Obituaries
Michael Byrne
Funeral services for Mr. Michael Byrne will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 27,
at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with interment in Mt. Olive Church of Christ Cemetery.
Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, September 26, at Riverwood.
Michael Julius “Bernie” Byrne, 64, of Brookhaven, passed from this life September 24, 2019, at Country Brook Nursing Center.
He was born November 11, 1954, to L.C. Byrne and Myrtle Richardson Byrne. Michael was a 1973 graduate of Brookhaven Academy
and completed his education with a bachelor’s degree. He was the District 2 Election Supervisor for 15 years. He was a member of the
Lions Club and was a person with deep love and compassion for people. He also loved anything farm related.
He was a member of Mt. Zion Church of Christ.
He is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Julius & Cornie Richardson and Reasy & Willie Mae Byrne and Edwin Rank.
Those who are left to cherish his memory are his sister and brother-in-law, Tammy Byrne Jackson and Bruce Jackson; and by his beloved aunt,
Laura Ann Byrne Whetzel and by numerous cousins, whom he treasured.
Felda Collins Martin
Services for Felda Collins Martin of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm,
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at Union Baptist Church with visitation
from 1:00 pm until time of service with burial at Union Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Felda Collins Martin, 93, went to be with his Lord on September 22, 2019
at Diversicare Living Center. He was born on November 28, 1925 to the late Edgar Collins Martin, Sr. and Bazzie Lee Delaughter Martin.
He was a retired Police Captain and served in the United States Army during the Korean War.
Mr. Martin was a member of Union Baptist Church.
Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Jewel Martin;
brothers, Edgar Collins Martin, Jr., Edward Marvin Martin and sister, Bobbie Nell Martin Hart.
Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Randy S. Kenner and wife, Stacy; daughter, Sandra Martin Hugg and husband, David;
5 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Grady Lee Wilkerson
Services for Mr. Grady Lee Wilkerson of Brookhaven are 11:00 am Thursday, September 26, 2019
at Riverwood with visitation from 9:00 am until time of service. Burial at Mars Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Grady Lee Wilkerson, 92, went to be with his Lord on September 21, 2019 at his residence.
He was born on October 12, 1926 to the late John Preston Wilkerson and Vera Barron Wilkerson,
of East Fork Community in Liberty, MS.
He was a member of First Baptist Church Brookhaven. Mr. Grady was a Vietnam Veteran in the United States Air Force
where he retired after 20 years. The discipline and patriotism he learned, never left him. He later was the owner
of Gradys Barber Shop where he took pride in the fact that he always left customers satisfied.
He was a member of the VFW and was an Eagle Scout Master. He also enjoyed square dancing and was a member
of Dixie Dancers Square Dance Club of Brookhaven for many years also the Mississippi British Car Association
where he showed his MGB and Triumph Spitfire.
Preceding him in death were his parents; first wife, Vera Clarco Wilkerson of Syracuse, New York;
brother, Vernon Dee; sister, Annie Doris; niece, Denese Van Norman; sisters-in-law, Lila Wilkerson and Sue Wilkerson.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 32 years, Donna Johnston Wilkerson; sons, Grady Lee Wilkinson, Jr. of Los Angeles, CA
and Darrin Guilbeau, of Durango, CO. He is also survived by brother, John Wilkerson, of Yorktown, Texas; and
sister, Marie Van Norman of Smithdale, MS.; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Hospice Compassus and Dr. Ray Montalvo for their care of Mr. Grady.
Donation can be given to the VFW in his memory.
Jimmie Earl Adams
Services for Mr. Jimmie Earl Adams of Bogue Chitto are 11:00 am Wednesday September 25, 2019
at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with visitation from 10:00 until time of service.
Mr. Jimmie Earl Adams, 77, passed away September 21, 2019 at his residence surrounded by his wife of 58 years and family and friends.
He was born on July 16, 1942 to the late Jessie George Adams and Doris Lillian Ramsey Speed in Brownwood, Texas.
Jimmie was an avid outdoorsman. He was a retired consultant for the Oilfield and served in the United States Air Force
and was a 3rd Degree Master of the Masonic Lodge in Bogue Chitto.
