Obituaries 08-31-23

NELLIE ANN EVANS LONG

July 17, 1935-Aug. 28, 2023

Graveside services for Nellie Ann Evans Long, 88, of Petal, will be at

11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 from Coyt Cemetery in Wayne County,

with Rev. Eric Hattaway officiating. Visitation will be from 9-10 a.m.

on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 from the Parlor of Freeman Funeral Home.

Born in Wayne County on Wednesday, July 17, 1935 to Cecil Grant Evans

and Wilma Sara Evans, she was retired as a Bookkeeper with Hattiesburg

Clinic.

She died on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023 at Bedford Care Center of Petal.

She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Lynn Long of Hattiesburg; two

brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Sheree Evans of Coyt and Larry

and Rachel Evans of Coyt; and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Lois and

Dorman Brewer of Sand Hill and Wilda and Doug Everitt of Hattiesburg.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

HENRY EARL LOPER

March 28, 1940-Aug. 18, 2023

Funeral services for Henry Earl Loper, 83, of State Line, will be at 11

a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 from Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in

State Line. Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023

from the Chapel of Turner Funeral Home.

Following the funeral service, interment will take place at State Line

Cemetery.

Born on March 28, 1940, he was a retired Pulpwood Laborer.

He died on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023 at St. Dominic's Hospital in Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers and a sister.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.turnerfuneralhomems.com

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

JEFFERSON "PRETTY" DAWKINS, JR.

May 11, 1939-Aug. 21, 2023

Funeral services for Jefferson "Pretty" Dawkins, Jr., 84, of

Waynesboro, will be at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 from St.

Luke Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Donald Miller officiating.

Visitation will be on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.

Following the funeral service, interment will take place at Waynesboro

Cemetery.

Born on May 11, 1939, he was a retired Security Guard at Wayne County

High School.

He died on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023 at Pine View Health and Rehabilitation

Center in Waynesboro.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.turnerfuneralhomems.com

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

LARRY "BLUE" LAMPLEY

Nov. 24, 1958-Aug. 27, 2023

Funeral services for Larry "Blue" Lampley, 64, of Waynesboro, will

be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 from New West Point Baptist

Church, with Rev. John Robinson officiating. Visitation will be from

12-6 .m. on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023 from the chapel of Turner Funeral

Home.

Following the funeral service, interment will take place at New West

Cemetery.

Born on Nov. 24, 1958, he was a former Employee with the Waynesboro

Co-Op.

He died on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023 at his residence.

He is survived by his brother, Curtis Lampley; and two sisters, Millie

Jones and Lillie Everett.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and two sisters.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.turnerfuneralhomems.com

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

RUDY PALMER

June 9, 1954-Aug. 25, 2023

Funeral services for Rudy Palmer, 69, of Waynesboro, were conducted on

Monday, Aug. 28, 2023 from the Chapel of Freeman Funeral Home, with Rev.

Harry Cherry and Rev. Bill Bankston officiating.

Interment followed at Hiwannee Cemetery in Waynesboro.

Born in Waynesboro on Wednesday, June 9, 1954 to Jerry Glenn Palmer and

Marcella Palmer, he was a member of and Deacon at Free Will Fellowship

Church in Waynesboro.

He was retired from Johnson Oil Company, where he was fondly known as

"Rudy Toot." He loved everyone and helped anyone he could. He was

also known for his constant, warm and loving smile.

He died on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023 at his residence, surrounded by his

loving family.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 39 years, Kathy Palmer;

his sons and daughters-in-law, Shane Michael and Amy Palmer of Dallas,

Texas and Jason and Jessica Williams of Waynesboro; his daughter, Jamie

Suzanne Palmer Gaston of Waynesboro; his brothers, Jerry Wayne Palmer of

Gulfport and Henry Oneal Palmer of Waynesboro; his sisters and

brothers-in-law, Debbie and Wendell Moody of Richton and Donna and Gene

Herrin of Waynesboro; his grandchildren, Naomi Palmer, Darla Williams,

Kaleigh Brook Gaston, Danielle Ashley Williams, Harley Rae Gaston, Kairi

Keeton, Jacob Rudolph Williams, and Zane Michael Palmer; and a bonus

grandson, Daltan Walley of Laurel.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Glenn Palmer; his mother,

Marcella Palmer; his brother, John Paul Palmer; and his sisters,

Charlotte Palmer Layton and Kimberly Hutcherson.

