LLOYD M. EVERETT
CLINTON
Lloyd M. "PeeWee" Everett, 76, of Clinton died May 1 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
Services were May 3 at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Jackson with burial in Lakewood Memorial Park.
A native of Braxton, he had been a lifelong resident of Clinton. Mr. Everett was a member of Old Vicksburg Baptist Church, where he was very active and was a deacon and Sunday school teacher.
Mr. Everett worked in sales at Bailey Lumber Co. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Mr. Everett is survived by his wife, Katie Everett of Clinton; daughter, Beverly King of Clinton; nephew, Marty Patterson of Raleigh; brother, Gerald Everett of Braxton; sister, Shirley Ann Lee of Perry, Ga.; and grandchildren, Angie and Robert Butkowski of Orlando, Fla., John Michael King, Jr. and fiance Molly Ann Berry of Hattiesburg.
THOMAS KELLY LANGSTON
CLINTON
Thomas Kelly Langston, 74, of Clinton, passed away May 2 at Willard F. Bond Home in Madison.
Services were May 5 at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Jackson with burial in Lakewood Memorial Park.
Mr. Langston was a native of Lawrence County and had lived in Jackson and Clinton since 1954. He was the son of Roy and Racine Bourn Langston. He was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson.
He was employed with Armstrong Cork Co./Armstrong World Industries for 22 years before purchasing a grocery store in Brookhaven, which he operated for 16 years. He also retired from Jitney-Jungle in Clinton. He was a Mason, Shriner and an Army veteran.
Mr. Langston was preceded in death by his wife, Anita Richardson Langston, and a stepson, Dr. Robert L. Garrett.
Survivors include stepdaughter, Shirley G. Koiner of Brandon; brothers, H. C. Langston of Jackson and Dennis Roy Langston of Monticello; four step-grandchildren; five grandchildren; and two great-granchildren.
OLIVER GLEN NEIGHBORS
JACKSON
Oliver Glen Neighbors, 67, passed away April 28 of an apparent heart attack in Jackson.
A celebration of his life will be held for family and friends.
He was born to John Henry Neighbors and Cleo Stewart Neighbors. He served in the Armed Forces and was employed at Grand Gulf and Carl's Sheet Metal as a welder, a professio in which he took much pride.
Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, Lou Norwood of Wesson.
Left to cherish his memory is a daughter, Glenda McConnell (Jesse) of Brandon, and a grandson, Jake; two sisters, Stella (Jerry) Allen of Terry and Doris (Lany) Barlow of Clinton; and a brother, John Henry (Peggy) of Haughton, La.
He also had many nieces & nephews who affectionately called him Uncle Glen.
Surviving friends are too numerous to name, however a special couple include Lois and Jim Brown of Brandon, a lifelong, childhood friend, Jesse Houston Jr. of Brandon, and Martin "Luke" of Vicksburg.
Memorials in his name can be made to the Blair Batson Children's Hospital located in Jackson.
RUBY MAE SIMS VARNELL
CLINTON
Ruby Mae Sims Varnell, 84, died April 28 at St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital in Jackson.
Services were May 6 at Mount Hood Baptist Church in Clinton with burial in Autumn Woods Cemetery.
Smith Mortuary handled arrangements.
KENNETH ROSS ALDRIDGE
WEST
Kenneth Ross Aldridge, beloved husband, father and friend, went to be with our Lord on Jan. 3. He was at his home in the town of West surrounded by his family. Services were Jan. 6 at Southern Funeral Home in Durant.
Kenneth was born out from West in 1926. At 17, he moved to Memphis, Tenn., eventually going to work for Memphis Light, Gas & Water. On Jan 5, 1945, he married the former Billie Jo Geriner.
After working 30 years and 24 days with MLG&W, working his way up to supervisor, Kenneth retired to his hometown of West. Soon after he went to work for Southern Funeral Home in Durant and retired after 20 years of service.
He was a Master Mason for 59 years in the O.K. Houck Lodge, Memphis, a longtime Republican and regular attendee at Unity Baptist Church. Kenneth was also known for keeping one of the most beautiful yards in central Mississippi.
Surviving Kenneth is his wife of nearly 62 years, Billie Jo; his four children, Allidi Bogan and husband Rob of Memphis, Celeste (Sissy) Butler and husband Jim of Knoxville, Tenn., Aaron (Henry) Aldridge and wife Sharon of Clinton, and S. Ross Aldridge of Brandon; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Also, he is survived by one of his four siblings, Bonnie Butler of Germantown, Tenn.
