Kathleen Jones Eager
Kathleen Jones Eager of Clinton, 84, of Trace Pointe Retirement Center, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jan. 27.
Burial was in Lakewood Memorial Park. Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Jackson handled arrangements.
Mrs. Eager was born March 21, 1920, in Leake County, daughter of Lacey E. and Trudy Benton Jones. She resided at Lake Lorman in Madison for over 30 years, and more recently had made her home at Trace Pointe in Clinton.
Mrs. Eager loved the Lord with all her heart and demonstrated that love by ministering to others. She was a charter member of Henderson Road Baptist Church where she untiringly served the Lord as founder of Grace Ministry, an outreach program designed to help children and adults in the Byram community. Mrs. Eager also participated in jail and nursing home ministries and was a volunteer at St. Dominic Hospital.
Mrs. Eager was retired from a 34-year career with the U.S. Postal Service and was one of the first female rural mail carriers in Mississippi. She maintained a concurrent career as a switchboard operator at St. Dominic Hospital.
Mrs. Eager was preceded in death by her husband, William Eager; brother, Golden Jones; sister, Dorothy Bryant; and daughters, Joan King and Brenda Kuehl.
She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Don and Liz Haralson of Brookhaven, and Lacey and Dale Haralson of Byram. Other survivors include sisters, Mary Pearl Griffin of Jackson and Rita Peters of Raymond; brother, Robert Jones of Yazoo City; and grandchildren, Donald King, Gulfport, Dr. William King, Arkansas., Dawn Gouge, Amy Fronk and Dillon Kuehl, Texas; Don Haralson Jr., Shirley Price and Kathy McKone, Bogue Chitto; Vicki Marcellus, Ridgeland; Keri Haralson and Brett Haralson of Byram; 24 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
"... to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." II Corinthians 5:8
Jerry Reeves
Jerry Reeves of Raymond, 62, went to be with the Lord Jan. 28 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland.
Services were Jan. 31 at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram with burial in Raymond Cemetery.
A native of Jackson, Mr. Reeves was the son of the late L.E. and Juanita Reeves and had lived in Raymond for the past five years. He was presently a member of First Baptist Church of Raymond and a longtime member of Woodville Heights Baptist Church, where he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher, RA leader and youth worker.
Mr. Reeves retired from Southern Farm Bureau after 34 years as an accountant. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. The light of his life was his family and especially his two granddaughters, Amelia Grace and Mikayla Brooke.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Reeves of Raymond; sons, Mickey Reeves and Amy of Clinton, Brad Reeves and Lynn of Morton and David Alan Reeves of Hattiesburg; sister, Harriett Windham of Heidelberg and two granddaughters.
Memorials may be made to the Brotherhood of First Baptist Church of Raymond, P.O. Box 728, Raymond, Miss. 39154.
Lyndell E. Roberts
Lyndell E. Roberts of Harrisville, 76, a retired carpenter, died of cancer Jan. 28 at his home.
Funeral services were at Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church in Richland. Graveside services were in Salem Cemetery near Carthage in Leake County. Ott & Lee Funeral Home of Richland handled arrangements.
Elder Chris Hollingsworth and Elder Dwayne Dubar were in charge of the service.
Mr. Roberts was born on Sept.1, 1928, in the Barnes community of Leake County to the late Charles Edward and Katie Bell Davis Roberts. He was a longtime resident of Rankin County and had lived in Harrisville for the past 18 years. He was a member of the Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church in Richland.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, P.C. "Perry" Roberts and A.A. "Arnold" Roberts.
His survivors include his wife of 55 years, Dorothy Jean Ballard Roberts of Harrisville; daughter, Shirley Nicholson Leach and husband Glen of Florence; son, Michael Edwin Roberts and wife Lisa of Richland; three sisters, Dell Pickle of Brunswick, Ga., Arnita Shurden of Clinton and Paulette Vaughn of Florence; brother, W.A. "Acey" Roberts of Richland; and nine grandchildren, Timothy Scott Nicholson, Matthew Clayton Nicholson, Clinton Micah Nicholson, Haley Marie Leach, Lauren Elizabeth Roberts, Anna Leigh Roberts, Rachel Michal Roberts, Rebeka Lynne Roberts and Jonathan Michael Roberts; and two great-grandchildren, Matthew Clayton Nicholson Jr. and Sirrea Lynn Nicholson.
Pallbearers were Bill Roberts, Russ Roberts, Danny Roberts, P.K. Roberts, Jimmy Ballard, Todd Craft, Ronald Watkins and Gary Watkins. Honorary pallbearers were Andy Roberts, Lyndal Roberts and Larry Roberts.
Forrest Alvin Turner
Forrest Alvin Turner of Clinton, 63, died Jan. 30 at Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
Graveside services and interment were Feb. 2 at Lakepark Cemetery in Laurel. Baldwin Lee Funeral Home in Jackson handled arrangements.
A native of Meridian, he had lived in the Jackson area for the past 36 years. Prior to that he lived in Laurel. Mr. Turner was a technician having worked for Copytek-tronics.
