Obituaries
Ellen Bernice King
The funeral service for Ellen Bernice “Bea Bea” King will be 3 p.m., today, Friday, April 5, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Gum Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at Riverwood.
Mrs. King, 93, of Bogue Chitto, died April 3, 2024, at her residence. She was born September 21, 1930, to Floyd King and Delia Smith King. Bernice King, better known to us all as “BeaBea”, was one of a kind. She worked 30 plus years as a seamstress for Stahl-Urban, then retired to care for her parents. She loved being outside, raking leaves, cutting grass or just taking in the glory of the great outdoors. She was also an avid gardener, baker, and an excellent cook. Although she had no children of her own, Bea Bea raised three generations of nieces and nephews. She was a member of Gum Grove Baptist Church, and she enjoyed being with her faith family.
Bea Bea is preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Rachel King Eitel.
She is survived by her sister, Mary Dell King Moak; and by nieces and nephews, Tracy Moak (Larry Strickland), Mike Moak (Lisa), Chad Moak (Aileen); great nephews and nieces, Colbey Moak, Kayla Moak, Chanie Fagan, and Saylor Moak ; and four great, great nephews and nieces, as well as her faith family at Gum Grove.
John Curtis Griffin
John Curtis Griffin, 49, of Sontag, MS, died suddenly March 25, 2024, in Sontag.
He was born in Ackerman, MS, August 23, 1974, to Curtis Lee Griffin and Betsy Griffin. A private burial was conducted March 30, 2024, at his home. There will be a family memorial at a later date.
John enjoyed blacksmithing, homesteading and building his dream home. He put his priorities in this order, God, wife, kids, family, everything else. He has gone by many names, including, biker, rebel preacher, father, grandfather, son, husband, and friend, but the one he cherished most was child of God.
Bro. John spent 15 years in ministry as youth pastor and pastor. He has been able to travel to many places on mission trips, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. He served in Sturgis Baptist Church Sturgis, MS, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Rives, TN, Eastside Baptist Church Cave City, AR, Lamar Baptist Church Lamar, AR, and Arm Baptist Church Arm, MS. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his father, Curtis Lee Griffin.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Deborah (Smith) Griffin; mother, Elizabeth "Betsy" (Mahaffey) Griffin; children Carrie Sanders (Jake), Melanie Griffin and Curtis Griffin; and grandchildren Robert Michael, Daisy Marie, Lily Rose, Mitchell Lee, and John-Dallas "JD" Koehn. He is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers please send memorials to: Clear Creek Baptist association
PO Box 166, Ozark, AR. 72949. You may make checks payable to Baptist Vista, with the memo, “in memory of Bro. John Griffin”. (If you prefer, please go to your bank and use Bill Pay, there is no charge to send, just specify “in memory of Bro. John” to attribute it to the correct fund.)
This was a place he loved and fought to make great. It changes lives.
Patricia Ann Stamps
Celebration of life will be held Friday, April 5th, 2024, at Riverwood in Brookhaven, MS. Visitation from 4:30 - 5:30. Service at 5:30 pm. Bro. David Fortenberry officiating. In lieu of flowers, we ask everyone who would like to bring one single yellow rose.
Patricia Ann Stamps passed away peacefully at the age of 74 on March 28, 2024. She was born on April 29, 1949.
She is now reunited with her high school sweetheart and husband of 37 years, Robbie Stamps. Her spirit, however, lives on in the hearts of those she left behind. She is deeply missed by her daughter, Robyn Stamps Zeigler, and her two grandchildren Alan Neal and Olivia Stamps. One brother, Bo Benson, and one sister, Sue Lambert. She also leaves behind her best friend of many years Mrs. Hattie Young.
Patricia loved listening to Southern gospel music and reading her daily devotionals. She would often call Robyn to let her know what she read that day.
Her favorite Bible verse was John 14: 2-3,
In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Betty Lou Richardson Brown
The funeral service for Betty Lou Richardson Brown will be 3 p.m., Thursday, March 28th, at Gallman Baptist Church, with burial in Gallman Community Cemetery. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Brown, 86, of Crystal Springs, passed away March 25, 2024, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, MS. She was born in Louisiana, January 20, 1938, to William Alec Richardson and Wilma P. Tullos Richardson.
