Obituaries
Robert Earl Blackwell, Sr.
Robert Earl Blackwell, Sr., 78, of Brookhaven, passed away June 22, 2021 at Diversicare of Brookhaven.
He was born on May 31, 1943, to the late Nalty and Victoria Blackwell.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife and mother of his children, Judy Boyd Blackwell,
second wife, Peggy Sullivan Blackwell and brother, Lavon Blackwell.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sons, Billy Wayne Blackwell (Denise), Robert Earl Blackwell, Jr. (Agnes);
daughter, Betty Blackwell Langford (Marcus) and sister, Ethel Blackwell White.
He is also survived by his 6 grandchildren, Jamie Ford, Kaz Blackwell, Zak Blackwell, Judy Slay, Makala Blackwell,
and Drew Slay and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pamela Jan Cartwright
Funeral service for Pamela Jan Cartwright will be 2 p.m., Thursday, June 24, 2021, at Riverwood Family
with interment at Riverwood Memorial Park. Bro. Skip Atchinson will officiate.
Pam was born in Martin, TN, September 9, 1950, to James Fay Lippard and Clara Dowdy Lippard.
She passed away June 21, 2021, in Brookhaven, MS, she journeyed here 70 years. Pam retired after 42 years
as Office Manager at the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce. During her years at the Chamber,
Pam was also very active in planning and executing the Ole Brook Festival, the Christmas parade and worked
many years with United Way of Lincoln County. Pam was a long-time member at Jackson Street United Methodist Church.
She is preceded in death by her father.
Those left to cherish her memory are, her mother; son, Ken Cartwright; brothers, Jimmy Lippard (Amy)
of Indianapolis, IN and Donny Lippard (Jo) of Columbia, TN; three grandchildren, Caitlyn Deal, Bailey Cartwright,
Mallory Cartwright; five nieces and nephews and three great nephews as well as other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jackson Street United Methodist Church, 908 N Jackson St, Brookhaven, MS 39601.
Kenneth D’Wayne Varnado
Services for Mr. Kenneth D’Wayne Varnado will be 10:00 am, Friday, June 25, 2021,
at Riverwood with visitation from 5:00-8:00 pm, Thursday, June 24, at Riverwood.
He will be laid to rest at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington VA.
Kenneth D’Wayne Varnado, 61, passed away on June 18, 2021, at his home.
He was born on June 8, 1960, to the late Francis Whitfield Varnado and Loleta Morris Varnado.
Mr. Varnado served his country in the United States Army as a Green Beret during the Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield.
He enjoyed fishing, watching sports and spending time with his family and friends. He will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Kenneth Varnado Jr.; sister, Melanie Varnado.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sons, Ryan Varnado, Cameron Varnado and wife, Sara,
daughter, Ciara Myers and husband, Shawn; brother, Gary Varnado and wife, Bonnie.
He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Malcolm Striblin, Addison Myers, Easton Myers, Cooper Myers,
Jaxon Varnado and Catherine Varnado. Along with numerous relatives and friends.
Robert Gary Price
Robert Gary Price, 70, of McComb, died June 21, 2021, at his residence. He was born in Tampa, FL, on April 26, 1951,
to the late Jack B. Price and the late Mary Irene Smith Price. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi
with a Bachelor of Science.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bruce Price; sister, Jenna Howard; and niece, Emily Graves Wicker.
He is survived by his brother, Dr. Jerome Price (Cindy) of Gorham, ME; sisters, Sheila Graves (John), of McComb, MS,
Bethany Smith, of Hattiesburg, MS, Melanie Roney, of Ellisville, MS, and Amy Ward, of York, PA. He is also survived by
his nephews, John Graves, Matthew Graves, Conner Roney, Justin Howard, John Perry Childress, James Childress,
Michael Conerly, and Dylan Ward and nieces, Taylor Buckalew, Peyton Parker, Paige Zimmerman, and Eden Ward.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Encompass Hospice and especially to his nurse, Beth.
