Obituaries
Derek John King
Derek John King, 59, of Brookhaven, MS, passed from this life January 7, 2020 at Southwest Regional Medical Center. He was born in Scotland, England, January 8, 1960, to James Henry King and Rose Montgomery White King. He was a salesman by trade.
He is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Delton & Mae King and son, Nick King.
He is survived by his wife, Michelle King; sons, Zach King and wife Jessie and Jacobs Russet; and by four grandchildren, Braxton Nations, Mason King, Everett King and Gavin Russett.
Graveside service 2 p.m., Sunday, January 12, at Easthaven Cemetery
Frances Lanelle Sykes Newell
Mrs. Newell’s visitation will be held at Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven, MS on Thursday, January 9, 2020 from 5-8 p.m. Her funeral service will be held in the chapel of Riverwood on Friday, January 10, 2020 at 11 a.m. with burial following in the Newell Cemetery. Any food donation can be taken to Jackson Street United Methodist Church at 908 North Jackson Street, Brookhaven, MS.
Frances Lanelle Sykes Newell, 74, of Brookhaven, MS, passed away at her residence January 7, 2020, with her loving family by her side. She was born to Paul and Melba Sykes on December 5, 1945. Mrs. Newell worked at Stahl Urban from June 1964 to December 1982. She then worked at the Potter Company in Wesson from 1983 to 1985. Beginning in 1985, she went to work at Bernstein and Sons Shipping Department until 2005. She finished her lengthy 46 years of labor at Wal-Mart in Brookhaven from August 2005 to December 2010. Her lengthy work record and impeccable work ethic represent her life-long commitment as a labor of love for her husband and children.
Soon after her retirement, she was met with extreme health difficulties that led to a life altering procedure. In April of 2011, Mrs. Newell had extreme complications from heart surgery that led to becoming a double amputee above the knee. She continued as a strong Christian witness for her family, church family, and friends, even after her life changing surgery. She was a faithful member of Jackson Street United Methodist Church since June 5, 1990. She diligently served as the Sunday School Superintendent since 2003 until this past Sunday (only two days before passing away).
Mrs. Newell was preceded in death by both parents and her sister, Dorothy McMath.
She is survived by her husband, John E. Newell, Jr.; two daughters, Michelle Case and husband, Pat and Allison Francis and husband, Chuck; four grandchildren, Garrett Case and wife Amber, Brittany Tanksley and husband, Roman, Tyler Case and girlfriend, Kayla Gunn, and Daniel Francis; five great grandchildren whom she adored, Blake Reed, Brantley Watts, Zayne Watts, Mila Tanksley, and Lexi Case.
Coming from a large family, she was the oldest of ten children. With the passing of her sister, Dorothy, in December 2016, her surviving siblings in age order are the following loving family: Paul Michael Sykes, Patsy Ann Thornton, William Henry Sykes, Mary Helen Guess, Gary Lee Sykes, Larry Franklin “Frankie” Sykes, Randy Lamar Sykes and Johnny Edward Sykes. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
James Daniel Simpson
Services for Mr. James Daniel Simpson of Brookhaven is 11:00 am, Thursday, January 9, 2020,
at Riverwood Family with burial at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Visitation is from 4:30-8:00 pm on Wednesday, January 8, at Riverwood.
Mr. James Daniel Simpson, 71, went to be with his Lord on January 6, 2020, at his residence.
He was born on July 25, 1948, in Peyton, MS.
Mr. Simpson was an Electrician and was a member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church.
He was also a member of the Brookhaven Exchange Club, Brookhaven Masonic Lodge, Wahabi Temple of the Shrine,
and Eastern Star. He loved woodworking and spending time with his grandson.
Preceding him in death were his father, Jesse Simpson; daughter, Sandy Simpson; sisters, Carolyn Turnage, Jenny Simpson,
and brother, Jesse Raymond Simpson.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 51 plus years, Ruby Moore Simpson; mother, Mary Ruth Landrum Russum;
daughter, Amy Simpson Heard and husband Jaymie; brother, Pete Simpson and one grandson, Jackson Heard “PawPaw’s Lil Man”
He is also survived by nephew and woodworking buddy, Jimmy Moore and wife, Tasha, Nephews, Bobby Moore, George O’Neil,
Tim Moore, Frankie Turnage, David Simpson, Raymond Simpson; and nieces, Bonnie Broughton, Eloise Lowery, Michelle Moore, Cindy Goff, and Linda Simpson.
