Obituaries
William Mark Wells
The graveside service for Mr. William Mark Wells will be 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 21, at Moak’s Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9-11 a.m., at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Wells, 62, of Summit, died December 16, 2022, at Southwest Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS. He was born in McComb, February 29, 1960, to Willie Joe Wells and Edna Phillips Wells. He was employed in the agriculture business and enjoyed being outdoors, not only for work but also for recreation. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Mr. Wells will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Cynthia Wells.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Bradley Wells and wife, Mattie, Brandy Richardson and husband, Keith, and Donald Joe Wells; brothers, Joey Wells and Toby Wells; and one sister, Lorraine Westbrook. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Bobbye Nell Padgett
Bobbye Nell Padgett, 81, a long-time Magnolia resident who was loved by her family and friends, died December 16, 2022, at Aston Court Assisted Living in McComb, MS.
Bobbye's final services are to be arranged at a later date with the Church of Our Redeemer in Magnolia.
Bobbye was born on November 21, 1941, in Magnolia to Vera Mae and James Hampton
Sterling.
Growing up in Magnolia and then Mobile, AL she loved music, women's sports, singing and gardening. Even as a young woman she spent hours immersed with music, chatting with friends with laughter and humor.
After graduating from high school in Magnolia, she attended Southwest Community and then the University of Southern Mississippi where she achieved a B.S. in Education.
She developed learning in the sciences and mathematics. While at Southern she met her future husband, Jerry.
Bobbye and Jerry wed in the living room of her parents on April 2, 1962. After the ceremony she and Jerry traveled to their first home in Saraland, AL, a suburb of Mobile. Their son Ray would be born there in 1964.
Bobbye was an active member of the Episcopal Church and taught in the Mobile Public School System for 25 years.
Upon retiring, both Bobbye and Jerry moved to Magnolia in 1996, where they remained to this time. Both Bobbye and Jerry were offered jobs teaching soon after and then each taught another 13 years, she in Magnolia at South Pike High School, and he at Liberty, MS.
Bobbye remained quite active with Magnolia Beautification, gardening, and the natural world and with local and Episcopal Church music and church activities. She loved to travel with her family. They traveled thousands of miles exploring the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, and other countries.
Bobbye had a gift for enjoying life. She was delighted to be involved in all activities Involving direct exchange with others in so many ways, especially music and volleyball.
She was one of nine children and was survived by her husband Jerry and her son Ray, Her brother Wayne Sterling and his wife Becky, sisters Peggy O'Quilnn, Mary Ann O'Brien, Maxine Ross, Mildred Hong, and Betty Revis and brother James Sterling.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Church of The Mediator and Our Redeemer at P.O. Box 1001, McComb, MS, 39649-1001.
Rev. Glenn Martin
Services for Rev. M. Glenn Martin are 2:00 pm Saturday, December 17, 2022, at First United Methodist Church Brookhaven. Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 pm, Friday, December 16 at Felders Campground and then 12:00 until the time of service at the church on Saturday.
Interment will be at Felders Campground Cemetery.
Rev. Glenn Martin was born in Jayess, MS., August 4, 1935, to Enoch Martin and Ada McEwen Martin. He passed away on December 13, 2022, at King's Daughters Hospital in Brookhaven. He was a graduate of Carter’s Creek High School in Walthall County and earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Mississippi State University.
While working with the Federal Soil Conservation Service in Tupelo, he met and married Patricia Winders in 1958. Shortly after their marriage, Glenn’s servant spirit led him to change his emphasis from “Soil" to “Souls” and he served as interim pastorate in Crosby which also included Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church.
Obvious to him was his need for training and education. He acquired his Master of Divinity degree at Emory University Candler School of Theology. Afterward he returned to the South Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church to serve six more churches until 1990 when he became Associate Executive Director of Lake Junaluska Assembly in North Carolina. He leaves his wife of 64 years, Pat, and his children, Cinda (John) Henderson, Mark and Jonathan. His grandchildren, Dr Austin Henderson, Peyton Henderson, and Mallory Grace Martin. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Edna (Eddie) King, Paul (Bonita) Martin, Lamar (Hilda) Martin, Hilda (Jim) Blackwell, and Carl (Jeanine) Martin.
To his family he was Daddy and Pop. His favorite place was the front porch swing of the house in which he was born and grew up.
He wanted everyone to understand their importance in God’s eyes. To that end he lived his life sharing Christ’s love with family, friends, and strangers. Those who knew him knew his kind and gentle nature. To those who did not know him, he would tell us “Don’t tell them about me; tell them about Jesus”
His servant spirit was obvious in his love for missions and took him from Mississippi and surrounding states to Jamacia, Dominique, and all the way to West Africa. He spent many hours laboring on Habitat for Humanity homes in Jackson.
