Obituaries
Ashley Ray Stegall
Visitation for Mr. Ashley Ray Stegall will be Monday, June 13 from 5-8 p.m. at Riverwood Family, visitation will continue Tuesday, June 14 from 10-11 a.m. at Thompson Baptist Church with an 11 a.m. service to follow. Interment will be at Thompson Baptist Church cemetery.
Mr. Stegall, 43, of Summit, MS, passed from this life June 10, 2022, at his residence. He was born in McComb, MS, June 7, 1979, to Ronnie Stegall and Penny Hightower Ham. He worked in the oil production industry as a Field Foreman at Southern Oil of Louisiana. He took his position as provider for his family very seriously and when he had time off from work, he was very diligent in spending time with his family. He loved to hunt and fish, and vacations to see the colors change during autumn. He was an avid gardener and a faithful Alabama Crimson Tide fan. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his father, Ronnie Stegall; his maternal grandparents, Wilbur and Virgie Hightower; and his paternal grandmother, Barbara “Deany” Stegall.
He is survived by his wife, Bambi Stegall; sons, Andrew Doty and wife, Brittany; Jeremy Doty; Aaron Cox and wife, D’Shea; sisters, Kristen Womack and husband, Brian, Brittney Cutrer and husband, Lance; six grandchildren, Ezra Doty, Abram Doty, Joel Doty, Alayna Cox and Ryleigh Cox; his mother, Penny Ham; and his paternal grandfather, C.O. Stegall. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Mr. Andrew Doty, Mr. Jeremy Doty, Mr. Aaron Cox, Mr. Eric Stegall, Mr. David Jarreau, Mr. Lance Cutrer, Mr. Brian Womack and Mr. Cooper Cutrer.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mr. Randy Stegall and Mr. Charlie Wallace.
A reception will follow services at the home of Mr. Ashley Ray and Bambi Stegall.
Judith Colleen Bessonette
A memorial service for Judith Colleen Bessonette will be held Monday, June 13, at Riverwood Family at 2 p.m.
Judith Colleen Bessonette, 58, of Petal, MS, passed from this life June 7, 2022, in Pike County. She was born in Brookhaven, MS, August 10, 1963, to James D. Bessonette and June Perry Newsom.
She is preceded in death by her father and her grandparents, Malcolm and Ruth Bessonette and Jesse and Alzina Perry.
She is survived by her mother; brothers, Adam Bessonette (Sherry) and James D. Bessonette; sisters, Jo Bowman, Jacqueline Gail Bessonette, Jill Rae Brown (Mike), and Leann Perry (Danny); nieces and nephews, Ken Hobgood (Kirstyn), Tabitha Ratliff, Thor Hobgood, Sawyer Brown, Markee Langham, and several great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her lifelong friend, Dorothy Harrell.
Rhoda Mae Sykes
A Graveside Memorial Service for Mrs. Rhoda Mae Sykes will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 10:00 am at Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.
Rhoda Mae Sykes, 89, Of Brookhaven, passed from this life on June 7, 2022. She was born on August 29, 1932, in Brookhaven to Carlie M. Givens and Lethie Hunt Givens.
Mrs. Sykes was a member of the Eastern Star for many years and served in every capacity. She enjoyed working a Garden, flowers and plants. Anytime she heard of anyone sick, she loved to visit and check on them when she was still independent.
Preceding her in death were her parents; a son, Felix “Bo” Sykes; brother, Billy Givens; sister, Carrie Lee Barton; granddaughter, Christie White and great-granddaughter, Jalynn Nicole White.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Velma Joyce Foster and Alfred Daniel Sykes and wife Shelia; brother, Carlie M. Givens, Jr. and wife Doris of Citronella, AL, and sister-in-law, Ann Givens. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kristi Morgan, Rusty Daniels, Christopher Lambright, Jeffrey Daniels, Preston Morgan, Kolton Morgan, Kassie Morgan, Michelle Bland Wood, Melissa Dunn, Wayne Sykes, Christina Sykes, Amanda Sykes and Jennifer Sykes; along with seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
George William "Billy" Boyd, Jr.