Preceding him in death were his parents; son-in-law, Billy Norman and brother, Eddie Speed.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lucy Ann Wessel Adams; son, John Earl Adams; daughters, Ina Jackson and husband, Casey,
Gina King and husband, Gary and Debra Nieburg and husband Stan; brothers, William Adams of Atlanta GA., Alan Speed and wife, Beth of Jal, NM.,
Jack Harris and wife, Jolitta of San Angelo, TX.; sister, Brenda Speed Clinton and husband, Terry of Midland TX.
He is also survived by his 8 grandchildren, James Nieburg and wife, LeAnn, Jonathan King and wife, Haley, Danielle Dye,
Savannah Smith and husband, Patrick, Joshua Nieburg and wife, Jessica, Jessie Adams and wife, Kelsey, Johnna Norman and Stratton Jackson.
He is also survived by 11 great grandchildren and Bryson Lofton and Shane Lofton that he thought of as his sons.
With gratitude the family wishes to thank Hospice Compassus for the care of Jimmie during his time of illness.
Thomas "T.C." Rials
T.C. Rials was born on June 13, 1929, in Lincoln County Mississippi.
T.C. met the love of his life, Mary Sybil Daniels and they were married October 31, 1953.
Sybil shared her knowledge and love of Jehovah with T.C. and on October 29, 1955, T.C. symbolized his dedication in baptism.
That began his long faithful relationship with his God, Jehovah.
The outstanding example of T.C. and Sybil has led to a rich spiritual heritage which is a treasured gift for all of us as their children and friends today.
He had a deep love for Jehovah, and he treasured being used in any capacity to assist his family and his spiritual brothers and sisters.
He and Sybil made themselves available, with a great self-sacrificing spirit, in many ways. For many decades, T.C.’s responsibilities included
department oversight of meals for thousands of friends at District Conventions and Circuit Assemblies. We also fondly remember their
devoted care of making the stages at the conventions beautiful with many plants and flowers, many from their own yard and garden!
When T.C. wasn’t helping his spiritual brothers and sisters, he was busy taking care of their own large garden at home,
which many of us benefited from with yummy vegetables! Needless to say, he gave tirelessly of himself to complete Sybil’s
endless “honey-do” list! We can all still hear Sybil’s voice hollering out: “T…go out and get me…” any number of things.
The tears of sadness we feel now will soon be replaced with tears of joy when we see T.C., open his beautiful clear blue eyes, without any help from his shaking fingers.
At that time, out father and friend will have one job to start his perfect new life-and that is to simply obey his Father, Jehovah, when He calls: “T.C. …WAKE UP!”
Jim Dyess
On Tuesday September 17th, Jim Dyess, loving father and faithful member of First Baptist Church Brookhaven,
passed away at the age of 71. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and community.
Jim was born on Oct 24th, 1947 in Greenwood, MS and spent his childhood in the Mississippi Delta.
He studied Industrial Engineering at Mississippi State and was inducted into Tau Beta Pi,
an honorary Engineering society, before graduating in 1969. 26 years later, he watched with pride
as both of his sons received the same honors at the same institution.
During his career, Jim traveled around the US as a gifted Biomedical Engineer.
He enjoyed forestry and was a part-time cattle farmer, a trade he learned from one of the greats, Baker Rogers.
In retirement, he kept his skills sharp and transitioned from fixing dialysis machines to fixing lawn-mowers
and almost anything else that you could come up with. He was certainly not known for his business model,
though, as rebuilding and tuning your weed eater might only cost you the price of a blue plate lunch.
Jim had a huge heart for helping others and was humbled to receive the Brookhaven Exchange Club’s 2017 Golden Deeds award.
Jim is survived by his two sons, Matt and Mark Dyess, and a community grateful for his many years of friendship and service.
A celebration of his life will be held at the Riverwood Family Funeral Service facility on Tuesday September 24th from 2-4pm.
In lieu of flowers or donations, Jim would probably just encourage everyone to do a kind deed for a neighbor or even a complete stranger.
Thomas E. Lofton
Services for Mr. Thomas Ezekiel Lofton of Brookhaven are 11:00 am Friday, September20, 2019
at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with burial at Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, September 19 at Riverwood.