Pallbearers were James Skinner, Daltan Walley, Kyle Courtney, Wendell

Moody, Kevin Moody, David Palmer and Carl Moody. Rudy will be missed by

everyone who knew him.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

ULYLES CLIFFORD HUNDLEY

Dec. 1, 1935-Aug. 23, 2023

Funeral services for Ulyles Clifford Hundley, 87, of Waynesboro, were

conducted on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023 from St. Luke Missionary Baptist

Church, with Rev. Donald E. Miller officiating.

After the funeral service, the remains were cremated.

Born on Dec. 1, 1935, he was a Self-Employed Carpenter.

He died on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023 at St. Dominic's Hospital in

Jackson.

He is survived by several relatives.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.turnerfuneralhomems.com

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

GENE KELLEY

Nov. 22, 1932-Aug. 21, 2023

Funeral services for Gene Kelley, 90, of Waynesboro, were conducted on

Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023 from First Baptist Church of Waynesboro, with

Dr. Steve Smith officiating.

Interment followed at Serenity Gardens Cemetery in Waynesboro.

Born in Waynesboro on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 1932 to the late David and

Belvie Kelley, he was a member of Waynesboro First Baptist Church.

In 1991, he retired as Co-Owner and Operator of Kelley Brothers

Contractors, Inc. He was a member and Past President of the Wayne County

Chapter of the Hamasa Shriners. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed

fishing, golfing and cooking for friends and family.

For all who knew him, he was known as a hard worker and a man of his

word. He set a high standard for himself, and he expected no less from

others.

He died on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023 at his residence, surrounded by his

loving family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Sue Kelley of Waynesboro;

two sons and a daughter-in-law, Kelley Kelley of Buckatunna and Greg and

Wendy Kelley of Waynesboro; a daughter and son-in-law, Belinda and

Thomas Gibson of Lexington, S.C.; a stepson and his spouse, Brent and

Dana Barry of Sumrall; a stepdaughter and her spouse, Dr. Lauren Berry

and Dr. Todd Versteegh of Jackson; two sisters-in-law, Nellie Kelley and

Bessie Kelley, both of Waynesboro; seven grandchildren, Harrison,

Matthew, Caden Luke, Chase, Connor, Jassmine and Gatlin; three

great-grandchildren, McKenzie, Jacob and Jaxon; six step-grandchildren,

Faith, Camryn, Blake, Will, Betty and Ben; and a host of nieces and

nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Belvie Kelley; three

brothers, Rick Kelley, Ed Kelley and T.O. Kelley; two sisters, Clara Lou

Pitts and Mildred Jones; and two grandsons, Phillip Lindsey and Myles

Kelley.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

FRANKIE NELL HUNDLEY-DAWKINS

Sept. 24, 1939-Aug. 6, 2023

Funeral services for Frankie Nell Hundley-Dawkins, 83, of Los Angeles,

Calif., and formerly of Waynesboro, were conducted on Saturday, Aug. 26,

2023 from the chapel of Turner Funeral Home, with Rev. Willie Kinslow

officiating.

Interment followed at Waynesboro Cenetery.

Born on Sept. 24, 1939, she was a retired Educational Aide with McKinley

Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles.

She died on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023 in Atlanta, Ga.

