JACK LAWRENCE SMITH JR.
Jack Lawrence Smith Jr., 63, of Soso, died Oct. 18, 2003, at his sister's home in Ovett.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. today at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel with burial in Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Laurel. The Rev. Randy McLeod will officiate.
He was last employed with Deep South Trucking Company in Purvis. He was in the trucking business for 40 years. He loved to work his yard.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Joe Smith.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Cheryl Smith of Soso; son, Jack Smith of Canoga Park, Calif.; daughter, Sheena Smith of Council Bluff, Iowa; two step-sons, Jason Nale of Clearfield, Iowa and Brandon Benham of Allen, Texas; two step-daughters, Tiffany Wolfe of Soso and Angie Nale of Orient, Iowa; brother, John Smith of Laurel; three sisters, Bessie Savory of Houston, Texas, Barbara Hurst of Ovett and Jane Puckett of Shreveport, La. and close friend, Joe Jefcoat.
Memory Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
MARY LEAVY CRAVEN
Mary Leavy Craven, 88, of Laurel, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel. Burial will follow in Mill Creek Cemetery in Jones County. The Rev. David Hagan will officiate.
She was a homemaker and member of Magnolia Baptist Church in Laurel.
She was preceded in death by her husband, W. H. Craven in 1977; two sons, Charles Craven and Lee Craven; a step-son, Bill Craven; a great-grandson, Thomas Blake Sonnier; three sisters, Bessie Windham, Sallie Mae Wilson, and Annlee Aycock; and a brother, John Henry Bates.
Mrs. Craven is survived by a son, Larry Craven of Houston; step-son, Royce Cannon of Kenner, La.; five granddaughters, Rhonda Smith, Laura Ann Sonnier, Christi Daughtrey, Karen Mann, and Debbie Scott; 10 great-grandchildren, Brittney Smith, Kate Smith, Shelby Smith, Morgan Sonnier, Courtney Smith, Kayla Daughtrey, Chase Mann, Caitleigh Mann, Erica Scott, and Ashlee Scott.
Pallbearers will be Greg Smith, Michael Ray Flynn, Kenny Cochran, Sam Wilson, Odis Wilson, and Paul Daughtrey.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. today at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel, which is in charge of arrangements.
MARY EVELYN (SIS) GARDNER
Mary Evelyn (Sis) Gardner, 65, of Sandersville, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2003, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel. Burial will follow in Sandersville Cemetery. The Revs. Donnie Parker, David Parker, and Mike Rowell will officiate.
She was a homemaker and member of the Baptist faith.
She was preceded in death by her father, James E. Garner.
Mrs. Gardner is survived by her husband, Charles T. Gardner Sr. of Sandersville; two sons and daughters-in-law, Michael Ray and Betsy Gilbert of Moundsville, Ala., and Charles T. (Tom) and Kathy Gardner Jr. of Laurel; daughter and son-in-law, Lesa R. and Kyle Coats of Soso; brothers, Dwight Garner of Sandersville, Billy Garner of Sharon, Buddy Garner of Gulfport, James E. Garner of Fayetteville, N. C., Dennis Taylor of Redding, Ga.; sister, Faye Buchanan of Sandersville; mother, Bama Virginia Garner of Sandersville; seven grandchildren, and three great- grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Carl Buchanan, David Buchanan, Tyler Gardner, Randy Pace, Mike Gardner, and Johnny Mac Hutto.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel, which is in charge of arrangements.
ANNIE MAE CHEEKS WILSON GRAVES
Annie Mae Cheeks Wilson Graves, 105, of Ellisville, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2003, at Jones County Rest Home in Ellisville.
Funeral services will be held at noon today at Jones Funeral Home in Ellisville with burial in Mt. Zion Cemetery. The Rev. Raymond Cheeks will officiate.
A lifelong resident of Jones County, she was a member of Mt. Zion Methodist Church in Ellisville.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Laura Flowers Cheeks; father, John Cheeks; first husband, Earl Wilson, second husband, John Graves; two sons, Woodrow Wilson, J. B. Wilson; granddaughter, Wanda Tisdale, great-grandson, Chris Wilson; five sisters and four brothers.
