession in the petroleum industry. Judge Judy was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, after 55 years of marriage, Robert Otis Martin, Sr.; her parents; son, Robert “Bob” Otis Martin, Jr.; grandson, Charlie Hall; great grandson, Jared Len Case; and brothers, Grady Lenward Case and Jesse Layton “Coonie” Case.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Robin Case (Dwain), Becky Bowman (Tony), Reggie Martin (Sheila), all of Brookhaven, daughter-in-law, Wanda Martin of Edmond, OK; brother, Robert Carroll “Nubby” Case (Cynthia); nine grandchildren, Carrie Adams (Shane), Hunter Case (Lacie), Craig Bowman (Tera), Kyle Bowman (Melissa), and Sandi Case (Grady), all of Brookhaven, Christy Hasson (John) of Florence, MS, Brooke Elliott (Stephen) of Edmond, OK, Josh Martin (Emily) of OK City, OK, and Stormy Hall (Charlie) of Ecru, MS. She is also survived by 26 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grands, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Morrianne Murphey Furr
Memorial service for Morrianne Murphey Furr will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, February 1, at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. Furr, 64, of Wesson, died January 28, 2023. She was born October 31, 1958, to A.G. Murphey Jr and Carolyn Weems Murphey. She was a retired Science Teacher at Alexander Jr. High School. Mrs. Furr was a member of the Piecemakers Quilt Guild and former president. She loved to spend time gardening and just enjoying time spent with her husband. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her father.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 32 years, Randle Furr; children, Elias Furr and William Furr; her mother; brothers, A.G. “Alex” Murphey III, Morris “Brother” Murphey; sisters, Cynthia May and Patricia Murphey; two grandchildren, Maci Furr and Raegan Wooley; and other loving family members and friends.
Mark Glenn Young
A memorial for Mr. Mark Glenn Young will be held, 7 p.m., Thursday, February 2, 2023, at Easthaven Baptist Church. You may visit the family from 6-7 p.m. prior to the service.
Mr. Mark Glenn Young, 66, of Smithdale, MS, passed away January 28, 2023, at his residence. He was born in McComb, MS, January 21, 1957, to Ford Young and Geraldine Sillar Kyzar Young. He was employed as a Rig Maintenance Supervisor in the Oilfield Industry.
Mr. Young was a 1975 graduate of McComb High School. He was loved and respected by many in the oilfield, which was his passion for 30 years. He worked his way up to rig maintenance supervisor, where he worked in the Gulf, Mexico, and Alaska.
He liked to travel to historical places with his wife. He also enjoyed researching family history for his own family and for others. Spending time with his family was the most important time spent. Gardening was an especially fond memory for his grandchildren, as he taught them how to plant and watch seeds grow. He also enjoyed cooking and trying out new recipes.
Mr. Young was a member of Easthaven Baptist Church. He was always ready to go on mission trips to share the love of Christ with everyone he met. He would take great pleasure in telling the story of how God made the way for him to have a kidney transplant. His favorite verse in the scriptures was Matthew 19:26, “with God all things are possible.” He will be greatly missed by his family and all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Patsy Posey; and his in-laws, Lewis and Lowrean Albritton.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 37 years, Ann Young; children, Scott Young (Erin) of Pennsville, NJ, Josh Young (Amber) of Jayess, MS, and Jake Young (Krista) of Smithdale, MS; brother, James Young of Florence, MS; twin sister, Lynne Ezell (David) of Summit, MS; seven grandchildren, Ben Young, Colton Phillips, Kaileigh Greenwood, Kirsten Wade, Kamden Young, Kagan Young, and Wilks Young. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and extended family; and Roslyn Wallace and Brandi Smith, his dialysis nurses who took very good care of us during these times.
In lieu of flowers, please make donation to the American Kidney Foundation, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852, or on website.
Herman Larry Lawrence
A memorial service will be held for Herman Larry Lawrence, 10 a.m., Tuesday, January 31, at Riverwood Family. Visitation is from 9-10 a.m at Riverwood.
Mr. Lawrence, 78, passed away January 27, 2023, in Brookhaven, MS. He was born in Tylertown, November 30, 1944, to Herman Lawrence and Mary Nelloise Morris Lawrence. He was employed as a Fishing Tool Operator in the Oil Field Industry. Mr. Lawrence was an avid reader. He also enjoyed playing cards or going to movies with family and friends. Most of all he loved spending time with his family. 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 56 years, Lois Ann Lawrence; children, Chad Lawrence (Genevieve), Kelsey Lawrence, Stacy Lawrence Douchard (Corey); sister, Darlene Wrenn; five grandchildren, Nichole Lawrence, Christian Lawrence, Drake Douchard, Ace Douchard, and Knox Douchard. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Claude Nelson Greer
Graveside service for Claude Nelson Greer will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, at Topisaw Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Greer, 75, of Bogue Chitto, MS, passed away January 27, 2023, at Madison Merit. He was born January 12, 1948, in Laurel, MS, to Paul Gordon Greer and Mary Ellen Hinton Greer.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Greer; his parents; and sister, Susan Santa Ana.
