Obituaries
Mark Oliver Stephens
Services for Mark O. Stephens, of Wesson, are at 11 a.m., Friday, March 6, 2020, at Clear Branch Baptist Church in Wesson, with interment at Sylvarena Baptist Church Cemetery in Wesson. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, March 5, at Riverwood Family and will resume at 10 a.m. Friday at Clear Branch until the time of service.
Mr. Stephens, 65, passed away quietly at his home on March 1, 2020. Mark was born December 23, 1954, in Brookhaven, to Ted Oliver Stephens and Jimmy Ruth Joyner Stephens. He was a member of Clear Branch Baptist Church, Wesson.
He attended high school both within the United States and abroad, before graduating High School from The Joint Embassy School, Jakarta, Indonesia. He attended Copiah-Lincoln Junior College, Wesson.
Mark was an avid outdoorsman his entire life and was an enthusiastic knife collector. His love of the outdoors led to many lifelong friendships. Mark also enjoyed sports; especially baseball, basketball and football, and for many years he coached youth baseball in Wesson.
He loved all types of hunting and fishing, mostly saltwater fly fishing and spent many happy times with friends at hunting camps and on his boat in the Louisiana marsh. Mark also loved to vacation in the scenic outdoors and fish the White River in Arkansas. Another ritual that he cherished was making “old fashioned cane syrup” with his Tolar family and distributing their syrup to family and friends. He loved every moment spending time with them.
Mark’s proudest achievements were being a wonderful father to his two beloved children. He was an enthusiastic supporter of his children’s registered Hereford cattle activities while they were growing up, which included numerous trips across the country exhibiting their cattle. He was a proud and doting Pawpaw to Mark Kypton and Ellie Ann, the new loves of his life.
Preceding him in death are his father, Ted Oliver Stephens, mother, Jimmy Ruth Joyner Stephens; father-in-law, Lawrence M. “Buddy” Lowery; mother-in-law, Julia Lee Lowery; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Stephens; and maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Joyner.
Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Julia Ann Lowery Stephens; son, Christopher Mark Stephens; daughter, Erica Ann Lofton; son-in-law, Don Louis “Boomer” Lofton; and grandchildren, Mark Kypton Lofton and Ellie Ann Lofton. He is also survived by his brother, Tim Stephens; sister, Melissa Stephens, and their families; sisters-in-law, Myra Lowery and Nancy King and husband Mike King and their families; as well as his cousin, Cynthia Miller and other loving family members and friends.
The family requests memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, and The Hereford Youth Foundation of America, 11500 NW Ambassador Dr., Suite 410, Kansas City, Mo 64153.
Robert David Holland
Funeral services for Robert David Holland will begin at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 5, 2020, at First United Methodist Church in Brookhaven.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and interment will follow at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mr. Holland, 89, passed away on February 28, 2020, at King’s Daughters Medical Center after a brief illness.
Born in Jacksonville, Florida, he was a graduate of the University of Florida in Forestry. He married June Graham in 1952.
Mr. Holland worked with St. Regis Paper Company and later the Georgia Pacific Paper Company.
He was a Lifetime Member of the American Foresters Society and Mississippi State Board of Registration for Foresters.
He was active in the First United Methodist Church in Brookhaven and worked on several mission trips to Costa Rica and Mexico and with SIFAT while training missionaries.
He was a member of the Mathematics Club and Brookhaven Little Theatre. Mr. Holland enjoyed history, woodwork, and collecting railroad memorabilia.
His museum in his backyard was dedicated to the memory of his brother who was shot down over the Sea of Japan at the end of WWII.
He enjoyed sharing his collections with young and old alike.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence David Holland and Mary Miller Holland; step-mother, Martha Holland; and his brother, James Clarence Holland.
Bob is survived by his wife of 68 years, June Graham Holland and four children: John Holland (Joan), Carol Burgess, James Holland (Ouida), and Susan Moore (Greg)
and six grandchildren: Emily Strange (Chance), David Holland, Carter Holland (Jessica), Robert Holland (Taylor), Leigh Dragos (Andrew), and Jessica Schuster (Matt).
He is also survived by eight fine great-grandsons: Nash Holland, Jason Schuster, Alister Dragos, Charlie Dragos, Jacob Schuster, Tucker Shriver, Carter Prince, and James Schuster.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Madison Area Down Syndrome Society [Post Office Box 44796, Madison, Wisconsin 53744] or the charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank his caregivers, including the hospital staff at KDH and the Emergency Room staff, Drs. Ed & Joe Moak,
Silver Cross Nursing Home and their Physical Therapy Department, all the visitors that came to visit and all who cared for him during his illness. We will forever remember your dedication and constant care.
Julius Edward "Sonny" Leake Jr.
The funeral service for Mr. Julius Edward “Sonny” Leake, Jr. will be 2 p.m.,
Friday, February 28, 2020, at Riverwood Family, with interment at
Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-9 p.m., Thursday evening,
at Riverwood, resuming at 1 p.m. Friday until the time of the service.
