Obituaries
Cassie Christine Prather
A Memorial Service for Cassie Christine Prather of Brookhaven will be held Saturday, April 25, 2020, at 3:00 pm at 1034 Bethel Rd, Bogue Chitto, MS.
Cassie Christine Prather, 28, passed away on April 19, 2020.
She was born on October 9, 1991.
Preceding her in death were her father, Harry Parr; grandfather, Thomas Prather and daughter, Caylee Lynn Prather.
Those left to cherish her memory are her mother, Christina Martinez and step-father Raul Martinez; her daughters, Callie Christine Prather, Cyleigh Madison Prather,
and Cailynn Michelle Prather; her brother, John Thomas Prather, along with a sister-in-law, Lacey Prather; niece, Londyn Prather; grandparents, Robert & Donna Cupit,
Sandra Prather; uncle, Thomas Prather, Jr.; aunts, Courtney Cupit, Misty Prather, and Mandy Fugler.
At her service, there will be a prayer by her Aunt, Sharon Lambert and there will be a time of remembrance for anyone that wishes to speak.
Bethany Youngblood Roberson
Bethany Youngblood Roberson, 47, of Brookhaven, passed away April 20, 2020, in Brookhaven. She was born on March 25, 1973, to Ed and Betty Youngblood.
Bethany was the owner and designer for Back to Nature Landscaping and was a member of Meadville United Methodist Church.
She graduated from Mississippi State with a degree in landscape design and architecture and was also in 4-H, Girl Scouts, Franklin County Cheer and the Wesley Foundation.
Those left to cherish her memory are her parents; her husband, Alton Roberson; her daughter, Gracie Piper; her son, Colt Piper; step-children,
Garrett Roberson and wife, Heather, Parker Roberson and wife, Terrah, Hayley Beth Phillips, Cassidy Roberson, Leyton Roberson.
She is also survived by four grandchildren; father and mother-law, David and Jerrie Roberson; and a host of other family members and friends.
Memorials can be made to Meadville United Methodist Church or BARL, P.O. Box 3477 Brookhaven MS 39603.
Gloria Janette Hawkins Havard
Gloria Janette Hawkins Havard, 72, of Natchez, passed away April 20, 2020, at Natchez Rehab Nursing Home.
She was born on January 12, 1948, to the late Nelson Vance Hawkins and Edith Loraine Hawkins.
She was an LPN and she loved to sew and fish.
Gloria will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death were her parents.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 56 years, Joe Havard; son, Joseph Randal Havard, and wife, Nell;
daughter, Edith Loraine Havard; sisters, Linda Hawkins, Carolyn Hawkins, and Francis Fuller; and two grandsons, Justin Havard and Grant Spencer,
along with her brother-in-law, Walter Lee Havard and sister-in-law, Cheryl Havard.
Trophine Huff Davis
Mrs. Trophine Huff Davis was born on July 29, 1917, to Ethel and Carl Huff and passed away at the age of 102, on April 20, 2020.
She was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She graduated from Carson Newman College in
Elementary Education and taught school until she retired in 1982.
She was a member of the Red Cross during World War II. She married Emmitt Davis and moved to Mississippi where she taught elementary school.
She played the piano for her church most of her life. She played the dulcimer, sewed, quilted, enjoyed all kinds of arts and crafts,
was active in civic clubs, and loved to travel.
She was a resident of Silver Cross Nursing Home since December 2006.
She is survived by her children, Linda Sue (Fred) Lytle of Brandon, Walter (Suzette) Davis of Baton Rouge, grandchildren, Carla Wallace, Ashley Deaton,
Ginger Lytle Stillions, Brett Davis, Brodie Davis, John Lytle, and nine great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Silver Cross for the loving care given to her.
Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 322 8th 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001, Pearl’s Memory Babies, P.O. Box 74, Shepherdsville, KY 40165.
Winifred Smith Foster
Winifred Smith Foster, 91, of Brookhaven, went peacefully to be with her Lord on April 18, 2020, at her residence.
She was born on June 27, 1928, to the late William Benjamin Smith and Annie Laura Walker Smith.
Mrs. Foster was a homemaker and a member of Central Baptist Church.
She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Everett Earl Foster and also her sister, Doris Strait.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Thomas L. Foster and wife, Anita, and William Gary Foster and wife, JoAnn.
She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Kristi Wilson, Amy Beard, Tommy Foster Jr., Celisa Frith, Jamie Foster, and Jay Foster;
12 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Jude's Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept 142
Memphis, TN 38148-0142
Barbara Ann Lofton Byrd
Mrs. Barbara Ann Lofton Byrd, 80, of Brookhaven went peacefully to be with her Lord on April 18, 2020, at her residence.
