Robert Lee Kirkwood

Robert Lee Kirkwood, 90, of Ackerman, Mississippi, passed on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at the Choctaw County Nursing Home. Funeral Service will be Saturday May 6, 2023 at 11 a.m., from Millsprings M. B. Church, Weir, Mississippi. Visitation will be Friday from 4 until 6 p.m., from the Funeral Home in Weir. Burial will be in the Millsprings Church Cemetery. Beck Funeral Home of Weir in charge of arrangements.

James Al Owen

After 103 full and blessed years, James Alfred Owen entered his eternal rest with Christ on April 28, 2023. Mr. Owen, known as Al to his many friends, was born on February 7, 1920, in Draper, North Carolina, but lived most of his life in Mississippi.

Al was the fifth of seven children born to Henry Wallace Owen and Maude Demarest Owen. His mother died when he was 8 years old, leaving Al, his father, and six siblings. Several years later, Al’s father married Annie Walker, who became a wonderful stepmother to Al and his four brothers and two sisters.

In 1941, Al enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for six years. After the war, he returned to North Carolina and joined his father in the hardware business in Hamlet, North Carolina. Then, in 1958, a job as a factory representative for Queen Cutlery Company led Al to Jackson, Mississippi, where he met Libby Hamric. They married in 1961 and were blessed with two children, Allison and Jim. Al and Libby moved to Ackerman, Mississippi, in 1965, where they remained for fifty years and were active members of Ackerman Baptist Church.

When Al retired from the cutlery business in 1986, he and Libby enjoyed many camping trips, including driving to Alaska in a small motor home in the summer of 1993. They also greatly enjoyed riding bicycles, both around Ackerman and on their camping trips. Through the years, Al was a fabulous playmate to his six grandchildren, teaching them to ride bikes, cheering them on at baseball and basketball games, and lining up scores of tiny green army men.

In 2015 Al and Libby moved to the Orchard in Ridgeland, Mississippi, where they were blessed to know many new friends.

Even after Al reached his 100th birthday, everyone who met him expressed astonishment at his age. He always seemed younger than he was, and many people asked to know his secret. He never had an answer to give, but his family sums it up this way: he believed in hard work, he loved people, and he trusted his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in everything.

Al is survived by his devoted wife, Elizabeth Hamric Owen; two children, Allison Owen Miller (Jason), and James Hamric Owen (Michelle); and his grandchildren: Eric Owen Miller, Scott Hamric Miller (Abbey), Thomas McRae Miller, Julia Elizabeth Miller, Lydia Michelle Owen, and James Andrew Owen.

Visitation will be held at Ackerman Baptist Church on Monday, May 1, at 11 a.m., followed by a funeral service at the church at noon, and burial at Enon Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Ackerman Baptist Church or to French Camp Academy.

Willie Ruth Portis

Willie Ruth Portis, age 50, passed away on April 19, 2023. Visitation will be Friday, April 28, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Taylor's Funeral Home Chapel, 1973 Greensboro Rd., Louisville. The funeral service will be Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Brushfork M.B. Church, 31269 MS HWY 14 W, Macon, MS 39341.

Damyia Monay Savior

Damyia Monay Savior, 14, of Louisville, MS., passed on Monday, April 24, 2023 in Louisville, MS. Funeral Service will be Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 2 p.m., from Unity Outreach Fellowship Church, Louisville, MS. Visitation will be Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 4 until 6 p. m., from the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Louisville Memorial Cemetery. Beck Funeral Home of Louisville in Charge of arrangements.

Imia Miosha Moniek Williams

Imia Miosha Moniek Williams, 40, of Starkville, MS., formerly of Louisville, MS., passed on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at her home. Funeral Service will be Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 11 a.m., from Beck Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday from 4 until 6 p.m., from the Funeral Home. Beck Funeral Home of Louisville in charge of arrangements.

Frank Rogers, Jr.

Frank Rogers, Jr., 76, passed away at Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, Mississippi, on Sunday, April 23, 2023. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 26 at Mashulaville Baptist Church in Noxubee County, Mississippi with Bro. Dewayne Kelsey and Bro. Charles Rook officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service from 10 a.m. until service time at the church. Interment will immediately follow the service in Mashulaville Cemetery.

