Obituaries
Edward Eugene "Ed" Norwood
Funeral service for Mr. Edward Eugene Norwood will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 18, at Riverwood Family, with a private family burial. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at Riverwood.
Mr. Norwood, 99, of Brookhaven, passed from this life June 13, 2022, just shy of reaching that “century” mark, being born February 24, 1923, to his parents, Stancil L. Norwood and Vera Smith Norwood.
Ed served his country honorably and proudly from 1943-1946 as an USA Army Master Sergeant during World War II. He was stationed in Hawaii and fought in the Pacific theater. His assignment was to oversee a searchlight detachment using anti-aircraft artillery. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Victory Medal while serving in the Asiatic Pacific Theater.
Upon honorable discharge, he worked for the Union Oil Company until retirement.
Ed worked just as avidly in the pursuit of his hobbies as he did his profession. He touched many lives of all ages and was affectionately known as “Mr. Ed”.
One of those hobbies was hunting and fishing. He was featured in Turkey Hunter’s
Digest and Field and Stream magazine articles. As an avid supporter of the American Turkey Federation and Duck’s Unlimited, he loved to mentor young hunters. There are many stories of Mr. Ed’s hunts, and we know that the truth was in there somewhere.
Another hobby enjoyed by Mr. Ed was golf.
As a member of the Brookhaven Country Club since 1948, he served as President and Club champion building the first swimming pool under his leadership. But his most rewarding days at the club were as Mr. Ed in the golf shop. From assisting with the daily activities with the golfers and tennis players to his favorite duties of assisting the children in the swimming pool with their snacks, his days were full.
His support and love for golf also extended to his many memories at Wolf Hollow Golf Club and Copiah Lincoln Community College. He played, worked in the golf shop, and pulled out his weed eater when needed. His involvement with both courses and men’s golf associations led to the creation of the Norwood Cup tournament beginning in 2004. This annual competition continues in recognition of Ed’s service to the men’s golf association at both the Brookhaven Country Club and Wolf Hollow. Every year he always found a way to cheer for both teams as he wore both team shirts.
While he was always a promoter of the men’s golf association at both clubs, his true love was being a mentor to junior golfers learning to play the game. So, in 2018, the Ed Norwood Golf Scholarship through the Co-Lin Foundation was established by Ronny Ross, Jeff Henning, and Josh Smith. This scholarship recognizes a Co-Lin Golf Team member who is a positive role model and excels in the classroom and community. This scholarship has brought Ed much pleasure and enjoyment in the last few years.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Bessie Gorenflo Norwood; son-in-law, Lonny Ray; his parents; and brothers, Alton Norwood and Stancil Norwood.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Beverly Ray and Debra Strong (David); eight grandchildren, David Strong, Jr., Mark Strong (Kelly), Jason Strong (Saundra), Patrick Strong (Marianne), Jonathan Strong (Claire), Betsy Phillips Smith (Grady), Jacob Ray, and Cal Ray (Kayla). He is also survived by 20 great grandchildren as well as a host of other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Norwood scholarship through the Co-Lin Foundation at P.O. Box 649, Wesson, MS 39191 or online at www.colin.edu/alumni-foundation.
The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff of the Aspen of Brookhaven who embraced him as a loved member of the Aspen family.
Stanley Henderson
There are no services at this time.
Mary Sisco Case Gill
Funeral service for Mary Sisco Case Gill will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 15, at Gum Grove Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery.
Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. The Reverends David Fortenberry and Jason Case will officiate.
Mrs. Gill, 93, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life June 10, 2022. She was born in Franklin County, MS, January 10, 1929. She worked as a
beautician until retiring. Mrs. Mary enjoyed watching West Lincoln Bears Sports and the Atlanta Braves. She would never turn an invitation
down to go eat a good meal, or just go for a ride around the countryside. She was a joy to be with and will be greatly missed by her family
and friends at Gum Grove Baptist Church, where she was a member and faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
She is preceded in death by her husbands, C.L. Case and Clarence Gill; her parents, Mitchell and Etta Mae Sisco; son, Lester Ray Case and
daughter-in-law, Hope Case; and brothers, Marvie Sisco and Walter Sisco.
She is survived by her daughter, Pam Case Johnson (Nathan); step sons, Wayne Gill (Diane), Harold Gill (Cathy); brother, Earl Sisco (Alice Ann);
sister, Eula Sisco Nunnery; four grandchildren, Tiffany Waldrop, Tate Case (Rachel), Mandy Mathis (Hugh), Luke Johnson (Hope), three
step grandchildren, Terry Gill, Mitch Gill (Christa), Corey Gill (Ashley); eight great grandchildren, Hunter Delaughter, Tyler Waldrop, Dylan Case,
Jonathan, Jared and Alaina Mathis, Mary Claire and Maddux Johnson; and seven step great grandchildren, Tyler, Mark, Ella, Riley and Emery Gill,
Emalyn and Lorelai Langley. She is also survived by a special friend, Irene Smith.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Gum Grove Baptist Church Cemetery fund, 1233 Gum Grove Road SW, Brookhaven, MS 39601.