Mr. Thomas Ezekiel Lofton, 87, went to be with his Lord on September 16, 2019 at his residence.
He was born on May 26, 1932 to the late James Marshall Lofton and Sofia Louise Montgomery Lofton.
Mr. Lofton served in the Air Force Reserve during the Korean War. He worked as an Electrician Supervisor
for Texaco Refinery for 38 years and member of LLL at First Baptist Church and enjoyed gardening, carpentry and traveling.
Thomas was a devout Christian man with unwavering faith who devoted his entire life caring for his family and others.
It was remarkable how much he loved his wife and dedicated his life caring for her. He was a very generous man,
never met a stranger and always willing to lend a hand to someone in need.
His favorite quote “You are only as good as your word”.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Joe Lofton, Jerry Lofton, Gordon Lofton
and sisters, Peggy Davis and Julia Ratcliff.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 66 years, Elsie Lavon Lofton; sons, Thomas E. Lofton, Jr.,
Darren Shane Lofton and wife Laurie Ann; daughter, Pamela Sue Ayers and husband Butch;
sisters Eva Allen and husband N.S., and Marie Hilton and husband Glynn; and sister-in-law, Geraldine Lofton.
He is also survived by his 5 grandchildren, Patrick Ayers, Laci A. Lindsey and husband Jon,
Aaron Ayers, Hailey Doty and husband Brennan, Sarah Ayers and great grandson, Lofton Beau Lindsey.
Doris Gandy Armstrong
Services for Mrs. Doris Gandy Armstrong of Wesson are 11:00 am Thursday, September 19, 2019
at Stronghope Baptist Church with visitation from 10:00 until time of service. Interment will be at the church cemetery.
Mrs. Doris Gandy Armstrong, 94, went to be with her Lord on September 15, 2019 at the Beehive Assisted Living.
She was born on March 28, 1925 to the late Abijah Clarence Gandy, Jr. and Estelle Florence Moore Gandy.
She was a member of Stronghope Baptist Church. As a talented homemaker, she loved to sew, to arrange flowers and to cook.
She loved her family and genealogy was a special interest of hers.
She will be missed by all that knew her and loved her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Byron Armstrong, Sr., brothers, Wayne Gandy
and Leman Gandy and sisters, Wilda Davis and Nancy Ashley.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Byron Armstrong and wife, Ann of Vicksburg, MS;
and daughter, Nancy Dykes and husband, Jerry of Wesson, MS.
She is also survived by her 3 grandchildren, Carole (Justin) Bass, of Wesson, MS., Jeff (Katie) Armstrong, of Wynnewood, OK.,
Alyson (Garrett) Doles, of Vicksburg, MS. and great grandchildren, Avery Bass and Zachary Doles.
A special thanks to The Beehive Assisted Living of Brookhaven and Deaconess for the loving care of our mother.
In lieu of flower, the family requests that donations be made to Stronghope Baptist Church.
Carol Williams
Services are incomplete at this time
Ruby Helen Nations
Services for Mrs. Ruby Helen Nations of Brookhaven are 3:00 pm on Saturday,
September 14, 2019 at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with burial at Easthaven Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 2:00 pm until time of service.
Mrs. Ruby Helen Nations, 96, went to be with her Lord on September 12, 2019.
She was born on September 26, 1922 to the late Edward Lee Nations and Carrie Gibson.
Mrs. Helen was a member of First Baptist Church Brookhaven, the Civitan Club, the Joy Choir and the L.L.L. of First Baptist.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, James Nations; brother, E.L. Nations; sisters, Nellie Smith,
Juanita Williams, and her beloved dog, Lady Bird.
Those left to cherish her memory are her nephew, Rusty Williams and wife Lisa; niece, Tammy Smith;
step-son, Jimmy Nations; step-daughter, Sally McKee; 2 great nieces, Jessica Hutchinson and Ashton Farr;
2 step grandchildren; 4 great-great nieces and one great-great nephew.
The family wishes to thank the Diversicare, Hospice Ministries and special friend, Craig Crozier,
and ask that memorials be made to Hospice Ministries in her memory.