Frank was born December 2, 1946, to Frank Boone Rogers, Sr. and Mary Alice Thompson Rogers in Noxubee County. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. Frank owned his own business, Rogers Tile Company, for more than 40 years. He was also a Mason. Frank answered the call of his country by serving in the United States Air Force.

Frank is survived by his sister, Diane Beard and husband, Paul, of Greenville, Kentucky; two step-sisters: Judy Goodin and Kay Whitehead; his step-brother, Mike Robertson and wife, Linda; and a special friend, Janice Cockrell, all of Louisville. He is also survived by his aunt, Dot Papalambros; and his uncle, Buddy Rogers; as well as his loving nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Pat Roby; and his step-mother, Ruby Ann Rogers.

Serving as pallbearers are Donald Foster, Michael Foster, Nathan Foster, Perry Hemphill, Dewayne Kelsey, and Gus Papalambros. Honorary pallbearers are Jeff Flake and Verlin Roberson. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association online at alz.org/donate or to the American Cancer Society online at cancer.org/donate.

Services are under the direction of Nowell Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.

Pearlie G. Miller

Pearlie G. Miller, age 80, passed away on Sunday, April 16th, 2023. Visitation will be Monday, April 24th from 1 PM to 6 PM at Taylor's Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be Tuesday, April 25th at 11 AM at Taylor's Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at 1 PM at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.

Eardell Parker

 Eardell Parker, age 87, passed away on Saturday, April 15,2023. Visitation will be Friday, April 21, 2023 at Taylor Funeral Service in Louisville from 2PM - 7PM. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 2PM at Greater Hope Pentecostal Church, 424 Penderville Rd., Weir , MS. Interment at 3PM in New Zion Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, 48 New Zion Rd., Louisville, MS.

Tammie Johns Cherry

Tammie Johns Cherry, 60, passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at University of Alabama in Birmingham, after a long battle with cancer.

Tammie was born on June 21, 1962, in Louisville. She was a graduate of Louisville High School, and East Central Community College. She was as a pharmacy tech for several pharmacies in Louisville, including Wal-Mart, Dan’s Drugs, and Charlie McCool’s. She was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. Tammie loved gardening and going to the beach with family. She especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert D. “Bob” and Frankie Parker Johns; and a sister, Deborah Halfacre. She is survived by her husband, Billy Curtis Cherry of Louisville; a daughter, Addison L. Cherry (Justin) Jones of Shuqualak, MS, and Jon Doss (Meredith) Cherry of Louisville; and two grandchildren, Kyleighe Ray Jones and Haddie Jones. 

There are no services scheduled at this time.Memorials may be made in Tammie’s memory to Baptist Charity Care, https://www.baptisthealthcarefoundation.org/give.

Brenda Lucas Myers

Visitation: 9:30AM til Service Time Friday April 21, 2023 at Bear Creek Baptist Church near Weir, MS. Funeral Service: 11AM Friday April 21, 2023 at Bear Creek Baptist Church near Weir, MS. Interment: Bear Creek Baptist Church Cemetery near Weir, MS

Tommy Calvin Phillips

Tommy Calvin Phillips, 91, of Noxapater, MS., passed on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at the Neshoba County Hospital, Philadelphia, MS. Funeral Service will be Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 11 a.m., from Mount Pleasant#2 M. B. Church, Noxapater, MS. Visitation will be Friday from 4 until 6 p.m., from the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery. Beck Funeral Home of Louisville in charge of arrangements.

Mildred Virginia Yarbrough Hathorn

Mildred Virginia Yarbrough Hathorn took the right hand of her savior and was willingly escorted to her heavenly mansion that had been under construction for over a hundred years on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Funeral services will be held Thursday April 20th at 2:00 pm at Porter Funeral Home with Rev Mike Childs and Rev Newlie Long officiating. Visitation with be held Thursday from 12 noon until 2:00 pm and interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Louisville.

Our precious Mawmaw, the name she so proudly wore to all who knew and loved her, was the faithful wife of Ralph L. Hathorn, who she put up with for almost sixty nine years. Her children, Ronnie, Billy, and Sara Claire were blessed to call her mother, and somehow made it through those years of switches and discipline to become decent adults which brought great delight to her. As her children we stared into the eyes of a woman as Proverbs says “who watched over the affairs of her household, and did not eat from the bread of idleness.” We were blessed, and now we share in the celebration of watching her stand before the throne wearing all those crowns of a sacrificial life well lived. Mawmaw, born on May 4, 1922, was preceded in death by her mother Zella Hancock Yarbrough, her father, Robert Bernice Yarbrough, her sister Sarah Elizabeth Yarbrough, and her lifelong partner in crime, Ralph.

