Obituaries
Ernestine Britt Smith
Services for Mrs. Ernestine Britt Smith of Brookhaven will be 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at New Salem Church of Christ with burial at the church cemetery.
Visitation is 5:00-8:00 pm, Monday, May 27, 2024, at Riverwood Family and will resume Tuesday at the church from Noon until the time of service.
Mrs. Ernestine Britt Smith, 92, passed away at her home on May 22, 2024. She was born on April 24, 1932, to the late Ernest and Bernice Britt.
When she was younger, she enjoyed playing fast-pitch softball for Loyd Star, going to any athletics at Loyd Star. She was a big fan and supporter of Loyd Star, she enjoyed photography her whole life, and she enjoyed spending time with her sisters, and all her family, friends, and loved ones.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Willie (Bill) L. Smith; brothers, Bernard Britt, Perry Britt, Robert Falvey, and Frank Falvey.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Alisa Gail Smith; son, Randy Lamar Smith, and wife Helen; sisters, Betty Jo Smith, Annie Ruth Lambert, and Bobbie Nell Smith; along with four grandchildren, Hannah Mason (Marcus), Marietta Adams (Josh), Randall Smith (Kelli) and Andrew Smith (Becca); and 12 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
The family greatly appreciates all the love, helpfulness, kindness, and support from all family, friends, and Arden Hospice. We thank everyone who showed up and supported Ernestine and her family.
Terry Paul Miller
A memorial service will be held for Terry Paul Miller, 6:15 p.m., Thursday, May 30, at Harmony Baptist Church in Crystal Springs with burial in the church cemetery.
Visitation is from 5:30 p.m. until the time of service.
Terry Paul Miller, 54, of Crystal Springs passed away on May 19, 2024, at his residence.
He was born on March 30, 1970.
Terry completed the Upper Rooms Walk to Emmaus and recently made a profession of faith and was baptized at Harmony Baptist Church. He enjoyed gardening and working on his homeplace.
He also loved playing with Pup Pup, fishing on the creek, LSU Football, and going to Saints games.
Preceding him in death were his father, Paul Miller, his son, T. J. Miller, and maternal grandparents, Clint Forrest & Annie Strickland Forrest; paternal grandparents, Donald Miller & Ruby Errington Miller, and stepsister, Angela Hicks.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Gina Miller; mother, Margaret Forrest; son, Andrew Miller; stepchildren, Heather Berry (Langston), Marissa Smith (Maverick), and Lee Westrope (Ally); sister, Regina White and husband, David, and their children, Cruz and Ben; stepsister, Janet Hicks, and stepbrother, Glenn Hicks. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Emrie Berry, Avrie Berry, and Sophie Smith.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Harmony Baptist Church, 6057 Harmony Rd., Crystal Springs, MS 39059.
Lois Dowdle Hawkins
Services are 12:00 pm, Saturday, May 25, Riverwood with visitation from 10:00 until the time of service and burial at Canton City Cemetery at 3:00 pm.
On Thursday, May 23, 2024, Lois Dowdle Hawkins (87) left this world to be with her
Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Lois was born on April 20, 1937, in Canton, MS, to
Robert Amos and Myrtis Dees Dowdle. She was the youngest of three, with
Robert Amos Dowdle, Jr. and Mary Nell Dowdle Hough preceding her death.
Now so many who knew Lois and her family know she had become better known as “Granny”. Well, Granny enjoyed her family the most. She had four children:
Mary Alice Jackson (Jimmy) of Monticello, MS, Ben Hawkins (Jean) of Denham Springs, LA, Robert Hawkins (Spring) of Kosciusko, MS, and Beth Adcock (Rusty) of Wesson, MS. She had seven grandchildren: Leigh Jackson, Jessica Wheat (Brandon), Clint Jackson (Susanna), Bethany Hawkins, Nick Jackson (Ashley), Karmen Gates (Stephen) and Hadleigh Hawkins. She also had seven great-grandchildren: Leia Jackson, Dylan Jackson, Jackson Gates, Jase Jackson, Rachel Gates, Ava Marie Jackson, and Blake Jackson. Granny also was honored to be an aunt to so many nieces and nephews but was specifically close to her sister’s son, Bill Greenwich (Sandra) of Baton Rouge, LA, and their family, Matt Greenwich, Erin Boyette (Dalis) and her great nephew, Brodie Boyette and great-niece, Brynnley Boyette. Finally, a few friends she will surely miss are Libby Case, her lifelong friend, Charlotte Creely, a dear family friend and Ann Williams, who she recently described
as her best friend. While Lois grew up in Canton, MS, “Granny” called Wesson, MS home. She made a career at Copiah Lincoln Community College and attended Decell Memorial United Methodist Church.
