Edward “Ed” Gove, Jr., 93, died at The Aspen assisted living community in Brookhaven, MS, on January 20, 2022.

In addition to being a kind, generous, and widely respected businessman, philanthropist, and volunteer,

Ed was a loving husband to Jan Gove for 65 years, and a devoted father and grandfather to his beloved family.

He loved spending time with his family and fondly remembered many vacations spent in Bath, ME, Ocean City, NJ,

and Fort Walton Beach, FL. He was a lifelong trainspotter, model railroader, and train travel enthusiast,

having crisscrossed the country countless times by train. He also loved animals, rooting for Ole Miss, puzzles, caramel corn,

New Jersey cinnamon buns, card games, root beer, and listening to big band music.

Ed attended the University of Delaware and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After the war, he came home to Vineland, NJ,

to work for the family business, Hartley Gove Sons Thermometers. The company had been founded by Ed’s grandfather, Hartley Gove, in the late 1800s.

Hartley was a glassblower who had previously worked on the development of the lightbulb under Thomas Edison. In 1957,

Ed relocated with Jan and their young children to Brookhaven, MS, where he opened a second factory for the business.

The plant would later become the global headquarters with Ed at the helm of the whole company. Under his leadership,

the business became one of the world’s largest of its kind. He continued to manage Hartley Gove Sons well into its third century,

until his retirement in 2019 at the age of 90.

Known for being gentle and soft-spoken, Ed was widely liked and respected by employees, customers, and friends alike.

He believed in treating everyone with dignity and respect, and always put the needs of others before his own.

He valued goodness and doing the right thing above all else, and he gave generously to others in every way that he could.

Along with his wife, Ed helped to make the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League (BARL) what it is today.

In addition to his direct involvement over a period of 35 years — volunteering, donating, fundraising, rescuing,

and personally housing dozens of animals in his home — he also helped the organization secure property and build a permanent,

modern facility that has helped save the lives of thousands of animals.

Ed was a man of deep faith. A lifelong Presbyterian, he volunteered at Faith Presbyterian Church in Brookhaven for over 60 years,

where he served as a deacon. He also served on the board of French Camp Academy, a Christian school for children from troubled homes,

for 34 years. Upon his retirement from the board in 2014, he was recognized by the school for his role in helping to build numerous buildings,

as well as the Camp of the Rising Son complex, in addition to numerous other accomplishments during his tenure.

Edward Gove, Jr. was born on November 29, 1928 in Landis Township, NJ (later incorporated as Vineland, NJ) to Edward Gove, Sr. and Ethel E. Downing Gove.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years: Janice Louise Jaggers Gove; his six children and their spouses: David Jay Gove, Dianne Gove Bein (Kent),

Bruce Robert Gove, Brian Scott Gove (Cecille), Kimberly Ann Gove Rials (Ricky), and Edward Mark Gove (Holly); and his six grandchildren and their spouses:

Madison Nicole Gove, Robert Byram Gove, Jonathan Gove Pittman (Angelique), David Thomas Pittman (Cayla), Lindsey Russell Bein, and Philip Russell Bein.

The family is eternally grateful to Mary Ann Lewis for her devoted loving care and support of Ed and Jan over the past several years.

They would also like to thank The Aspen of Brookhaven for their kind consideration and help.

Ed is to be interred at Riverwood Cemetery in Brookhaven; however, in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,

the funeral will be limited to family only. The family hopes to hold a larger celebration of life memorial service in the spring as the pandemic allows,

but it has not been scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the

Brookhaven Animal Rescue League (www.BARL.net/donate), French Camp Academy, or Faith Presbyterian Church of Brookhaven.

A Celebration of life service for JoEllen Odom, 84, will be held on and will be conducted

at Riverwood Family at 11:00 am Saturday, January 22, 2022, with visitation from 10:00 until the time of service, and burial at Riverwood Memorial Park.

JoEllen Odom was born on September 25, 1937, in Smackover, Arkansas, to the late Charles Homer Harrison, Sr.

and Willie Greer Harrison. She went home to be with the Lord on January 19, 2022.

She married the love of her life, Charlie R. Odom, Jr., and they were married for over 68 years.

His impeccable love and devotion to her is evident in the dedicated care he provided for her in the recent years.

Her legacy included six daughters, seventeen grandchildren, and nineteen great grandchildren.

Our family would like to say thank you to the many people who have loved her so well for many years.

A special thank you to the Nurses and CNA’s of Hospice Ministries, Inc, and Chaplain Rick Munn

for their tremendous love and care they have provided in the most recent days of her life.

Her greatest accomplishment on earth was passing along her faith to others. She loved Jesus and would share her faith in Him in many ways.

She was actively involved in her church and teaching children about Jesus through avenues like Discipleship Training

or Training Union for many years. While her roles of service in the church changed through the years, her dedication was unwavering.

For 28 years, she worked as a nurse at the Ocean Springs Nursing Center where she embraced her patients and loved them like her own family.

Along with passing on her faith, she passed along a love for the simple things in life. She was remarkable in the kitchen

where she enjoyed cooking and baking. Her homemade biscuits and divinity were unparalleled and like no other around.

She found tremendous joy in sewing and making flower arrangements. Along with her ability to cook and sew, she enjoyed gardening and had a green thumb.

It was often said, “she could make anything grow.”

While we mourn the fact that she is no longer physically with us on earth, we graciously rejoice in the reality that she is completely healed in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Mrs. Odom was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Homer Harrison, Sr. and Willie Greer Harrison;

brothers, Charles Homer Harrison, Jr. and Donald Harrison; grandson, Daniel Bradley; father and mother-in-law, Charlie R. Odom, Sr.

and Helen Louise Odom; brothers-in-law, John David Odom, and Sidney Earl Odom.

Mrs. Odom is survived by her husband, Charlie R. Odom, Jr.; six daughters, Tammy Mims (Tom) of Biloxi, MS;

Penny Bradley (Donnie) of Navarre, FL; Kathy Barker (Greg) of Madison, MS; Cindy Henry (Jimmy) of Fulton, MS;

Debby McMillan (Bo) of McCall Creek, MS; and Christy Cockrell (Shane) of Navarre, FL; two sisters, Doris Finley (Frank),

and Janie Hudson (Mike); sister-in-law, Helon Thomas (LC); 16 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Hope Baptist Church at 4915 New Hope Road in Meadville, MS 39653.

Pallbearers: Tom Mims, Donnie Bradley, Greg Barker, Jimmy Henry, Bo McMillan, Shane Cockrell.