Obituaries
Linda Sue Magee Fortenberry
After a courageous battle with cancer, Linda Sue Magee Fortenberry, age 85 went home to be with her Lord on January 27, 2024.
Linda was born to Wilton and Catherine Magee on November 20, 1938. As a resident of Salem, she graduated from Salem High School where she excelled at sports, particularly known for her basketball skills. On September 12, 1959, she married Wyatt Fortenberry and made a home in Bogalusa, Louisiana. Linda was a homemaker in various talented ways. She always had a garden filled with flowers, fruits, and vegetables which she generously shared with family and friends. She volunteered to be a leader in Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts as she whole heartedly supported her children. When her children's elementary school needed volunteers to create a physical activity program, Linda and Evelyn Breland organized fun physical activities for all the school kids. Her children's friends knew they were always welcome at her home for the day or night. She always showed her love to friends and family with her renowned home cooked meals. Her love of sports continued as her children grew older, she became a Scouting Explorer Post leader establishing co-ed Post 182. Her post attained second place at the Explorer Post Olympics in 1980.
During her life in Bogalusa, she made many lifelong friends and learned to play tennis and golf. Through her love of tennis and golf, she became known as one of the toughest competitors. She shared her passion and knowledge of the sport by teaching and coaching. Her intensive competitive spirit led her to many trophies. Her greatest achievement in sports was when in 1977, she and Ken Ridgdell competed in the National Tennis Lipton's Mixed Doubles Championship. She played a match against Roy Barth and Roscoe Tanner, after reaching the finals. It was one of the highlights of her life. Tanner was known for having the hardest serve in professional tennis. During the match, she asked him was he taking it easy on her and if he was, she told him he should not be and to give her his best.
As the years progressed, she and Wyatt moved back home to Tylertown, where she converted her love of sports to taking care of her grandchildren. She enjoyed watching her grandkids play football, basketball, and baseball. She never missed a game. While living in Tylertown, she was very active in activities with New Zion Baptist Church. She helped with vacation bible school and cooked for various church events.
Just as Linda was a competitor in sports, she energetically dedicated the rest of her life to caring for her family. Words didn't come easy, but her actions always showed how deeply she loved those in her life.
Linda is survived by her son Michael (Stephenie) Fortenberry; daughter Terri (Waylon) Prevost; grandson Colter Fortenberry; grandson Grayson (Nikki) Fortenberry; great grandson Cooper Fortenberry; sister Peggy London; sister Mary Magee; sister-in-law Elaine Stogner Magee, sister-in-law Joyce Fortenberry Evans and numerous nieces and nephews.
Linda was preceded in death by her husband Wyatt Fortenberry, her parents Wilton and Catherine Wood Magee, brother John I. Magee, brother-in-law Willis Fortenberry, sister-in-law Doris Davis Fortenberry, brother-in-law Fred Evans, brother-in-law Doyle London, and daughter-in-law Diane Mielke Fortenberry.
The family greatly appreciates and thanks the many friends who had her in their prayers.
In lieu of a funeral service, the family will have a Celebration of Life at New Zion Baptist Church in Tylertown, Mississippi at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 24. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the church.
Thomas Edmond Murry
The funeral for Thomas Edmond Murry will be 11 a.m., Monday, February 5, at Poplar Springs Baptist Church with burial in Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Murry, 78, of Wesson, died January 30, 2024, at St. Dominics Medical Center in Jackson. He was born in Louisiana June 16, 1945, to Okla Murry and Lettie V. Day Murry. He worked for many years as a Truck Driver. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Mr. Murry is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Loraine Clark.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Barbara Murry; children, Carla Close, Angie Wicker (Frank Parrott), and Morgan Murry; sister, Ellen Davis; five grandchildren, Brandie Wicker, Kristina Javer (Chris), Nikki Close, James Wicker, and Aaron Close; 12 great grandchildren; and a host of other loving family members and friends.
Gene Edward Thompson
The funeral service for Gene Edward Thompson will be 11 a.m., Monday, January 29, at Wellman Baptist Church with burial in Wellman Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Thompson, 83, of Bogue Chitto, died January 25, 2024, at his residence surrounded by his family. He was born June 11, 1940, to Johnnie Alexander Thompson and Para Lee Smith Thompson. He retired from Kees Motor Company after 44 years and 7 months of service. He was a loving and faithful husband, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Myrtis Marie Miller Thompson; his parents; sons, William “Bubba” Thompson, John Travis Thompson; brothers, Lloyd Thompson, Buddy Thompson, Johnny Roy Thompson, Nelson “Chimp” Thompson and infant brother, Robert Thompson; and his sisters, Ruby Nell “Sis” Thornhill and Geneva Cockerham.
