Obituaries
Gwendolyn Jeffries
Funeral service for Mrs. Gwendolyn Jeffries will be 2:30 p.m., Friday, November 26, 2021, at Riverwood Family,
with interment in the New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Jeffries, 78, passed away November 22, 2021. She was a lifelong resident of Brookhaven, born November 25, 1942,
to Claude Wooten and Lorena Prather Wooten. She was a retired Teacher with Boswell Health Services and a member
of New Prospect Baptist Church. Mrs. Gwen was accomplished in many areas, as pianist she used her talent in music
with her faith family at New Prospect for many years; she was also a very gifted artist, everything from painting to ceramics.
She would enjoy the simpler things in life too, reading and gardening, and would create beautiful arrangements for friends to enjoy.
Mrs. Gwen loved the Lord Jesus Christ and lived each day to honor Him. She was a loving mother and grandmother and
will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Jeffries; her parents; and two brothers, Gordan Wooten, and Steve Wooten.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Will Jeffries and wife, Tanya; Robin Jeffries; brother, Howard Wooten and wife,
Donna; three grandchildren, Tanner Monaghan, Taylor Jeffries, and Charlie Jeffries; and two great grandchildren,
Avery Tucker and Ledger Monaghan.
Carl Lee “Pete” Brazell, Jr.
Funeral service for Mr. Carl Lee “Pete” Brazell, Jr. will be 11 a.m., Friday, November 26, 2021, at Riverwood Family.
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m.
Mr. Brazell, Jr., 58, passed away November 21, 2021, at Merrit River Region. He was born June 9, 1963, in Ferriday, Louisiana.
Carl enjoyed the simple things in life like riding his Harley and listening to music. He also took time to hang out with his friends and go fishing.
His “grandpup”, Captain, also enjoyed going for rides with him. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl Lee Brazell and Peggy Harper Ritter; grandparents, Johnny Brazell and Goldie Brazell;
R.V. Harper and Alice Harper; uncles, Danny Harper and Morse Harper; and best friend, Larry “Flash” Rials.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Fraley “Sissy” Brazell; like a mother, Lenora Rials; daughter, Haley Brazell; step-son, Derek; brother, Don Townsend;
sisters, Vanessa Brazell and Michelle Morris; grandson, Hunter, and grandpup, Captain. He is also survived by his nieces,
Lanessa (Michael) Crain and Mandy Brazell and children, and dearest friends, Theresa Brazell, Robin Pennington, and Tony Boswell.
Christie Smith Case
Services for Mrs. Christie Smith Case of Bogue Chitto are 11:00 am Wednesday, November 24, 2021,
at Riverwood with visitation Tuesday, November 23, from 5:00-8:00 pm at Riverwood and burial at Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery.
Christie Smith Case, 49, went to be with her Lord on November 20, 2021, at Kings Daughters Medical Center.
She was born on December 10, 1971, to Claude Ray Smith and Deborah Sutton Smith.
Christie was owner of Lolli’s Jewelry & Gift Shop and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. She loved vacationing,
especially at the beach, and gardening and keeping up with the latest fashion trends and most of all, she loved her children and grandchildren dearly.
Preceding her in death were her maternal grandparents, Albert and Betty Sutton, paternal grandparents, Claude Willis and Gladys Smith, and mother-in-law, Lavelle Porter Case.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Keith Case; parents; sons, Blake Wilson and wife, Lauren, Landon Case and wife, Megan;
daughter, Karci Case; sister, Kim Coley and husband, Shane and sister-in-law, Miranda Foster and husband, Mike.
She is also survived by four grandchildren, Brice Wilson, Lizzie Grace Wilson, Alli Scott Case and Adam Case.
Along with nieces, Madisyn “her Lucy”, Atleigh, Brooklynn, Loren, Molly, Lilly, Jadi and her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lloyd Case and Carolyn Case and special lifelong friend Missy Smith.
She will be missed by all that loved her.
Charles Howard Griffith
Funeral service for Charles Howard Griffith will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, November 23, at Pleasant Grove Church. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m.
Mr. Griffith, 84, of Monticello, passed away November 20, 2021, at his residence. He was born in Monticello, October 16, 1937, to Braxton Griffith and Ruth King Griffith.
He served in the National Guard and was a member of New Hope Baptist Church. He worked in the Construction industry as a Foreman. During his years
of construction work, he was away from home much of the time. He would help build churches, schools, and banks.
He was a tremendous family man. He loved his children and wanted to see each of them complete college. He was able to see that dream come true, his son
taught at Co Lin and his two daughters became nurses and EMT’s.
