Obituaries
Altus Monroe Holmes
Altus Monroe Holmes, 93, of Brookhaven, MS, passed away peacefully at St. Dominic's Hospital on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. He was born on January 26, 1928, to the late Ellen and Victor Holmes in Lexie, MS.
Mr. Holmes graduated from Lexie High School in 1946 and Mississippi State in 1958. He was a forester and a member of First Baptist Church in Brookhaven, serving as a lifetime deacon. He was also a multi-decade member of the Brookhaven Exchange Club, receiving the John L. Leary Memorial Award for service.
Preceding him in his death were his parents, Ellen Newman Holmes and Victor Monroe Holmes; his siblings, Joe Holmes, Willene Holmes Schwamkrug, and Eldon Holmes; and his grandparents.
Mr. Holmes, a Navy WWII veteran, loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, is survived by his wife, Sue Bullock Holmes; his daughter, Lynne Holmes Lofton; his son, Brent Holmes; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Duncan.
Al Holmes, known as "Granddaddy" to his grandchildren, served on a Naval ship in the mailroom during WWII, delivering mail to all service members in the fleet. Following his service during WWII, he returned to Walthall County and married the love of his life, Sue Bullock, on July 22, 1951.
He moved to Starkville with his family to complete his forestry degree at Mississippi State. They lived in Starkville for several years with his two young children, and eventually moved to Brookhaven in 1960, working with the Mississippi Forestry Commission. He passed on his love for the outdoors to his children and grandchildren, and one of his grandchildren's fondest memories were camping trips with their grandparents across various Mississippi state parks.
Mr. Holmes cherished being a father, grandfather, and wise, humble mentor. Even though his nature was quiet and reserved, his backyard pool was a central hub of activity during the prime of his grandfatherhood, and he enjoyed hosting yearly Easter Egg Hunts in his front yard. He loved animals, and always had a dog by his side – including Kim, Cholly, Harry, Hobo, Sassy, Lizzy, Jake, and Duncan. In retirement, Al embraced art and began painting, leaving his friends and family with a variety of still life, landscape, and portrait paintings that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.
Al was a friend to all who knew him. Those left to hold his memory dear are his wife, Sue Holmes; daughter, Lynne Lofton (Bill); son, Brent Holmes (Phyllis); grandson Will (Grace Anne); granddaughter Lydia; grandson Lane (Anna); grandson David (Liz); grandson Kevin; great- granddaughter Priscilla; great-granddaughter Karis; great-granddaughter Liesl; great-grandson Connor; and great-grandson Sam.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 31, from 9 - 10:30 am at Riverwood Family Funeral Service, and the funeral will follow at 10:30 am at the same location.
Grace Elaine Smith
Funeral service will be held for Grace Elaine Smith, 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven, MS, with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Riverwood. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Church of Christ Cemetery.
On Tuesday December 28, 2021, Grace Elaine Smith, loving wife and mother, passed away at the age of 86. Elaine was born on August 9, 1935, in the Midway community, Copiah County, MS to Ernest and Mildred (Smith) Montgomery. She graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1953 before attending Copiah Lincoln Jr. College. On October 8, 1954, she married Claude Bennett Smith, Jr. They raised two sons, Scott and Steve.
Elaine enjoyed nothing better than caring for her family and loved ones. One of the many ways she showed her love was through her gift of cooking. She was a faithful member of Hillcrest Church of Christ where her beautiful alto voice could be heard singing regularly. She was a Proverbs 31 woman.
Elaine was preceded in death by her father, Ernest, and her mother, Mildred, and an infant son. She is survived by her husband, Claude Bennett Smith, Jr; two sons Scott (Renee) Smith of Clinton, MS and Steve (Jana) Smith of Edmond, OK; one grandson, Riley (Katie) Smith of Houston, TX; one granddaughter, Laura (Caleb) Baze of Waco, TX; two great-grandchildren, Cora and Alan Baze; special friends, Collins and Micah Allen.
The family would like to express sincere appreciation to Hospice Compassus and the staff at Trend Healthcare and Rehabilitation.
Fred Barrett Shelton, Jr.
Services for Mr. Fred Barrett Shelton, Jr. are 11:00 am, Tuesday, December 28, 2021,
at Riverwood with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of the service.
Burial will be at Shelton Cemetery in Pattison, MS.
Mr. Fred Barrett Shelton, Jr. 43, passed away on December 22, 2021. He was born on October 3, 1978, in Brookhaven, Ms.
Mr. Shelton spent his youth growing up on the family farm in rural Jefferson County, where he enjoyed fishing the creeks, ponds and hunting on the powerline with his cousins.
He was a graduate of Franklin County High School, attended Co-Lin, and was currently a valued worker for Wallace Comfort Zone.
He spent his leisure time fishing and hunting with his best friend Logan, and bragging on his beautiful daughters, Makayla and Lucy. Mr. Barrett was a
lifelong member of Blue Hill United Methodist Church, where he was loved and cherished dearly.