He is survived by his children, Leslie Thompson (Kathy), Mike Pepper (Rhonda)and Angie Fortin (Dwayne); sister, Peggy Lee (Prentiss); numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; special nephew, Lee Thompson (Renee, aka “Kelsey”); special friend, Joe Malone (Brandi); caregivers, Virginia, Missy, Hannah, Sondra, and Ollie; Arden Hospice, and Ms. Kathy; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends and his faithful dog, Dixie. He was well known and loved by his church family and community.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wellman Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1918 Wellman Drive, Bogue Chitto, MS 39629
Carolyn Lavon Givens Richardson
The funeral service for Carolyn Lavon Givens Richardson will be 11 a.m. Monday, January 29 at Riverwood Family with interment in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
Carolyn Lavon “Monk” Givens Richardson, 72, of Bogue Chitto, died January 23, 2024, at King’s Daughter Medical Center with by her daughter, Rebekah Bass, and her favorite son-in-love, Dewayne Bass by her side. She was born February 1, 1951, to Jessie Clifton Givens and Helen Lavon Pennington Shaheen. She was a homemaker. She was a loving and faithful wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed sharing her testimony, praying for others, attending church with her church family, and being an encourager to everyone she met. She loved playing domino’s, rummy, and spades, and making others laugh. She especially loved spending time with her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Jessie Earl Givens, Sr., grandsons, Christopher Manuel Cabrera and Anthony Wayne Roberts, Jr., father-in-law, Joe Grady Richardson and mother-in-law, Helen Case Richardson.
She is survived by her husband, Bobby Gene Richardson; her daughters, Mary Cabrera, Rebekah Bass (Dewayne), and Elizabeth Richardson; grandchildren, Skila Cabrera, Julie Anna Bartram, Samuel Richardson, and Grant Boyd; great grandchildren, Nova Lynn Beard and Makais Tyler; her sisters; Hilda Ray Floyd, Linda Oliver (Earl), Darlene Allen (DeLynn), Lisa Givens, Beatrice Teasley, mother-in-love, Vedia Grace Givens, brother-in-love, Jerry G Richardson, sister-in-love Joetta Berghman (Joey), brother-in-love Larry Richardson (Nancy), sister-in-love Sue Smith (Ed) and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, which she loved dearly and equally. She knew she was everyone’s favorite “Aunt Monk”.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to her beloved church, Apostolic Outreach Ministry (Building Fund), 514 Bunkley Rd. SW., Meadville, MS 39653.
Earnestine Vaughan Hollingsworth
Services for Mrs. Earnestine Vaughan Hollingsworth of Bogue Chitto are 11:00 am, Saturday January 27, 2024, at Mt Zion Church of Christ. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 pm, Friday at Riverwood and will resume on Saturday, from 10:00 am until the time of service at the church.
Burial will be at Mt. Zion Church of Christ Cemetery.
Earnestine Vaughan Hollingsworth, 90, passed away January 24, 2024, at Kings Daughters Medical Center.
She was born February 16, 1933, to the late Earnest Vaughan and Ruth Smith Vaughan.
Mrs. Earnestine’s first job was working at Edge Sales Company as a bookkeeper and later worked for several years at Stahl Urban.
In her younger years, she enjoyed going to bluegrass festivals with her husband Carl. She enjoyed going to Mr. Whiskers every weekend, while they were able to go. She also enjoyed shopping and having garage sales. After her husband of 55 years of marriage passed away in 2006, she spent a lot of time with her children and their families. Every Friday night she went with Lyle and Sharon and their boys to eat at Sandra and Roger’s house, which is Lyles parents. She enjoyed sitting and visiting with all that came to eat there. After she broke her hip in 2022, she was homebound more. She enjoyed reading her Bible, watching the Game Show Network and working crossword puzzles and talking on the phone.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Earnest and Ruth Vaughan; her husband, James Carl Hollingsworth; son, Lanis Dale Hollingsworth and granddaughter, Emily Leggett Sullivan.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Nan Leggett and husband, Cameron and Sharon H. Brumfield and husband, Lyle.