Funeral service for Mr. George William “Billy” Boyd, Jr., will be 11 a.m., Friday, June 10, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, at Riverwood Family and will resume Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Boyd, 46, of McCall Creek, passed from this life June 5, 2022. He was born in Gulport, MS, December 9, 1975, to George “Bill” Boyd, Sr. and Rebecca “Becky” Norton Boyd. He graduated from Northwest Rankin High School in Brandon, MS and furthered his education by attending MSU, Hinds Community College, and Nichols State, where he received a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He worked in the oil field industry as a Chevron Product Operations Specialist for 20 years and was awaiting a transfer to Africa. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, spending time with his wife and children was a great part of his life. He also loved spending time with his niece, Bella. Billy was an avid traveler, taking vacations with his family to all parts of the world, but also enjoyed a simple camping trip and relaxing by a campfire. He was a friend to many, and a multi-talented person. He was a mechanic, an engineer, and taxidermist. Billy was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Dewey and Alice Norton and Rev. JW and Edna Earle Boyd.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife of 20 years, Erin Rushing Boyd; son, William Barrett Boyd; daughters, Melanie Rebekah Boyd (David Huff), and Madalyn Elizabeth Boyd; brothers, Randy Boyd, Buddy Boyd (April) and their daughter, Bella Boyd. He is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Mary Pearl Tuttle
Mary Pearl Tuttle, 86, of Brookhaven, passed from this life June 5, 2022, at her residence. She was born in Bude, MS, January 6, 1936. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She would often say her “grands” kept her going. Any time you would visit her home, you left with a bag of snacks. Mary loved a sale, especially garage sales. She never met a stranger and after you spent a few moments with her you loved her. She enjoyed planting a vegetable garden and sharing the rewards of her work. Mary is also a retired Certified Nursing Assistant. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents Thomas Eugene McCoy, Sr. and Pearl Elizabeth Souleret Smith; grandson, Michael Jackson; brother, Tommy McCoy; and sister, Margaret Seale.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her husband of 18 years, Murphy Tuttle; sons, Marty Jackson and wife, Gilda, Ronnie Jackson and wife, Betty, and Keith Jackson and wife, Robin; grandchildren, Tanya & David Purdy, Zachary & Anna Jackson, Rebecca Jackson, Lily Jackson, Rachel Jackson, Anthony Lambert, Clayton Diffrient, Ryan Diffrient, Murphy Tuttle, Faye Tuttle, Joyce Hood, Jason Baudauf, Kimberly Tuttle; great grandchildren, Ryan, Ryleigh, Ryles, and Ryker Purdy, Roger, Meredith, and Beau Diffrient. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and other loving family members and friends.
HE ONLY TAKES THE BEST
God saw you getting tired, And a cure was not to be;
So he put his arms around you, And whispered, "Come to me”
With tearful eyes we watched you, And saw you pass away;
Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands to rest,
God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.
Nan Anthonette Davis
Mrs. Nan Anthonette Davis, 61 of Brookhaven, passed away June 2, 2022.
Mrs. Davis was born November 26, 1960, in McComb, MS.
She is preceded in death by her father, Clayton Brown and brother, Tony Brown.
Those left to cherish her memory are her mother, Jane Jackson;
son, Macy Bowman daughter, Heidi Cain and brother, Chan Garner.
She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Hailey Bowman, Hartley Cain, Aria Cain and Anden Cain.
Donald DeWayne Holland
Services for Mr. Donald DeWayne Holland of Meadville are 11:00 am, Saturday, June 4, 2022,
at Bude Church of God Church with burial at Byrd’s Chapel Cemetery in Franklin County.
Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 pm, Friday, June 3, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service,
and will lie in state from 10:00 am until the time of service on Saturday, at the church.
Mr. Donald DeWayne Holland, 92, went to be with his Lord on May 31, 2022.
He was born on October 13, 1929, in Meadville, MS.
Mr. Holland served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War.