Mr. Leake, 69, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life February 26, 2020, at
Southwest Regional Medical Center. He was born in Amite County, MS
August 25, 1950, to Julius Edward Leake and Lola Wroten Leake.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Johnnie Ann Brister.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Janie Leake; children,
Jason Leake and wife, Stacy, Justin Leake and wife, Katrina, Mickey Wallace,
Marsha McCaffrey and husband, Tate, all of Bogue Chitto; brothers,
Dwain Leake and wife Kay and Dudley Leake, all of Jayess; sister,
Judy Moore, of Hammond, LA; seven grandchildren, Grant Leake,
Colby Kirkland, Karly Leake, Jacob, J.T., Macie and Maddi McCaffrey,
all of Bogue Chitto; and step-father, Charles Ray Cothern, of Jayess; and
mother-in-law, Clara Reid, of Bogue Chitto. He also leaves behind his
beloved dog, Koko, and a host of nieces and nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Rev. James Merrill Kultau
Services for Rev. James Merrill Kultau of Brookhaven are 11:00 am Saturday, February 29, 2020
at Riverwood Family with burial at New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation is Friday, February 28, from 5:00-8:00 pm at Riverwood.
Rev. James Merrill Kultau, 66, went to be with his Lord on February 24, 2020, at his residence.
He was born on December 2, 1953, to the late Ronald Michael Kultau and Florence Theresa Gentile Kultau.
Mr. James was a Southern Baptist Minister and loved Southern Gospel Music.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Isabel Giron Kultau; daughter, Amber Charleen Roper; son, Adam Christopher Ervin;
brothers, Cary Kultau and Scott Kultau; sister, Stephanie Kultau; along with
4 grandchildren, Tricia Janine Morales, Jeremy Robert Frost, Kinsley Leah Ervin, Kaylee Addison Ervin.
Carolyn M. Smith
Carolyn M. Smith, 83, of Wesson, MS, passed away peacefully early Sunday, February 23, 2020. Born February 6, 1937,
as the only child of Carol W. and Evelyn Thetford Smith, Mrs. Smith was born in the old Rider House on the banks of the
Homochitto River, situated close to Pleasant Hill in Copiah County, MS. Carolyn
spent her formative years in an adventurous fashion while surrounded by loving family and a unique cast of characters
that would help shape her into the interesting, kind and beautiful woman that she became. After the depression, the Smiths
moved to what would become their family farm in Union Church, MS. It was here that Mrs. Smith further fostered her
life-long love for learning, animals, the land, and people from all walks. From a long line of educators, Carolyn knew
from a young age that she wanted to be a schoolteacher. She excelled in classes, graduating early from high school and
enrolled in college at the age of 16. Mrs. Smith graduated from Copiah-Lincoln Junior College and Mississippi College
and attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. She taught in Mississippi Public Schools for the entirety of her
career. Carolyn enjoyed playing piano, taking art classes and was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi. Mrs. Smith was
an avid gardener who's love for flowers earned her "yard of the month" awards. While she loved teaching and gardening,
her passion was research and field genealogy, a hobby she so loved and was thankfully able to enjoy late into life. Carolyn
found much pleasure in helping others and especially to understand their family's history. She will long be remembered for
her love of family, helpful nature, warm smile, silly sense of humor, and ability to converse with anyone (and everyone).
Mrs. Smith is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Edwin L. Smith, along with their three beloved sons, Lorne Smith
of Wesson, Lance Smith (and wife Hope) from Clinton, and Lane Smith (and wife Katrina) from Flagstaff, AZ. Mrs. Smith also
greatly loved her four grandchildren, Cherish Smith, Sid Smith and Cayley Smith, each from Clinton, and Caroline Smith from
Jackson, along with her four great grandchildren and other beloved relatives and friends. The Smith family would like to extend
their sincere thanks for all the visitors and for the great assistance provided during Mrs. Smith's passing by Hospice Ministries
and Diversicare of Brookhaven.
Services will be held at Union Church Baptist Church in Union Church, MS with visitation Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 4-6.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. (visitation 1-2 p.m.) at Union Church Baptist Church with
graveside service immediately following.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in Mrs. Smith's honor be made to: St Jude’s Children’s Hospital,
P.O. Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142Attachments
John McEvoy Behan, Jr
Services for John McEvoy Behan, Jr. of Clinton are at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 27, 2020,
at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brookhaven, with interment at Riverwood Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. at Riverwood Family on Wednesday, February 26 from 4-7 p.m. at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Behan, 42, passed away on February 22, 2020, at St. Dominic Memorial Hospital in Jackson due to a pulmonary embolism.
John was born in Brookhaven on July 14, 1977, to John McEvoy Behan Sr. and Kathryn Herbig Behan.
He attended St. Stanislaus Boarding School in Bay St. Louis before graduating from Brookhaven High School.
He attended Copiah-Lincoln Junior College and Mississippi State University. John was an avid outdoorsman and an enthusiastic gun collector.
He loved all kinds of hunting and fishing and spent many happy times with friends and family at hunting camps in the area.