She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Elisha Holmes, Mitchell Leggett, Corey Hollingsworth, Nick Brumfield and Alex Brumfield; seven great grandchildren, Jake Holmes, Reagan Holmes Chipman, Haley Holmes Stroud, Will Holmes, Ava Leggett, Mallory Leggett Grayson Sullivan, also her six great great grandchildren, Margot Holmes, Marley Jo Holmes,
Ren Chipman, Atley Stroud, Royal Stroud and Emersyn Holmes. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Janis Magee and husband, Reggie, sister-in-law, June Fisher; nephews, Chad Fisher, Brent Fisher and Rick Hollingsworth. June and Janis were more like sisters she never had.
She will be dearly missed by all that loved her.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Cornell "Connie" Burke
The funeral service for Mrs. Cornell “Connie” Burke will be 2 p.m., Thursday, January 25, at Clear Branch Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mrs. Cornell (Connie) Westbrook Burke, 91, of Brookhaven, died January 21, 2024. She was born in Claiborne County on May 6, 1932, to Albert Sidney and Birdie Fleming Westbrook. She was a member of Clear Branch Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Clarke College and worked for the telephone company for several years. After marrying, Charles in 1956 and the birth of their daughter, Belinda, in 1959, they lived in several different states and traveled in every state, Canada, Mexico, and several foreign countries. They retired to Mississippi, and she worked in the English department at Co-Lin for 10 years. She enjoyed many hobbies including quilting, genealogy, cooking, cake decorating, playing bridge, traveling, reading, and gardening. She has been a club member of Beta Sigma Phi, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Camellia Society, Eastern Star, Quilting Club, Genealogy Society, and WMU. She was an avid church worker for many years. She was a loving and generous person and wonderful wife and mother. She helped numerous nieces and nephews get off to a good start in life.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Charles Burke; her parents; sisters: Breness Gill (Jim), Margie Williams (Lawrence), Ira Nettles (Burnett), Naida Gill (Claude), Doris Myers (Melvin), Maxine Nettles (Robin), Wilma Martin (Bob), Brothers: Joel Westbrook (Eleanor), Euell Westbrook (Frankie).
She is survived by one daughter, Belinda Kay Burke of Atlanta, GA; one sister, Bobbie Calcote of Columbia, MO; and a great number of nieces and nephews of both the Westbrook and Burke families whom she loved dearly.
Desi Lee Case
The funeral service for Desi Lee Case will be 2:30 p.m., Monday, January 29, at Riverwood Family, with burial in New Salem Church of Christ Cemetery. Visitation is from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Case, 71, of Brookhaven, died January 23, 2024, at Silver Cross Nursing Home. He was born in Brookhaven, October 8, 1952, to Marvin Elmer Case and Inelle Anding. He was employed with the oilfield and also worked in the logging business.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Eugene Case, Buddy Case, and Charles Larry Case; and one sister, Ruth Rushing.
He is survived by his son, Eric Case; daughter, Natasha Gray; and stepdaughter, Tera Lambert; brother, Marell Case; five grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Sue Bullock Holmes
Sue Bullock Holmes, 91, of Brookhaven, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at her home. She was born on October 3, 1932, to Lonie Crawford Bullock and Jerry Bullock.
She often said she was very thankful for parents who gave her a strong work ethic. She grew up on her parents' dairy farm in Walthall County. She picked cotton as a child and was thrilled when her dad bought the dairy farm; she was sure it was easier work. She became a hairdresser in her early adulthood.
She and her husband Al married in 1951 and were married for 70 years. She was always busy, whether teaching friends to play the dulcimer or playing dominoes with friends. She did various kinds of handwork: she was an adept quilter (always by hand) and created a great many beautiful quilts. She was an expert knitter and knit every granddaughter and great-granddaughter an exquisite dress for her first birthday. (She was still working on a dress for the youngest great-grandchild, Coco.) Her handmade Christmas ornaments are some of the most beautiful ever! She was a masterful gardener and spent countless hours making her daughter's yard beautiful. She relinquished that job at about the age of 85. She loved the library and was an avid reader. She loved camping with her husband and children. She and Al continued to camp after their children were grown and gone; they traveled over most of the country and had countless adventures along the way.
Sue truly had a servant's heart. One of her favorite things to do was to visit area nursing homes each week; she did this her whole adult life. She got to know the residents, and they loved her; they especially loved her many hand massages and manicures. She was a strong encourager with an infectious laugh and a beautiful smile.