The family would like to thank the ER and 3rd-floor staff at KDMC, along with many other departments in the hospital.
They would also like to thank the staff of the Deaconess Home Health and Hospice Agency. Each one of you touched
our lives during this time and made the journey much easier. Thank you so much for your love, compassion, and prayers
Myra Claudine McTaggart
Services for Mrs. Myra Claudine McTaggart will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at 11:00 am at Riverwood Family
with interment at Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday Evening, 5:00-8:00 pm
also at Riverwood Family and will resume prior to the service starting at 10:00 am.
Myra Claudine McTaggart, 84, of Nola, passed from this life on January 4, 2020, at her home. She was born on June 8, 1935,
to Estus Stringer and Myrtle Howard Stringer.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Willie P. (Bill) McTaggart; parents, Estus and Myrtle Stringer and one brother, Lonnie Stringer.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, John K. McTaggart; Paula M. Hutcherson and husband Bruce and Myra D. McTaggart;
sisters, Sadie Strahan, Pauline Guice, Edna Guilbeau, along with five grandchildren, Justin McTaggart, Chad Hutcherson,
Bridy Foster (Lee), Lance McTaggart, Lane McTaggart (Ryan) and six great-grandchildren.
Kathy Whittington
The funeral service for Mrs. Kathy Smith Whittington will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, January 8, 2020,
at Riverwood, with interment at McCall Creek Church of God Cemetery.
Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, January 7, at Riverwood.
Mrs. Whittington, 64, of Smithdale, passed from this life on January 4, 2020, at her residence.
She was born on January 19, 1955, to Roger and Loretta Nix Smith. Kathy was a member of Bogue Chitto Assembly of God Church.
She is preceded in death by her father, Roger Smith and two brothers, Roger Dale Smith, and Joey Smith.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Jimmie Whittington; mother, Loretta Smith; children,
Elisha Holmes and husband, Chris, Kery Emfinger and husband, Simon, Lynn Whittington Halford, and
Dale Whittington and wife, Regina: her twin sister, Karen Howell, and husband, Hank and
sister, Lori Wright, and husband, Pete. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, Jake Holmes and wife, Stormie,
Reagan Chipman and husband, Logan, Haley Holmes and fiancé Christian Stroud, Will Holmes, Josh Whittington
and wife, Samantha, Jana Wallace and husband, Cody, Reeana Halford, Rantzy Halford, Addy Emfinger, Kynlee Emfinger;
five great-grandchildren, Charly Ana Wallace, Aiden Hodges, Jaxon Whittington, Ren Chipman, and Margot Holmes;
and her special friend, Ms. Frances Allred.
Foster Ryan Durr
Funeral Services for Foster Ryan Durr, is 11:00 am Saturday, January 4, 2020, at Oakvale Baptist Church with interment at the church cemetery.
Foster Ryan Durr, 13 days, passed away on December 31, 2019, at Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital.
He was born on December 18, 2019, to Kasey Ryan Durr and Ally Marie Francis Durr.
Those left to cherish his memory are his parents; paternal grandparents, Joey and Anna Durr;
maternal grandparents, Logan and Jessica Francis; paternal great-grandparents,
Bobby and Betty Durr and Jerry and Abby Cothern; maternal great- grandparents,
James and Phyllis Francis and Steve and Lissy Smith; great-great-grandparents,
Edwin and Elaine Smith; aunts, Kadie Durr, Kailey Francis, Emmy Francis, and a host of family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital
Norris "Big Bud" Thompson
The funeral service for Mr. Norris “Big Bud” Thompson will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, January 1, 2020,
at Riverwood with interment at Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 5-9 p.m., Tuesday,
December 31, at Riverwood and will resume at 10 a.m. Wednesday until time of service.
Mr. Thompson, 86, of Monticello, passed away December 30, 2019 at his residence. He was born
November 10, 1933 to his parents, Norris Frederick Thompson and Amanda Pearl Delaughter Thompson.