He was a member of Bude Church of God. Donald loved singing, hunting and fishing.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Sylvia Holland; parents, Willie and Ethel Holland;
son, Garland DeWayne Holland; and brothers, Lamar, Robert, Sidney, Bertram, Stewart,
Jack, James, and Joe, and sister, Alice.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Wanda Gail Edwards (Jimmy Dale) and Ina Gafford (Todd);
brother, Leslie Holland, along with five grandchildren, Casey Edwards, Olivia Edwards, Ashley Davis, Beth Louviere,
Autumn Gafford, and eight great grandchildren. Also, a host of nieces and nephews and friends.
He will be missed by all that loved him.
Rev. Matthew Thomas Locy Corkern
The Rev. Canon Matthew Thomas Locy Corkern
December 14, 1972 to April 24, 2022
With deep sadness, yet in the sure and certain promise of eternal life through the Resurrection,the family of the Rev. Canon Matthew T. L. Corkern share that he died early on Sunday morning, April 24, 2022. Matthew, 49, endured a difficult struggle with the rare combination of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. A native Mississippian, Matthew was a dedicated Episcopal Priest with a heart and passion for the ministry of Christ’s love through pastoral care and spiritual formation. In parish, national, and international church ministry in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, he served faithfully from 2001 until his death.
Matthew was born on December 14, 1972, in Brookhaven, Mississippi to Thomas Locy Corkern, Jr. and Rebecca Coleman Corkern of Brookhaven. After graduating from Brookhaven High School with honors in 1991, Matthew attended the University of Richmond where he earned a BA with dual majors (1995) in Leadership Studies, (Jepson Leadership School) and History.He was Awarded the Mace Award for Most Outstanding Senior. Matthew later earned an MA in History (concentration 18 and 19 Century British history) from the University of Richmond.
In 2001, Matthew earned his Master of Divinity at Yale University along with certificates in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and Anglican Liturgy and Spirituality from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music.
Matthew served as seminarian at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, New Canaan, CT (1999-2001) and was ordained to the diaconate in the Diocese of Virginia on June 24, 2001. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 29, 2001, in the Washington National Cathedral, Washington, DC by the Right Reverend Peter Lee. He was the Associate Rector for Adult Education of St. John’s Church in McLean, VA (2001-2004), the Canon Residentiary of Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville, TN (2004-2009), the 16th Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Mobile, AL (2009-2011) and the 13th Rector of Calvary Church in Summit, NJ (2011-2020).
In addition to his parish work, Matthew faithfully served in various leadership capacities in the Episcopal dioceses of Virginia, Tennessee, the Central Gulf Coast, and Newark. For seven years, Matthew was National Chaplain of the Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church. He was an officer of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, served on the Graduate Society Council of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, led retreats through the Washington National Cathedral Association, and assisted in the formation of regular retreat days at The Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage. Most recently Matthew served as Trustee and Executive Chair of FOCCUS, Friends of Canterbury Cathedral U.S. He also worked with The Compass Rose Society.
Matthew said that his love of ministry was “to consistently ground the parish in scripture, history, and love as Christians while maintaining who we are called to be as Episcopalians and Anglicans. As a parish and a community, we are always called to serve Christ and the needs of each other and all God’s people locally, regionally, and across the nation and globe.”
He understood that the church must recognize all ages and center all ministry in prayer, liturgy, education, fellowship, and outreach. He also believed that parishes needed to be involved in the wider community and encouraged his parishioners to work with city leaders in interfaith councils,outreach, cultural events for arts and music to create sacred space for the city and opportunities for at-risk youth. He was dedicated to building strong foundations for stewardship and parish administration which led to the restoration of several historic church properties and campuses.
Perhaps most important to his own spiritual life was his love for pilgrimage which grew from his time at Berkeley when he and a fellow classmate, inaugurated an annual pilgrimage to Great Britain.
Throughout his life, he continued this passion and dedication with annual pilgrimages to Canterbury Cathedral, heart of the Anglican Communion. Dean of Canterbury, the Very Reverend Robert Willis,and dear friends of this holy place blessed and sustained Matthew along his earthly pilgrim journey.
