Obituaries
Alyce Evelyn Smith
Services for Mrs. Alyce Evelyn Smith of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm Sunday, October 17, 2021,
at Riverwood with visitation 5:00 – 8:00 pm Saturday, October 16, at Riverwood. Interment at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Alyce Evelyn Smith, 94 went to be with her Lord on October 13, 2021. She was born on July 16, 1927,
to the late James “Geems” Arthur Smith and Arcola Johnston Smith.
Mrs. Smith played the piano and organ at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for over 45 years and taught music for the
public schools and private music for over 30 years. In her younger years, she loved to go shopping.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Billy Powell Smith; son, Joel “Joey” Arthur Smith; brother, Hugh V. Smith;
sisters, Velma Britt, Maude Smith, Para Lee Smith, Martell Byrd, Laverne Lea and Kathryn Smart.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Ricky Powell Smith and wife, Betty Jo; and sister, Johnnie Jackson;
brother-in-law, Frank Cary Smith and wife, Yvette; along with two grandchildren, Amy Smith (Brad) and Kellie Wallace (Jeremy);
five great grandchildren, Walker Smith, Powell Smith and fiancé Lesley Walker, Rachel Smith, Warren Wallace,
Stone Wallace and a host of nieces and nephews and other family and friends.
Bobby Gerald Huckaby
Services for Mr. Bobby Gerald Huckaby will be on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 3:00 pm at Riverwood with interment at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Visitation will be prior to the service starting at 1:00 pm also at Riverwood.
Bobby Gerald Huckaby, of Bogue Chitto, passed away on October 13, 2021. Mr. Huckaby was born October 11, 1934, to Ruth & Julius Huckaby in Bogue Chitto, Mississippi.
He graduated from Bogue Chitto High School, in 1952, where he excelled in basketball garnering National All American Honors and leading his team to a state championship.
His demeanor on the court mimicked his off court personality, leading one sportswriter to offer this 1952 passage,
“ He’s a dependable player, a hard worker, quiet sort of fellow with a youthful smile and a pleasing personality. His character is a sterling compliment to Bogue Chitto and athletic competition.”
After graduation from Bogue Chitto, he attended Copiah Lincoln Jr. College and Mississippi College where he again excelled.
He earned little all American honors for his on-court performances and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Counseling.
He was elected into Mississippi College’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1983.
After graduating college, he was drafted into the United States Army and spent two years at Fort Chaffe in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
In the Army, he continued his athletic talents playing basketball, softball and winning 4th Army High Jump.
Once discharged, he coached basketball at State Line, MS, for seven years before becoming Head Basketball Coach at Copiah Lincoln Community College.
He eventually left coaching and became a Vocational Counselor until his retirement in 1995. He was elected into Co-Lin’s Sports Hall Of Fame.
His hobbies were pottery, gardening and cultivating beautiful flowers. He definitely had a green thumb! He was also a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Bogue Chitto.
He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers: JC (Annabell) , Aubrey (Ruthie), Lennox, Bill (Shirley) and Claude;
four sisters: Mamie Huckaby, Lucille Reeves (Carl), Mable Wallace (James), and Mattie Brown (James).
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Katherine Huckaby. He is also survived by three children; Cheryl Shelby (Gus), Julia Everett (Jack) and Robert Huckaby (Leanne),
as well as, two grandsons, Jake Shelby (Terah) and Jackson Everett; three step-grandchildren, Chad Shelby, Megan Martin and Josh Martin.
He is also survived by many great nieces and nephews. He also left behind his best friend, his black lab Ruger.
Donations may be made to Bethel Baptist Church.
Penny Lowery Perrett
Graveside Services for Penny Lowery Perrett, of Georgetown are 11:00 am, Friday, October 15, 2021,
at Georgetown Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 am at Georgetown Baptist Church.
Penny Lowery Perrett, 63, went to be with her Lord on October 13, 2021, in Jackson. She was born on September 30, 1958,
to Louie Von Lowery and Delois Way Lowery. She worked in healthcare as an Administrative Assistant.
Penny played the piano since the age of six and then played faithfully at Georgetown Baptist Church, where she was a member.
She loved her family and being Pen-Pen to six grandchildren.
Penny is now reunited with her father, Buddy Lowery and daughter Wendy Lynn Smith.
Those left to cherish her memory is her mother, Delois Way Lowery; son, Wes Perrett, and wife Merredith;
daughter, Leigh Moreau, and husband, Pete;; brothers, Randy Lowery and wife, Judy, Chip Lowery and wife, Sherry.
Along with her six grandchildren, Lakely, Kyleigh, Case, Brett, Louie and Liam.
She will be missed by all that loved her.
Janey Sue Buitt
Funeral service for Janey Sue Buitt will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 19, at Riverwood Family, with
interment in the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday evening,
October 18, at Riverwood and will resume Tuesday, 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Ms. Buitt entered the Kingdom of heaven at the close of her life October 10, 2021, she was 74 years of age.