He was a retired welder/boilermaker and member of Fair River Baptist Church. He enjoyed life
one day at a time by working in his yard, attending his children and grandchildren’s ballgames
and coaching softball. He also spent time fishing, eating out and gardening.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Vonice Howell Thompson; parents; three brothers and two sisters.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Deborah Kay Thompson Boyd (Tim) and
Cynthia Gail Thompson Stephens (Stanley); three grandchildren, John Daniel Boyd,
Kristin Michelle Boyd Blaylock (Rye), Christopher Lane Stephens (Rebekah); and one great grandchild, Olivia Rye Blaylock.
James W. "Jimmy" Nations, Jr.
The memorial service for Mr. James W. “Jimmy” Nations, Jr. will be 11 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2020, at Riverwood,
visitation beginning at 9 a.m. and will continue until the time of service.
Mr. Nations, 71, of Brookhaven, passed from this life on December 29, 2019, at King’s Daughters Medical Center with his family by his side.
He was born in Brookhaven on August 10, 1948, to his parents, James W. Nations, Sr. and Carolyn Gouldman Nations.
He served his country in the United States Air Force. Jimmy, also known as “Dr. Love” or “Jimmy Dean” had many passions in life, he loved people and animals.
He enjoyed being a part of Brookstock. He would visit friends who were shut in and in nursing homes and drove others to their doctor appointments.
He enjoyed writing poetry and even had a book of his poetry published. Jimmy often shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with others and was a friend to all.
He will be greatly missed.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brother-in-law, Buster Thomas; and stepmother, Helen Ruby Nations.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sister and brother in law, Sally and Steve McKee; nephew, Trey Thomas;
niece, Carol Ann Smith(Todd); three great-nieces, two great-nephews; and one great, great-nephew and many special friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Jude Children's Hospital or Blair E. Batson.
Monica Smith Guiffreda Reeves
The funeral service for Monica Smith Guiffreda Reeves will be 11 a.m., Monday, December 30,
at Riverwood Family, with interment at Rosehill Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Sunday, December 29, at Riverwood.
Mrs. Reeves, 61, of Brookhaven, passed from this life on December 25, 2019, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg,
after a brief illness. She was born January 9, 1958, to Bill J. Smith and Evelyn Wilson Smith. Mrs. Reeves worked for Delphi Packard as a
Molding Tech and was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her mother and her infant son, Christopher Ryan Guiffreda; grandparents, Oscar and Cammie Smith and Spurgeon & Bertha Wilson.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 27 years, Bill Reeves of Brookhaven; her father; her son, Matthew Guiffreda and wife, Lacey, of Brookhaven,
and step-children, Jason Reeves and wife, Jammie, of Alabama and Amanda Reeves Lolley, and her husband, Grant, of Alabama;
four grandchildren, Kolbey Guiffreda, Laken Guiffreda, Rebecca Lolley, and Joshua Reeves; as well as other loving family members and friends.
Freda Ann Smith Case
Services for Mrs. Freda Ann Smith Case are 11:00 am Tuesday, December 31, 2019, at Riverwood Family with interment at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 pm Monday, December 30, at Riverwood.
Mrs. Freda Ann Smith Case, 81, of Brookhaven, MS completed her journey here on earth Wednesday, December 25, 2019,
at University Medical Center. She now resides with her Lord and with the others who have gone before her.
Mrs. Case was born September 30, 1938, to her parents, the late Eldon and Dorcas Smith. She was a homemaker, faithful church member,
and demo coordinator. She was a member of Southway Baptist Church.
She loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed crocheting blankets especially for all the little arrivals and tending to her flower beds.
She also loved taking care of animals, whether it was her own or one that wandered about the house.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband of 59 years, Reverend James A. Case, Sr.; daughter, Mary Dorcas Case;
brother-in-law, Howard Case; nephew, Ken Case; niece, Selena Case, and her father and mother-in-law, Felix and Grace Case.
Survivors are three children, Jimmy Case and wife Darlene, Angelia Young and husband Jim, and Reggie Case and wife Pattie;
brother-in-law, Dennis Case, and wife, Nita Faye of Baton Rouge; six grandchildren, Delina Smith and husband, Chris,
Jennifer Whittington and husband Marc, Weston Young and wife, Emily, Timothy Young and wife, Courtney, Dalton Case
and Dylan Case; eight great-grandchildren, Kasi Case, Brody Smith, Raney Whittington, Haley Whittington, Calan Whittington,
Emma Young, Madelyn Young, and Marilyn Young; as well as other loving family and friends.