Obituaries
Ercel Edward Knight
Mr. Ercel Edward Knight, 81, of Brookhaven, passed away February 1, 2022, in Brookhaven, MS. He was born in Laurel, MS, May 23, 1940, to Talmage Knight and Myrtel Rodgers Knight. He was a truck driver in the logging industry. Mr. Knight enjoyed fishing and watching old westerns on television. Family was of great importance to him. Given the opportunity, he would gladly share the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.
Mr. Knight is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Margret Eloise Knight; and his parents.
He is survived by his sons, John Douglas Knight and Charles Edward Knight; brothers, James Buford Knight and Harold Knight; sister, Barbara Holifield; six grandchildren, Stormie Knight, John Knight, Brett Knight, Skylar Knight, Maygun Knight, and Mason Knight; and by five great grandchildren, Braylen Knight, Kyle Knight, Deantez Collins, Damon Thornhill, and Wynter Thornhill. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Leslie Earl Naab
Mr. Leslie Earl Naab, 84, of Brookhaven, MS, passed from this life January 30, 2022, in McComb, MS. He was born at home in Hutton Township, Coles County, IL, March 12, 1937, to Harold Edward Naab and Opal Lorena Bostic Naab.
Mr. Naab served his country as staff sergeant in the United States Air Force and worked as a jet mechanic during the Korean War. He was self-employed as an electrical contractor and enjoyed time spent in his workshop as well as camping and traveling the country. Mr. Naab was a lover of animals especially his pet poodle, Pookey. He enjoyed hitting the flea markets and rummage sales with his wife and friends. He was a friend to all and always there to lend a helping hand. He was always the tower of strength in the family yet the most silent. He recently moved to Brookhaven, MS from Decatur, IL to be with his son and family.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Kathy Naab, his brother Harold Eugene Naab and Sisters Alberta Frances Glover, and Rita Bell Lammers.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Barbara Naab of Brookhaven, MS; son, Tim Naab and wife Cindy of Brookhaven, MS; sister, Pat Kunz and husband, Ed of Decatur, IL; three grandchildren, Leslie Naab of Brookhaven, MS, Jamie Naab Meredith and husband, Mitch of Burnside, KY, and Katy Armstrong Lambert and husband, Jeff Of Warrensburg, IL; eight great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Dan Weathersby Ashley
Mr. Dan Weathersby Ashley of Meadville, MS, completed his journey here January 30, 2022, in Meadville. He was born in Natchez, MS, July 13, 1940, to George Houston Ashley and Edna Adams Ashley. He was 81 years of age.
Mr. Ashley joined the Naval Reserves in high school. Later, he served his country in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Guam. He was employed with Armstrong Rubber Company for many years and most recently, Zeon Chemicals. His favorite things in life were listening to good music, especially Jimmy Buffet, taking walks, reading a good book and traveling through this beautiful country. He was a faithful provider for his family and loved his children and grandchildren above all things. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Bude and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Mr. Ashley is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dean Ashley; son-in-law, David “Tubb” Southerland; and his great-granddaughter, Ramsey Kaye Hill.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his son, Eric Ashley of Oakland Park, FL; daughter, Eileen Ashley Southerland of Meadville, MS; two grandchildren, Allan Hill and husband, Stan, Jordan Skinner and husband, Tom; and three great grandchildren, John Dale Hill, Emme Skinner, and Waylon Hill.
A private memorial will be held to honor Mr. Ashley’s memory.
Mrs. Gary Marcelle Nelson
Funeral service for Mrs. Gary Marcelle Nelson will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 2, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, February 1 at Riverwood.
Mrs. Nelson, 77, of Brookhaven, passed from this life January 30, 2022, at St Dominic Medical Center in Jackson, MS. She was born in McComb, October 27, 1944, to Elmer Johnson and Eva Mae Wilkerson Johnson. She worked as a hairdresser and in later years she was a caregiver. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Kristi Thornton; son, Eddie Nelson, Jr.; sister, Wonzie Matlock; and brother, Nicholas Johnson.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 46 years, Eddie Nelson; son, Reggie Thornton; daughter, Theresa Watson; brother, Clyde Johnson; five grandchildren, Shauna Smith, Tara Tanner, Ramsey Thornton, Landon Nelson, and Courtney Watson; 12 great grandchildren, Taylor Kennedy, Hayden McGill, Bishop Kennedy, Dylan McGill, Natalie Bergenron, Chloe McGill, Gracie Tanner, Lyndsey McGill, Dalton Thornton, Jackson Thornton, Addison Thornton, and Rory Reid; and one great great grandchild, Casen McGill. She is also survived by best friends, Phillip and Vera Boyles, Ray and Faye Reid, and Mrs. James Biggs.
Rosemary Smith Case
With sadness our family announces that Rosemary Smith Case passed away on January 11, 2022.
Rosemary was a longtime hairdresser in Brookhaven, Mississippi.