The family would like to thank the Beehive Family, her sitters, Joyce Wright and Mattie Crockett, and Encompass Hospice, for their compassion and kindness to our loved one.
Harold Glenn Jones
Funeral service for Harold Glenn Jones will be 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 15, at Clear Branch Baptist Church, with interment
in the Heuck’s Retreat Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Jones, 80, of Brookhaven, passed away June 12, 2022. He was born in Natchez, MS, August 10, 1941, to Robert Lee Jones and
Hazel Elizabeth Hutto Jones. He graduated from Roxie High School in 1960 and furthered his education at Copiah-Lincoln Community College,
graduating in 1962. Mr. Jones worked for Armstrong Rubber Company & Fidelity Tire for 33 years and he also worked with Wal Mart Distribution Center for over 20 years.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Eloise Coker Jones and by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Judy A. Jones; son, Stan Jones (Dawn); daughters, Kim Maddox (Lee), Kristi Watts (Joshua); brother,
Robert Jones; three grandchildren, Trussell Graham Jones, Cole Michael Watts, and Emelia Ann Maddox. He is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Clear Branch Baptist Church, 2166 Clear Branch Lane, Wesson, MS 39191.
Maxie Earnest Foster
Maxie Earnest Foster – 1938-2022
Max Foster, of Wesson, Mississippi, passed away June 8, 2022, at home. This loving husband and father of three was 83 years old.
Max was born on October 15, 1938, in Lincoln County, Mississippi to Lee and Jessie (Lewis) Foster. He grew up in Nola, Mississippi, then joined the US Navy in 1956 and served four years on the USS Hancock out of San Francisco. He married Thelma Joyce Hynum on December 31, 1974, and they lived together in Wesson for 47 years.
Max built communication towers in the US, Greece, Japan, and Vietnam before working as a boilermaker until he retired in 1993. He was a member of Decell Memorial United Methodist Church. Max enjoyed hunting and fishing but mostly being around friends and family. He was an avid sports fan, loved the Ole Miss Rebels, was quick-witted, and had a tremendous ability to tell a story.
Max was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, J.D., Louie Lee, Troy, and Jimmy; and his sister, Mignyone Butler. He is survived by his wife Thelma; his three children, Sherrie Nesmith Cross, Dwayne Nesmith (Lisa), and Chris Nesmith (Melanie); his five grandsons, Wes and Will Cross, and Bryce, Luke, and Cole Nesmith; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The visitation will be held at Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven on June 14, 2022, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The service will also be held at Riverwood Family at 2:00 PM, with burial following at the Wesson Cemetery. Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Decell Memorial United Methodist Church in Wesson or the charity of one's choice.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the wonderful people at Compassus Hospice Care.
Ashley Ray Stegall
Visitation for Mr. Ashley Ray Stegall will be Monday, June 13 from 5-8 p.m. at Riverwood Family, visitation will continue Tuesday, June 14 from 10-11 a.m. at Thompson Baptist Church with an 11 a.m. service to follow. Interment will be at Thompson Baptist Church cemetery.
Mr. Stegall, 43, of Summit, MS, passed from this life June 10, 2022, at his residence. He was born in McComb, MS, June 7, 1979, to Ronnie Stegall and Penny Hightower Ham. He worked in the oil production industry as a Field Foreman at Southern Oil of Louisiana. He took his position as provider for his family very seriously and when he had time off from work, he was very diligent in spending time with his family. He loved to hunt and fish, and vacations to see the colors change during autumn. He was an avid gardener and a faithful Alabama Crimson Tide fan. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his father, Ronnie Stegall; his maternal grandparents, Wilbur and Virgie Hightower; and his paternal grandmother, Barbara “Deany” Stegall.
He is survived by his wife, Bambi Stegall; sons, Andrew Doty and wife, Brittany; Jeremy Doty; Aaron Cox and wife, D’Shea; sisters, Kristen Womack and husband, Brian, Brittney Cutrer and husband, Lance; six grandchildren, Ezra Doty, Abram Doty, Joel Doty, Alayna Cox and Ryleigh Cox; his mother, Penny Ham; and his paternal grandfather, C.O. Stegall. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Mr. Andrew Doty, Mr. Jeremy Doty, Mr. Aaron Cox, Mr. Eric Stegall, Mr. David Jarreau, Mr. Lance Cutrer, Mr. Brian Womack and Mr. Cooper Cutrer.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mr. Randy Stegall and Mr. Charlie Wallace.
A reception will follow services at the home of Mr. Ashley Ray and Bambi Stegall.
Judith Colleen Bessonette
A memorial service for Judith Colleen Bessonette will be held Monday, June 13, at Riverwood Family at 2 p.m.