Mr. Turner is survived by his wife, Carolyn Turner of Clinton; sons, Aubrey Turner of Clinton, Johnny F. Turner of Hamburg, Ark., and David Turner of Tulsa, Okla.; daughter, Kay Womack of Jackson; mother Flora Turner of Laurel; brothers, Ray Turner of Abilene, Texas, and Bobby Turner of Laurel; sister, Faye Jones of Laurel; and eight grandchildren.
Mabel C. Kinsman
Mabel Terry Carpenter Kinsman of Clinton, 79, died unexpectedly Jan. 28 at St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at the home of her niece and nephew, Sherry and Ray Hofmister in Clinton.
Mrs. Kinsman was born Nov. 27, 1925, at State College, Miss., to James Murray and Mabel Terry Carpenter. She graduated with honors from Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University) at the age of 18. At that time she was the youngest graduate of Mississippi State.
After graduation, she moved to Oak Ridge, Tenn., where she worked for the Tennessee Eastman Corp.
She later moved to Washington, D.C., and worked for radio station WTOP as an interviewer and program writer.
Mrs. Kinsman relocated to Los Angeles, Calif., in 1952, and began working as an advertising copy writer. In 1956, she won seven first-place awards in advertising in the Los Angeles Women's Competition and in 1959 she was listed in the first Who's Who in American Women.
When she and her husband, Herbert Kinsman, left California in 1981, they moved to Vicksburg and opened Cedar Grove as a Bed and Breakfast. They sold Cedar Grove after about a year and moved to Putnam, Conn., where they bought Felshaw Tavern and opened it as a bed andbreakfast. She continued to write advertising copy after moving to Putnam.
Mrs. Kinsman lived in Putnam until her husband's death in March 2004. In July 2004, she returned home to Mississippi and lived in Clinton with Sherry and Ray Hofmister. On her arrival in Clinton, she was befriended by one of the family cats, Piccaboo, who became her constant companion.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, V. M. and Louise Carpenter of Greenwood, and her nephew, Robert M. Carpenter of Jackson.
She is survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law, Henry G. and Doris Carpenter of Woodbine, Md., and Ashley T. and Nancy Carpenter of Salt Lake City, Utah; three nieces and three nephews and a number of great-nieces and nephews. Mrs. Kinsman leaves a host of friends across the country, from California to Connecticut to North Carolina and Mississippi.
Memorial may be made to the Mississippi Animal Rescue League, 4395 South Drive, Jackson, Miss. 39209.
Steve Jackson Marler
Steve Marler of Clinton, 58, passed away Feb. 2 at his mother's home in Florence.
Services were Feb. 4 at Lakewood Funeral Home Chapel with interment following in Lakewood Memorial Park.
Mr. Marler was born in 1946 in Jackson. His mother is Inez McLendon Marler, and his father is the late Grady J. Marler.
Mr. Marler was a longtime resident of the Jackson area. He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving our country during Vietnam. (Sea Bees). He owned S. Jackson Marler Contractors and worked in construction for many years.
Mr. Marler was an avid sports enthusiast. He loved to hunt, fish, play golf, ride his motorcycle and watch NASCAR. He was an outdoors-type person. He enjoyed cooking.
His family said he was a wonderful son, husband, father, brother and friend to many. He was very compassionate, honest and hard working, and was always ready to help someone in need.
He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Teresa Terry Marler of Clinton; two sons, Mike Barker of Madison and Jeff Barker of Hattiesburg; one daughter, Sharon Barker of Clinton; a sister, Sherri Marler Johnson and husband Jim of Byram; and a niece and nephew, Katie and Matt Johnson
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Ministries, 450 Towncenter Blvd., Ridgeland, Miss. 39157 or to Crosses Across America, c/o Sara Abraham, 3300 Indiana Ave, Suite C, Vicksburg, Miss. 39180-4540.
Thomas J. McCall
Thomas J. McCall of Greenville, 80, died Feb. 1 at Copiah Living Center in Crystal Springs.
Services were Feb. 5 at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Jackson. Burial was in Lakewood Memorial Park.
A native of Union Church, he had lived in Greenville for the past 40 years. Prior to that, he had lived in Jackson. Mr. McCall was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Greenville. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the U.S. Army. He was a retired truck driver.
Mr. McCall is survived by his son, Quentin McCall and wife Shirley of Rogers, Ark.; daughters, Cathy Sumrall and husband Michael of Crystal Springs, Janet Lynn McCall of Raymond; brother, Carroll McCall and wife Dorothy of Jackson; sisters, Sue Hebert of Jackson, Marvie Ervin of Jackson; grandchildren, Shane Sumrall and wife Kristina of Birmingham, Ala., Scott McCall and wife Stephanie of Rogers, Ark., Bradey Sumrall and wife Brandy of Brandon, Joey McCall and wife Lynn of Centerton, Ark., Preston Sumrall and wife Tiffany of Carthage, Brittany Boatner of Clinton and eight great-grandchildren.
Christine McDaniel
Christine McDaniel of Flora, 88, died Feb. 4 at her home in Jackson.
Funeral services were at Breeland Funeral Home in Canton with burial in Flora Cemetery.