You may leave your condolences or light a candle for Rosemary and the family here.
She was born on October 8, 1946 in Brookhaven Mississippi.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her father and mother, Louis and Omie Smith and her brother, Ray Smith and his wife Mary Louise, all from Brookhaven.
She is survived by her sister, Judy Smith Townsend, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Rosemary will be missed. May she Rest In Peace.
Bonnie Janell Bradley
Funeral service for Bonnie Janell Bradley will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Liberty, MS, with interment in the New Zion Cemetery. Visitation is Monday, January 31, from 4-8 p.m. at Zion Hill.
Mrs. Bradley, 65, of Smithdale, passed away January 27, 2022, in McComb, MS. She was born in Rusk County, TX, April 1, 1956, to Cecil Parker and Elvie Victoria Lunsford Parker.
“NeNe” was an active member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. There she served in various areas including worship leader. She loved singing praise and worship to her Savior. Her biggest accomplishment was making sure that her grandkids knew she was the sweetest “NeNe” in the world. Not only did the grands know it, EVERYONE knew it.
She loved to travel, the mountains and beach were her favorite. The mountains gave her beautiful sight seeing and shows at area theatres. The beach, though, the beach is where she showed the world her unmatched and most envied volleyball skills. She was always eager to get out in the yard with kids for a game of baseball, everyone always clambered to get “NeNe” on their team. Everyone that knew her, loved her. She was kind, loving and encouraging. She loved to laugh and when she did, it instantly made you laugh too. Her smile was beautiful: warm and genuine. If she was smiling, you were smiling with her because it made you feel happy.
“NeNe”, most importantly, loved her Savior. She lived each day glorifying Him in the way she walked and talked. If she wasn’t speaking of her Savior, she was singing about Him and His goodness. She was the mightiest of prayer warriors, you knew if she said, “I’m praying for you”, that she genuinely was and it was powerful. You could feel Him in the room when she spoke, it was a palpable and comforting feeling to be covered in her prayers. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
“NeNe” is preceded in death by her son, Danny Maurice Dixon, Jr. “Dandy”; her parents; brother, William Parker and wife, Carolyn; and brother-in-law, Armando Pegueros.
Those she leaves behind to cherish her memory are her husband of 16 years, David “Dave” Bradley; daughters, Renee Kirkland (David), Tina Ginn (Greg), Sarah Bradley, Davilynn Paige Mendoza (Beto); brother, Cecil Litt Parker (Anita); sisters, Edith Pegueros, Mary Maxine Osborne, and Ellen Nevil (Thomas); grandchildren, Karlyn Paulet (Adrien), Hunter Ginn (Mattie), Steven Ginn (Kayley), Hannah Ginn, Gabby Kirkland, Ford Kirkland, Katelynn Kirkland, Caden Mendoza, Anna Leece Mendoza, Paul Mendoza, Tristan Bradley, Nathanael McCabe, and Savannah Ruiz. She also leaves behind other loving family members, friends, honorary daughters, and grandchildren, Cindy Smithers (Jeremy), Braden and Tae Blanks and Delanie Blanks, Bo Smithers, Briley Smithers, Blake Smithers, Angie Kirkland (Brian), Colby and Grant Leake, Reagan Kirkland, and Aaden Kirkland; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Sandra Lauren Jordan
Funeral service for Sandra Lauren Jordan will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Shady Grove Baptist Church,
with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until the time of service.
Mrs. Jordan, 71, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life January 24, 2022, at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson.
She was born in Bogue Chitto, MS, November 11, 1950, to Kees Nations and Laura Helen Nations.
She earned a Registered Nursing degree from Copiah Lincoln Community College and worked with
Dr. Becker and then went on to work with Home Health. She enjoyed working in her yard and shopping.
She also would serenade family and friends with guitar and singing. Mrs. Jordan will be missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Linda White; and her granddaughter, Jordan Brittany Roberts.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her husband of 51 years, Stanley Jordan;
son, Nicholas Drew Jordan and wife, Amanda; daughter, Stancie Dawn Jordan Roberts;
brothers, Terry Lane Nations and Booth Nations; six grandchildren, Jordan Roberts, Jakab Jordan,
Abigaile Jordan, Emily Jordan, Alexis Jordan, Brittany Nicole Jordan; two great grandchildren; and a host of other loving family members and friends.
Myron Davin "Ron" Skelton
Services for Mr. Myron “Ron” Davin Skelton of Bogue Chitto are 2:00 pm, Friday, January 28, 2022, at Riverwood family with visitation from 1:00 until the time of the service.
Burial will be at Concord Baptist Church Cemetery.
He was a Vietnam Veteran where he served his country in the United States Air Force from 1970-1974. He worked as a purchasing manager for Keystone Seneca and was a member of Ramah Baptist Church.
He was born on May 12, 1950, to the late Clifford Carlton Skelton and Ruby Huffman Skelton. He passed away January 24, 2022, he was 71 years old.
