Thursday, July 9, 2026
Tommy Lee "Tom" Chambers
Volia M. Gaddis
Volia was born on September 12, 1939, in Columbia, Mississippi, to Howard and Edna Magee. She was a devoted Christian whose faith in God was the foundation of her life. A longtime member of Hight Assembly of God, she faithfully served as church secretary-treasurer for many years. Her love for the Lord was evident in the way she lived and in the Christian values she instilled in her children and grandchildren.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker who lovingly cared for her six children while also serving as co-owner of Yarbrough Wood Products. Volia had a servant’s heart and found great joy in caring for her family. She was an exceptional cook, and one of her family’s most treasured traditions was gathering around her table each Thanksgiving. She deeply cherished the close relationships she shared with her siblings and extended family. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing, reading, and creating a warm, welcoming home for those she loved.
One of Volia’s greatest joys was being “Mamaw.” Her legacy of faith, love, kindness, and devotion to family will continue to live on through the generations she so dearly loved.
Volia is survived by her loving husband, Roger Gaddis of Noxapater. She is also survived by her children: Mark Forsman (Kay) of Noxapater; Merry Barnes (Rodney) of Panama City, Florida; Richard Gaddis (Kay) of Oviedo, Florida; William Gaddis (Lisa) of Aledo, Texas; and Joe Gaddis (Anne Kristine) of Vicenza, Italy. She is also survived by her 19 beloved grandchildren: Kerri Neal (Carl); Michael Watson (Lauren); Jessie Lott (Tyler); Jamie Yarbrough; Sara Feldman (Brett); Adam Forsman (Mindy); Josh Forsman (Blair); Cherish Morrison (Shane); Jacob Stewart (Kaleigh); Erin Stewart; Candace Savarese (Tyler); Allison Gaddis; Michaela Gaddis; Charles Gaddis (Anastasia); Thomas Gaddis; Susanna Gaddis; Emily Gaddis; Kristian Gaddis; and Derek Seay; 21 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters: Ouida Bryant, Linda Forsman (George), and Sybil Bullock; along with many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and cherished friends.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Frank J. Forsman and Kary Yarbrough; her children, Robert Lenn Forsman, Jimmy Yarbrough, Carol Watson, and Joy Watson; her parents, Howard and Edna Magee; and her siblings, Margaret Harvey, Grayson Magee, Edsel Magee, Frank Pittman Magee, and Dan Magee.
Serving as pallbearers are Michael Watson, Adam Forsman, Josh Forsman, Jacob Stewart, Charles Gaddis, and Thomas Gaddis. .
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Edwin Karl Werkheiser II
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Known to all as “Eddy,” he was born January 12, 1944, in Greensboro, N.C., to Dr. Edwin Brooks
Werkheiser and Nellie Sue McNeil Werkheiser, of Philadelphia (MS) and Jackson. A student in Jackson public schools, he graduated Murrah High School in 1962 and Mississippi State University in 1966, with a degree in political science.
After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy, serving 13 months on the USS Ranger aircraft carrier in 1970-71 during the Vietnam War, including in the Gulf of Tonkin and Subic Bay. Following military service, he attended Hinds Community College, focused on the engineering drafting and design program. He applied those skills in working at Smith and Sanders Inc. and at Neel-Schaffer Engineering.
For 43 years, Eddy was a member of the High Hill Hunting Club in Claiborne County.He was preceded in death by his parents and by his grandparents, Josie and Marvin G. McNeil and Jessie G. and Edwin Karl Werkheiser.He is survived by his son, Army Col. Edwin Brooks Werkheiser II and his wife, retired Air Force Col. Amanda Gookins Werkheiser, both of Yorktown, VA; grandson, Andy Werkheiser, also of Yorktown; brother, M. Brooks Werkheiser (Celeste) of Jacksonville Beach, FL; and sister, Susan Werkheiser Thompson (William) of Madison, MS; and four nieces and nephews and eight great-nieces and great-nephews.
A gathering of family and deer camp family and friends will be held at High Hill Hunting Club at a later date in remembrance and honor of Eddy.
The family expresses deep appreciation and thanks to the entire staff of the Mississippi Veterans Home in Kosciusko for their genuine kindness and devoted caregiving.