She is survived by three sons, John Woodard Wilson of Ellisville, Rev. Thomas E. Wilson of Rollingfork, Charles Wilson of Thomasville, Ala.; two daughters, Juanita Walters of Ellisville, Anna Laura Tisdale of Escatawpa; one sister, Naomi Mapp of Ellisville; eight grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Jones Funeral Home in Ellisville is in charge of arrangements.
ERNEST DALE "ED" JENKINS
Ernest Dale "Ed" Jenkins, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at his home.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel. Burial will follow in Lake Park Hill Cemetery in Laurel. The Revs. David Cox, Marcus Robinson, and Ken Hopkins will officiate.
He spent more than 40 years in various aspects of the oil field services industry in West Texas and Laurel, and retired from Commercial Construction Company in Laurel in 1998. He was a Christian and member of Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg. He was an ordained deacon, who served at Parkview, Sherwood, Immanuel, and Highland Baptist churches. He taught Sunday school for many years, and served on various committees in many aspects of church life. Mr. Jenkins was a World War II veteran, who served as a Pharmacist Mate. He was part of the invasion of Normandy on D-day, and was honorably discharged in 1945.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rosier Lee Jenkins, and Nola Broadhead Jenkins; a brother, Earl Jenkins; and a sister, Lucille Jenkins Hurtt.
Mr. Jenkins is survived by his wife, Mary Louise Sumrall Jenkins; two daughters and sons-in-law, Janet Lynn Jenkins and Marcus Robinson of Hattiesburg, and Patricia Dale Jenkins and David Cox of Meadville; nine grandchildren, Emily Ann Robinson, Betsy Louise Robinson, Julie Kate Robinson, Lucy Carol Robinson, Benjamin Caleb Cox, Rachel Morgan Cox, Olivia Grace Cox, Samuel David Cox, Joel Aaron Cox; a brother, R. L. Jenkins of Moselle; and mother-in-law, Berniece Sumrall Meador of Hattiesburg.
Memorial may be made to Temple Baptist Church Building Fund, 5220 Old Highway 11, Hattiesburg, MS 93402, or Meadville United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 548, Meadville, MS 39653, or Precept Ministries, P. O. Box 182218, Chattanooga, TN, 37422.
Pallbearers will be John Harper, Rick Preusch, Bruce Rogers, Joe Woodyear, Gerry Wyatt, Joey Wyatt, Ben Cox, and Alton Cade. Honorary pallbearers will be Hal Cox, Wendell Gavin, Dr. Larry Hammett, Tom Henderson, Dr. Robert Hilbun, Dr. Robert Holifield, Dr. Alton Irwin, Charles Landrum, Ray Philips, and Bill Powell.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel, which is in charge of arrangements.
DWAYNE H. SMITH
Dwayne H. Smith, 52, of Richton, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Pineview Church of God. Burial will follow in Edwards Cemetery. The Revs. Richie Nicholson and Henry Cochran will officiate.
He was a vibration analysis technician and member of Pineview Church of God. He was a veteran in the Vietnam War.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Bettie Lucille Smith of Richton; his mother, Ruby Smith of Clara; son and daughter-in-law, Joseph Howard and April Joy Hillman Smith of Neely; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer Rose Smith and Stanley Wayne Roberts, both of Avera; brothers, Delaine Smith of Houston, Denzil Smith of Waynesboro; grandson, Joseph Dylan Smith; granddaughter, Molly Allana Brewer, both of Neely.
Pallbearers will be Joe Breland, Jessie Breland, Randall Gainey, Van Holland, Mike McCullough, Gavin Dykes, and Allen Smith.
Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. until service time at Pineview Church of the God. Jones Funeral Home of Richton is in charge of the arrangements.
RICHARD BRUCE
Richard Bruce, 56, of Lawrenceville, Ga., died Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004, at Gwinette Hospital in Lawrenceville, Ga.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Chapel of Angels Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Nora Davis Cemetery in Laurel.
He was a bus driver in Chicago.
