Obituaries
Virginia Ruth Bardwell Fernandez
Funeral service for Ms. Virginia Ruth Bardwell Fernandez will be 10 a.m., Saturday, May 7, at Riverwood Family, with interment in
Little Bahala Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Friday, May 6, at Riverwood.
Ms. Fernandez, 71, of Shelby, North Carolina, passed away April 29, 2022, at her residence. She was born in Brookhaven, MS, April 5, 1951, to
Vernon Clifton Bardwell and Evelyn Ruth Russell Bardwell. She was retired from the food industry, spending many years preparing meals for
the crews on tugboats. She loved traveling, but her greatest joy was 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; and other family members, Russell Bardwell, Beulah Magee, Mary Owens, Ann Posey, and Clifton Bardwell.
She is survived by her son, Johnathan Bardwell; daughters, Cindy Heathcock and Michelle Garcia; brother, Hollis Bardwell; nine grandchildren,
and ten great grandchildren; her faithful dog, “Sassy”, as well as other loving family members and friends.
James R. Hemby
Funeral service for Mr. James R. Hemby will be 11 a.m., Monday, May 9, 2022, at Harmony Baptist Church, with
interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Hemby, 83, of Brookhaven, passed from this life May 4, 2022, at Silver Cross Nursing Home. He was born in
Simpson County, February 5, 1939. He served his country in the United States National Guard and was a member
of Harmony Baptist Church. Mr. Hemby was a faithful and loving husband, father, and grandfather, he will be greatly missed by all.
He is preceded in death by his parents, WJ Hemby and Willie Bell Hemby; brother, JR Hemby (wife Ouida); sister, Virginia Davis: and nephew, Billy Davis.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Fannie Mae Hemby; son, Phillip Ray Hemby (Donna);
daughters Virginia Grubb (Skip) and Melissa Barrios (Frank); five grandchildren, Matthew Jackson (Katie),
David Hedgepeth (Megan), Brittany Ashley (Jarrad), Tara Pepper, and Tanner Hemby (Isabel) and nine great grandchildren.
He is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends, as well as his faith family at Harmony.
A special thank you to Carol Thompson for her care and loving support.
Jewell Faye Wallace Case
Funeral service for Mrs. Jewell Faye Wallace Case will be 2 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2022, at Riverwood Family
with interment in the Gum Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Thursday evening, May 5, at Riverwood.
Mrs. Case, 88, passed from this life May 4, 2022, at her residence in McCall Creek, MS. She was born in Brookhaven, MS,
May 11, 1933. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and always took time to care for her household.
She was also a businesswoman, working in retail. Mrs. case was a member of New Salem Baptist Church.
Her life will be long remembered through her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Charles V. Case; her parents, Zack Wallace and Berdie Brown Wallace;
grandson, Stephen P. Cupit; and her four brothers and two sisters.
She is survived by her daughters, Linda F. Cupit (Billy Pat) and Sandy Berry (Mike); three grandchildren, Charlie Cupit,
Amy Davis (Chase),Casey Kirkland (Tyson); and ten great grandchildren, Ada Grace Case, Libby Grace Cupit Thompson,
Baylor Davis, Reagan Davis, Carter Davis, Peyton Davis, Ava Kirkland, Jake Kirkland, Casen Kirkland, Hadley Davis, and
Hudson Davis. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
The family of Mrs. Jewell would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff of Hospice Compassus and the faithful sitters
who exhibited genuine love and grace to her and all the family, Carla Modrick, Carolyn Smith, Shirley Arnold, Maggie Wilson,
Amy Arnold, Faye Smith, Dody Huff and Deborah Thomas. We are truly grateful for you.
Irma Jean Ross
Funeral service for Mrs. Irma Jean Ross will be 11 a.m., Friday, May 6, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. Friday until the time of the service.
Mrs. Ross, 79, of Wesson, passed away May 2, 2022, in Brookhaven, MS. She was born in Brookhaven January 22, 1943. She was retired from General Motors.