Preceding him in death were his grandparents, Charles and Lucille Shelton and brother-in-law, J.P Upton.
Those left to cherish his memory are his father, Freddie Shelton (Katie); mother, Mitzi Price;
son, Barrett Logan Shelton (Sierrah Stabler); daughters, Makayla Brooke Shelton and Lucy Rivers Shelton;
sister, Amanda Upton Bergeron and husband Jake; special nephews, Gavin and Trajan Upton; and grandparents,
George and Chris Price and Paula Walker. He is also survived by many family members and friends who loved him dearly.
We will always miss his smile, big hugs, and his love for everyone he met. We love you dearly, our dad, friend, son, best brother, and uncle. Merry Christmas, we all love you BIG! BIG! Until we see you again “B”.
Effie May Rushing
Passed away December 23, 2021 at KDMC
Services are incomplete
Kathleen Gillis Holmes
Funeral service for Kathleen Gillis Holmes, of Brookhaven, will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Union Hall Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, December 21, at Riverwood, and will resume at 10 a.m. Wednesday until the time of service.
Kathleen passed peacefully from her earthly home into heaven on December 18, 2021. She was born on July 17, 1926, in Sturgis, MS, to Chapman Gillis and Dorothy Jones Gillis. She was the third of eleven children born into her family. Although their lives, growing up in a rural setting in Oktibbeha County, proved to be economically challenging at times, there was never a lack of love, faith, and courage. She formed a lifelong bond of love and support with them that lasted her entire life. These same values became an intrinsic part of her character that she in turn passed on to her children and grandchildren.
She was a 1943 graduate of Sturgis High School where she was elected Valedictorian and was blessed to receive an academic scholarship that provided the necessary funding for her to attend Mississippi State University. After graduating with a B.S. degree in 1947, Kathleen soon learned what her passion for life would be, and that was teaching. Her career spanned over 40 years and included teaching positions at Johnston Station in Summit, MS, North Pike High School, Hammond, Louisiana, Brookhaven Academy, as well as two separate times at Enterprise Attendance Center in Lincoln County.
Upon retiring, Kathleen continued teaching in the Tylertown School System as a substitute teacher. She also enjoyed reading, playing bridge, traveling, and putting together crossword puzzles. She also enjoyed watching sports on TV, her favorite teams being the MSU Bulldogs and the Atlanta Braves.
Following a permanent move to Brookhaven in the mid 1990’s, Kathleen became an active member of Jackson Street United Methodist Church, where she made many close friends. She especially enjoyed being a part of the United Methodist Women’s Circle. She dearly loved her church family and the cards, visits, and prayers they provided on her behalf meant so much.
Second only to her love for her Lord and Savior, was the love she had for her two sons and their families. She always expressed thanks and appreciation to “her boys”, as she often referred to them when speaking to others, for the time and attention to her needs that they always provided.
She also loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren and opened her heart to them, providing anything to them that she felt they needed, especially her wisdom and advice.
In addition to her parents, Kathleen was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Denise Bessonette Holmes; granddaughter, Stacey Crane Burns; sisters, Margaret Jeffries (Johnnie), Irene Chandler (Edwin), Helen Stemmer (Joe); brothers, Gerald Gillis (Nancy), Jimmy Gillis; and sister-in-law, Sudie Gillis.
Those remaining to cherish her memory are two sons, Steven Holmes (Janice), and Mike Holmes (Denise, in spirit), both of Brookhaven; five grandchildren, Bradley Holmes (Misty), Lacey Holmes Laird (Justin), both of Brookhaven, Lindsey Holmes Porter (Jared), of Hurley, MS, and Steven Burns of AR. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren, Tate Holmes, Patrick and Piper Laird, of Brookhaven, Emory and Meritt Porter of Hurley, MS and Austin (Lyndsey), Alex, Alyssa, and Anna Burns of AR; sister, Sally McRorie (Jim) of Charlotte, NC; brothers, Algen Gillis (Christine), Alton Gillis (Betty), and Rodger Gillis (Erma Jean) all of Sturgis, MS; and Marion Gillis of Mathison, MS.
Also, special friends and neighbors, Ann and Columbus Goza and special friends and caregivers, Joyce Wright and Vickie Martin.
Elois Busby
Graveside service for Elois Busby will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, December 22, 2021,
at Wellman Baptist Church Cemetery in Bogue Chitto, MS.
Ms. Busby, 75, of Brookhaven, passed away December 18, 2021. She was born September 29, 1946, in Brookhaven,
to Victor Nettles and Jessie Smith Nettles. Ms. Busby was a gracious and loving person, always ready to fulfill
a need or care for a hurting soul. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and
she cherished all “her babies”, they were her world. Ms. Busby was a Christian and a member of Northview Baptist Church,
where she served her Savior and the faith family she loved. She will forever be remembered as a beautiful soul and cherished friend.