She leaves behind her three grateful children, her grandchildren, Kim (Barry) Pitts, Brad (Britton) Hathorn, Kyla Sanford, Lindsey (Todd) Jenkins, Corey (Megan) Hancock, and her beloved grandson, Matthew Perry Green. Mawmaw also lovingly leaves behind even another generation in her twelve great grandchildren, each of whom also got to experience her love, and her devotion as a woman made in the image of Jesus. Our sincere thanks as a family extend to Melba Reed and The Bee Hive staff of Louisville for their excellent and compassionate care, to her healing companion, Jessie Carter, her earthly physicians, Dr. Sam Suttle and Dr. Dustin Gentry as well Carol Marie of Quality Hospice. Our family will always remember her legacy as so well described in Proverbs 31…”Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Pallbearers will be Barry Pitts, Brad Hathorn, Todd Jenkins, Corey Hancock, Luke Pitts, and Lawson Hathorn. Great grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers please consider a charity of your choice, or a gift to First Methodist Church, Louisville, where Mawmaw was a proud member for over eighty years.

Dr. Ronnie Lee Hartness (Ron)

Dr. Ronnie Lee Hartness (Ron) passed away peacefully at his home in Starkville on April 14th with his wife and children by his side. Ron was born October 14, 1946, to Leroy and Earline Malone Hartness in Louisville, MS. He was raised between the communities of Liberty and Plattsburg in Winston County, MS. The middle child (only boy) of five children, he learned at an early age the need to work hard and take pride in the job to be done. Picking cotton, hauling pulp wood, and running a milk route are a few of the ways he helped his father growing up.

 A graduate of Noxapater High School, Ron attended East Central Community College, and earned a BS, MS, and PhD from Mississippi State University. While at Mississippi State, he met his wife of 51 years, Virginia Phillips. He started a 26-year career with the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service in Marshall County before relocating to Starkville to raise his family. Ron enjoyed people, music, animals, and Mississippi State athletics. The Extension Service allowed him to work with farmers, FFA, 4-H and horse shows. 

Due to his love for community and children, he enjoyed being the public address announcer for Starkville Academy Athletics for 40 plus years. He worked as an auctioneer during his second career after retirement. These endeavors created opportunities for friendships throughout his life. Ron leaves behind his wife, Virginia Phillips Hartness, his daughter, Laura Hartness Smith (Chad), his son, Phillip Lee Hartness (Karen) and his sister, Kay Emmons (Larry). One of his greatest joys was being “Paw Paw” to his grandsons, Cole Smith and Brayden Smith; and “Big R” to his granddaughters, AJ Hartness, Kaylee Hartness and Wynne Hartness. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Mae Horne, Estelle McLaurin and Faye Powell. As Ron joins Jesus on the greatest pasture tour ever, it is fitting to share his words that he announced at the end of every Starkville Academy ballgame he called: “This is the ole announcer!  See you next time at the ballpark. Good night!” 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial gifts to the Starkville Academy All- In Campaign 505 Academy Rd Starkville, MS 39759.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 11:30am - 1:30pm at Adaton Baptist Church. The funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm at the church. Interment will be at Memorial Garden Park in Starkville.

Annette V. Maldonado

Annette V. Maldonado, 62, passed away Thursday, April 13, 2023, in Winston County, Mississippi. A memorial service may be scheduled at a later date.

Annette was born May 15, 1960, to Floyda and Jeanette Haworth Lyda in Oklahoma.

She loved spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her children: Tommy (Michael) Weeks of Stewart, Mississippi; Melissa (Wyatt) Pastrano of North Dakota; Kayla Medders of Ackerman, Mississippi; Joseph (Hannah) Medders of Grenada, Mississippi; Jeffery (Chantel) Chism also of Ackerman; and Lee Chism of Oregon. One of her greatest joys was being “MawMaw’ or “Grandma” to her 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She also leaves behind a sister, Wilda Bright and a brother, Larry Lyda both of Amory, Mississippi. She is preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Floyda Lyda, Jr. and Jeff Medders.

Services are under the direction of Nowell Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.