She filled her days with things that brought her joy, playing piano, watching sports, or just staying home and visiting with her family. She was a member
of Macedonia Baptist Church where she used her musical gift to sing in the sanctuary choir. Mrs. Ross will be greatly missed by her family as well as her faith family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James “Jake” Case and Ruby Cleo Case and her brother, Gerald James Case.
Those she leaves behind are her husband of 59 years, Buford Roland Ross; sons, Ronald Berry Ross (Elizabeth) and Stephen Ryan Ross (Mary Louise);
sister, Ernestine Gatlin; six grandchildren, Jacob Ross, Olivia Goff, Hogan Ross, Stone Ross, Luke Ross, and Lily Ross. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital PO Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38148.
Sidney Henry "Butch" Beasley
Memorial service for Mr. Sidney Henry “Butch” Beasley, Sr. will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 4, at First United Methodist Church in Brookhaven.
Visitation is from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Beasley, 76, of Brookhaven, passed away May 1, 2022, at his residence. He was born in Brookhaven, MS, September 13, 1945.
He was retired from Delphi Corporation. He spent the latter years farming his own land. He was an avid outdoorsman, tending to
his animals and just being in the fresh air gave him a special sense of pride. He had a special friend, his dog, Max, who was a constant
companion to him, even attending worship services with him, Max stayed in the truck and waited his return. Mr. Beasley was a loving
husband, father, and grandfather. All of the “grands” were truly special to him, but that first born great grandchild, Logan, stole his heart.
He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Sidney T. Beasley and Veda Grace Price Beasley and his two sons, Sid Beasley and Brad Beasley.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Diane Beasley; daughters, Debra Byrd and Debra Fuller; sister, Libby O’Quin;
four grandchildren, Joey Byrd (Laura), Crystal Byrd, Lizabeth Smith, and Lesley Allen; 11 great grandchildren; two special first cousins,
Janet McCardle and Jan Melancon. He is also survived by a special friend, Pam Watts, and a host of other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church.
Ford Les Young
Mr. Ford Les Young, 66, of Brookhaven, passed from this life and entered eternity May 1, 2022. He was born in Jackson, MS, December 3, 1955,
to Weatherford Swan Young and Mary Elizabeth Kenton Young. He enjoyed life immensely spending many hours fishing, riding motorcycles,
and playing bass in “jam sessions” with his buddies and at church. He attended Center Point Church in Brookhaven. He was also an active
member of Celebrate Recovery and was a Broken Chains JC Motorcycle Missionary. Les was always ready to share his testimony of faith with
anyone who would listen. He was a glorious example of what Jesus Christ can do with a willing heart. His most valuable treasures were his daughter,
grandchildren, and his girlfriend. He enjoyed every moment he spent with them. Les was a tremendous friend and servant of the Lord;
he will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Joe Young, Don Young, and David Young.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Lacy Young and her boyfriend, Scotty Bond; sister, Ann Collett and husband, Gene; three grandchildren,
Geran Williams, Kelli Bond, and Daphne Bond; nieces and nephews, Aimee, Neal, Dallas, Ashley and Allen; his long-time girlfriend,
Ann Tarver and a host of very close friends and other loving family members.
The family will host a memorial service at a later date.
Norman Edward "Ed" Morgan
Funeral service for Mr. Norman Edward “Ed” Morgan will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 4, at Riverwood Family. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m.,
Tuesday, May 3, at Riverwood and will resume from 1 p.m. until the time of service on Wednesday.
Mr. Morgan, 78, of Hazlehurst, passed from this life April 30, 2022, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. He was born in Mobile, AL, January 5, 1944.
He served his country in the United States Army and was a proud Vietnam veteran. Mr. Morgan was a carpenter by trade, and was known for his
work in restoring many of the Antebellum homes in and around Port Gibson, MS. One of his favorite sayings was, “I’ve taught you everything you know,
but not everything I know”! He had a soft spot in his heart for “his girls” and greeted every one of them with “my girl”. Mr. Morgan was especially
content on the lake. He would say “a bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work”. Mr. Morgan was always interested in racing and was a
former driver and mechanic. He was a generous soul and had a tremendously outgoing personality, he never met a stranger. Those who knew and
loved him will truly feel the absence of his enormous personality!