Beason Cooper
Beason was born April 16, 1955 to the parents of Charlie Cooper and Annie Welch Cooper in Winston County Mississippi.
Preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Annie Cooper; siblings, Walter Lee (Nig), Willie D. (Bubba), Annie Mae (Sister), Charlie Cooper, Jr., Willis Cooper (Pig), Hermice Dixon (Newt), Nellie McNeese (Doll), Mary Lee Carter, James Welch (Big James), Joe Dan Cooper (Boodoo), Sally Bell Wallace, Ann Lee Hughes, Veterine Wraggs (Mindy), Calvin Cooper, Gertrude Estes (Tata), Willie James Cooper and Charlene Collier
Beason is survived by his wife, Eloise Cooper; sons, Adrian Hopkins, and Beason Cooper, II, daughters, Devera Ricks, Tamika Gordon; precious grandchildren that he adored, Romance, Katlynn, Ethan Perry; and Vashon Wraggs, who he cherished and loved as a son; nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and family.
Kobi Kenyamma Mitchell
Kobi was born on December 22, 1973, to Mr. and Mrs. Shellie Mitchell. He was the fourth child born to this union. Kobi was reared in Shuqualak, MS, and attended New Jerusalem Church as a youth.
Kobi served in both the Mississippi and Texas Air National Guard, completing six tours and retiring after 20 years in 2012.
Kobi was preceded in death by his father and older brother.
Kobi leaves to cherish his memory and achievements; his wife, Maria Encarnacion Agudelo Cuartas; two sons, Tristan and Colin; his mother, Audrey Mitchell; two sisters, Carla (Ted) Edmond and Chaffie (Michael) Gibbs; one sister in law, Veronica Mitchell; and a adopted sister, Rita Eichelberger; four nieces, Michaela, Tieraney, Kadence and Teri Madison; four nephews, Chauncey, Darius, Scott, and Micah; and best friend, Kawme Gibson; aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, neighbors, and co-workers;
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
William “Bill” Baskin, Sr.
Bill was born to Roy and Ersel Moore Baskin on April 23, 1944, in Winston County, Mississippi. He was a member of Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church. Bill enjoyed his job with the ICG Railroad. Trains and the railroad were more than a hobby—they were a lifelong passion that brought him endless joy. Whether talking about the railroad or sharing stories, his love for trains and the railroad was evident to everyone who knew him.
An avid outdoorsman, Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially for crappie. He enjoyed his annual trips to Colorado to hunt mule deer, always looking forward to making a stop in Branson, Missouri, along the way. Some of his happiest memories were made with his two brothers on their pheasant hunting and salmon fishing adventures in Michigan. He also enjoyed antique guns and he took pride in reloading his own shells.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Diane Baskin; and his children, Dawn Johnson (Chris) and Will Baskin all of Noxapater. One of his greatest joys was being “Pop” to his grandson, Hunter Johnson (Aly) and his great-granddaughter, Collins Joyce Johnson. He is also survived by his two brothers, Joe Baskin (Diane) and Bob Baskin; in addition to his nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Peggy Reynolds.
Serving as pallbearers are Brian Mills, Brian Young, Andy Young, Chunky Thomas, Brady Thomas, Chase Thomas, and John Baskin. Serving as an honorary pallbearer is Case Young.
Monday, July 6, 2026
Martha Elaine Torgerson
Elaine was born August 14, 1943, in Louisville, MS, to A. T. and Martha Triplett. She was a graduate of Nanih Waiya High School, and earned her degree as a Registered Nurse at the Gilfoy School of Nursing at Mississippi Baptist Hospital in Jackson. She worked at Singing River Hospital and retired from Ingalls’ Shipyard. She was a faithful member of Bethel Baptist Church. Elaine loved working in her yard, and especially enjoyed gardening and her flowers.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jim Torgerson;
She is survived by her brother, Donald (Billie) Triplett of Louisville, her nieces, Donna (Greg) Thomas and Magan Allen; great nieces and nephews, Jennifer (Tyler) Wright, Cayson Miles, Landon Miles, Dillon Allen, Colby Allen, Isabella Allen, and great great niece and nephew, Harper Wright and Sophie Wright.
Pallbearers will be Tyler Wright, Cayson Miles, Landon Miles, Colby Allen, Dillon Allen, and Greg Thomas. Memorials may be made to Perkinsville Cemetery Fund.