Coincidentally, the timing of this special lady’s passing is quite appropriate. It occurred one day prior to Memorial Day weekend. For the last thirty-five years, Granny and her family have come together on this holiday weekend for ‘Campout.’ Lois’s sister, Mary Nell,
started this tradition to help keep their families close, and it’s a wonderful tradition
that the family will make sure is continued for years to come.
So, please don’t shed a tear but be joyful as Granny is whole now
and celebrating ‘Campout’ with Aunt Mary Nell.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any gifts be given to
Decell Memorial United Methodist Church.
Bonnie F. Johnson
The funeral service for Bonnie F. Johnson will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 28, at Riverwood Family with burial in Easthaven Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Bonnie Johnson, of Tylertown, MS, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 21st, surrounded by her family.
Born to Perry and Eunice Allen in Brookhaven, MS, on February 9th, 1942. Bonnie was a graduate of Brookhaven High School in 1960, where she was an avid basketball player.
She met the love of her life in July of 1956, R. B. Johnson, and married him on June 4th, 1960, thus beginning a 64-year adventure.
Between moves that brought her from south Louisiana to Texas and home to Mississippi. She relied greatly on the word of the Lord. As the Psalmist, David, writes in chapter 127 verses 3 and 4, “Children are a blessing and gift from the LORD. Having a lot of children to take care in your old age is like a warrior with a lot of arrows.” God blessed her with five children; Connie Wiles (Frank), Dwayne Johnson (Jennifer), Wayne Johnson (Barbara), Dana Vincent (Trent), Wendy Hebert; 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Bonnie enjoyed watching her sports, especially LSU, talking with her sisters and best friends, Deleathea, Lou Mertie, and Violet, watching her grandbabies grow, taking care of her husband, and worshipping the Lord.
She is preceded in death by her loving mother, Eunice Allen; her father, Perry Allen; her brother, Lamar Allen; and her sister, Violet Crosby.
Miriam Smith Ballard
Graveside service for Miriam Y. Smith Ballard will be 10 a.m., Friday, May 24, at Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Ballard, 60, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life May 20, 2024. She was born July 14, 1963, to Lamar Smith and Mary B. Bigner Smith.
Miriam was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and daughter. She had a positive outlook on life and used that to combat anything she came up against. She enjoyed shopping and trips to the beach. Being a “people person”, she never met a stranger. Miriam loved her family and friends, especially her grandbabies, Gabriel and Madison. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Miriam is preceded in death by her father and one daughter, Keely E. Ballard.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 39 years, Kenneth C. Ballard; her mother, Mary B. Smith; daughter, Karly R. Ballard; brother, Warren Smith; and her two grandchildren, Gabriel L. Dyess and Madison P. Dyess. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Johnie Van "John" Coffman
A memorial service will be held for Johnie Van “John” Coffman, 2 p.m., Friday, May 24, at the former First Church of the Nazarene, 732 Union Church Rd, Brookhaven, MS.
John (79) of Bogue Chitto, MS went to his heavenly home on March 5th, 2024. He was born in Skiatook, OK on October 30, 1944, to Cleatus Van and Mavis McCoy Coffman.
He is preceded in death by his parents, baby sister, and daughter Amanda Trehern.
John was of Cherokee Heritage, which he proudly embraced. John was a faithful member of the Church of the Nazarene.
He is survived by his wife Connie Coffman. Also, he is survived by his children Jamie Asbury (George), Sherri McCaleb, Marvin Morrison, Christina Fairburn, Frank Saujon, 13 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
John served his country proudly in the Vietnam War in the Air Force as an M.P. (Military Police). After his return, he worked for the Dallas Police Department.
In 1968 he moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and served on the Gulfport Police Department as well as the Harrison County Sheriff's Department in many law enforcement capacities.
After leaving law enforcement, he started a security recovery business working for bank and finance companies across the country. He was an avid collector of oil, gas, and drink memorabilia. He loved telling his jokes to anyone who would listen. He also loved participating in car shows and attending Cruising the Coast in his 1989 Chevy C-10 Truck.
He will be sorely missed by his friends and loving family.
Donna Ruth Rodgers
There will be a graveside service for Donna Rodgers, Thursday, May 23, at 10 a.m. in Hollywood Cemetery, McComb, MS.