He was also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying time spent hunting and fishing. Mr. Griffith also could play a good game of pool and always like to travel.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Mr. Griffith is preceded in death by his parents; a great granddaughter, Mallory Anabelle Waldrop; sister, Annette Griffith Carney; and two sons-in-law,
Aaron McCormick and Jonathan LeBatard.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carolyn White Griffith; son, Charles Larry Griffith and wife Jo Nell; daughters, LaQueitta Michelle McCormick
and husband, Andy Grant, Belinda Griffith Waldrop; brother, James Mikel Griffith and wife Katherine; sisters, Betty Sanders, Patsy Russell, Kay Quebideaux and husband,
John Michael; nine grandchildren, Aaron Waldrop, Andrew Waldrop, Alicia Waldrop, Christopher McCormick, Steven McCormick, Michael Buddy McCormick,
Brianna LeBatard, Cody Grant, Allison Wilkinson, Jennifer Griffith McCoullough; and six great grandchildren, Weston Waldrop, Kaleb, Korbin, Kolton,
and Kayla Waldrop, and Arlos and Ruth Griffith. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Clifford Dale Barnes
Funeral service for Clifford Dale Barnes will be 3 p.m., Tuesday, November 23, at Monticello Baptist Church,
with interment in the Monticello Municipal Cemetery. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Barnes, 84, of Monticello, passed away November 21, 2021. He was born August 13, 1937,
to Clifford Barnes and Mary Maude Dale Barnes. He was the owner of Western Auto Hardware Store and a member of Monticello Baptist Church.
He served his country in the United States Air Force. He was active in the Lion’s Club, and a Volunteer Fireman.
Mr. Barnes enjoyed many hobbies, one of which was camping. His greatest joy was to be with his family and watch Mississippi State University Sports.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Gerry Barnes; his parents; and son, David Barnes.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his daughter, Sharon Stamps; two grandchildren,
Jennifer Davis and husband, Barry and Justin Stamps and wife, Sara. He is also survived by seven great grandchildren,
Claire Keyes, Emma Keyes, Aidan Stamps, Blake Stamps, Claire Davis, Charley Grace Davis, and Owen Davis, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Edith Merle Givens
Services for Mrs. Edith Merle Givens of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm Tuesday, November 23, 2021,
at Riverwood with visitation from 12:00 until the time of service. Burial will be at Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Edith Merle Givens, 68, went to be with her Lord on November 21, 2021, at her home. She was born on November 22, 1952,
to the late Carl Chesterfield Lambert and Thelda Evelyn Dunaway.
Mrs. Givens was a homemaker and a member of Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church. She will be dearly missed by all that loved her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; Nolon Lambert, Noel Ray Lambert, Vicky Lambert.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Arvin Givens; son, Conway Givens and wife, Dory;
daughter, Lynn Bridges and husband, John and brother, Quitman Lambert; along wither three grandchildren,
Natalie Bridges Smith, Cole Givens, Laurie Jayne Williams; and two great grandchildren, Bentlie Blaire Smith and Emerie Grace Smith
Jack Weldon Day
Funeral service for Jack Weldon Day will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at Clear Branch Baptist Church,
in Wesson, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Day, 84, of Brookhaven, passed away November 20, 2021. He was born in Kopperl, Texas, February 8, 1937, to
James Lafayette Day and Erna Faye Johnson Day. He was a Land Surveyor and owner of his own business. His favorite
pastime was restoring antique cars and soaring the skies as pilot of his airplane. He enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboy football
team play but his passion was spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was the love of
Mrs. Carolyn’s life and a faithful father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Brittany Day Gill; sister, Dorothy Newsome; brothers, S.L. Day and Don Day.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, of 56 years, Carolyn Diamond Day; son, Jackie Day and wife, Kathy; brothers,
Barry Day and Brady Kellum and wife, Gloria; sisters, Margaret Opella and husband, Ray, Keta Dancer, Gloria Davis and husband,
Bobby, Kay Day, Vicki Bubeck and husband, Bill; two grandchildren, Jessica Morris and husband, Devin and Elizabeth Smith;
and five great grandchildren, Kaylee Anding, Madison Anding, Riley Touchstone, Gunner Gill, and Ryder Touchstone.
He is also survived by brothers-in-law, Jimmy Diamond and wife, Sandra and Ronnie Diamond and wife, Dorris, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Roberta Jean Littlefield Barnett
Graveside service for Roberta Jean Barnett will be 11 a.m., Monday, November 22, in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Riverwood.
Roberta Jean Littlefield Barnett of Brookhaven, MS returned to rejoice with our Heavenly Father after having passed away quietly Friday, November 19th, 2021 at home.
Roberta, the daughter of Jesse and Ollie Littlefield, was born March 14th, 1931 in Benkelman, NE.
A strong Midwestern Work Ethic was instilled by both her Mother and Father as business proprietors of three businesses; a Nash Automobile Dealership, a Motor Lodge, and an active herd of registered Brown Swiss cattle where they employed Roberta as reliable, yet cheap labor.
Roberta’s passion for music carried throughout her childhood into her college years and beyond. Having graduated from Colorado Women’s College in Denver, Roberta majored in Business accompanied with a Minor in Music.
A cornerstone of Roberta’s Love of Music and Arts was widely recognized in so many facets of her life. As a member of Brookhaven’s Matinee Musicale, she served not only as a member, yet president and secretary, while also hosting and performing many club meetings. Roberta and her late husband, Dr. Jim C. Barnett, worked tirelessly to promote the creation and development of the Mississippi School of the Arts situated on the historic Whitworth College Campus in downtown Brookhaven, MS.