Mrs. Brown was a faithful wife, mother, and grandmother. She dedicated herself to her family and church. She will be remembered especially for her love of cooking, playing games, and crafting. One of her greatest joys was caring for others.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Clinton Brown; daughter, Debbie Pridgen; and son, Dale Brown.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her children, Cindy McAlpin (Larry), Roy Brown, Bill Brown (Joy), and Dana Bowman (Ben); 13 grandchildren, Jaya Buford, Kristi Smith, Holli Hennington, Erin Jones, Heather Withers, Micah McAlpin, Megan Floyd, Joshua Brown, Barbara Ann Brown, Wesley McAlpin, Caleb Bowman, Michelle Brown, and Jacob Bowman. She is also survived by her 22 great grands as well as other loving family members and friends.
Mrs. Brown’s late daughter, Debbie Pridgen, began “All Things New, Inc.” ministry in Brandon. In lieu of flowers, you may send memorials to All Things New, Inc., P.O. Box 2183, Brandon, MS 39043.
Allie Faye Gormley
Graveside service for Allie Faye Gormley will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 3, in Providence Baptist Church Cemetery, Jayess, MS.
Allie Faye Sumrall Gormley, 87, of Reno, Nevada, passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2024. She was born January 2, 1937, in Lawrence County to Kenneth and Daisy Sandifer Sumrall. Faye graduated from Topeka-Tilton High School and Copiah-Lincoln Junior College. After completing her course work, she moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, and began working at a Mortgage Company. Faye continued working in the field of finance at First National Bank of New Orleans until her retirement. After her retirement, she and her husband, John, enjoyed a life full of adventures and traveling. They ended their travels in Reno, Nevada, where they lived the rest of their lives. After John’s passing in 2015, Faye was united with Bruce Johnson.
Preceding Faye in death are her parents and her brother, Donald Sumrall, and her husband, John.
She is survived by her husband in Christ, Bruce, of Reno, Nevada, and her dearest cousin, Ruby Nell Boyd of Monticello, Mississippi.
Royce Lee Mitchell
A memorial gathering will be held for Royce Lee Mitchell Monday, April 1, 2024, at Riverwood Family, from 5-8 p.m.
Mr. Mitchell, 50, of Monticello, died March 26, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, December 5, 1973, to James and Fay Mitchell. Roy was a hard-working man who enjoyed taking care of his family. He also took time out to go hiking, fishing and 4-wheeler riding. He liked spending time in the great outdoors, he was a good wood craftsman as well. Roy also enjoyed cooking for his family and friends. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his father, James Mitchell, Sr.; grandson, Braxton Mitchell; and father-in-law, William Jones.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife of 22 years, Christy Mitchell; children, Lilly Burns (Kenny), Cheyenne Bass (Mike), Savannah Mitchell; Destany Mitchell (Blake), Makayla Mitchell, Madison Mitchell, and Jasmine Primich; mother, Fay Mitchell; mother-in-law, Ethel Jones; brother, James Mitchell (Toni); sisters, Mikki Bates (Luke), Melissa Stauffer (Gary), and Krystal Walker; and four grandchildren, McKenna Heidelberg, Alice Gray, Adalynn Scheffler, and Jordan Upton. He is also survived by brothers-in-law, Jimmy Jones (Jessica), Bill Jones (Sharlene), and sister-in-law, Beverly Jones (Phillip), as well as other loving family members and friends.
Melania Elaine Frith
The funeral service for Melania Elaine Frith will be 1 p.m., Friday, March 29, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Montgomery Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until the time of service at Riverwood.
Mrs. Frith, 78, of Summit, died March 23, 2024, in Liberty, MS. She was born in Crowley, LA, November 23, 1945, to John Dueo Buller and Laurice Schexneyder Buller.