He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred Edward Morgan and Larue Adley Morgan; great granddaughter, Casey Lynn Morgan; and his son-in-law,
Randolph Driscoll.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 46 years, Linda Riley Morgan; sons, Gary Morgan (Margaret), Jimmy Barlow (Julie), and Tim Barlow;
daughters, Sherry Driscoll, Courtney Morgan, and Shelby Jenkins; brother, William James Morgan (Joan); ten grandchildren, Justin Morgan (Savannah),
Randy Driscoll (Ashley), Tori Driscoll, Kayla Barlow, Quinten Barlow (Tiffany), Lexie Barlow, Carson Barlow, Cooper Barlow (Katelyn), Riley Barlow,
and Jackson Barlow. He is also survived by 12 great grandchildren; Brantley Morgan, his great grandson whom he raised as his own child;
and many other loving family members and friends.
Paul Kelcy Raney
Funeral service for Paul Kelcy Raney will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at Sylvarena Baptist Church, with interment in the church cemetery.
Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Raney, 64, of Wesson, passed from this life April 26, 2022. He was born in Wesson, January 27, 1958, to Jimmy Raney and Joyce Lowery Raney.
He enjoyed the many friends he made during his career working with Copiah County. When they had slack time, he could be found sitting on
his bench and visiting with them. He could also be found at the Shop & Wash, visiting with friends there too. Mr. Raney spent many hours in his
garden, but his most favorite thing was to spend quality time with his grandsons, watching them play baseball and football. Friday was lunch
at “Dumps” day, which was a favorite treat! He was a member of Sylvarena Baptist Church. will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
Mr. Raney is preceded in death by his wife, Carole RaVae Raney; his parents; son, Aven Raney; father-in-law, Jim Britt; and niece, Alex.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Lauren Yelverton (Mike) and Rusti Rippy (Chris); son, Sean Jaudon; brother, Bill Raney (Paula); sisters, BJ Wilson (Mike)
and Ginger Mills (Gary); three grandchildren, Gage “GW” Rippy, Braxton “Little Lee” Rippy, and Rowdy “RT” Yelverton. He is also survived by
his mother-in-law, Lynelle Britt; brother-in-law, Cody Britt (Renee), his, more than an uncle, best friend, Claude Lowery (Margurite); and a host of other loving family members and friends.
Linda Carol Davis
Funeral service for Mrs. Linda Carol Davis will be 10 a.m., Friday, April 29, 2022, at Riverwood Family
with interment in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at Riverwood,
and will resume Friday from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Davis, 73, of Brookhaven, passed from this life April 25, 2022, in Hattiesburg, MS. She was born in Kosciusko, MS
April 22, 1949, to John Wesley Frazier and Lucille Clark Frazier. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and cared
for her home and family with all her heart. She was the pianist at Brookway Baptist Church. Mrs. Davis will be greatly
missed by her friends and family.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Helen Frazier Miller and Merle Frazier McMorris; brothers, James Franklin Frazier,
Charles Fredrick Frazier, J.W. Frazier, Charles W. Frazier, and Earl Frazier.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Jerry Davis; son, Jonathan Davis; brother, Roy Frazier; one grandchild, Heaven Davis;
and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Kevin Daniel Purcell
Kevin Daniel Purcell, 63, of Brookhaven, passed away in April 24, 2022. He was born April 11, 1959, in Jackson, MI.
He was a contractor in the Brookhaven area and worked in painting and remodeling.
He is preceded in death by his son, Keith Marse, his father, Herman Lee Collin, and his grandmother, Irene Anderson.
He is survived by his children, Craig Purcell, Scott Purcell, Mason Marse, Brad Marse, Taylor Harper, and Shelbey Marse;
and by four grandchildren, Paris Bridges, Keith Bridges, Abigail Marse, and Nicole Marse. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Dear memory of aunt Florine and family. Rest in peace, Kevin Purcell.