Mr. Bruce is survived by his parents, Ida Mae (Bruce) Jones of Laurel, and Hollis Muskgrove of Jackson; a son, Richard Bruce Jr. of Lawrenceville, Ga.; three daughters, Denise Anderson, Daphine Richson, both of Lawrenceville, and Tracy Campbell of Laurel; a brother, Larry Jones of Soso; four sisters, Doris Beavers of Roldrocks, Texas, Barbara McLaurin of Laurel, Sharon Elverton of Jackson, and Sheldy Starks of Austin, Texas; and six grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from noon until 5 p.m. Thursday at Chapel of Angels Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.
ALICE CARPENTER
Alice Carpenter, 82, of the Byram community in Jackson, formerly of Greene County, died Monday, Jan. 5, 2004, at the University Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Jones Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Sand Hill Church of Latter Day Saints Cemetery in Greene County.
She was an inspector.
Ms. Carpenter is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Dewey Wayne and Rhonda Carpenter, both of Cleveland, Texas; a daughter and son-in-law, Beverly Jean and W. E. "Ed" Mills, both of Jackson; a sister, Icey McLain of Meridian; a brother, John E. McLain of Richton; six grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. today at Jones Funeral Home in Richton, which is in charge of arrangements.
MILDRED EDMONSON
Mildred Edmonson, 80, of Laurel, died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Chapel Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Pachuta. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The Rev. Keith Brison will officiate.
She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Edmonson; a son, Bobby Edmonson; two daughters, Mary and Diane Edmonson; and her parents, Corine Hailes and Early Gray.
Mrs. Edmonson is survived by her sons, Charlie Edmonson of Pachuta, Thaddeus Edmonson, Kenny Edmonson, Anthony Edmonson, and James Edmonson, all of Laurel; four daughters, Rita Glenn of Ontario, Ca., Dorothy Humphrey of Englewood, Ca., Mildred Lyles, and Debra Edmonson, both of Laurel; 31 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday at Chapel of Angels Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.
ELIZABETH ANN FREDRICK
Elizabeth Ann Fredrick, 39, of Ellisville, died Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2001, in Laurel.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, at Jones Funeral Home in Ellisville, with burial in Ellisville Cemetery. The Rev. Nonnie Jefcoat will officiate.
She was a member of Plainway Baptist Church in Laurel. A lifelong resident of Jones County, she worked at the Ballast Plant at Howard Industries.
She is survived by two sons, Andrew Shane Fredrick and William Tobbie Fredrick, both of Ellisville; parents, Billy Joe and Freida Mosley of Ellisville; and one brother, Bennie Joe Mosley of Laurel.
Jones Funeral Home in Ellisville is in charge of arrangements.
EDNA B. DAVIS
Edna B. Davis, 76, of the Myrick Community, died Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Memory Chapel Funeral Home with the Revs. Jackie Spell and Robbie Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Myrick Cemetery in the Myrick Community.
She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church of Myrick.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jefferson Thomas and Sissy Boutwell Bankston, and a brother, Forrest Bankston.
She is survived by her husband, Ray E. Davis, a son, Thomas E. Davis of Mobile, Ala.; a daughter, Renee Dill of Laurel; three brothers, Horace Bankston and Morris Bankston, both of the Myrick Community; Charles Marvin Bankston of Clara; four sisters, Eunice Touchstone, Myrtle Touchstone and Virgie Dean Davis, all of Myrick Community; and Agnes Taylor of Clara; two grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday at Memory Chapel Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.
Elden Lee Diehl
August 28, 1937 - January 23, 2008
Elden Lee Diehl, age 70, of Escatawpa and formerly of Clearwater, FL died Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008 in Biloxi VA Hospital. He was born Aug. 28, 1937 in N. Lewisburg, Oh. Mr. Diehl was a U.S. Navy Veteran having served during the Korean Conflict. He was a retired Electrician from Florida.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene Diehl; parents, Don and Pauline Diehl; brother, Ed Diehl.
He is survived by his two sons and one daughter, Jeff Diehl (Rhonda), Big Point; Scott Diehl (Rhonda), Pascagoula; Krista Mitchell (Mark), Pascagoula; two brothers, Rick Diehl and Mike Diehl; one sister, Jackie of California; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Graveside Service will be Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, 10:00am, at Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi, MS with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society.