She is preceded in death by her parents and one granddaughter, Ava Jules Davis.
She is survived by her daughter, Stacy McNeese (Travis); brother, Sonny Nettles; sisters, Frances Howell, Audrey Barry,
and Tywana Boyd; five grandchildren, Jessie King (Zach), Kenith Burr (Kristen), Cody McNeese (Kristina), Haley McNeese,
and Matthew McNeese; six great grandchildren, Braxton Nations, Mason King, Charlea McNeese, Everett King, Amayah Davis,
and Paisley McNeese. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Judes Children’s Hospital PO Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38148.
Ronald Glenn Smith
Funeral service for Ronald Glenn “Little Ronnie” Smith will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, December 22, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Smith, 67, of Brookhaven, passed away December 18, 2021, at St Dominic’s Medical Center in Jackson. He was born in Brookhaven, MS, September 19, 1954, to John Steven Smith and Mary Lou Case Smith, but lived the last 28 years in Simpson County. He was an offshore oilfield mechanic, where he retired, and a member of Easthaven Baptist Church. Little Ronnie enjoyed hunting and fishing and he loved spending time with his grandchildren. He kept busy doing any type of work. Little Ronnie will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Billy Smith and John Carroll Smith.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his children, Ronald Todd Smith (Kara), Johnathan Scott Smith (Lindsay), Elizabeth Nicole Smith, and Heather Michelle Smith; sister, Regina Taylor (Kenny); grandchildren, Madelyn Smith, Ronnie Smith, Joey Smith, Ruby Caroline Smith, Johnathan Tripp Smith, and Stephen Tripp Magee. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital, 2500 N State Street, Jackson, MS 39216
Joyce Johnston Nettles
Services for Mrs. Joyce Johnston Nettles of Brookhaven are 11:00 am Thursday, December 16, 2021,
at Riverwood with visitation from 5:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday at Riverwood. Burial will be at Gum Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Joyce Johnston Nettles, 85, went to be with her Lord on December 12, 2021.
She was born on April 4, 1935, to the late Van Martin Johnston and Susie Floy Johnston.
Mrs. Nettles was the owner of Joyce’s Fashions and was a Beauty Consultant for Beauti Control Cosmetics.
She was a member of Gum Grove Baptist Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, James “Rayford” Nettles; sons, James Rayford Nettles, Jr. Malcolm Tony Nettles;
brothers, Sidney Johnston, Martin Johnston, Jr; and sisters, Alene Cunningham, Neveline Yeomans and Lena Mae Smith.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Eric Ray Nettles and wife Tawana and two grandchildren,
Kevin Ray Nettles and Erica “Renἁ” Nettles Touchstone and husband Garret.
She will be missed by all that knew her.
Martha Ann Smith
Funeral service for Martha Ann Smith will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mrs. Smith, 82, of Bogue Chitto, passed away, December 17, 2021. She was Born March 29, 1939, in Hazlehurst, MS, to J.B. Foster and Ruby Terry Foster. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and enjoyed time spent with her family and friends. She was a compassionate care giver as well as taking the time to be a substitute teacher. Mrs. Martha was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church and loved being with her faith family. She was also an animal lover, taking great care of her sweet bird, Rosco. She will be greatly missed by all that loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Ray Smith and her parents.
Those who remain to keep her legacy are her sons, Toby Ashley (Billie) and Jeff Smith (Elizabeth); brother, James Foster; three grandchildren, Garrett Ashley (Joanna), Annalise Smith, and Alexis Smith. She is also survived by her faith family as well as other loving family members and friends.
Barbara Jean Kepper
Funeral service for Barbara Jean Kepper will be 10 a.m., Friday, December 17, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Hillcrest Church of Christ Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, December 16, at Riverwood and will resume Friday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Kepper, 79, of Summit, passed away December 13, 2021, at her residence. She was born May 15, 1942, to Nimrod Case and Clara Crider Case. She worked as an Administrative Assistant with Gordon Redd Lumber Company for more than 45 years.
She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She also loved her faith family. She was an active member of her church where she was chairperson of the flower fund as well as arranged and provided meals for other members in their time of need. Barbara was always thinking of the needs of others. She enjoyed traveling to Gatlinburg, TN to just relax and take in the breathtaking beauty of the mountains. She especially loved her dogs, Hercules, Rufus, and Biggie. She was an avid Mississippi State fan and enjoyed watching her Bulldogs play sports!
She is preceded in death by her daughter, Melanie Kepper Pezant and her parents.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 64 years, Jerold Lee Kepper; son, Anthony “Andy” Clark Kepper and wife, Lisa; three grandchildren, Drew Kepper, Payton Kepper, and Brady Kepper and wife, Cassidy; cousins, Sharon Crider, Rose Crider, and Marell Case; her employer and special Friend, Gordon Redd; and her best friend and coworker from earlier years, Brenda Smith Moore.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23453.