Marilyn McLain Hedgepeth
Funeral service for Marilyn McLain Hedgepeth will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at Monticello Baptist Church with interment in Monticello City Cemetery. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of service. The Reverends Jon Daniels and Sam Taylor will officiate.
Mrs. Hedgepeth, 84, of Monticello, MS died June 19, 2021, at King’s Daughters in Brookhaven. She was born in Morton, MS August 26, 1936, to the late Earl Howard Walker and the late Mary Sessums Walker. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from University of Southern Mississippi. She was employed by Lawrence County School District as a Music Teacher. She also taught private piano lessons from her home. Mrs. Hedgepeth served as pianist and organist of Monticello Baptist Church for over 60 years. She served in many clubs including Past President, Twentieth Century Club; Gideon’s International Ladies Auxiliary; Keeping in Touch (KIT) Club, and Senior Adult Ministry of Monticello Baptist Church, as well as the Retired Teachers Association.
She is preceded in death by husbands, Paul King McLain, Jr. and Lamar Hedgepeth and her parents.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, The Reverend Paul King McLain III (Ruthie), Douglas Walker McLain, and Daniel Earl McLain; daughter, Mary Frances McLain Boyd (Chris); sister, Margaret Walker Stormo (Don), three grandchildren, Alex Christopher McLain, McLain Christopher Boyd, and Mary Elizabeth Boyd. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Ronnie Hedgepeth (Linda), Danny Hedgepeth (Lora), and Jackie Williamson (Steve) and step-grandchildren.
Gifts in her memory to Monticello Baptist Church Music Ministry, P.O. Box 814, Monticello, MS 39654.
Charles Alvin Hamilton
Funeral service for Mr. Charles Alvin Hamilton will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Copiah County.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service and burial will follow in the Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Charles Alvin Hamilton was born July 28, 1939, in Beauregard, Mississippi, to John Shelby Hamilton and Willie Myrtis Martin.
He lived 81 years and went to be with the Lord June 18, 2021. He was a graduate of Copiah Lincoln Junior college. Mr. Hamilton
was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School classes and served as Deacon. He was employed with
the National Guard as Chief Warrant Officer 5. After retiring, Mr. Hamilton enjoyed the simpler things in life, gardening,
woodworking and fishing. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, James Shelby Hamilton; and brother, Lloyd Shelton Hamilton.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife, Rachael Loraine Hamilton; sons, Charles David “Chuck” Hamilton and wife,
Kenta, Karl Bradley “Brad” Hamilton and wife, Kim; daughters, Teresa Kaye “Tracey” Bridges and husband, Robbie, and Katrina Lynn Castilaw
and husband, Mark; brothers, William Ray Hamilton, Robert Earl Hamilton; 12 grandchildren, Daniel, Frances, Amanda, Preston, McKinnley,
Tanner, Brandt, Nikki, Shelly, Allison, Laney, and Liam; and six great grandchildren, Leo, Lenny, Marie, Paul, Sawyer, and Swayze.
Cora Kathleen Moak Alexander
Services for Cora Kathleen Moak Alexander, of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm, Saturday, June 19, 2021,
at Riverwood with visitation from 1:00 pm until the time of the service and burial at Hollywood Cemetery in McComb.
Cora Kathleen Moak Alexander, 93 went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 16, 2021, at Diversicare of Brookhaven.
She was born on May 6, 1928, to the late Robert Curtiss Moak and Stella Mae Etheridge Moak.
Mrs. Alexander was a member of Mission Hill Baptist Church and Order of the Eastern Star, McComb, Miss-Lou Daylily Club and Packrats Camping Club.
She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Gordon Lae Alexander; grandparents that raised her, Julius and Wreta Etheridge,
special cousins, raised as siblings, Edwin Etheridge (Grace), Percy Quin “Pete” Etheridge (JoAnn), and Marlene E. Varnell (Gene);
sisters-in-law, Jonnie Boyd (Thurman), and Veda Grace Boone (Clyde).
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Michael Gordon Alexander and daughter, Sherry Purvis and husband, Tommy.