She is survived by his sister, Diane; and a host of grandchildren and

great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister and her husband.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.turnerfuneralhomems.com

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

VIRGINIA ELIZABETH (STEWART) WRIGHT

Oct. 6, 1945-Aug. 17, 2023

Funeral services for Virginia Elizabeth (Stewart) Wright, 77, of Millry,

Ala., were conducted on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023 from the Chapel of Freeman

Funeral Home, with Rev. Jimmie Butts officiating.

Interment followed at Stewart Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Copeland,

Ala.

Born in Waynesboro on Saturday, Oct. 6, 1945 to the late James Augusta

Stewart, Sr., and Lottie V. Stewart, she was a Homemaker and woman with

great faith who always had a Scripture to quote at any given time on any

subject. She loved Jesus, her family and music.

She instilled the gift of music in her children at an early age. She

loved working and living on the farm and was the best Mother and

Grandmother you could ever hope to have.

She died on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023 at Washington County Nursing Home in

Chatom, Ala.

She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Lee Roy and Kristi

Wright, Jr., and James Julius Wright, all of Millry; a daughter and

son-in-law, Leida Wright and William Robertson of Millry; her sister and

brother-in-law, Linda Gail and Laymon Phillips of Millry; five grandsons

and their respective spouses, Tyler and Kelsey Wright, Ethan and Harley

Wright, William D. Robertson, John Robertson and Connor Wright, all of

Millry; two granddaughters, Savannah Wright of Waynesboro and Kaylee

Wright of Millry; two great-granddaughters, Raelyn Wright and Rylee

Wright, both of Millry; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Wright, Sr.; her

parents, James Augusta Stewart, Sr., and Lottie V. Stewart; her brother,

Jimmy Stewart; her sister, Ouida Faye Gauns; and a granddaughter,

Rebecca Lynn Robertson.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

ALICE JANE "JANIE" THOMAS

March 3, 1956-Aug. 12, 2023

Funeral services for Alice Jane "Janie" Thomas, 67, of Shubuta, were

conducted on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 from New Zion Baptist Church in

Shubuta, with Pastor John Lacey officiating.

Interment followed at New Pilgrim Cemetery in the Hiwannee community.

Born on March 3, 1956, she was a former Employee with Hanson Scales and

Medicaid Transport. She was also the Founder of the Sister's Club in

Shubuta.

He died on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023 at St. Dominic's Hospital in

Jackson.

She is survived by her spouse, Dennis Thomas; her son and

daughter-in-law, Dennis and Shameka Thomas; her daughter and son-in-law,

Delecia and Bo Thomas; her brother and sister-in-law, James F. and

Teresa Robinson of Shubuta; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Shirley

and Paul Nobles of Albany, N.Y., and Carolyn Robinson of Shubuta; and

four grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and a grandson.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.turnerfuneralhomems.com

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

LARRY DARNELL

"LITTLE WINE" TAYLOR

Dec. 7, 1955-Aug. 11, 2023

Funeral services for Larry Darnell "Little Wine" Taylor, 67, of

Quitman and formerly of Waynesboro, were conducted on Saturday, Aug. 19,

2023 from New West Point Baptist Church, with Rev. Chance Taylor

officiating.

Interment followed at the Taylor Family Cemetery in Waynesboro.

Born on Dec. 1, 1955, he was a retired Common Laborer.

He died on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023 at Diversicare of Quitman.

He is survived by his brothers, Jessie L. Taylor of Waynesboro and Roy

Hundley of Ypsilanti, Mich.; her sisters, Mildred Taylor, Faye Taylor,

Willie Mae Jackson, Valerie Taylor, Del Taylor and Amy Taylor, all of

Waynesboro, and Mavis Taylor Smooth of Slidell, La.; his mother, Hettie

B. Taylor Mitchell of Waynesboro; and his father, Roy C. Mason of

Ypsilanti, Mich.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, a nephew, his stepfather and

both his paternal and maternal grandparents.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.turnerfuneralhomems.com

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

MARY MAGDELENE "BUNCH"

POWE-HENDERSON

Nov. 16, 1934-Aug. 10, 2023

Funeral services for Mary Magdelene "Bunch" Powe-Henderson, 88, of

the Pineville community in Waynesboro, were conducted on Wednesday, Aug.