She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, September 17, 1947, to Frank Joseph Mandill and Verla White Mandill.
She was retired from Boswell Regional Center, where she worked as an LPN. Ms. Buitt was an active member of
Mt Moriah Baptist Church and was also involved in community clubs, Lions Club and GALS. She will be
greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents and one daughter, Vicky Buitt.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her son, Buster Buitt and wife, Heather; sisters,
Dell Jordan, and Sarah Jo Roberts and husband, George; three grandchildren, Taylor, Anna Grace, and
Brax Buitt; special friends, Martha Lofton and Angela Parker; and by a host of nieces and nephews as
well as other loving family members, friends, and caregivers.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 814 Marwood Loop SE, Bogue Chitto, MS 39629.
Ann B. Callender
Funeral service for Mrs. Ann B. Callender will be 10 a.m., Saturday, October 16, 2021, at Friendship Baptist Church
with interment in the church cemetery. You may express your condolences during the visitation which will begin at 9 a.m.
Mrs. Callender, 77, of Richland, MS, passed away October 12, 2021, from her home in Rankin County.
She was born in McComb, MS, August 5, 1944, to Hilton Wilson Brown and Gertrude Irene Parsons.
After the completion of high school, Mrs. Callender joined the work force, she was employed in the Public School System
as a Reading Assistant and a member of First Baptist Church, Jackson, MS. She was a faithful and loving wife, mother,
grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She enjoyed spending time in her garden but her greatest passion was
her family. She will be greatly missed by those who loved her.
Mrs. Callender is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Hilton Brown, Jr.; sister, Sharon Hall; sister-in-law,
Lucille Everett; and brother-in-law Houston Foster.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Claude Callender; sons, Blake Callender and wife Beth, Jody Callender
and wife, Wendy, and Chris Callender; sisters, Brenda Gail Case and husband Terry, Shirley Smith and husband,
James, and Frankie Leggett and husband, Johnny. She also leaves a legacy of love to five grandchildren, Schon Callender,
Caleb Callender, Jacey Callender, EiLish Callender, and Chole Callender; and three great grandchildren, DeLaneigh Martin,
Cash Denton, and Kix Coe-Dewitt Callender; three step grandchildren, Augustus, Call and Presley Quattlebaum,
as well as other loving family members and friends.
Glenn Keyes Bracey
Graveside service for Mr. Glenn Keyes Bracey will be 2 p.m., Friday, October 15, 2021, in Riverwood Memorial Park.
A visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Bracey ended his earthly journey here October 10, 2021. He was born April 15, 1940, to Leon and Ruby Bracey,
he was 81 years of age. He worked as a welder in the oil industry and was a member of Pearlhaven Baptist Church.
Mr. Bracey learned the art of woodworking and drawing and spent many hours creating. He was also an outdoorsman,
gardening and tending to his yard and flowers. His hands were never idle, as he could be found in his shed just tinkering
with something. He was a man of faith and a believer in the Lord Jesus, taking seriously the Word of Truth, reading, and
hiding God’s Word in his heart. He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.
Mr. Bracey is preceded in death by his sons, Glenn Duane Bracey, and Bradley Denson Britt; his parents; and his sisters,
Nora Lee Ard, Maydean Bassonette and Charlene Smith.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Patricia Ann Smith Bracey; sons, Kevin Bracey and wife Felisha, Anthony Britt
and wife, Suzannah, and Jeff Britt and wife, Teresa; daughter, Donna Smith and husband, David; sisters, Faye Winborne and
Betty Lanier; 12 grandchildren, Lauryn, Parker and Taylor Bracey; Tanner Britt, Hannah Rae, Russ-Taylor, and Telmo Britt;
Brandon, Dustin, and Nathan Britt, Elena Smith, Jessica Smith Vanier and husband, Colby; and 2 great grandchildren,
Merrick and Atlas Vanier; he is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends.
Tommy Glynn Holcomb
Funeral service for Mr. Tommy Glynn Holcomb will be 11 a.m., Thursday, October 14, 2021,
at Riverwood Family, with burial in New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, October 13, at Riverwood.
Tommy was escorted by the angels into the arms of Jesus, where he has longed to be, Tuesday evening,
October 11, 2021. He began his journey here April 14, 1952, born to George Thomas Holcomb and Ella Rose Chandler Ladner,
he was given 69 years. Tommy was a faithful and loving husband, father, and grandfather, as well as a good friend to many.
He was a hard-working man, providing for his family as a truck driver, and awarded for 4 Million Miles Safe Driving.
In his down times he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Tommy will be remembered with a smile by his faith family,
at New Prospect Baptist Church, as the “Werther’s Coffee Flavor Candy Guy”. He gave with such pleasure even the simplest things.
Tommy will be greatly missed by his family and friends and all that knew and loved him. He leaves a legacy of faith and love.
He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and sister, Barbara Perryman.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are, his precious wife, Frances Karen Holcomb;
sons, Steve Hutcherson and wife, Patricia and Tommy Glynn Holcomb, Jr. and wife, Charis;
two sisters, Susan England and Donna Bounds; and nine grandchildren, as well as a host of other loving family members and friends.