Morris Dewitt Smith
Dewitt, affectionately known as papa, was born May 16, 1938, in Edinburg, MS, to Horace and Mary Allene Smith. He was a graduate of Edinburg High School. Dewitt began his career with Irby Electric in 1957, and then served in the U.S. Army before continuing his work with Irby Electric. He started work with East Mississippi Electric Power Association in 1964 and worked his way up to Line Foreman before retiring in 1998. He was a member of Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church.
Dewitt was a man of quiet strength, unwavering character, and an unmatched work ethic. He took great pride in everything he did, whether tending a full garden, caring for his Tennessee Walking and saddle horses in earlier years, building fences, bush hogging, or keeping his land in impeccable condition. If something was broken, chances are Dewitt could fix it—and just as importantly, teach you how and why he fixed it along the way.
Known for his calm and gentle nature, he was the perfect complement to his beloved wife, Pat, whose outgoing personality brought joy and laughter to their home after the two met in New Mexico while he was in the service. Together they built a life rooted in love, hard work, and devotion to their family.
Even as he grew older and was faced with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and drop foot, which gradually weakened his legs and made walking increasingly difficult, Dewitt refused to let those challenges define him. He continued helping in his daughter’s chicken houses, building fences, working the land, and serving those he loved until it was no longer physically safe to do so. Through his actions more than his words, he taught his family the value of perseverance, humility, responsibility, and doing every job to the very best of his ability. He always put others before himself, never hesitating to lend a helping hand wherever it was needed.
In his later years, some of his greatest contentment was found in the simple things—resting in his favorite chair with three burners glowing nearby, listening to Willie’s Roadhouse playing loudly on the radio, and being surrounded by the family he loved so deeply. His legacy of faith, integrity, selfless service, and unconditional love will continue to live on through the lives of all who were blessed to know him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Mary Allene Smith, and by his beloved wife of 49 years, Pat Smith.
He is survived by three daughters, Charlotte (Lionel) Hamrick of New Orleans, LA, Vicki (Michael) Chambliss of Louisville, and Mandy (Ken) Mills of Louisville; a sister, Patty (the late Leroy) Callahan of Forest, MS; two brothers, Carl (the late Deloris) Smith of Morton, MS, and Keith (Robin) Smith of Brandon, MS; five grandchildren, Justin (Jaimee) Childs, Madison (Dillon) Womble, Collin Mills, Jordan (Lane) Taylor, and Raegan Chambliss; and his great-grandchildren, Kipp Womble, Patton Childs, Quintin Childs, Shep Womble, MaryAllyn Taylor, Hayze Harper, and Cayson Lane Taylor.
Pallbearers will be Travis Vowell, Bryce Nester, Dewayne Howard, Barry Vowell, Stuart Ingram, Jerry Pearson, and Mike Etheridge.
Thursday, July 2, 2026
James Smith
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Rachel Hill Jackson
Rachel E. Jackson, 88, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the Winston County Nursing Home in Louisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, July 5 at Antioch Baptist Church with Reverend Melvin Mordecai officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service at the church from 1 p.m. until service time. Interment will immediately follow the service in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Sturgis, Mississippi.
Rachel was born on October 11, 1937, to L. V. and Nellie D. Chapman Hill in Neshoba County. She was a faithful member of Antioch Baptist Church where she enjoyed teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir. Rachel also enjoyed working in her garden. Most of all, she dearly loved her family.
Rachel is survived by her son, Todd Jackson (Tracy) of Union, Mississippi. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Candi and Josh Hayes, Jamie and Andrew Savell, Katie and Jacob Rash, and J.T. and Landree Vance; as well as six great-grandchildren in addition to many loving nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. Rachel also leaves behind five brothers: Wilburn Hill, Benny Hill (Debby), Danny Hill (Ann), Gene Hill (Dana), and Urshel Hill; and her sister-in-law, Jennie Hill. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Jackson; her parents; her sister, Annie Pearl Wilson; and three brothers, Charles Hill, Jerry Ray Hill, and George Hill.
Serving as pallbearers are James Hill, Steven Hill, Michael Kreps, Nathan Kreps, David Jackson, and Ben Jackson.