The family would like to give special thanks to St. Dominic Hospital of Jackson and Sta-Home Hospice.
Memorials may be made to Unity Baptist Church of West.
MARGARET R. BLACKMON
CLINTON
Margaret Raybon Blackmon, 67, died Jan. 3 at her home.
Services were Jan. 5 at Saulters-Moore Funeral Home in Prentiss with burial in Dublin Baptist Church Cemetery.
A native of Bassfield and one of nine children, Mrs. Blackmon was a graduate of Hinds Community College School of Nursing. She had worked at Hinds General Hospital/Methodist Medical Center and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Clinton and Santee Methodist Church in Bassfield.
Mrs. Blackmon was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, M.R. "Ray" Raybon, and an infant son, Greg.
She is survived by her husband, Larry Blackmon of Prentiss; her daughters, Terri Carver and husband Kirk of Clinton and Dawn Raybon of Brandon; one stepson, Brian Blackmon and wife Bev of Hattiesburg; one stepdaughter, Betsy Burrow of Hattiesburg; grandchildren, Emily and Carleigh Jennings and Ashleigh and Courtney Carver, Seth and Lilly Blackmon and Zach Burrow; and her sisters, Mary Smith of Kinston, N. C., Clara Graves and Doris Bouchillion, both of Bassfield.
MARY JOYCE CLARK
CLINTON
Mary Joyce Clark, 72, left this world for a better place Jan. 4 at Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
A memorial mass and services were held Jan. 6 at Holy Savior Catholic Church in Clinton. Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home of Jackson handling arrangements.
Always determined to leave things better than she found them was core to how she influenced us and countless others in her 40 years as an educator and teacher. She taught others how to live and faced death heroically. She will be deeply missed by all who loved and admired her.
She is survived by a son, brother, sister and many other relatives and friends.
Memorials may be sent to The American Liver Foundation, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603, New York NY 10038.
LARRY DOUGLAS COURTNEY
HAZLEHURST
Larry Douglas Courtney, 60, a teacher and coach, died Jan. 5 in Pearl.
Services were Jan. 8 at French Camp Presbyterian Church in French Camp with burial in the French Camp Cemetery. Coleman Funeral Home in Ackerman handled arrangements.
He was born Sept. 8, 1946, in Bluffton, Ind. He graduated from Clinton High and continued his education at Belhaven College, where he earned his bachelor's degree. He earned a master of arts degree from Mississippi State University.
Larry was a longtime teacher and coach. He touched the lives of many young people throughout the years. He was an avid gardener and well-versed poet and author. His passion will not soon be forgotten by the young men he mentored in the game of football and life. Mr. Courtney was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.
His survivors include his loving and faithful wife of 31 years, Mary Hutchinson Courtney. He is also survived by sons, Doug Usry and wife Christy and children Dillon and Haley, of Ridgeland, Paul Courtney and wife Heather of Ackerman, James Courtney of Hazlehurst, and Chris Courtney of Starkville. He enjoyed being Big Daddy to Paxton and Lily Katherine.
Mr. Courtney is also survived by his mother Katherine Courtney of Pearl; sisters, Connie Cherry of Florence and Peggy Barker of Waveland; and brothers, David Courtney of Davis, W.V. and Eddie Courtney of Pearl.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roger Courtney of Pearl.
Memorials may be sent to French Camp Academy, One Fine Place, French Camp MS 39745; or African Bible Colleges, P.O. Box 103, Clinton MS 39060.
GENE MELVIN GREER
JACKSON
Gene Melvin Greer, 85, died Dec. 31 at Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson of heart failure.
Services were Jan. 5 at Lakewood Funeral Home on Clinton Boulevard with burial in Lakewood Memorial Park South.
Mr. Greer was a member of Parkway Baptist Church in Clinton for 10 years and previously a member of Daniel Memorial Baptist Church in Jackson.
Mr. Greer was a longtime employee of Kimbrough Investment Co. as a financial and mortgage officer. Mr. Greer served in the U.S. Air Force from June 30,1943, until he retired as a major on Nov. 30,1963. Maj. Greer trained as a pilot, flying 110 hours in the B-17 bombers. He was also trained in the B-29 bomber. After World War II ended, Maj. Greer was selected to be the only financial officer at bases in the Philippines, England, Canada and the United States. On leave from the Philippines, Greer met his future wife of 48 years, Dixie Kathryn Brister.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Allie McCullough Greer and Garrett Greer, and his wife, Dixie.