In his ministry of 20 years, Matthew led 45 pilgrimages to Great Britain, Israel, Western Europe, Albania, and many off-the-beaten paths of the world where ancient holy people and Christians walked, prayed, and spread the Gospel of Christ. His pilgrim heart wanted individuals and groups to build upon their own personal, prayerful, passionate relationships with Jesus Christ. Matthew embraced each pilgrim path, cathedral, and church for its uniqueness but most of all valued new pilgrim friends encountered in these.These spiritual journeys were transformational for all who participated and resulted in the formation of a strong community of pilgrim friends through the years.
Matthew is remembered by all who knew him as a deeply devoted and faithful believer with a passion for liturgy and scripture, a superb intellect, boundless energy, and a smile that radiated joy and great generosity of spirit. As priest, pilgrim, historian, genealogist, avid reader and writer, Matthew often reminded people “life is not measured in its length, but in its depth.”
A friend recently said, “Matthew touched many lives through his ministry. He was a special man with the ability to see in others their potential, the presence of God in all of us, and the best that we could be.”
Matthew is survived by his parents and his brother, Jeremy Coleman Corkern of Birmingham, AL, and his son Preston Coke-Corkern. He was predeceased by his beloved grandparents, Thomas Locy Corkern, Sr. and Iris Koepp Corkern of Bogalusa, LA and Alvin Eugene Coleman and Louise May Coleman, of Mendenhall, MS as well as family friend, Arthur Eggers, Colorado Springs, CO.
He will be celebrated and remembered by his parents, brother, cherished friend, Mrs. Constance Eggers, of Colorado Springs, CO and his aunts and uncles: Hilda May Coleman of Mendenhall, MS, Edward Corkern of West Monroe, LA, Mike and Linda Corkern of Bogalusa, LA, Paul and Elyse Corkern of Barranquilla, Columbia, numerous beloved cousins and extended Corkern, Koepp and Coleman family, as well as friends and colleagues from around the world.
A Celebration of Matthew’s life will be at 11 o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson, MS with a reception to follow. His ashes will be interred at Noon on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at St. Joseph Abbey, Covington, LA with a reception to follow.
To further the legacy of the life and ministry of the Rev. Matthew Corkern, his beloved family and friends have created a trust in his name to provide scholarships and support to schools and ministries close to his heart.
Contributions may be sent to:
The Rev. Canon Matthew T.L. Corkern Trust
Wells Fargo Advisors
1020 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 100
Ridgeland, MS 39157
Debra Gail Thompson Case
Services for Mrs. Debra Gail Thompson Case are 2:00 pm, Saturday, May 28, 2022,
at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with visitation Friday, May 27, from 5:00-8:00 pm
at Riverwood and interment at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Debra Gail (Thompson) Case, age 65, passed away on May 23, 2022.
She was born June 6, 1956, in Brookhaven, Mississippi to Mike and Elsie Jean Thompson.
She attended Loyd Star High School, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Hinds Community College
and was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. She married Donald Case in December 1972
and was a loving mother to their three children: Chad, Jessica, and Craig.
She was preceded in death by her mother.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Donald Case; daughter, Jessica Smith and husband, Todd;
sons, Chad Case and wife, Amy, and Craig Case, her father Mike Thompson,
brother, Michael Thompson and wife, Susan, and grandchildren Julia Smith, James Case, and Luke Case, and a host of other family members and friends.
She will be missed by all that loved her.
Howard Bernard White
A memorial service for Mr. Howard Bernard White
will be 11:00 am Friday, May 27, 2022, at Friendship Baptist Church
with visitation from 10:00 until the time of service.
Mr. White, 62, of Brookhaven, passed from this life May 25, 2022, at his residence.
He was born in Natchez, MS, November 11, 1959, to the late Hollis Howard White and Laura Louise Seale White.
He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Rhondia White; his parents; and his grandson, John Titus White.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of one year, Betty White; son, Howard LaRon “Peanut” White;
daughter, Danyelle S. Owens; brother, Keith White; and sisters, Mary Dier, Debra Stoetzner,
and Joanie Rushing; and nine grandchildren. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