She was born on December 17, 1939, to the late Clint Edward Lofton and Virgie Ruth Maxwell Lofton.
Mrs. Byrd was a 1957 graduate of West Lincoln Attendance Center, where she was selected as Miss West Lincoln and helped lead the Lady Bears
to an Overall State Basketball Championship.
She was a longtime member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where she served faithfully and enjoyed singing in the choir.
She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, who took care of her family and sweetheart, Tez, of almost 63 years.
She was not only known as “NaNa” to her family but to so many others who knew and loved her and her sweet smile.
Preceding her in death were her parents; in-laws, Louis “Tuck” and Gladys Watts Byrd; brother, Fleet Lofton and great-nephew, Russ Michael Mangold.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Louis Cortez Byrd; son, Terry Louis Byrd, and wife, Liz; daughter, Tonya Byrd Stewart, and husband, Gary.
She is also survived by her 4 grandchildren, Kelli Byrd Miller and husband, Hal, Kolby Cortez Byrd and wife, Karlee, Clint Byrd Stewart, and wife, Elizabeth and Caroline Miriam Stewart.
Additional blessings are her great-grandchildren, Maggie and Olivia Miller, Knox Stewart and baby Byrd, due in September. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Martha Cato Lofton
and a host of other family members.
With deep appreciation, the family wishes to thank her caregivers and a special thank you to Brenda Hewitt and Kimberly Dearborn for your kind and patient nurturing and loving dedication.
Memorials can be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
2162 Old Hwy 84 W Brookhaven MS 39601
Louella N. Tarver
There will be a private family graveside service at 2:30 pm on Friday, April 17 at Clear Branch Baptist Church Cemetery.Lo
Mrs. Louella N. Tarver, 100 of Brookhaven, went to be with her Lord on April 15, 2020, at Haven Hall Health Center.
She was born on July 25, 1919, to the late Walter J Nettles and Fannie C. Nettles in Franklin County, MS.
Mrs. Louella was a graduate of Heuck's Retreat High School. As a young person, she enjoyed working at the Boston Shoe Store.
She inherited the desire for farm life from her parents. In 1942 she married Grady Tarver and they began dairy farming and raising cattle together.
They set an example for community and caregiving for others, that are evident in their families today. Her family is very blessed that she continued her desires
and interests until the present time, and they too continue to share the values and joys through their relationships and activities of home, family, church, sports,
cooking and growing flowers, as well as spending time with friends and reminiscing of those precious memories.
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She was a member of Clear Branch Baptist Church and will be missed by all that knew and loved her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; 3 brothers; 2 sisters; husband, Grady Tarver, Sr; son, Gary Lynn Traver; grandson, Bradley Bowman; and son-in-law, William Bowman.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Grady “Butch” Tarver, Jr., and wife, Sharon and daughters, Linda Bowman and Martha Cloer.
She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Barry Bowman (Sheila), Beverly Johnston (Arthur), Kelly Earls (Clay), Klancey Brownlee (Kyle),
Kacey Falvey (Randolph), Kevin Tarver (Romie) and Christine Hampton (Scott) along with a host of great and great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Memorials can be made to Clear Branch Baptist Church Building Fund.
Mary Martin Bobo
There will be a private service for Mrs. Mary M. Bobo, Friday, April 17, 2020, at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. Bobo, age 75, passed from this life April 14, 2020, in Jackson, MS. She was born July 8, 1944,
in Jackson, to her parents, Frank Rylee Martin and Mary Hilland Martin. She was a graduate
of the University of Southern Mississippi and was the owner of Doors of Distinction.
She was a resident of the Aspen and will be missed by all that knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Bobo; parents; and one sister, Catherine H. Martin.
Those she leaves behind to cherish her memory are her sons, Michael Bobo and wife, Lindsey and
Marty Bobo and wife, Linda; sister, Anne M. Lowry; and one grandson, Jax Bobo.
She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Shirley Johnson.
Arthur F. Oestmann
On a cold night, January 28, 1933, a young farmer in the small German community of Avery, Oklahoma saddled his horse and rode
to a neighbor’s home to ask her to assist his wife in childbirth. That night, Arthur Fredrick Oestmann
was born to Arthur Diedrich Oestmann and Ida Wolff Oestmann. He went to be with his Heavenly Father early Sunday morning, April 12, 2020, in Brookhaven, Mississippi.
Art, or Junior as he was known to his family there, remained on the family farm learning the value of work, family, and faith until graduating from Cushing High School in 1951.
