Obituaries
Ralph Lawrence Sartin
The funeral service for Mr. Ralph Lawrence Sartin will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 18, at Riverwood Family,
with interment at Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday evening at Riverwood and will
resume at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning before the service.
Mr. Sartin, 76, of Brookhaven, passed away December 15, 2019, at University of Mississippi Medical Center. He was
born in Algiers, Louisiana December 19, 1942 to his parents, Robert and Elvis Maude Sartin. Mr. Sartin worked
in the oil industry for 25 years with Shell Oil and continued as a consultant with them until his retirement.
He was an avid outdoorsman but also enjoyed a good book and caring for animals. His most beloved
treasure was his family. His grandchildren were the jewels in his crown. He will be missed by all who loved him.
Mr. Sartin is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Kenneth Paul Sartin.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife of 36 years, Rebecca Leary Sartin; sons, Robert Earl Sartin,
Steven Ralph Sartin and wife Jodie; daughters, Ginger McMillan and husband Ray, Dena Jackson and husband,
Robbie; six grandchildren, Robyn Morehead, Brady Hall, Holly Chappell, Kristen Blanks, Dana Agre, and
Mackenzie Jackson. He is also survived by three great grandchildren and his sister-in-law, Joan Sartin.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brookhaven Animal Rescue League, P.O. Box 3477, Brookhaven, MS 39601
Royce Randall Britt
Services for Mr. Royce Randall Britt of Brookhaven are 10:00 am, Monday, December 16, 2019,
Riverwood Family with interment at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation is Sunday, December 15, from 5:00-8:00 pm at Riverwood.
Mr. Royce Randall Britt, 72, went to be with his Lord on December 13, 2019, at King Daughter’s Medical Center.
He was born on August 31, 1947, to the late Roy and Mildred Allen Britt.
Mr. Britt, having served faithfully and honorably, was retired from the United States Army after 23 years. His daily job was as an infantry mechanic,
but this inadequately describes how highly skilled and trained he was, having attended some 28 separate military classes.
His highest honor came in the form of silver wings pinned on his chest by his father, Roy Britt, the day he earned his Green Beret, as a Special Forces Paratrooper.
Once released from his duty to his country, he was able to continue to provide for his family in another job he thoroughly enjoyed,
as a truck driver. He was also an accomplished pulpwood hauler and could throw a 300-pound stick of pulpwood over his shoulder in his prime.
Although he lived a quiet life, he loved his family extravagantly. He and his wife were best friends for 52 years
and were known to have some pretty competitive Scrabble and Domino games. They could also cut a rug in their living room listening to Percy Sledge.
He was infinitely proud of his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren. You knew each of their accomplishments if you talked to him for a minute
because he loved to brag on them.
His stories and jokes will be missed but will live on in those he leaves behind: his wife, Sandra Reid Britt;
their children and their children’s spouses, Jason and Leslie Britt, and David and Felicia Britt Spray; and 6 grandchildren, Jacob Britt,
Sydney Kay Britt, Katie Spray, Anna Leigh Spray, Aidan Spray, and Leni Spray.
Thomas Sean Bessonette
Thomas Sean Bessonette, 34, of Ruth, died on December 11, 2019.
He was born on January 3, 1985.
He worked as a Meter Tech and was a member of Topeka Tilton Baptist Church.
Thomas Sean will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Homer Bessonette and Rebecca Lipscomb Bessonette, and brother, Danny Bessonette.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Tiffany Bessonette; sons, Laiden Bessonette and Evan Bessonette;
daughter, Brianna White; brothers, Timothy Bessonette, Homer Bessonette, Leon Bessonette;
sisters, Robin Bessonette and Doraine Bessonette.
He is also survived by Danny Hughes, Cheryl Hughes, Chance Greene, Candace Greene, Jamie Muir,
Chaz Courtney, Spencer Courtney, Paul Muir, Luke Rushing Donald Murphy, Bobby Joe Hudson and Grimmy.