Donna Ruth Stewart Rodgers, 82, of Brookhaven, died May 20, 2024, at Silver Cross Nursing Home and Rehab Center. She was born in Baton Rouge, LA, November 26, 1941, to Arthur Noah Singleton and Dora Pearl Satchell Singleton.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Stewart; her parents; and her son, Troy Stewart.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Tracy Stewart (Debra) and Trudy Rutland (Greg); brother, Tommy Singleton; sisters, Della Clark and Dottie Long; three grandchildren, Eric Allen Stewart (Gina), Ana Elise Adams (David), Jaclyn Brooke Platts (Sean); and four great grandchildren, Maddox Adams, Maci Adams, Adilyn Stewart and Layton Stewart. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews as well as special friends, Marjorie Houston and Joyce Sullivan, who, along with Donna were called “the 3 Amigos”.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Silvercross for their continued care of Mrs. Rodgers. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Charlie C. Williams
Charlie C. Williams, 79, of Brookhaven, went to meet his heavenly Father, Sunday, May 5, 2024, at his residence. He was born November 6, 1944, in Tallulah, LA, to Johnnie and Lucille Bass Williams.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Charles “Chuck” Williams; sister, JoAnn Williams; and brothers, Grover Williams and Warren Gene Williams.
He is survived by his sisters, Jean Poole and Linda Strange; brothers, Loyd Williams and Jerry Bryan; special friends, Joe and Angela Portrey; and beloved “niece”, Farrah Portrey.
Charlie worked throughout his life doing all types of construction and in the oilfield industry.
Charlie loved gardening, woodworking and drawing. It brought him great joy to share the products of his hobbies with his friends and neighbors. He was often seen on Hwys 550 and 51 and Brookway Blvd, riding his motorized scooter on the way to visit some of his favorite places, Home Hardware, Wand’s Feed and Seed, KFC, Dairy Queen, Burger King, and Ward’s.
If you ever talked with Charlie, he loved sharing stories about his life. Charlie relied on his faith to help him “never give up and never slow down” because of being a double leg amputee. He was proud of his customized “legs” by Brad from Methodist Rehab, that had alligators on them, since he often went by the nickname, “Gator”.
Thank you to each member of the medical community that helped make sure Charlie had a good life and to all the local businesses that kept him supplied with craft, wood, and drawing supplies.
There will be a memorial service for Charlie, 1 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2024, at Lincoln Village, located at the corner of Brookman Drive and Hwy 550.
Charlie was a “one-of-a-kind” person with a loving and generous heart. He will be greatly missed. “See you again one day, Gator.”
John Garry Smith
The funeral service for John Garry Smith will be 2 p.m., Thursday, May 16, at Monticello Baptist Church with burial in the Smith Family Cemetery. Visitation is from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Smith, 79, of Monticello, died May 14, 2024, at Lawrence County Hospital. He was born in Brookhaven, MS, November 1, 1944, to Hollis and Marie (Allgood) Smith. He was retired from Georgia Pacific after 40 years.
Mr. Smith was a faithful and loving husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed traveling and trying new restaurants, but his favorite pastime was being present at ball games and rodeos to support his children and grandchildren. Mr. Smith lived life to the fullest and enjoyed making others laugh and was a well-known "piddler". He will be greatly missed by those who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Lamar Smith, Ted Smith, and Mike Smith; and his father and mother-in-law, Henry and Myrtle Smith.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 58 years, Jobeth Smith; sons, Chad Smith (Kathleen), Shannon Smith (Stephanie); five grandchildren, Stran Smith (Audrey), Cody Smith, Kelly Smith, Sage Smith, and Sadie Smith. He is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends.
Paula Jean Leahey Cothern
Funeral service for Paula Jean Leahey Cothern will be 10 a.m., Saturday, May 18, at Topeka Baptist Church in Jayess with burial in Jayess Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-9 p.m., Friday, May 17, at Topeka.
Mrs. Cothern, 71, of Jayess, MS, passed away May 14, 2024, at Lawrence County Hospital. She was born in Independence, LA, on June 19, 1952.
Mrs. Cothern was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a friend to many and liked to spend time with those she loved. She enjoyed being outdoors, tending to plants and flowers as well as mowing grass and gardening. She also liked working on crossword puzzles. Mrs. Cothern was a faithful member of Topeka Baptist Church. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Mrs. Cothern is preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Catherine Leahey.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 50 years, Shelton Lee Cothern; son, Sam Cothern (Lesa); two grandchildren, Caleb Rutland and Dalton Cothern; and a host of other loving family members and friends.