He was our model for living because he diligently followed the supreme model, Jesus Christ. He was our guide, protector, our friend.
We are heart broken to lose him, but we are rejoicing that he walks now in the presence of the Lord he served.
We are grateful to Abby and the 3rd floor nursing staff at Kings Daughters Medical Center, to Davion, and to Kathy and Hospice Ministries all servants.
Charles R. Deines
Mr. Charles R. Deines, 86, of Everett, Washington, passed away December 12, 2022, in Brookhaven, Mississippi. He was born in Yoder, Wyoming, on October 1, 1936, to his parents, Henry and Kathryn (Becker) Deines. He was a welder by trade.
Mr. Deines is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Margaret Ennes, Illa Knisley, and Charlotte Reyes; and grandson, Grant Nations.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sarah H. Deines; children, Laura Nations and husband, Dean, Lisa Lucara and husband, Curtis, and Leah McCurley and husband, John; one sister, Joan Payne; six grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Dan Wallace
The funeral service for Dan Wallace will be 2 p.m. Thursday, December 15, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Bogue Chitto. There will be a time of visitation from 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, December 14, at Riverwood and will resume Thursday, from 1 p.m. until the time of service.
Dan was a 1961 graduate of Bogue Chitto School, and immediately went to Texas to begin his career as a journeyman electrician. He was a longtime member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (I.B.E.W.) and traveled all over the United States throughout his career. In 1969 he returned to his beloved Bogue Chitto to raise his family. After retirement he had time to return to hobbies from his younger years, including cattle farming, gardening, small town politics, and used car sales, where he developed his famous slogan, "Thanks for helping Dan Wallace make another dollar." He has been a lifelong entrepreneur and antique car collector. His antique car collection ranged from all makes and models and were his pride and joy, along with his grandchildren. His personal mission was to pass the Wallace legacy on to them and teach them all the things he learned "the hard way".
In 2000, he completed training and all requirements to obtain his Mississippi Auctioneers license and he was particularly proud of accomplishing this goal.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Percy Quin Wallace and Hardie Winborne Wallace; sister, Omega W. Varnado and husband, L.A. Varnado; brothers, Percy Dempsey Wallace and wife, Mary Smith Wallace, Harry Truman Wallace; nephew, Truman Rex Wallace; son-in-law, Danny R. Ladner; and brother-in-law, Mike Buie.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Brenda Gail Wallace; two daughters, Dana Gail Wallace Ladner and Neisha Nicole Wallace Leggett and husband, Josh; sister, Elizabeth Wallace Smith; sister-in-law, Joann W. Buie; six grandchildren, Chase Daniel Wallace (Sarah), Travis Lane Bonham (Jocelynn), Jax Wayne Leggett, Joy Nicole Leggett, Julie Jayne Leggett, Jacie Gail Leggett; one great granddaughter, Ainsley Saige Wallace and one great grandson due in April of 2023. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins as well as other loving family members and friends.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Chase Wallace, Travis Bonham, Jax Leggett, Josh Leggett, Todd Buie, and Jerry Hart. Honorary Pallbearers are Robert Varnado, Scott Wallace, and Chad Wallace.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent in memory of Dan Wallace to Dementia Society of America, P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online at www.DementiaSociety.org/donate.
Edwin Louis Smith
Services for Mr. Edwin Louis Smith of Wesson, are 10:00 am, Saturday, December 10, 2022, at Union Church Baptist Church with burial at Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 3:00-6:00 pm, Friday, December 9, at the church.
Mr. Edwin Louis Smith, 84, passed away December 7, 2022, at his residence.
He was born August 10, 1938, to the late Sid Smith and Nellie Mae Ivey Smith.
Mr. Smith served his country in the United States Army National Guard. He was a school teacher and a Mississippi Registered Land Surveyor.
He was a LSU football fan and was a TAF member (Tiger Athletic Foundation).
Preceding him in death were his parent; his wife, Carolyn Smith and daughter-in-law, Katherine Cowen Smith.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sons, Lance Smith, Lorne Smith and Lane Smith; daughter-in-law, Hope F. Smith; sister, Eugenia Sanders; four grandchildren, Cherish, Caroline, Sid and Cayley Smith; four great grandchildren, Jayden Holloway, Kaleigha Holloway, Skylar Holloway and Ariana McQuirk, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He will be missed by all that loved him.
