Obituaries
Annie Merle Alford Alexander
Services for Mrs. Annie Merle Alford Alexander, of Jayess are 1:00 pm, Wednesday, January 12, 2022,
at Riverwood Family with visitation from 11:00 until time of the service.
Burial will be at Jayess Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Annie Merle Alford Alexander, 88, went to be with her Lord on January 10, 2022.
She was born on September 11, 1933, to the late B.V. Alford Sr. and Vera Inez Potts Alford.
Mrs. Alexander was a member of Enon Baptist Church and retired as schoolteacher.
She enjoyed reading all the latest news in the local newspapers, planting and tending to her flowers
when she was able and cooking and baking homemade sweets for her family.
She will be missed by all that loved her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband of 45 years, Cecil Alexander;
and brothers, B.V. Alford, Jr., Wendell Alford and Bill Alford.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Mona Britt (Heath) and Molly McGraw.
She is also survived by four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Grandsons, Matthew McGraw and Justin McGraw.
Charles Henry Boswell
Funeral service for Mr. Charles Henry Boswell will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, January 11, at Riverwood Family, with interment in New Salem Cemetery in McCall Creek. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Boswell, 84, of McCall Creek, passed away January 8, 2022, at his residence. He was born in Lawrence County to Ernest Lee Boswell and Alice Thompson Boswell, March 5, 1937. He was employed as a Truck Driver, but his passion was carpentry. Mr. Boswell enjoyed woodworking and making unique items to give as gifts to family and friends. His favorite pastime was purchasing old trucks and remodeling them to perfection. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Tammy Louise Boswell; sister, Dorothy Mae Boswell Sykes; and brother, Robert L. Boswell.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 63 years, Nancy Smith Boswell; son, Christopher Shane Boswell (Tracy); daughter, Rhonda Boswell Freeman (Bobby); two grandchildren, Derek Freeman (Haley) and Lexie Freeman; and one great grandson, Robert Freeman. He is also survived by his beloved pet, DeDe, as well as other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Jude’s PO Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142; or BARL, PO Box 3477, Brookhaven, MS 39603.
James Bardwell
Graveside service for Mr. James Bardwell will be 11:30 a.m., Thursday, January 6, 2022, in Riverwood Memorial Park.
Jakari Jamal Fitzgerald
Graveside service for Jakari Jamal Fitzgerald will be 10 a.m., Friday, January 7, 2022, at Rounds Cemetery, in Natchez, MS.
JaKari was born in Natchez, MS, June 30, 2021, to Darren Fleming and Lamonica Fitzgerald. He returned to heaven December 26, 2021. Although so small and precious, JaKari made a big impact on our lives. He and his twin brother, JaMari were born three months early and weighed only 1 pound 10 ounces. Our precious boys were kept in NICU in Jackson, MS for five months. JaKari will be remembered as a fighter, for he fought to stay with us, but it was just not to be. He is our little angel, and we will forever hold him dear in our hearts.
Those who will cherish JaKari’s memory are, his parents; brothers, Braylon Fitzgerald and JaMari Fitzgerald; sister, Sky McMurtry; grandmother, Sheila Fitzgerald and great grandmother, Anglee Fitzgerald; aunts and uncles, Courtney Tucker, Donald Tucker, Kia Hence, Alisha Fitzgerald, Ameila Tucker, Darrius Fitzgerald; cousins, Khaisdy Tucker, Khalaya Tucker, Chloe Davis, and Cailee Davis; great aunts, Carol Fitzgerald, Deloris Fitzgerald, and Priscilla Rounds; great uncles, Ferry Rounds, Cedrick Fitzgerald, and Kevin Fitzgerald; favorite cousins, Dazmine Fitzgerald and Kaelin Beamer.
Hayden Chandler
Funeral service for Hayden Lee Chandler will be 11 a.m. Thursday, January 6, 2022, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Wesson Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, January 5, at Riverwood, and will resume at 10 a.m. Thursday until the time of service.
Mr. Chandler, 27, passed away January 3, 2022, at St. Dominic Medical Center. He was born in Greenwood, MS, March 31, 1994, to Dr. Gary W. Barkman and Dwana Chandler Barkman. Hayden had an adventurous personality and a passionate work ethic. He had an amazing outlook on life. His greatest joy in life was crane and rigging, which was what he loved to do most. His love for this industry pales in comparison to his greatest loves, his children, Gentry and Leighton. Hayden was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Betty J. Wilkinson and Alvie Chandler; paternal grandparents, Aline and Frank Barkman; and uncle, Kelvin Chandler.
He is survived by his son, Leighton Chandler; daughter, Gentry Chandler; and his parents; fiancé’ , Ellen Joiner and her parents, Mike and Brenda Todd. He also leaves behind many other loving family members and friends.
Stan James Smith
Funeral service for Mr. Stan James Smith will be 2:30 p.m., Friday, January 7, 2022, at Riverwood Family. Visitation is from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Smith, 64, of Brookhaven, passed from this life on January 3, 2022. He was a member of Ramah Baptist Church.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Willard and Margie Smith; his birth mother, Janie Havis Smith; brother, Dannie Willard Smith; and sister, Helen L. Ratcliff.
