BRIAN MARK SULLIVAN
PEARL
Brian Mark Sullivan, 40, died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007, at home. Funeral services were held Jan. 16 at the Chancellor Funeral Home Chapel in Byram with burial in Terry Cemetery.
Brian was born Sept. 17, 1966, in Opelika, Ala., the son of Nanette Jorgensen Sullivan, of Jackson, and Ray H. Sullivan, of Terry.
He was a graduate of Jackson Preparatory School and the University of Georgia.
Brian enjoyed bottle hunting, arrowhead hunting and playing the guitar. His pride and joy were his two children, Tyler and Lindsey, and his grandmother, Mary Smathers Sullivan.
Brian was employed by R-L Carriers as an account executive and was a member of the Central Mississippi Traffic and Transportation Club. He was a member of Pinelake Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Ginger McDaniel Sullivan. In addition to his mother, father and grandmother, he is survived by his son, Tyler Cole Sullivan; daughter Lindsey Morgan Sullivan; stepsons Blake and Justin McDaniel; grandson Randon McDaniel; brother Barry Sullivan, sister-in-law Katie Sullivan and their children, Aidan and Ava; stepmother Nancy Sullivan and stepbrothers David, Daniel and Stephen Cole; and a large extended family of uncles, aunts and cousins.
RICHARD T. GRAY SR.
RICHLAND
Richard T. "Buddy" Gray Sr., 72, a retired truck driver, died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, of respiratory failure at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. A family memorial service was held.
Mr. Gray was born April 23, 1934, in Morton to Caley Taylor Gray and Wydell Hollingsworth Gray.
He was a graduate of Morton High School and was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the Air Force.
He was a former law enforcement detective, a 32nd Degree Mason and a Baptist. He was a longtime resident of Richland.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Anna Lloyd Gray; and his brother Wayne Gray.
Survivors include his son Richard T. "Ricky" Gray Jr. and wife Dawn, of Lafayette, La.; grandson Taylon Gray, of Lafayette; sisters Joann Guillot and husband Leon and Peggy Marie Thibodeaux and husband Harry, all of River Ridge, La.; brother Caley T. Gray Jr. and wife Ann, of Florence; sister-in-law Charlotte Gray, of Pearl; and numerous nieces and nephews.
LINDA GAYNELL ABLES
PEARL
Linda Gaynell Ables, 43, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. Funeral services were Jan. 10 at Line Creek Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Bro. Kenneth Ables and Bro. Tal Vardaman officiated.
Linda was a native of Plant City, Fla., and had lived in Pearl for the past five years. She enjoyed working with crafts.
Survivors include her daughter Barbara Ables, of Pearl; sons Sidney Ables and Kenneth Ables, both of Pearl; mother Gaynell Hickey, of Friendswood, Texas; sisters Lisa Hagy, of Manvel, Texas and LeeAnn Emmons, of Pinellas Park, Fla.; grandchildren Sidney Ables III and Kenneth Ables Jr.; and fiance Ron Gaebel, of Pearl.
Pallbearers were Roger Ables Sr., Roger Ables Jr., George Harris, Vince Warren, Dwayne Fulcher and Jonathan Aaron.
GEORGE G. CUMMINGS
RICHLAND
George G. Cummings, 60, died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. Visitation was Jan. 13 at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Richland. Graveside services were Jan. 14 at Glenwood Memorial Park in Richland. The Rev. Ronnie Falvey officiated.
Mr. Cummings was a native of Kokomo. He had been a resident of Richland for a number of years. He was a retired, self-employed painter.
Survivors include his wife Dianne Cummings, of Richland; his children China Gail Baskin, of Olive Branch, Tony Cummings, of Senatobia, Jimmy White, Billy White, Ressa White and Shannon White, all of Richland; brother Don Cummings, of Richland; and 17 grandchildren including a special grandson, Cody White, of Richland.
Pallbearers were Matt Bullman, Mark Bullman, Mark Brown, Jimmy Dunlap, Virgil Jarman, Dwayne Fulcher and Rick Fields.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1380 Livingston Lane, Jackson MS 39213.
DAVID A. GRACE
RICHLAND
David A. Grace, 56, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007, at the VA Hospital in Birmingham, Ala. Funeral services were Jan. 11 in the Chapel of Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Richland. Burial followed in the Natchez National Cemetery in Natchez with full military honors. The Rev. Paul Ford officiated.