David Beasley
Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, December 13, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Liberty, MS.
Service will be at the church at 1 p.m. with burial at a Family Cemetery.
John Bennie Castilaw
Services for Mr. John Bennie Castilaw, of Ruth are 1:00 pm, Thursday, December 12, 2019, at Victory Baptist Church with interment at the church cemetery.
Visitation is Wednesday, December 11, 2019, from 5:00 – 9:00 pm, at Riverwood Family and will resume Thursday from 12:00 pm until time of the service, at the church.
Mr. John Bennie Castilaw, 78, went to be with his Lord on December 9, 2019. He was born on May 27, 1941, to the late, Henry Bennie Castilaw and Willie Maude Castilaw.
John was a member and Deacon of Victory Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Topisaw Lodge #413 and enjoyed hunting, “piddling” and visiting the nursing home and shut-ins.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and sister, Revia Bryant.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Tennie Rae Castilaw; sons, Glen Castilaw and Steve Castilaw and wife, Celeste;
daughter, Vickie Rushing, and husband, Johnny; brother, Robert Castilaw, of Haslet, Texas; and sisters, Ruth Temple, of Baton Rouge, LA and Dorothy Staford.
He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Will Rushing, Zane Rushing, Kaitlyn Castilaw, John Stephen Castilaw and step-grandchildren, Colby Cade and Caitlin Cade; and a special cousin, James Castilaw.
Dorothy Ragland Mercier
Funeral service for Dorothy Ragland Mercier is 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15, 2019 at Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven,
with visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 14 at Riverwood. Burial is at Beauregard Cemetery.
Dorothy Mercier died at home December 9, 2019. She was born December 20, 1922 in Elmhurst, Illinois to Bess and Chester Ragland.
Dorothy graduated from Vanderbilt University. After World War II she met her future husband, naval officer George T. Mercier, Jr.,
in Washington, D.C. They were married in 1946 and lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Houston, Texas before retiring to Wesson.
Dorothy had a lifelong love for gardening and music. She was a member and past president of the Wesson Garden Club. She shared
her beautiful singing voice as a choir member and soloist throughout her life. She lived a life of faith and was a member of Wesson Presbyterian Church.
Preceding Dorothy in death were her parents, three sisters and a brother.
She is survived by her husband of 73 years, George Mercier, Jr.; her children George T. Mercier III of Houston and Wesson;
Anne Woodson and husband Lee of Galveston, Texas; Laurie Mercier and husband John of Portland, Oregon; Patricia Nicklas
and husband Ed of Houston, Texas; and Chester Mercier and wife Leslie of Houston, Texas. She is also survived by ten
grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
The family would especially like to thank special friend and caregiver Wynn Jones, Cheryl Sanders, and the staff
of Diversicare and Hospice Ministries.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
Malcolm “Buck” Franklin Butler, Sr.
The graveside service for Mr. Malcolm “Buck” Franklin Butler, Sr., will be 10 a.m., Thursday, December 12, 2019,
at Butler Family Cemetery. There will be a visitation from 5-8 p.m., Wednesday evening, December 11, at Riverwood.
Mr. “Buck” Butler, 85, of Brookhaven, passed from this life December 10, 2019, at King’s Daughters Medical Center.
He was born November 29, 1934, to his parents, Steve Butler and Allie Lee Pennington Butler. Before retiring,
he was employed at Potter Company for 38 years, and served as a Deputy with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department.
Mr. Butler was a member of Fair River Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Laura Belle Butler; his parents; and two brothers and two sisters.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Judy Butler Case, Malcolm Butler, Jr., Nancy Butler Grace, and
Wanda Butler Bell. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Archie J. "Jackie" Freeman
Services for Mr. Archie J. “Jackie” Freeman will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at 1:00pm at Riverwood Family
with interment at Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, from 5:00-8:00 pm
also at Riverwood and will continue prior to the service starting at 12:00 noon.
Archie J. “Jackie” Freeman, 80, passed fromthis life on December 6, 2019, at his residence.