Survivors are his sons, Stan James Smith, Jr and wife, Deloras, of Port Neches, TX, Corey Daniel Smith and wife, Brooke, of Holden, LA; brother, Randall Lofton and wife, Patricia; sister, Susan L. Keys and husband, Mike; sister-in-law, Gail H. Smith and brother-in-law, Johnny Ratcliff. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Janie Lynn, Katie Christine, Jacelyn Gene, Chase Bennett, Grant Lee, and Luke Daniel: and three great grandchildren
The family would like to thank the staff of McComb Nursing and Rehab and St Luke Hospice Ministries, for the care given to him during the final eight months of his life.
Norma Frances Case
Memorial service for Mrs. Norma Frances Case will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, January 5, at her residence. Interment will follow in the Family Cemetery.
Mrs. Case, 74, of Brookhaven, passed away January 2, 2022. She was born in Port Gibson, February 25, 1947, to Norman and Frances Ammons. She enjoyed being outdoors, horseback riding, barrel racing and playing solitaire on the computer. She also loved doing her hair and makeup and being surrounded by her family.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Melvin E. Case; her parents Norman and Frances Ammons and her brother Orise Ammons.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Dewain Case (Katasha) and Sheila Smith (Chris). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Brieann Bessonette (Steven), Nathan Case (Tamara Adams), Blake Case and Brooke Smith along with three great-grandchildren, Hazelynn Bessonette, Anola Bessonette, and Braxton Case and a host of other family and friends.
Joyce Evoline Woods
Graveside service for Joyce Evoline Woods will be Noon on Friday, January 7, at Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. Woods, 90, passed away January 1, 2022, in Cleveland, MS. She was born in Brookhaven June 22, 1931, to John T. Dickerson and Gladys Hodges Dickerson.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, James D. Woods and sister, Marion Lanell Watts.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Betsy Woods Romine; two grandchildren Mary Morgan Tharp (Chris), and John Douglas Romine and two great grandchildren, Anslee Morgan Tharp and Tucker Woods Tharp.
She was a graduate of Johnson Station High School and McComb Infirmary nursing school.
She worked for Dr. Ed Safley and Dr. Louie Wilkins, was assistant director at Kings Daughters Medical Center and County Coordinator at Lincoln County Health until retired, a member of WMU, Mission Committee at FBS and worked in Vacation Bible School for 30 years. She also had a catering business with Janet Moreton and was chosen as an Unsung Hero of Lincoln County in April of 2003, she was a charter member of OB-GYN Association and worked to establish MS Nursing Practice Act, and worked with Dr. Jerry Durr in outreach ministries and was a shelter volunteer for the local American Cross.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Thomas E. Welch
Memorial service for Thomas E. Welch will be 2:30 p.m., Thursday, January 6, 2022, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Welch Cemetery in Bogue Chitto. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Welch, 91, of Bogue Chitto, passed away January 1, 2022. He was born in Canton, MS, July 28, 1930, to Grover Cleveland Welch, Sr. and Verna Fisk Welch. He served his country in the United States Marines during the Korean War. Mr. Welch was the founder and owner of Tom’s Sheet Metal and a member of Easthaven Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Bogue Chitto. He was a hardworking man and enjoyed lending a helping hand to all in need. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He went on many hunting trips to Colorado. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
Mr. Welch is preceded in death by his first wife of 50 years, Charline Davis Welch; his second wife Dorothy Burt Welch; parents; bother, G.C. Welch, Jr., sisters, Dorothy Welch Johnson and Edith Welch Laird.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Darlene Welch Hutson and husband, Bruce; two grandchildren, Barbara Beyl and Michael Hutson; four great grandchildren, Grayson Beyl, Matthew Beyl, Jack Hutson, and Palmer Hutson, and one step grandchild, Brayden West. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and other loving family members, and friends.
Claudette Irene Crawford
A celebration of life for Claudette Irene Crawford will be held on January 15, 2022, Noon, at the Assembly of Brookhaven. Visitation for the family will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Crawford, 82, of Brookhaven passed away at Haven Hall Nursing Home, December 29, 2021, in Brookhaven, MS. She was born in Harvey, IL, August 19, 1939, to Marvin James Wiers and Margaret Helen Reuille Wiers.
She was the owner and manager of two businesses along with her family, from 1960-1973, Superior Forest Lodge in Ely, Minnesota and from 1973-1979, Crawford Construction and Bus Company, also in Ely. She then moved to Mississippi and started work at Trustmark National Bank. She was there from 1980-1988 until moving to Jackson. She retired at the age of 78 with Irby Construction, where she was the Administrative Assistant from 1988-2017.
Mrs. Crawford, affectionately known as “Gramma Claudette”, is loved by many. Heaven has received a “Diva”. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family.
Mrs. Crawford is preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Nick N. Crawford; her parents; brother, James D. Wiers; and sister, Bethel Y. Wiers.
Those who remain to celebrate her memory are her sons, James “Jim” Crawford and wife, Kathie, Edward “Ed” Crawford and wife, Debi, Nickie N. Crawford and wife, Rhonda, and Claude “Rusty” Crawford and wife, Missy; ten grandchildren, Chris Crawford Huffman , James Crawford Huffman , Thomas Crawford, James Brandon Crawford, Claudia Stein, Terri Lynn Lamport, Justin Crawford, Bethany Ballard, Christian Ian Crawford, and Delaney Crawford. She also leaves behind 14 great grandchildren as well as other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Gideons International, PO Box 1106, Brookhaven, MS 39602.