Vickie Lynn Wallace
A Memorial Service will be held for Vickie Wallace, 10:00 am Friday, December 9, 2022, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Riverwood Memorial Park. The Memorial gathering will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, December 8, at Riverwood, and will resume from 9 a.m. until the time of service Friday.
Mrs. Wallace, 62, of Brookhaven, passed away December 6, 2022, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven. She was born in Brookhaven, December 24, 1959, to Joy S. Rials and Nickie G. Rials. Vickie worked in Hospitality Management in the Restaurant industry. She was a wonderful wife, mom, and grandmother and spending time with her family and friends were the most important part of her life. She was a sports fan, watching and attending NASCAR races, as well as cheering on her LSU and Saints football teams. Vickie took time to enjoy simpler things in life too, like sitting on the back porch soaking in the sunshine. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law, Sandy Rials.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 18 years, Hank Wallace; children, Brandi Holladay and husband, Dan, stepdaughter, Macy E. Stevens and husband, Shelton, stepson, Christopher Trent Wallace and wife, Taylor; brother, Billy Rials and wife, Wanda; eight grandchildren, Olivia J. Wallace, Audrey A. Wallace, Sydney R. Wallace, Lynnleigh B. Wallace, Steele H. Stevens, Elizabeth S. Stevens, Hayes Holladay, and Brady Holladay. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Donations may be made, in memory of Vickie, to the charity of your choice.
Jane Day West
Jane Day West, age 92, passed away, after a brief illness, at her son's home in Natchez on September 10. She was born Minnie Jane Day in Brookhaven, Mississippi, the eldest daughter of Scheumann and Laura Mae Day, on January 7, 1930. She was "Minnie" to her husband, Jerel (Red) West, "Momma" to her children, and "Mawmaw" to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a long term resident of Lafayette, Louisiana, where she enjoyed bowling, antiques, playing cards, and her pets. Her list of hobbies was long including gardening, tole painting, and going to casinos. She loved to cook and spend time with family and friends. She loved life and strived to live it to the fullest. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Jerel L. West. She is survived by a son, Jerel West, Jr. and wife Sharon; a daughter, Amy Davis; five grandchildren, Beth Roach(Michael), Laura West, Lee Davis(Sheree), Summer Deville(Larry), and Wesley Davis(Maegan); and 4 great grandchildren, Charlotte Roach, Savannah Davis, Jacob Davis, and Cohen Deville; two sisters, Sally Bullock and Martha Arrington(Luke); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on January 7, 2023 at Rosehill Cemetery, Brookhaven, MS
Selma Gravelle
A Memorial Service will be held for Selma Gravelle, 2 p.m., Thursday, December 8, at Riverwood Family. You may come by and express your condolences to the family from 1 p.m. until the time of service, during the Memorial Gathering, at Riverwood.
Mrs. Gravelle, 82, of Brookhaven, died December 5, 2022, at Silver Cross Nursing Home, in Brookhaven. She was born July 10, 1940, in St. Joseph, Louisiana. During her lifetime she worked as a Convenience Store Manager, as well as being a gracious and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husbands, Floyd Thibodeaux and Raymond Gravelle; her parents, Hollis and Reba Wallace; son, Rusty Gravelle; great grandchild, Matthew Thibodeaux; and siblings, Eugene Wallace, Alton Wallace, and Sue Wallace Curry.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her children, Steve Thibodeaux and wife, Susan, Buddy Thibodeaux and wife, Sheri, Robbie Thibodeaux and wife, Kim, and Connie Gravelle; brother, Donald Wallace and wife, Gloria; sister, Kay Wallace Humphries and husband, Grady; 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Elizabeth “Sis” Wallace, and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Joseph John Sparacello, Jr.
Graveside service for Joey Sparacello, Jr, will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, December 10, 2022, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, in Bogue Chitto, MS.
Mr. Joseph John Sparacello, Jr., 62, of Brookhaven, passed away December 2, 2022, peacefully at his home. He was born on born on October 13, 1960, to the late Joseph John Sparacello, Sr, and Ona Mae Allred Sparacello. Joseph served his country honorably in the United States National Guard and was retired from Rebel Testing Inc.
His daughter, Robin Sparacello; sister, Josie Sadler, brother-in-law, Ben Sadler; niece Stephanie Wilson and family; nephew, Joe Sparacello and family; aunt, Katherine Etheridge; cousins, Bobby, Scott, Danie, and Steve Etheridge, and families; aunt, Francis Allred; cousin, Shelly Britt and family; the Spaacello family of Louisiana, as well as his many friends, are left to cherish his memory.
Joey will be missed by many; may he rest in peace.