He was born in Bogue Chitto, September 9, 1939, to Lester Frank Freeman and Letha Mae Johnson Freeman.
Mr. Archie served our country during the Vietnam War in the United States Army
for which he stayed until his retirement. He also was a member of Arlington
Baptist Church.
He absolutely loved fishing and watching
along with with going to Nascar races; but his favorite the pastime was spending time with his family.
Preceding him in death were his parents,Frank and Letha Freeman; son, William
“Shad” Freeman and son-in-law, Tracy Cothren.
Those left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of
58 years, Mary W. Freeman; son, Archie W. Freeman
and wife Ali; daughters, Margo Smith, and husband
Billy and DeeDee Smith and husband Kyle;
brother, Ferman “Red” Freeman and wife Bonnie
along with six grandchildren, William Smith and
wife Jollean, Brandi Jackson and husband Randy,
Matthew Smith and wife Savannah, Corey Allred
and wife Jennifer, Brandon Allred, and wife Angel
and Cheyenne Freeman. He is also survived by
his fifteen great-grandchildren, Baileigh, Taylor,
Noah, Reid, Gage, Trace, Brystol, Evan, Aubree,
Bexley, Daxon, Evie, Journnie, Paige, Baylee;
and niece, Tammy Smith.
Marinell Applewhite
Graveside Services for Marinell Applewhite of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm Tuesday, December 10, 2019,
at New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in McCall Creek with visitation from 12:00 pm until time of the service at the church.
Marinell Applewhite, 85, went to be with her Lord on December 4, 2019. She was born October 23, 1934, to the late Ed and Mary Lenora Applewhite.
She was a member of New Salem Baptist Church in McCall Creek. Marinell loved spending time with her family and friends.
She enjoyed being outdoors and loved flowers. She was affectionately known as “Aunt Mae.”
Preceding her in death were her parents; siblings, Harold Applewhite, Melvin Applewhite, Alton Applewhite, Hilda Sweeney, and Edith Dunigan;
brother-in-laws, Albert Sweeney, James Kettingham, Linard Dunigan, and Donald Smith; sister-in-laws,
Vera Mae Applewhite and Mildred Applewhite; nieces, Judy Applewhite and Norma Finnegan; nephews, David Applewhite, and Kenneth Applewhite.
Those left to cherish her memory are her brothers, Donald Applewhite, and wife, Frankie of McCall Creek, MS, Glen Applewhite and wife, Peggie, of Brookhaven, MS.;
sisters Helen Ketteringham of Wesson, MS., and Carolyn Smith of Brookhaven, MS.
She is also survived by a host of family and friends and special friends, Henry Wilson of Madison, MS., and Lonnie Herring, of Brookhaven, MS.
Carl Clarence Henderson
A Memorial Gathering for Mr. Carl Clarence Henderson of Wesson is 5:00-8:00 pm
Wednesday, December 4, 2019, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.
Mr. Carl Clarence Henderson, 72, went to be with his Lord on December 2, 2019, at Baptist Hospital.
He was born on July 14, 1947, to the late Huey James Henderson and Ester Frances Woods Henderson.
Mr. Henderson served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of
Springhill Baptist Church and was a cable splicer for Bellsouth.
He loved painting, riding his tractor and spoiling his grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents; son, John Deaton; and grandsons, Daniel Grubbs and Luke Rice Jr.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Betty Jo Henderson; sons, Darrell Henderson, Melvin Grubbs, and wife Kadijah,
Hank Grubbs, Sr. and wife Christy, Roger Grubbs and wife, Laurie, James Deaton, and wife Lajuan; daughters, Rhonda
Holliday and husband, Chris, Betty Box and husband, Scott, April Rice, Brandi Walker and husband, Tommy and Frankie Henderson.
He is also survived by brothers, John Henderson and wife, Alice and Louis Henderson and wife, Linda; 35 grandchildren and
24 great-grandchildren; and lifelong friend, Jesse Beard.