Helen Geraldine Wells Roberts
Funeral service for Mrs. Roberts will be 2 p.m., Monday, October 11, at First United Methodist Church in Brookhaven.
Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service, followed by burial in Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mrs. Roberts passed away October 8, 2021 in Jackson, MS.
Helen Geraldine Wells Roberts (Gerri) was born on 10/23/1924 in East Fork, near Summit MS, to Homer Ebeneezer Wells and Eleanor Parker Wells. She attended East Fork Consolidated School, graduating in 1941. She entered Southwest Junior College in the summer of 1941, where she studied education and edited the campus newspaper, the Pine Burr. She was a homecoming maid. There, she met Kenneth Earl Roberts, who became her college sweetheart. When Kenneth headed off to war, she worked as a clerk typist at Camp Van Dorn. After that, Gerri taught 2nd grade at Beach Stand Elementary School in Wilkinson County. In 1946, she moved back near home to teach at Liberty Elementary School.
After the war, she married Kenneth on 09/12/1947, while he got a degree from the University of Alabama. Following that, they moved to Norfolk VA where Kenneth worked as an industrial engineer in the shipyards. They returned to Jackson MS in 1949, where they started having a family. They settled in Brookhaven in 1956. Together, they ran Roberts Farm Supply for 36 years.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Earl Roberts, parents and sister, Homerline Wells Clower.
Survivors include a brother, Randy Wells (Jo Wells), son Dr Kenneth Eugene Roberts, son Bradley Earl Roberts (Kelley Roberts), and daughter Helen Jane Roberts Lea. Grandchildren include Dr J Kenneth Roberts (Jennifer Roberts), Tiffany Lea McCain (Matt McCain), Katie Lea, Adam Lea, Melissa M. Roberts, Bryan Roberts (Kelli Roberts), and Kirk Roberts. Great grandchildren include Olivia Roberts, Max William Malpass, Evan Roberts, Tinsley McCain, and Tatum McCain.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Brookhaven MS. She attended the Faith and Works Sunday School Class. She served as Prayer Chain Chairwoman. She was a lifetime member of the Junior Auxiliary, Daughters of the American Revolution, and for 22 years in the Willing Hearts Circle of the Kings Daughters Hospital Auxiliary.
Peacefully she left her earthly life to join her maker in heaven with her family surrounding her. She had a wonderful group of friends and neighbors that were always watching over her.
She loved her Church family. Her family wishes to thank the many friends for the kindness she received during the last years of her life. Memorials may be contributed to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund.
Lydia Martha Latham
A Memorial Gathering for Lydia Martha Latham of Jackson are 1:00 pm, Monday, October 11, 2021, at Riverwood Family.
Ms. Lydia Martha Latham, 70 passed away October 6, 2021, at Baptist Hospital in Jackson. She was born on December 30, 1950,
to the late Frank Alvin Diamond and Martha Melenda Fairchild Diamond.
She enjoyed molding and painting model ceramics, bingo and reading.
She was a talented cake decorator and made beautiful cakes for family and friends for any occasion.
Preceding her in death were her parents; brothers, Smokey Diamond and Fred Diamond;
sisters, Mary Sue Vardaman, and Anna Timberlake and son, Jack Michael.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Thom Crutchfield, Tim Crutchfield and Sam Crutchfield;
daughter, Autumn Henry, and brother, Michael Diamond; along with nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Barbara Sue Caldwell Ratcliff
Services for Mrs. Barbara Sue Caldwell Ratcliff of Vidalia LA. are 1:00 pm Thursday,
October 7, 2021, at Riverwood with visitation from 11:00 am until the time
of the service and interment at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mrs. Barbara Sue Ratcliff, 64, passed away October 4, 2021, at her residence.
She was born on August 28, 1957, to the late Aubrey Caldwell, Sr. and Myrtis Barlow Caldwell.
Mrs. Ratcliff loved to sew quilts and spend time with her family. Her grandbabies and great grandbabies were her world.
Preceding her in death were her parents; sister, Betty Jean Caldwell; brother, Michael Caldwell, and mother-in-law, Irene Ables.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Bennie Rodney Ratcliff; daughters, Brandi Campbell and husband, Jay, of Bogue Chitto, MS.,
and Bridget Dunn, of Brookhaven, MS; brothers, Aubrey Caldwell, Jr and wife, Sandy, of Ferriday, LA, and Lloyd Caldwell and wife, Michelle of Natchez, MS;
sisters, Louise Hester and husband Ray of Vidalia, LA, and Kathy Wilson and husband, Donnie of Pearl, MS.
She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Miranda McLeod, Britlyn McLeod, and Kailee Dunn and great grandchildren,
Paxton Lane Alexander, Jaxtyn Rayne Egloff, Olivia Renee’ Wease and Bryden Kohl McLeod; along with a host of nieces and nephews. She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
