OBITUARIES

Dec 16, 2024

Mrs. Loretta Jackson, Benson, 70,Collins, MS passed away on December 16, 2024.

Mother Loretta Jackson Benson joined Mt. Zion Ora at an early age and later moved her membership and joined St. John Church of God In Christ. She was devoted and active evangelism and missionary work in the church.In 2020 she began to serve as President of District 10 Mississippi...

Dec 13, 2024

Mr. Julious Earl Graves, Sr., (Mr. Big Earl),80 of Mount Olive, MS died on December 13, 2024, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS.

Mr. Graves attended Smith County Training School, Taylorsville, MS where he participated in various sports. He was awarded a basketball scholarship to Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS. He was employed by the Blain Company, Gulf...

Dec 12, 2024

Mr. Robert Earl Barnes, 63, New Orleans, LA formerly of Collins, MS was a member of a close-knit family who cared for him dearly. He moved to New Orleans at the age of 17 and started a life forged a successful career and built a family of his own. He was employed with Rust Mack Company for decades and retired...

Dec 10, 2024

Mrs. Lola Dampier-Armstrong, New Hebron, MS, passed away at her residence on December 10, 2024.

Mrs. Dampier-Armstrong lived her life in a Christian way that showed her love and her wisdom to many. Early in life she was a member of Oak Ridge Church and later moved her membership to North Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Dampier-Armstrong was a member...

Dec 10, 2024

Miss Christie Ann Massie, 37, Collins, MS( formerly of Hinds County, MS) passed away at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS on December 10, 2024.

Miss Massie spent her life with her family celebrating anytime they could get together. To know Christie ws to love her. She was loved by so many for the person she was. She was...

Dec 4, 2024

Mr. Hilbert Fairley 83, Mount Olive, MS passed away on December 4, 2024, at Merit Health-Wesley, Hattiesburg, MS.

Mr. Fairley was a 1961 graduate of Carver Central High School, Collins, MS. He was a lifelong member of Rocky Valley Missionary Baptist Church. He was baptized under the leadership of his father. He was very active in the choir and became a...

Dec 4, 2024

Mr. Tommie Lee Bullard, 90, Collins, MS died on December 4, 2024, as the result of a vehicular accident.

Mr. Bullard grew up in Collins, MS, and was a faithful member of Shady Oak Missionary Baptist Church. He cherished his family and friends deeply. He had a good sense of humor, a gift for storytelling, and a love for cracking jokes....

Dec 4, 2024

Mr. Johnny Charles Johnson, Collins, MS, 66 passed away on December 4, 2024.

He served proudly with the United States Army for three years. His larger-than-life personality was a testament to strength, love, and fun. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Vera Mae Price(Fairley-Page); brother, Anthony Johnson, sister, JoAn Johnson (Scott-Evans).

Survivors include his children, Regis Levell Powers(Pretoria) and Shalanda Lagrace...

Nov 29, 2024

Ms. Willie Earl Goudy, 88, Collins, MS was a lifelong resident of Covington County. She was employed for 40 years at Sanderson Farms and also worked at Lott's Cafe. She had an immeasurable love for her children, grandchildren, and family.

She was a faithful member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church where she served on the Usher Board. She was known for...

Nov 19, 2024

Ms. Cheri Antoinette Strickland, 53, Collins, MS died on November 19, 2024, at Covington County Hospital, Collins, MS.

Ms. Strickland attended Congregation Church of God In Christ and Holiness of Collins Churches and later became a member of Greater Collins COGIC. She had a deep passion for singing and the upkeep of the church. She was endowed with many gifts and...

Nov 12, 2024

Ms. Vernie Mae Durr, 77, Mount Olive, MS  passed away November 7, 2024, at Forrest General Hospital, Hattiesburg, MS.

Ms. Durr was a devoted and dedicated servant of the Lord. She accepted Christ at an early age. She was a caring, compassionate, loving, and loyal person to her family and friends.

She was employed with Magnetek for a number of years.

She was...

Nov 10, 2024

Nov 5, 2024

Lynne Darsey Tharpe passed away on November 5th, 2024 in Prentiss, MS. She was born February 20th, 1956 in Raceland, Louisiana to Elphey James Darsey and Joyce Rita Arabie. She was a dedicated employee to the Piggly Wiggly in Prenitss, MS, serving numerous years as the Deli Manager for the Piggly Wiggly family and the Ramey's family under their previous...

Oct 28, 2024

Mr. John L. Griffith, 76, Mount Olive, MS passed away on October 28, 2024, at Forrest General Hospital, Hattiesburg, MS.

Mr. Griffith was a Mount Carmel Holiness Church member early in life and later in life, united with Rockhill Church of Christ. He was a graduate of J. E. Johnson High School and was active in football. He was a farmer...

Oct 22, 2024

Ms. Patricia"DeDe" Jenkins, Collins, MS passed away on October 22, 2024. 

She was a joy to her family and friends. She was loved and cherished by her daughters and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, Onder Jones and mother, Rosie Lee Jenkins; son, Zarrick Jenkins; brothers, Bailey Brooks, Jerry and Terry Jenkinns; sister, Carolyn Ann Powell.

Survivors include her daughters,...

Oct 8, 2024

Mrs. Charla Demetri Magee, 60, Mount Olive, MS died on November 8, 2024, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS.

Mrs. Magee was a graduate of Magee High School, Magee, MS; William Carey College, Hattiesburg, MS where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree. She retired from Jefferson Davis County School System after 16 years of employment. Her work...

Sep 27, 2024

Mr. Amos Owens, 93 Taylorsville, MS passed away on September 27, 2024, from Hillcrest Nursing Center, Magee, MS.

Mr. Owens was a lifelong member of New Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church. He enjoyed riding the bus to Mount Olive Senior Citizen Center. There was a lot of enjoyment for him to be with his peers.

He was preceded in death by his parents,...

Sep 27, 2024

Mr. Benny Franklin Courtney passed away at Gulfport Memorial Hospital, Gulfport, MS on September 27, 2024

He enjoyed fishing and being outdoors. The family is wishing him happy fishing in Heaven. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil Courtney and Joann Rome Smith; sister, Grace Smith, brother, Jimmy Courtney, Reno, NV and nephew, Derek Rivere.  

Survivors include his children, Andrew...

Sep 26, 2024

Sep 4, 2024

Miss Sha'Kayiah Lafaye Keys, 20,  passed away on September 4, 2024, as the result of a vehicular accident.

Miss Keys was a graduate of West Jones High School, Class of 2022. She was a member of the Morning Star Baptist Church. She attended the University of Mississippi on a scholarship certificate in special Congressional recognition (CTE) and has many other academic...