He then attended Oklahoma State University (Oklahoma A & M at the time) graduating in 1955 with a degree in geology. His love of geology and the oil business started
as a teenager when he first watched seismic crews working near his home. Years later, when moving his daughter to college with her many trunks and supplies,
he commented on how things had changed as he recalled how he had left for college with one brown suitcase and hitchhiked between home and school.
He began his working career with Humble Oil & Refining in Houston in 1955.
Humble immediately sent their new geophysicist to work on a seismic crew based out of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. While working there he met a beautiful southern belle from
Brookhaven, Mississippi named Nan Lea. They were married on December 9, 1956, and were blessed to celebrate 63 years together.
They began their life together in New Orleans, then moved to Midland, Texas in 1958.
Art worked for Humble and Exxon until 1975 when he left to open a Midland office for Hunt Energy. He later worked for Reeves & Zimmerman and Coastal Corporation
until starting his own company, Nanlea Oil in 1987. In June of 2019, he completed 64 years of going to work every day. He claimed he had the current record as the
longest continually practicing geophysicist in Midland, working the Permian Basin from Midland since 1958. After forming Nanlea, Art partnered with Terry Michael,
and together they generated a number of projects, some successful, some not, and they formed a close friendship that continued until his death.
All who knew him in his work life admired him not only for his geologic skill but especially for his honesty and integrity. He was a member of the
Society of Exploration Geophysicists, PBGS where he served as President, AAPG, WTGS, who awarded him their Pioneer award, SIPES,
the Midland Petroleum Club, the ‘other’ Dirty Dozen, and he had also served as President of the Kiwanis Club, the Exxon Retirees Club, and the Midland Downtown Lions Club.
He volunteered at Meals on Wheels, packing lunches for delivery to homebound seniors. Everyone he met became his friend.
Art loved the Church. He became a member of Westway Church of Christ in Midland in 1962, and actively and faithfully served the Lord and others through the Church in many capacities over the years.
He currently served as an Elder and fostered strong loving ties in his Church family. He was known throughout the Church of Christ as a kind and gentle man, an encourager who loved the Lord and loved others.
Art loved his family and went to great efforts throughout his life to spend time with them and form strong family relationships. He never tired of talking about his family and his greatest joys centered on them, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Art and Nan were blessed with two children who survive him, Michael Oestmann and wife Cathy of Midland, and Melissa Lea Oestmann of Norman, Oklahoma. In addition to his adoring wife Nan, he is also survived by their four granddaughters; Laura and husband Travis Bow, Reno, NV, Elizabeth and husband Derek Nichols, Edmond, OK, Melissa and husband Tyler Garner, Norman, OK, and Hallie and husband Austin Wilson, Warr Acres, OK. Art was thrilled to know and love six greatgrandchildren, Gunnar, Jane, Roger, Hadelyn, Ruger and Sunley. He was anxious to welcome number seven to the family later this year.
He is also survived by his sister Nelda and husband Willard Johnston of Tulsa, OK and a large number of nieces, nephews and cousins and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents,
his brother Melvin Oestmann and his wife Dorothy, a nephew, Jeffrey Johnston, and his sister-in-law Betty Johnston.
Art simply lived his life as a Christian. We look forward to being with him again in a better land. He will be greatly missed by his family, his church family, and his many friends and associates.
A private graveside service at New Salem Church of Christ near Brookhaven, Mississippi is planned for Thursday, April 16 at 10 AM. Honorary pallbearers are nephews Ron Oestmann,
Phil, Mark and Brian Johnston, Carter Lea and his grandsons-in-law Travis Bow, Derek Nichols, Tyler Garner, and Austin Wilson. Riverwood Family Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.
A memorial service in Midland will be planned at some point in the future.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be directed to Texas Children’s Heart Center in support of their new Fontan Clinic benefiting children with congenital heart defects.
Art’s great-granddaughter will be one of the many children receiving care from this new clinic and Art would welcome you joining his family in its support.
Donations may be sent in memory of Art Oestmann to Texas Children’s Office of Philanthropy, Ste. 5214, P.O. Box 300630 Houston, TX 77230-0630
or online at http://give.texaschildrens.org/goto/art.
Or The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 or online at mdanderson.org/gifts. Please notate “In memory of Art Oestmann” in the memo line. Or a charity of your choice.
Raymond Earl Foxworth
Raymond Earl Foxworth, 70, of Brookhaven, passed away at
King’s Daughters Medical Center, Wednesday, April 8, 2020.
He was born July 3, 1949, to Rosier J. Foxworth and Grace H. Foxworth.
He served his country in the United States Army and was
a member of First Baptist Church in Brookhaven.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
There was a private memorial service held at First Baptist Church on April 13, 2020. Rev. Greg Warnock Officiated