A native of Attala County, Mrs. McDaniel moved to Flora in 1955, where she lived until September of 2004 when she moved to Jackson. She was a member of Simmons Memorial Baptist Church.
Mrs. McDaniel was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Andrew McDaniel.
Survivors include her son, Ralph "Bim" McDaniel of Flora; daughters, Dorothy Jean Hales of Flora, Kathryn Earl Martin of Flora and Janie Sue Woodward of Clinton; eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Burnice Beasley
Burnice Beasley of Hazlehurst, 82, died Feb. 3 at St. Dominic/Jackson Memorial Hospital in Jackson.
Services were at Providence Methodist Church with burial in Providence Cemetery. Stringer Family Funeral Services in Hazlehurst handled arrangements.
Mr. Beasley was a native of Copiah County. He had lived in Copiah County all of his life, except for the time spent at Kings Point Academy in the Merchant Marines, the U.S. Navy, and in Franklin County with the Highway Patrol.
Mr. Beasley served with the Mississippi State Highway Patrol for 24 years serving in Franklin and Copiah County.
He was a graduate of the Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy in New York. Mr. Beasley spent his retirement years cattle farming. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Mr. Beasley was a member of Providence United Methodist Church and the American Legion.
Mr. Beasley was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Elizabeth Hudson; three brothers and two sisters.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Frances Beasley; daughters, Carolyn Hudson and husband Dr. Charles Hudson of Hoover, Ala., and Barbara Newell of Petal; sister, Beulah Smith of Clinton; grandchildren, Dr. William Hudson and wife Missy of Ridgeland, Jennifer Ernst and husband Edwin of Austin, Texas, Margaret Ferrell and husband Clark of Opelika, Ala., Rebecca Hudson and husband Tim of Hoover, Ala., Frank Newell and Scott Newell, both of Petal; great-grandchildren, Megan and Lauren Hudson, both of Ridgeland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Providence Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 5111 Beasley Road, Hazlehurst, Miss. 39083.
Dr. Charles L. Deevers
Dr. Charles L. Deevers of Clinton, 65, died Feb. 10 at his home.
Services were Feb. 12 at Lakewood Funeral Home with burial in Clinton Cemetery.
Dr. Deevers graduated from Mississippi College in 1960. He then attended the University of Tennessee Dental School where he received his degree in dentistry in 1964. After graduation, he co-wrote a book called Comprehensive Review of Dental Hygiene. He also participated in setting up dental clinics for the University of Lexington. Dr. Deevers practiced dentistry in Clinton from 1966-1975.
He then felt called to the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. After leaving Texas, he went on the mission field in France for French language study for one year.
Then in 1977, he went to the Ivory Coast of West Africa where he not only practiced dentistry for the Missionary Children's School, but for the missionaries and Africans as well. He left West Africa in 1990 returning to Mississippi where he began practicing again for several years until ALS took his ability to practice any longer.
During this transition in his life, he wrote articles for the Mississippi Dental Journal on his experiences in West Africa. Dr. Deevers had a website called Lifevictories to encourage others with ALS. Even though ALS continued to march relentlessly, he never lost his smile.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Dianne Sutherland Deevers of Clinton; four daughters, Melissa Swingle of Pittsboro, N.C., Amy Sharp and her husband Joe of Memphis, Tenn., Dr. Kimberly King and her husband Mike of Dallas, Texas and Christy Deevers of Dallas; one sister, Mary Jo Morrison and her husband Curry of Clinton; and two grandchildren, Isabel Swingle and Josie Sharp.
Burnice Beasley
Burnice Beasley of Hazlehurst, 82, died Feb. 3 at St. Dominic/Jackson Memorial Hospital in Jackson.
Services were Feb. 5 at Providence Methodist Church with burial in Providence Cemetery. Stringer Family Funeral Services in Hazlehurst handled arrangements.
Mr. Beasley was a native of Copiah County. He had lived in Copiah County all of his life except for the time spent at Kings Point Academy in the Merchant Marines, the U.S. Navy, and in Franklin County with the Highway Patrol. Mr. Beasley served with the Mississippi State Highway Patrol for 24 years serving in Franklin and Copiah County. He was a graduate of the Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy in New York.
Mr. Beasley spent his retirement years cattle farming. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Mr. Beasley was a member of Providence United Methodist Church and the American Legion.
Mr. Beasley was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Elizabeth Hudson; three brothers; and two sisters.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Frances Beasley; daughters, Carolyn Hudson and husband Dr. Charles Hudson of Hoover, Ala., and Barbara Newell of Petal; sister, Beulah Smith of Clinton; grandchildren, Dr. William Hudson and wife Missy of Ridgeland, Jennifer Ernst and husband Edwin of Austin, Texas, Margaret Ferrell and husband Clark of Opelika, Ala., Rebecca Hudson and Tim Hudson, both of Hoover, Ala., Frank Newell and Scott Newell, both of Petal; great-grandchildren, Megan and Lauren Hudson, both of Ridgeland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Providence Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 5111 Beasley Road, Hazlehurst, Miss. 39083.