Her family was her pride and joy. When her children were growing up, she was involved in their various activities; later, she loved watching the grandchildren play ball, tennis, or dance. She enjoyed recounting her time spent teaching each grandchild to drive in the nearby church parking lot or how to swim in the family pool.
She was a woman of deep, abiding faith and was a member of First Baptist Church of Brookhaven for over sixty years. She was a very active member of the Women's Missionary Union for most of that time. In the last few years, the highlight of her week has been the Wednesday lunch and worship service for seniors at her church.
She received the Exchange Club's Golden Deeds Award in 1990 for outstanding volunteer service in the Lincoln County area. She was a longtime member of the Brookhaven Exchangettes. Also, she was the founder of the Brookmont Strings Plus dulcimer and strings group; she took great delight in playing with them.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Altus Holmes; her parents; her sister Nita Bullock Woods; her brothers Norman Bullock and Crawford Bullock; and her nephew Al Bullock.
She is survived by her son Brent (Phyllis) Holmes of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and her daughter Lynne (Bill) Lofton of Brookhaven. She has five grandchildren: Will (Grace Anne) Lofton; Lydia Lofton; Lane (Anna) Lofton; David (Liz) Holmes; and Kevin Holmes. She has six great-grandchildren: Priscilla Lofton; Karis Lofton; Liesl Lofton; Connor Holmes; Sam Lofton; Colette Lofton; and her devoted companion, her little dog Duncan.
Funeral services will be held at Riverwood Family Funeral Services on Saturday, February 17. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. with the chapel service at 2:00. Interment will be in Riverwood Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to First Baptist Church Building Fund, Gideons International, or a charity of your choice.
Ernest Garland Mixon
The funeral service for Ernest Garland Mixon will be 11 a.m. Friday, January 26, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Riverwood.
Mr. Mixon, 78, of Sandy Hook, MS, died January 23, 2024, at Walthall County Hospital in Tylertown, MS. He was born in Brookhaven, November 2, 1945, to Ernest Loyd Mixon and Helen Cleveland Mixon.
He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Mr. Mixon loved his family and considered them his greatest accomplishment in life. He worked with Jones Lumber Company as a Millwright. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunting, fishing and working with his hands. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
Mr. Mixon is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Joyce D. Mixon; grandson, Cody Dawson Mixon; brother, Earl Mixon; and sisters, Judy Moss and Carolyn Waldrop.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sue Carolyn O’Neal Mixon; son, Doug Mixon (Amanda); brother, Bobby Joe Mixon; sisters, Janet Jones (Jimmy), Kay Grubbs, and Frances Phelps; two grandchildren, Carley Owens (David) and Tyler Mixon; and one great grandchild, Roman Owens. He is also survived by four bonus grandchildren, Maddy, Macie and Mylee Burgess and Jeffery Johnson, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Roger C. Simmons, Jr.
Roger C. Simmons, Jr, 73, of Wesson, MS, died Sunday, January 21, 2024, at home surrounded by family. Visitation will be held Saturday, January 27th from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at Riverwood Family Funeral Service, Brookhaven, MS, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 am.
Mr. Simmons was born in Union, MS to Clay and Caroline Simmons. Roger grew up in Starkville, MS and graduated from Starkville High School in 1968. He played basketball at East MS Community College and later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance from Mississippi State University. He began his insurance career with Farm Bureau in Rolling Fork, MS and later worked with Cottonland Insurance in Greenville, MS. After many years of working in the insurance industry, Roger transitioned to working in casino management in Vicksburg, MS, where he retired in 2015. His careers allowed the formation of many lifetime friendships that continued until the day he died. His hobbies included golf, supporting MSU sports, and spending time with family.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Carol Walker Simmons, and his parents, Clay and Caroline Simmons.
Survivors include his daughter Claire Crow Rasberry (Stan) of Wesson, MS; two sons, Jon Simmons (Kimberly) of Mobile, AL; and Clay Simmons (Karolina) of Brandon, MS; 6 grandchildren, Austin Crow (Anna Beth), Reid Crow, Anna Claire Guess (LJ), Jayce Simmons, Lauren Dempsey (Hunter), Skyler Rasberry; brother, David Simmons (Dixie) of New Albany, MS; sister Suzanne Dressel of Starkville, MS.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Rolling Fork Chapel of the Cross Rebuild Fund, P.O. Box 209, Cary, MS 39054.