Mr. Greer is survived by his children, Reginna Lawrence (Christopher) and Amos Greer (Polly Ann); brother, Dave Greer; sisters, Paulette Pitts and Carolyn Ellzey; four grandchildren, Christie Adair (Ray), Cynthia McWilliams (TJ), Kodi Greer, and Katana Greer; and five great grandchildren, Alexis Adair, Skylar Adair, Christopher James Adair, Katie McWilliams, and Miles McWilliams. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Arthur "Kirk" Freeman
Arthur “Kirk” Freeman, 53, passed away January 25, 2023, at his residence in Hazlehurst, MS. He was born in Dallas, TX, August 19, 1969, to Arthur “Buddy” Freeman and Nancy Smallwood Freeman, of Ivanhoe, TX. He served his country in the United States Navy and was a Site Acquisition Coordinator with Uniti Fiber.
Mr. Freeman enjoyed life, spending time playing rhythm guitar with his band mates and friends as well as taking trips with his motorcycle friends. He traveled from Kentucky to Sturgis, NJ, Tail of the Dragon, OH to Hog Rock. He had a heart for dogs, whether he adopted one or brought home a stray, they were all loved. Kirk was someone you could depend on to help in any way he could. His favorite time, though, was spent with his family. For many years, he would travel to Texas to enjoy Mother’s Day gatherings. He will be missed by all who loved him.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Diane Jones Freeman; his parents; sister, Toni Schmidt (Brian), of Ivanhoe, TX; sister-in-law, Martha Odom; brothers-in-law, John Jones and John David VanEtten, all of Hazlehurst, MS; his dogs, Boyd, Diesel, and Stormy; numerous nieces and nephews, a host of friends and other loving family members.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to BARL, PO Box 3477 Brookhaven, MS 39603.
A memorial service will be held in Ivanhoe, TX, at a later date.
J.D. Broome
A Graveside Service for Mr. J.D. Broome is 2:00 pm, Friday, January 27, 2023, at Springhill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. J.D. Broome, 89, went to be with his Lord on January 25, 2023, at his home surrounded by family.
He was born December 1, 1933, to the late James Kay Vardaman Broome and Alice Waymond Phillips Broome.
Mr. Broome served his country in the United States Air Force (Staff Sergeant, Air Police)
He was a Deacon of Springhill Baptist Church where he was a member, and he was a stained-glass artist.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and son, Jim Broome.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 67 years, Fay (Ray) Broome;
daughter, Kay (Broome) Purdie and husband, Kevin and granddaughter, Sarah Beth Alderman.
He will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Judy Britt Speights
The funeral service for Judy Britt Speights will be 11 a.m., Friday, January 27, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery, in Prentiss, MS. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, January 26, at Riverwood, and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday.
Mrs. Speights, 73, of Brookhaven, passed away January 24, 2023, at St. Dominics Medical Center in Jackson, with her family by her side. She was born in Brookhaven, MS, November 5, 1949, to James Bennon Britt and Mildred Morgan Britt.
Judy dedicated 30 years as a merchandiser for McLane Southern. She loved her work and the friends she made along the way. Judy had a passion for her flowers, and an obsession for vintage jewelry, collectables, antiques, and especially for frogs. To her, family and friends were priority above all.
It has been a privilege to have had her in my life not only as my wife, but also my best friend. I Thank God for having you in my life. Forever my love.
She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Larry Britt; mother and father in law, Thomas Wayne and Annie Lee Speights; and brother in law, Kerry Mark Speights.
Judy is survived by her husband of 34 years, E. Wayne Speights; children, Todd Reeves (Ruth), Joshua Speights (Helen), Sara Beth Reeves and special friend, Kim, Noah Speights (Giovanna); brothers, Don Britt (Margie) and John Britt; sisters, Susan Birdson and special friend, Jerry Morris, and Deborah Britt; seven grandchildren, Mikaila Reeves, Gage Reeves, Nora Reeves, Leo Speights, Skylar Speights, Milo Speights, and Eloise Speights. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great, great nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
James Willard King
The funeral service for Mr. James Willard King will be 10 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Carmel Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-9 p.m., Friday, January 27, at Carmel Baptist Church.
Mr. King, 91, of Monticello, passed away January 24, 2023. He was born in Monticello, MS, on April 21, 1931. Mr. King served his country in the United States Army and Air Force during the time of the Korean War, as Sergeant First Class. He was awarded a Korean Service Medal, a Combat Infantry Badge, a UN Service Medal, and he was also awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery during battle. After returning home, Mr. King began a career with Electrolux where he was a salesman for many years. He enjoyed being outdoors and working in his garden. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary McClain Cox King; parents, George King and Rhoda Mae King; and his youngest son, Steven King.
Mr. King is survived by his son, Don King and wife, Linda; daughter, BeLinda Gail Hudson; three grandchildren, Donnie King, Misty King, and Emily King; and one great grandson, Braxton King.