David was born on Nov. 14, 1950 in Meridian to Jessie C. Grace and Gretchen Anderson Grace, who preceded him in death. He was raised in Terry.
David served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnamese Service Medal, the RVN Cross of Gallantry, the Combat Action Ribbon and the USMC Rifle Marksman Badge.
David will always be remembered as an avid musician, a recording artist, a lover of horses and a true cowboy.
He is survived by his wife Jean Grace, of Richland; stepsons Joey Garrard, of Richland and Rocky Garrard and wife Robin, of Byram; son Bandy Grace and wife Melissa, of Bassfield; grandson Reagan Grace; brothers Lavon Grace, of Byram, Calvin Grace, of Gautier, W. C. Grace, of Terry and James Grace, of Tucson, Ariz.; sisters Mary Mallory, of Byram, Ina Pryor, of Oakland, Patricia Haller, of Covington, La., and Rebecca Champion, of Pearl; and a host of nieces and nephews.
His very special friends are Debbie Webb, Michelle Floyd, Stacie Wade, Larry Tillman and Ken Burrow.
Memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or the Mississippi Animal Rescue League.
CLAIRE NOWLIN
PEARL
Claire Nowlin, 64, died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital in Jackson. Funeral services were Jan. 13 at First United Methodist Church in Brandon with burial in Brandon Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Kelly Pope officiated. Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon handled the arrangements.
Claire was a native and lifelong resident of Rankin County. She began her career as a social worker at the Mississippi Baptist Children's Village in 1972, where she organized the Department of Social Services.
In 2002, Claire began work for the Hinds Behavioral Health Center as a school-based therapist for the Jackson Public Schools, where she was employed until her death. She was serving as president of the National Association of Social Workers, Mississippi Chapter, and was a member of the governing boards of the National Council on Accreditation.
Claire was a very active member of First United Methodist Church in Brandon. Her involvement included being a member of the choir, working with the youth, serving as secretary for the Administrative Board and being a member of the Wesley Sunday school class.
Survivors include her husband John H. Nowlin, of Pearl; daughter Amy Moore and husband Bryan, of Pearl; son Damon Nowlin and wife Michelle, of Brandon; brother Clarence Smith, of Pearl; sister Becky Kergosien, of Mexico; and grandchildren Trace, Caleb and Addison Moore and John David Nowlin.
Pallbearers were Clayton Beasley, Dale Crawford, Chip Smith, Hal Smith, Terry Tigrett and Waymon Tigrett.
Memorials may be made to the Brandon First United Methodist Church Choir Fund, 205 Mary Ann Drive, Brandon MS 39042.
MILDRED NATIONS ROBERTS
BRANDON
Mildred Nations Roberts, 74, died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. Funeral services were Jan. 15 in the Ott & Lee Funeral Home Chapel in Brandon with burial in Enon Cemetery in Ruth. Her son, the Rev. Tony Roberts, officiated.
Mrs. Roberts was born in Walthall County to Mr. Andrew Nations and Mrs. Ida Thornhill Nations. She was a member of First United Pentecostal Church in Jackson.
Mrs. Roberts loved sewing and most of all spending time with and loving her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband J.F. Roberts.
Survivors include her children Deborah Pinkston and her husband Edward, of Azle, Texas, Sally Shirley and her husband Freddie, of Brandon, Tony Roberts and his wife Pam, of Alabaster, Ala., and Sue Treadwell and her husband Keith, of Brandon; sister Billie Jean Ratliff, of Tylertown; grandchildren Michael Pinkston, Misty Flinkinger, Anthony Roberts, Andrew Roberts, Olivia Roberts, Cameron Treadwell and Mackenzie Treadwell; and great-grandchildren Joseph and Christopher Pinkston.
Pallbearers were Edward Pinkston, Freddie Shirley, Keith Treadwell, Anthony Roberts, Andrew Roberts and Cameron Treadwell.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Ministries, Inc., 450 Towne Center Blvd., Ridgeland MS 39157.
DAVID H. SCOTT
JACKSON
David H. Scott, 31, died Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at his residence in Jackson. Visitation was Jan. 15 at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon. Burial will be at a later date.
David was born in Maryland and had lived the majority of his life in the Jackson area. He enjoyed doing carpentry work.