Earline Sunshine “Sunny” Ainsworth

Earline Sunshine “Sunny” Ainsworth, 85, passed away peacefully at The Claiborne in Starkville, Mississippi, on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 19 at Union Ridge Baptist Church in Noxapater, Mississippi with Bro. Greg Thomas officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service from 10 a.m. until service time at the church. Interment will immediately follow the service in Union Ridge Cemetery. Sunny was born June 25, 1937, to Earl “Bug” and Irene Cammack Arnold.

 She was a faithful member of Union Ridge Baptist Church where she taught the Ladies Sunday School class as long as her health allowed her to attend. Sunny graduated as valedictorian from Fayette High School. She received an associate degree from Copiah-Lincoln Community College where she maintained a 4.0 GPA and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Beta Gamma Sigma, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Societies. At the age of 51, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mississippi State University.

Sunny is survived by two daughters, Trudy Glusenkamp and husband, Kevin, of Columbus, Mississippi; and Fran Stevenson and husband, Mark, of Louisville. One of her greatest joys was being “MeMe” to her five grandsons: Quinton (Kayla) Stevenson; Ethan (Deah) Stevenson, Sam Glusenkamp, Travis Stevenson, and John Allan Stevenson; as well as her three great-granddaughters: Nora Stevenson, Nikki Stevenson, and Lily Stevenson. She also leaves behind three sisters: Betty Maxwell, Bobbie Detterick, and Anna Atherton. Sunny was preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, Frank Ainsworth; her parents; brother, Mack Arnold; and sister, Becky Pritchard. 

Serving as pallbearers are Quinton Stevenson, Ethan Stevenson, Sam Glusenkamp, Travis Stevenson, John Allan Stevenson, and Kevin Glusenkamp. Honorary pallbearers are Mark Stevenson and the men of Union Ridge Baptist Church. Memorials in honor of Mrs. Ainsworth may be given to the Winston-Choctaw Gideon Camp, P. O. Box 556, Louisville, MS 39339.

Julie Childress Easterling

 Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. 

Gara Lovorn Ward

Gara Lovorn Ward, 83, passed away on Tuesday, April 4. Gara was born at home on January 31, 1939, in Nanih Waiya, Mississippi. By the time her father arrived at the house with the doctor, Gara had already made her grand entrance! Gara grew up in Nanih Waiya where she was an excellent student. She enjoyed playing the piano, spending time with her family, and serving others.

Gara is survived by her husband of six decades, Joseph Edward Ward; her children, Hal Ward (Jane); Laurel Ward; Liesl Ward Harris (John); grandchildren Chloe Ward, Isaac Ward, Kye Winn, and Matthew Winn; sister, Karen Sullivan, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
When Gara’s oldest niece could not say “Gara,” she called her Gay Gay, which is the affectionate nickname she was called by family members ever since.

Gara was preceded in death by her parents, Claude Ezell Lovorn and Lavada Ryals Lovorn, and her siblings, William Lovorn, Jesse Tilden Lovorn, and John Lovorn.
Gara graduated from Clark Community College, Blue Mountain College, and the University of Alabama at Huntsville. She had a long, distinguished career teaching British literature at Grissom High School. If you hear a middle-aged person in Huntsville reciting the prologue to
The Canterbury Tales or Antony’s “Friends, Romans, countrymen” speech from Julius Caesar, chances are that person had Mrs. Ward as an English teacher! Gara was especially proud to be Grissom’s first teacher to achieve National Board Certification. Gara loved cooking, reading, and traveling. Because her son Hal's family lived in Spain, she often traveled to Europe to spend time with them.

While she will be remembered for being both the most wonderful mother in the world and a life-changing teacher for her students, she will most be remembered for her kindness, gentleness, and love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She taught her children to recite her favorite verse of scripture, Philippians 4: 8, which reads:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
While we miss her terribly, we rejoice over a life well-lived, and we look forward to being resurrected in Christ with our precious wife, mother, sister, aunt, and teacher.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 15, at 2:00 p.m. at Weatherly Heights Baptist Church, 1306 Cannstatt Drive SE in Huntsville, AL with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Elaine Colter

Elaine Colter, age 66 passed away on April 6, 2023. Visitation will be Friday, April 14, 2023 from 2 PM to 7 PM at Taylor's Funeral Home Chapel in Louisville. The Funeral Service will be Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Warren Chapel Church of God & Church (C.O.G.I.C.), 314 Pond Ave., Louisville, MS. Interment will follow at 1:00 PM at Bethany Church Cemetery, 3135 Bethany-Ebenezer Rd, Louisville.