Judith Colleen Bessonette, 58, of Petal, MS, passed from this life June 7, 2022, in Pike County. She was born in Brookhaven, MS, August 10, 1963, to James D. Bessonette and June Perry Newsom.
She is preceded in death by her father and her grandparents, Malcolm and Ruth Bessonette and Jesse and Alzina Perry.
She is survived by her mother; brothers, Adam Bessonette (Sherry) and James D. Bessonette; sisters, Jo Bowman, Jacqueline Gail Bessonette, Jill Rae Brown (Mike), and Leann Perry (Danny); nieces and nephews, Ken Hobgood (Kirstyn), Tabitha Ratliff, Thor Hobgood, Sawyer Brown, Markee Langham, and several great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her lifelong friend, Dorothy Harrell.
Rhoda Mae Sykes
A Graveside Memorial Service for Mrs. Rhoda Mae Sykes will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 10:00 am at Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.
Rhoda Mae Sykes, 89, Of Brookhaven, passed from this life on June 7, 2022. She was born on August 29, 1932, in Brookhaven to Carlie M. Givens and Lethie Hunt Givens.
Mrs. Sykes was a member of the Eastern Star for many years and served in every capacity. She enjoyed working a Garden, flowers and plants. Anytime she heard of anyone sick, she loved to visit and check on them when she was still independent.
Preceding her in death were her parents; a son, Felix “Bo” Sykes; brother, Billy Givens; sister, Carrie Lee Barton; granddaughter, Christie White and great-granddaughter, Jalynn Nicole White.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Velma Joyce Foster and Alfred Daniel Sykes and wife Shelia; brother, Carlie M. Givens, Jr. and wife Doris of Citronella, AL, and sister-in-law, Ann Givens. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kristi Morgan, Rusty Daniels, Christopher Lambright, Jeffrey Daniels, Preston Morgan, Kolton Morgan, Kassie Morgan, Michelle Bland Wood, Melissa Dunn, Wayne Sykes, Christina Sykes, Amanda Sykes and Jennifer Sykes; along with seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
George William "Billy" Boyd, Jr.
Funeral service for Mr. George William “Billy” Boyd, Jr., will be 11 a.m., Friday, June 10, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, at Riverwood Family and will resume Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Boyd, 46, of McCall Creek, passed from this life June 5, 2022. He was born in Gulport, MS, December 9, 1975, to George “Bill” Boyd, Sr. and Rebecca “Becky” Norton Boyd. He graduated from Northwest Rankin High School in Brandon, MS and furthered his education by attending MSU, Hinds Community College, and Nichols State, where he received a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He worked in the oil field industry as a Chevron Product Operations Specialist for 20 years and was awaiting a transfer to Africa. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, spending time with his wife and children was a great part of his life. He also loved spending time with his niece, Bella. Billy was an avid traveler, taking vacations with his family to all parts of the world, but also enjoyed a simple camping trip and relaxing by a campfire. He was a friend to many, and a multi-talented person. He was a mechanic, an engineer, and taxidermist. Billy was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Dewey and Alice Norton and Rev. JW and Edna Earle Boyd.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife of 20 years, Erin Rushing Boyd; son, William Barrett Boyd; daughters, Melanie Rebekah Boyd (David Huff), and Madalyn Elizabeth Boyd; brothers, Randy Boyd, Buddy Boyd (April) and their daughter, Bella Boyd. He is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Mary Pearl Tuttle
Mary Pearl Tuttle, 86, of Brookhaven, passed from this life June 5, 2022, at her residence. She was born in Bude, MS, January 6, 1936. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She would often say her “grands” kept her going. Any time you would visit her home, you left with a bag of snacks. Mary loved a sale, especially garage sales. She never met a stranger and after you spent a few moments with her you loved her. She enjoyed planting a vegetable garden and sharing the rewards of her work. Mary is also a retired Certified Nursing Assistant. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents Thomas Eugene McCoy, Sr. and Pearl Elizabeth Souleret Smith; grandson, Michael Jackson; brother, Tommy McCoy; and sister, Margaret Seale.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her husband of 18 years, Murphy Tuttle; sons, Marty Jackson and wife, Gilda, Ronnie Jackson and wife, Betty, and Keith Jackson and wife, Robin; grandchildren, Tanya & David Purdy, Zachary & Anna Jackson, Rebecca Jackson, Lily Jackson, Rachel Jackson, Anthony Lambert, Clayton Diffrient, Ryan Diffrient, Murphy Tuttle, Faye Tuttle, Joyce Hood, Jason Baudauf, Kimberly Tuttle; great grandchildren, Ryan, Ryleigh, Ryles, and Ryker Purdy, Roger, Meredith, and Beau Diffrient. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and other loving family members and friends.
HE ONLY TAKES THE BEST
God saw you getting tired, And a cure was not to be;
So he put his arms around you, And whispered, "Come to me”
With tearful eyes we watched you, And saw you pass away;
Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands to rest,
God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.