David is survived by his daughter Rain Scott, of Pearl; sister Jennifer Scott Porvaznik; brother Chris Scott; and his aunts and uncles.
ALVIN H. ALFORD
PEARL
Alvin Harold Alford, 75, died Friday, Jan. 26, 2007 at Rankin Medical Center in Brandon. Visitation was Jan. 29 at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram. Funeral services were Jan. 30 at Flag Chapel Baptist Church in Jackson with burial in Natchez National Cemetery.
Mr. Alford was born in Jackson on July 24, 1931. He was a veteran of the Air Force and worked for P&R Auto Supply in Jackson. He was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his sons Robyn J. Camelot, of Dallas, Ralph E. Alford Sr., of Jackson, Brian E. Alford, of Bowie, Texas, Ron Alford, of Lake Dallas, Texas, Gary N. Alford, of Ft. Wayne, Ind. and Timothy W. Alford, of Pearl; brothers Arthur Alford, of Florence, Jerry Alford, of Erie, Pa., Uyless Alford, of Crystal Springs, David Alford, of Ridgecrest, La. and Marvin Alford, of Pearl; sisters Jenny Windham, of Pearl, Julia Wilson, of Tulsa, Okla. and Kathy Pauser, of Cold Springs, Minn.; nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Online guest book is available at www.chancellorfuneralhome.com
JESSIE L. BURNHAM
PEARL
Jessie L. Burnham, 91, died Friday, Jan. 26, 2007 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. Services were Jan. 29 at McLaurin Heights Baptist Church in Pearl with burial in the Floral Hills Memory Gardens, with full military honors. Dr. Steve Jackson and the Rev. Charles Ray Burnham officiated. Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl handled the arrangements.
Mr. Burnham was a charter member of McLaurin Heights Baptist Church in Pearl where he served as a deacon and director of nursery services for more than 30 years.
He retired from Swift Chemical as plant foreman and was also a charter member of the Pearl Kiwanis Club.
Spending time with his beloved great-granddaughter, Kyndall, was the highlight of his day and she will miss her Papa dearly.
He served in the 415th Infantry, 104th Timberwolf Infantry Division of the Army during World War II, earning a Bronze Star for his meritorious service in Holland and Germany in 1944-1945.
He constantly displayed great intelligence and good judgment in firing upon targets that were dangerously close to chemicals known to have been used in the manufacture of gasses.
His actions, above and beyond the call of duty, reflected distinct credit upon Sgt. Burnham and the military service.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara C. Burnham.
Survivors include his daughter Debbie Walden and husband Rudy, of Raymond; Joan Beasley and husband Glen, of Strong Hope; James William Henry, of Jackson; sisters Wynema Franklin, of Jackson and Mattie Lou Smith, of Houston; grandchildren Alanna Walden, Glen Dale Beasley Jr., Steven Jessie Beasley, Billy Henry and Cathy Henry; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were James Bush, Kirby Deer, Bill Slade, Don Bailey Jr., Glen Dale Beasley Jr. and Steven Jessie Beasley.
Memorials may be sent to Hospice Ministries, 450 Towne Center Blvd., Ridgeland MS 39157.
GLADYS LOUISE CUNNINGHAM
FLORENCE
Gladys Louise Cunningham, 65, a homemaker, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007 of cancer at Rankin Medical Center in Brandon. Funeral services were Jan. 27 at the Ott & Lee Funeral Home Chapel in Richland. The Rev. Ed Hauser officiated.
Mrs.Cunningham was born in Culken, La. on Aug. 20, 1941 to Thomas Owen Yeldell and Gladys Aileen Crow Yeldell.
She was a former resident of Vicksburg and had been a resident of the Florence area since 2000. She attended the Florence Church of God, now Quest Community Church.
She was very creative and loved to arrange flowers and do other crafts.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her son Thomas Nolan Ferrington.
Survivors include her husband Arthur "Butch" Cunningham, of Florence; grandsons Tyler Ferrington and Ryan Ferrington, both of Vicksburg; daughter-in-law Melissa Ferrington, of Vicksburg; nephew Thomas Lance Yeldell, of Atlanta, Texas; and nieces Becky Yeldell, of Hattiesburg and Tommie Kay Collum, of Crystal Springs.
Memorials may be made to the Quest Community Church, P.O. Box 245, Florence MS 39073.