Joel Henry McCool

Joel Henry McCool, 65, a long-time resident of Sturgis, Mississippi, passed away peacefully April 8, 2023, in Ackerman. He was born on January 25, 1958, in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, to Nolen and Katherine (McManus) McCool. For the past thirteen years, Joel worked for Clark Beverage Group in Starkville; prior to that, he worked at Hackney, Inc., for twenty years in Ackerman. He was a beloved brother and uncle.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 13th, from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 3:00 p.m. at Coleman Funeral Home in Ackerman. Burial will follow at New Hope Baptist Church in Longview, Mississippi.
Joel is survived by his brothers, Robert (Ann) McCool of Maben, MS, and David (Linda) McCool of Ackerman, MS, as well as a wealth of nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Nolen and Katherine McCool, and his infant brother, Danny Christopher McCool.

Tommy Jerrill Dooley

Tommy Jerrill Dooley, 81, passed away Friday, April 7, 2023, at his home in Louisville, Mississippi, surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be Saturday, April 15 at 1 p.m. in the Nowell-Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Dewayne Kelsey, Bro. Lawrence Poole, and grandson, Jarrod Jayroe officiating. Visitation will be the day of the memorial service in the chapel from 12 p.m. until service time. Inurnment services will immediately follow the memorial service in Crystal Ridge Cemetery.

Tommy was born November 18, 1941, to Richard and Melba Holdiness Dooley in Noxapater, Mississippi. He was a graduate of Louisville High School. After graduation, he answered the call of his country by joining the United States Air Force in which he served for four years. After returning home from Air Force duties, he began working at Georgia Pacific Particle Board Division, where he spent the next 35.5 years. After retiring from Georgia Pacific, for several years he worked with a friend stocking vending machines until an injury required him to retire from that as well. He spent his life loving his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Most of all, Tommy Dooley loved Christ, he preached and taught God’s love to everyone who would listen. Living an upright life and setting an example to his future generations of what a life of humbleness and righteousness looks like. He was a member of Zion Chapel Pentecostal Church and he dearly loved his church family. Tommy enjoyed working in the garden and doing mechanic work with his brother, Clinton Earl, before his passing.

Tommy is survived by a loving wife, four beautiful daughters, two wonderful sons, a nephew, a niece, and a litany of grands and great-grands, all of whom will be named here. His loving wife of 49 years, Elaine Dooley; children: Daphne Williamson, Kimberly (Matt) Hebert, George Smith, Jennifer Jayroe, Dana (Chip) Endy, and Keith (Summer) Dooley; nephew, Rusty (Sharon) Dooley, and niece, Lisa (Brad) Hodge. One of his greatest joys was being “PawPaw” to his 20 grandchildren: Tatum Mitchell, Jacob (Harley) McMullen, Ian (Sara) Walton, Jordan (Arellyn) McMullen, David (Skylar) Hebert, Richard Crowson, Jarrod (Sara) Jayroe, Caleb (Sam) Walton, Aaron (Breanna) McMullen, Andrew McMullen, Hannah (Will) Pursley, Rose (Chris) Rush, Simon (Katie) McMullen, Luke (Ashley) Hebert, Phoebe McMullen, Seth Walton, Chloe Walton, Sophia McMullen, Daniel Hebert, Olivia Dooley, and T. J. Jayroe. Tommy was also blessed with 19 great-grandchildren: Lucien, Aslin, Vanlee, Leland, Waylon, Grayson, Owen, Emmett, Willow, Lucas, Lola, Skylar, Kylie, Jude, Lily, Enoch, Bentley, Arayah, and Easton. 

He is preceded in death by his mother, Melba McCool; his father, Richard Dooley; his step-fathers, Olen Murphy and Edison McCool; and his brother, Clinton-Earl Dooley.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Jacob McMullen, Ian Walton, Jordan McMullen, David Hebert, Richard Crowson, Caleb Walton, Aaron McMullen, Andrew McMullen, Simon McMullen, Luke Hebert, Seth Walton, Daniel Hebert, T. J. Jayroe, and Leroy Fulcher.

Services are under the direction of Nowell Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.