Survivors include his brother, Harry Greer of Ferriday, La; and his daughters, Amy Whitton and husband Lonnie of Clinton, Sylvia McBeath and husband Kim of Vicksburg. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Lyndsay Kathryn Whitton of Flowood, and Landon David Whitton of Clinton; three nieces; and one nephew.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Fresenius Dialysis Center, Dr. Wilson Parry, Dr. Tom Joiner and office staff, the staff at CMMC hospital and the retirees from Sykes Park Community Center. We would also like to thank Hilda Fitzgerald, the men in Travis Dye's Sunday school, the Rev. Ken Anderson and sister Gayle Garrett of Parkway Baptist Church.
Memorials may be made to Parkway Baptist Church or First Presbyterian Church of Vicksburg.
LLOYD M. HAWKINS
CLINTON
Lloyd M. Hawkins, 82, passed away Jan. 3 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. Services were Jan. 5 at Lakewood Funeral Home in Jackson with burial in Lakewood Memorial Park.
A native of Jackson, Mr. Hawkins was born Feb. 17, 1924 to Walter S. Hawkins Sr. and Lucy M. Hawkins. He and his wife, Audrie Packer Hawkins, were married for more than 50 years until her death in 2002.
Mr. Hawkins was a graduate of Forest Hill High School and attended Hinds Community College. He also served on active duty with the U.S. Army.
After working for several local electrical contractors, he joined the staff of the U.S. General Services Administration, from which he later retired. He was a member of Westview Baptist Church and a former member of Van Winkle and Park Hill Baptist churches.
Mr. Hawkins enjoyed watching basketball games and hunting, and after retirement spent his golden years ministering to those in hospitals and nursing homes.
Mr. Hawkins was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Lucy Hawkins; a brother, Walter S. Hawkins Jr.; a sister, Jewel Hill; and brothers-in-law, Herbert Packer, Tracy Packer, Jimmy Hickey and Clifton Schrader.
Survivors include sisters-in-law, Jeanie Hawkins, Dorothy Hickey, Lillian Schrader, Lucille Grantham, Bobbie Packer, Theresa Packer and Patsy Packer; brothers-in-law, Vernon Hill and Cecil Packer; nieces, Brenda Bullard, Debbie Thomas (Harry), Tina Winstead (Myrick), Lynn Lewis (Paul), Sandra Anderson (Colin), Pam Droddy (Jack), Terri Robinson (Keith), Lori Moak (Bill), and Shannon Wade (Shane); nephews, Gale Davis (Cherry), Barry Grantham, (LeVada), Eddie Hickey (Beverly) and Mickey Packer.
He is also survived by two wonderful friends, Bill and Wahweece Taylor, whom he considered brother and sister, as well as a host of grand-nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Mississippi Baptist Foundation or Hospice Ministries of Ridgeland.
LEONARD B. KELLY JR.
JACKSON
Leonard Blanton "LB" Kelly 85, died Jan. 7 at Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
Services were Jan. 9 at Lakewood Funeral Home with burial in Lakewood Memorial Park.
"LB" Kelly was born July 25, 1921, in Jackson to Leonard Blanton Kelly Sr. and Cynthia McGuffee Kelly.
LB dedicated 42 years of service to his career as a claims adjuster for Illinois Central Railroad. He was a longtime member and deacon of Providence Presbyterian Church in Clinton. LB was also a 33rd-degree Mason with Capitol Lodge No. 600 and a Scottish Rite Shriner.
A U.S. Army Veteran, LB proudly served his country in World War II.
Survivors include: his loving wife of 65 years, Margaret Kelly of Jackson; son, Barry Kelly and wife Ann of Jackson; daughter, Karen Cade and husband Bill; and sister, Francis Langley, all of Clinton. Also, grandchildren include J. Ben Kelly, Shane Cade (Sandy), Kelly Cade (Bridgett), Alan Kelly (Brooke); great-grandchildren, Austin Busby, Cera Brooke Cade and Presley Cade; and a host of extended family.
Memorials may be made to Providence Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 1580 Clinton-Raymond Road; Clinton MS 39056.