Ron loved the Lord and was a devoted husband and father. He was a man that always put his family first. He enjoyed playing his guitar and loved his grandchildren, taking family trips and spending time outdoors. He will be greatly missed by his family. The grandkids will tell you, “Poppie knows everything!”
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Carl, Johnny, Robert, William and Mack Skelton, all of Greenwood MS, and Jerry Skelton of Greensboro, NC.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 46 years, Shelia Montgomery Skelton; son Kevin Skelton and wife, Becky of McCall Creek, MS; daughter Tera Heathcock and husband Wylie of Bogue Chitto, MS and his five grandchildren, Lexie Smith and husband, Charles Wayne, Braylei and Macey Steele, Gunner Smith, Chloe Skelton and brother, Ernie Skelton of Grenada MS.
And he was blessed to have five bonus grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Ronald Patrick Durr
Services for Mr. Ronald Patrick Durr of Brookhaven are 11:00 am, Thursday, January 27, 2022,
at New Hope United Methodist Church with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of the service.
Burial will be at New Hope United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Ronald Patrick Durr, 78, went to be with his Lord on January 24, 2022, He was born in Brookhaven MS, on
December 6, 1943, to the late Louis Monroe Durr, Sr. and Virgie Paxton Durr.
Mr. Durr was retired from U.S. Geological Survey and Lincoln County as Litter Coordinator and
served as board member for Lincoln Rural Water and Keep Lincoln County Beautiful.
He was also a member of Philadelphia Baptist Church where he served as deacon and Sunday School Director.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Donald Edwin Durr and Louis Monroe Durr, Jr., and nephews, Donnie Durr and William Durr.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 54 years, Marilyn Durr; daughter, Rhonda Johnson and husband David,
brother, Mike Durr and wife, Nita Faye; sister-in-law, Elois Durr and brother-in-law, Milton Wallace and wife, Patsy, along with grandchildren, Anna, Alexis and Harrison Johnson and a host of nieces and nephews.
Roy Earl Nations
Funeral service for Mr. Roy Earl Nations will be 11 a.m., Thursday, January 27, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, Red Star Ward, with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, January 26, at Riverwood and resumes at 10 a.m. Thursday, before the time of service.
Mr. Nations was born in Hazlehurst, MS, March 23, 1943, the youngest of twelve children, to Willie Sylvester Nations and Lena Sarah Ashley Nations. He made his pilgrimage here 78 years and returned to his eternal home January 22, 2022. Mr. Nations worked for the Canadian National Railroad as a Carman. He served his country as a medic in the United States National Guard for six years and was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He married the love of his life, Sandra Brady, whom he adored, and they shared 55 ½ years together. Their lives were truly knit together, and they honored each other and the time they were given. He was a man of integrity with a heart of compassion and a life of grace, never raising his voice or being unkind in any way. One highlight of his life was watching his grandchildren play football and soccer. He was proud of his family and basked in the accomplishments of each one of his children and grandchildren.
He enjoyed the beauty of creation, especially the mountains. He would travel by train, plane, or automobile to see a new place or visiting family and friends that were like family throughout the east and west. Mr. Nations was a community leader as well as church leader. His favorite calling was being a Primary Teacher. To say he will be greatly missed can not begin to express the void that we will feel until we meet again.
Mr. Nations is preceded in death by his daughter, Stephanie Carol Dinsdale; his parents, Willie and Lena Nations;; brothers, L.C. Nations, John Bert nations, Allie Nations, Charles nations, and Frank nations; sisters, Willena nations, Maggie Nell White, and Shirley Nations; sisters-in-law, Vesta Nations and Shirley Nations; and brother-in-law, Otis White and in-laws, Nathan and Arcola Brady
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife, Sandra Brady Nations; sons, Earl Nations (Crystal), Wade Nations; daughters, Renea Walker (Billy), Allison Haynes (Joey); brothers, James Nations (Carolyn), Billy Nations, Scarbro Nations (Mary Ann); son-in-law, Rob Dinsdale; brother-in-law, Rulon Brady (Saundra); sister-in-law, Agnes Freeman (Bob); 27 grandchildren, Taive Nations (Ali), Reese, Jericho, Elijah, Sophia and Blake Nations, Brenton (Alessandra), Braedon, Bryson, and Brantley Walker, Ashlan Olmstead (Alex), Alexis Grihalva (Matthew), Miranda Wall (Justin), Kennedy Tamayo (Michael), Paxton, Brenna and Preslie Nations, Conner, Natalie, Carson, and Landon Dinsdale, Grant, Kara, Camille, Nathan, and Chloe Haynes, and Kaden Smith. He is also survived by 8 great grandchildren, Peyton, Maddox, and Jameson Olmstead, Blake, Caleb, and Riley Walker, Able Nations, and Everett Tamayo; and a host of very loved nieces and nephews.