John was a fourth-generation lumberman and was the owner of Miller Lumber in Richland. He was a communicant of Holy Savior Catholic Church in Clinton.
Johns's proudest achievements were being a wonderful father to his two beloved daughters and a devoted husband to his wife.
He was a great family man and was very close to his mothers and his sisters, as well as a large extended family.
Preceding him in death were his father, John M. Behan, Sr.; his father-in-law, John Bush; his paternal grandparents,
Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Behan, Jr., and maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Robert Herbig.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Julie Bush Behan; daughter Hannah Behan; daughter Piper Behan;
sisters, Jennifer Behan Hernandez (Luis) and niece Lucy Hernandez, from Destin Florida;
and Courtney M. Behan and husband Pat Gagen from San Francisco, California. He is also survived by his mother-in-law,
Jackie Bush; and Ginny Sims, mother of Hannah Behan.
Memorials may be made to St. Dominic Memorial Hospital in Jackson or to St. Jude Research Center.
Charles A. Cunningham
Services for Mr. Charles A. Cunningham of Brookhaven are 11:00 am Friday, February 28, 2020,
at Riverwood Family and burial will be at a later date at Wanilla Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of service on Friday.
Mr. Charles A. Cunningham, 68, went to be with his Lord on February 22, 2020.
He was born on July 20, 1951.
Charles was the proud father of Christopher and Tony; and the son of George and Pearl Cunningham.
He was a Master Electrician and a 32-year member of ABATE. He also loved to race and build motorcycles.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and son, Tony Cunningham.
Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Christopher Cunningham and wife Andrea; sister, Judith Cunningham;
4 grandchildren, C.J. Cunningham, Caelin Gavriel Cunningham, Conner Charles Cunningham, and Case Levi Cunningham.
He is also survived by a niece, “Girl Youngin” Carmen Hill and niece Holly Clem.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to ABATE of Mississippi Southwest Chapter.
Thomas Owen Williford
Thomas Owen Williford, 54, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 21, 2020 of severe complications from type 2 diabetes.
Visitation will be held at Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven, Mississippi on Thursday, February 26 at 10:00am
with the service following at 11:00.
Owen was born in Jackson, Mississippi on June 4, 1965 to Ed and Sallie Williford, the fourth of five children. He attended
First Presbyterian Day School and graduated high school from Jackson Preparatory School. He attended Mississippi State and
Belmont University, pursuing what became a life-long interest in music. Through the years, Owen enjoyed living and working in
some of our country’s most beautiful natural settings. He worked in the service industry at Acadia, Grand Canyon, Yosemite and
Mt. Rainier National Parks. He also worked in Nashville, Savannah, Maui, and Seattle. Due to diabetes-related health issues,
Owen moved from Seattle, Washington to Brookhaven, Mississippi in 2018.
From a young age, Owen’s deepest passions were expressed through music, both through listening and creating poetic
musical compositions. Throughout his life, his love of music was inspired by the lives and work of other musicians.
In addition to music, the simple pleasures of Owen’s life centered around exploring through photography the landscapes
in which he lived and worked. His life was also enriched by the many close friendships he formed everywhere he lived,
and his devotion to staying in touch through the years. Having lived away for most of his adult life, Owen’s family cherished
the time spent together in Brookhaven with daily card games, shared meals, and lots of laughter.
Owen is survived by his parents, Edward Hines Williford, Sr. and Sallie Thomas Williford and siblings, Sallie Myhr Williford,
Helen Williford Lynch (John), Edward Hines Williford, Jr., and Julie Bolton Williford.
Memorials may be sent to the Jackson Preparatory School Music Department, P.O. Box 4940, Jackson, Mississippi, 39296.
Daisy Renae Stevens
Mrs. Daisy Renae Stevens, 56, of Wesson, went to be with her Lord on February 15, 2020
at Baptist Medical Center.
She was born on February 27, 1963.
Daisy enjoyed collecting anything and everything and hanging out with her dogs.
Preceding her in death were her parents,
George and Billie Jean Schwindling; brothers,
David Schwindling and George Schwindling and sisters, Denna Schwindling and Tammy Groves.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Timothy Stevens; son, Konner Stevens,
and daughter, Kristen Case. She is also survived by her brother, Steve Eyre, Sr.;
and sister, Billie Joe Westbrooks and granddaughter, Emery Grace Stevens.
Stacy Shane Rippy
The funeral service for Stacy Shane Rippy will be 2 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2020,
at Riverwood Family with interment at Mt. Olive Church of Christ Cemetery.
Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, February 20, at Riverwood.
Mr. Rippy, 32, of Derma, MS, passed from this life on February 14, 2020. He was born November 29, 1987,
to Donnie Ray Rippy and Beverly Kendall.
He was an outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, riding 4-wheelers and collecting arrowheads.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert “Bob” Rippy and Helen Jenkins and Irene Alford;
uncles, Charles Ray Rippy, Luther Rippy James “Jimmy” Rippy, Billy Ray Rippy, Cecil Kendall,
Johnny Ray, Robert Kendall; and aunt Sally Womack.
He is survived by his parents and one brother, Matthew Rippy.