She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren, Mary Walton, Robyn Carbery (Joseph), M. Dean Alexander (Leslie), Paul Greer (Kim),
and Melanie Lembo (Mike); along with 12 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and numerous extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Baptist Children’s Village, 114 Market Ridge Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157 or your favorite charity.
Jo Helen Lofton
Services for Mrs. Jo Helen (Hicks) Lofton, of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm Thursday, June 17, 2021,
at Grace Baptist Church with visitation from 12:30 until the time of the service. Interment will be at Concord Baptist Church Cemetery in Franklin County.
Mrs. Jo Helen (Hicks) Lofton, 87, went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 14, 2021, at her home.
She was born on July 21, 1933, to the late Wallace Monroe Hicks and Lena Mae Hicks Newell.
Mrs. Lofton was a homemaker and a member of Northview Baptist Church.
She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Loyd H. Lofton; daughters, Carolyn Ann Halford and Brenda Faye Henderson;
sons, Johnny Lofton, Loyd Lofton Jr.; brother, Everett Lee Hicks, and son-in-law, Harold Lynn Case.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Gerald Wayne Lofton and Ollie Jenkins; daughter, Deborah Kay Lofton Case;
son-in-law, Roger Dale Halford, and sister, Betty Andrew, and sister-in-law, Maxine “Lofton” Hicks, and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family request that food can be delivered to Deborah Case’s Home
1937 Palmetto Trl. NW, Brookhaven, MS 39601
James Fairbanks Anderson
Memorial service for James Fairbanks Anderson will be 3 p.m., Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Riverwood Family. Rev. David Fortenberry will officiate.
James was born in Marshall, TX, May 7, 1991, and he lived here 30 years. He was an avid outdoorsman as well as enjoying playing guitar.
He is preceded in death by his grandmothers, Linda Anderson, and Frances Duke; grandfather, Rabon Freeman; nephew, Waylon Jay Anderson; and cousin, Corbitte Smith.
He is survived by his parents, David Anderson and Tasha and Darlene Freeman and Amy Fauver; brothers, Douglas Freeman, Robert Anderson and wife, Chelsey, Ben Smith and wife, Natalie, Julian Anderson, and Kris Campbell; sister, Kayla Sides; Cyndi McCaleb, Cherish Latting, and Courtney King; grandparents, Doug and Cheryl Anderson, Wesley Duke Jr., and Laverne Freeman. He is also survived by Jeff and Stephanie Freeman and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Doyle Samuel Byrd
Services for Mr. Doyle Samuel Byrd, of Brookhaven, are 1:00 pm, Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Riverwood with visitation from 11:00 am until the time of the service.
Burial will be at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Doyle Samuel Byrd, 84, went to be with his Lord on June 9, 2021.
He was born in Newellton, LA. on June 10, 1936, to the late Samuel Preston Byrd and Dixie Crawley Byrd.
Mr. Byrd was a broker and consultant in Insurance and Finance for 55 years and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church
where he was currently Church Treasurer and served for 18 years. He was Training Union Director of the Jr. High boys from 1963 - 1972.
He loved to quail hunt in Kansas with Howard & Gerald and loved LSU Football “Geaux Tigers.” He was National Man of the Year in 1972 for
Paul Revere Life Insurance Company and the entire United States and an announcer for Brookhaven Academy Football from 1972-1983. He was self-appointed Mayor of Loyd Star.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Peggy Entrican Byrd; his parents; and an infant son.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Patsy Allen Byrd; Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Patsy Allen Byrd; daughter Amanda Byrd Rawls and husband, Robert, step son, Darryl Hatcher and step daughter Tawanda Smith and husband Glyn
and sister, Geneva Barfield and husband, Billy.
He is also survived by his 4 grandchildren, Preston Rawls, Liza Rawls Trahan and husband, Travis, Lauren Smith Case and husband, Collins,
Ty Smith and wife, Sara and great grandchildren, Lillie Case, Mae Case and Hatcher Smith, along with lifelong friend. J.D. Thadison. He will be loved and missed by all that knew him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Macedonia Baptist Church Building Fund.