Mrs. Frith was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness”, as Proverbs 31: 27 describes. She was a dedicated Christian and enjoyed cooking, gardening and helping others. She loved her children with all her heart and absolutely adored all of her grandbabies. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Tom Frith; parents; brothers, Johnny Buller, Huey Buller, Francis Buller, and Terry Buller; sister, Henrietta Buller; grandchildren, Drew River Smith, and Trey Donovan Crittenden.
She is survived by her children, Tinker Frith, Tammy Smith Frith, Jennifer Frith Crittenden (Michael), Eugene Frith (Freida); brothers, Harold Buller, James Buller, and Gerald Buller; sisters, Judy Roosa (Johnny), Jacki Daigle (Tiger); seven grandchildren, Stacy Frith, Todd Smith, Ty Crittenden, Savannah Firth, Eva Frith, Chloe Crittenden, and Colton Frith; three great grandchildren, Allie Rose Tanner, Paisley Kate Crittenden, and Stetson Crittenden. She is also survived by friends, Trevor Courtney, Amber Case, Kaylee Brown, Kathrine Brumfield, and Brandon McKenzie, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Reginald Lance Martin
The memorial service for Reginald Lance Martin will be 3 p.m., Saturday, March 23, at Riverwood Family. Visitation is from 1:30 p.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Martin, 67, of Brookhaven died March 21, 2024, at University of Mississippi Medical Center. He was born in Brookhaven December 3, 1956, to H.H. “Dick” Martin and Ruth White Martin.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Reggie is survived by his son, Luke Martin (Kayla); brothers, Danny Martin (Joannie) and Tim Martin (Tammy); sister, Sue Baker (LaRue); and three grandchildren, John Luke Martin, Owen Martin, and Nolan Martin.
In lieu of flowers you may send memorials to the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123
Carolyn Maxine McCardle
The graveside service for Carolyn Maxine McCardle is at 11:00 am, Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery.
Carolyn Maxine McCardle, 78, of Hazlehurst, MS, passed peacefully in Corsicana, TX on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
She was born on August 8, 1945, to the late Annie and Clinton Forrest,
Carolyn spent over 40 years caring for patients at Hardy Wilson Memorial Hospital then retired and traveled with her husband.
She spent the next of many years enjoying her favorite music, which was Cajun and bluegrass while making memories camping at Lake Lincoln State Park.
Preceding her in death were her parents; and husband, Alvin McCardle.
Those left to cherish her memory are sisters, Lanita Anderson, and Margaret Forrest and brother, Michael, and wife, Diana Forrest; daughters, Angie Kaiser and husband Karl, Trish Rash and husband, Kenny; stepson, Marcel McCardle, and wife, Brenda. Also leaving behind 11 grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
Jerry Lynn Beall
The funeral service for Jerry Lynn Beall will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 20, at Rocky Hill Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 19, at Riverwood Family and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Rocky Hill.
Mr. Beall, 65, of Wesson, died March 16, 2024, at his residence surrounded by his wife and girls. He was born in Crystal Springs, MS, July 19, 1958, to Dennis and Betty Jo Beall.
Jerry was the kindest, gentlest and most loving man, who never met a stranger. He loved his family with his whole heart. He enjoyed grilling and spending time riding the river with family and close friends. He had a love for older vehicles and enjoyed restoring them. Jerry adored his two daughters, grandchildren, and the love of his life, Susie, with whom he had spent the last 47 years with. His personality was contagious, and he had a way with words. He was the life of the party and was always making jokes. He loved making people laugh. He was a member of Rocky Hill Baptist Church and was a professional painter for over 40 years. To know him was to love him.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents, W.B. and Myrtle Carlisle.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Susie Parrett Beall; daughters, Michelle O’Quinn (Chad), Jeri Lynn Bowlin (Terry); brother, Tony Beall (Tammy); sisters, Janet Williams, Denise Shoemaker (Bruce), and Tracy Cockrell (Mike); four grandchildren, DeAnna (Austin), Brandon (Kloe), Layton, and Talyn; and one great grandchild on the way, Weston; he is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