As recent as November 7th, Roberta delivered an impromptu piano performance of “The Man I Love” by George Gershwin and “Darkness On The Delta” by Jerry Livingston.
Roberta was the epitome of “The True Southern Belle”; a life filled with satisfying others, there was no celebration beyond her ability to exceed expectations. A world traveler, having circumnavigated the globe at twice the speed of sound on the Concorde, Roberta and Dr. Jim traveled to each of the seven continents.
In 1990 Roberta became the President of the Women’s Auxiliary of Southern Medical Association, the second largest multi-specialty medical organization in the world with over 60,000 members.
Roberta took great pride in serving her Church, First United Methodist Church of Brookhaven as a member and active on several committees throughout the years, sharing her musical talents with all; her organization and eye for detail was welcomed and appreciated by those who knew her.
A life filled with adventure, achievement, faith, friends, family and love; Roberta silently had a love of aviation; a little-known fact, she trained and soloed in a Cessna at Raymond, MS.
Roberta is preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Dr. Jim C. Barnett (2013), son Jim (Jimmy) Barnett (2000), son Christopher (Chris) Barnett (2002) and son Patrick (Pat) Barnett (2016).
Roberta is survived by her daughter, Ellen Gerland of San Marcos, TX; sons Alex Barnett of Dumfries, VA, James (Jim) Matthews of Manheim, PA, Richard Barnett of Easley, SC, Glen Matthews of Baytown, TX, Mark Barnett of Georgetown, KY, John Barnett of Mosely, VA, Paul Barnett of Brookhaven, MS; 26 grandchildren; and a host of great and great-great grandchildren; Rascal, her “Sweet Kitty”, a precious three-legged cat and dozens of beautiful plants that will forever miss her green thumb.
Those who knew Roberta undoubtedly heard two of her guiding principles in life. “Make it Pretty” and “When a task is once begun, never leave it until it’s done, be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all.”
Edward Harvey Smith
Services for Mr. Edward Harvey Smith, of Bogue Chito are 12:00 pm Saturday, November 20, 2021,
at Mt Zion Church of Christ with visitation Friday, November 19, from 4:00-7:00 pm at Riverwood and burial at Mt Zion Church of Christ Cemetery.
Mr. Edward Harvey Smith, 90, went to be with his Lord on November 18, 2021, at his home.
He was born on October 27, 1931, to the late Harvey J. Smith and Lottie Mae Northern Smith.
He served his country in the army during the Korean War, and he was a member of Mt Zion Church of Christ.
Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Evelyn Johnston Smith; brothers, Julien Smith, Vernon Smith, Willard Smith, Isadore Smith, Elmore Smith and sister, Etha Mae Herring.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sons, Jonathan Bradley Smith, Victor Seymour Smith,
Andrew Keith Smith and daughter, Sheila Joy Smith, Jennifer Smith Lee and Trista Smith Russell.
Along with nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
He will be missed by all that loved him.
Joe Pat Beeson
Funeral service for Mr. Joe Pat Beeson will be 11 a.m., Friday, November 19, 2021, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the
Heuck’s Retreat Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service Friday morning.
Mr. Beeson, 81, of Brookhaven, was born October 14, 1940. His journey through this life was finished Tuesday evening, November 17, 2021,
as he left this place to live forever with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His life was filled with beautiful memories and now his family
will forever hold these memories as a reminder of the faithful, loving, compassionate husband, father, and grandfather, and great grandfather
he was. Mr. Beeson was employed with Southern Wholesale, being elected “Salesman of the Year” and “Salesman of the Month” with the Russell Company.
He worked for Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department as well. He was also voted “friendliest” of Heuck’s Retreat School. Mr. Beeson not only
loved his wife and family, but he also loved his Lord and his faith family. He was a member of Heuck’s Retreat Baptist Church, where
he served as deacon, Sunday School teacher, and boys’ softball coach. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents Cullen and Annie Marie Beeson; and brothers, James Ray Beeson and Marty Beeson.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his beautiful wife of 61 years, Sarah Elizabeth Ivy Beeson; son, Joe Pat “Joey” Beeson, Jr. and
wife, Amanda; daughters, Angela Beeson Britt and husband, Mike and Vicki Beeson Payne and husband, Stacy; brothers, Gary Wayne Beeson
and wife, Marilyn, Randy Mark Beeson and wife, Cindy; ten grandchildren, Michael Britt and wife Alex, Grant Britt and wife, Kelsey,
Samuel Boutwell, Caleb Boutwell, Kelby Grace Beeson, Levi Beeson, Micah Beeson, Gideon Beeson, Ameliah Cooper and husband,
Cody, and Chase Payne; three great grandchildren, Sarah Britt, Charlee Kate Britt, and Maggie Jane Britt. He is also survived by
other loving family members and friends.
A special thank you to his caregiver, Kathy Sutton and Hospice Ministries and also to his Heuck’s Retreat family and friends for all
the acts of kindness given especially during this last year.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heuck’s Retreat’s Building Fund, 2167 Heuck’s Retreat Rd NE, Brookhaven, MS 39601.