16, 2023 from Pineville Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Samuel

Newton officiating.

Interment followed at the church cemetery.

Born on Nov. 16, 1934, she was a retired Quality Inspector with Northern

Electric.

She died on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 at Wayne General Hospital.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Willie Thomas and Jackie

Henderson; three daughters, Belinda Lewis, Nettie Davis and Sandra

Brown; nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and a

great-great-granchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers and

a sister.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.turnerfuneralhomems.com

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

HENRY "SONNY BOY" CHAPMAN

April 27, 1939-Aug. 2, 2023

Funeral services for Henry "Sonny Boy" Chapman, 84, of Waynesboro,

were conducted on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023 from Pleasant Grove Missionary

Baptist Church, with Rev. John Lacey officiating.

Interment followed at the church cemetery.

Born on April 27, 1939, he was retired from Ford Motor Company and

served as an Usher at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

He died on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023 at Forrest General Hospital in

Hattiesburg.

He is survived by a stepson, Richard Steel of Waynesboro; his daughter,

JoAnn Chapman of Waynesboro; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Kenneth

Rand of Jonesboro, Ga., and Herbert and Genora Chapman of Gulfport; two

sisters and brothers-in-law, Rubie Pearl and Henry White of Kansas City,

Kan., and Debbie and Joe Harris of Buckatunna; two grandchildren and

five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother and a brother.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.turnerfuneralhomems.com

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

LENA HUNDLEY

May 1, 1926-Aug. 5, 2023

Funeral services for Lena Hundley, 97, of Waynesboro, were conducted on

Friday, Aug. 11, 2023 from St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev.

Donald E. Miller officiating.

Interment followed at Serenity Gardens.

Bonr on May 1, 1926, she was a former employee with Wells-Lamont and a

retired Caretaker in the Health Care Industry.

She died on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 at Wayne General Hospital.

She is survived by two sons, Joe T. Hundley and Audray Hundley; a

daughter, Joyce Carter; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren

and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four brothers,

two sisters and three children.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.turnerfuneralhomems.com

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

WANDA JEAN MCDONALD

Oct. 11, 1948-July 29, 2023

Funeral services for Wanda Jean McDonald, 74, of Waynesboro, were

conducted on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 from New Life Fellowship Church of

God in Christ in Shubuta, with Rev. Terrance Villafranco officiating.

Interment followed at Altair Cemetery.

Born on Oct. 11, 1948, she was a retired Security Guard.

She died on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Wayne General Hospital.

She is survived by three sons, David Spencer, Derrick Spencer and

Terrick Spencer; eight daughters and five sons-in-law, Glynis and Kevin

Dunn of Jacksonville, Fla., Wanda and Sean Gaines, Sherry and Michael

Everett, Sr., Renee Spencer, Ann and Darnell Cameron, Laglinda and

Freddy Chancy, Brenda McDonald and Janie McDonald; 36 grandchildren and

53 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three sisters and

three brothers.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.turnerfuneralhomems.com

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

MELVIN BLAKLEY, SR.

March 5, 1952-July 24, 2023

Funeral services for Melvin Blakley, Sr., 71, of Waynesboro, were

conducted on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 from Old St. Paul Baptist Church,

with Rev. John K. Gray, Sr., officiating.

Interment followed at St. John Cemetery in Waynesboro.

Born on March 5, 1952, he was a former Employee with Longleaf Sawmill

and was also a Guitarist.

He died on Monday, July 24, 2023 at his residence.

He is survived by his wife, Earlean Brown-Blakley; his son and

daughter-in-law, Melvin and Denise Blakley of Waynesboro; two daughters

and sons-in-law, Lasongia and Mario Bell of Waynesboro and Monica and

Quentin Blakley of Hattiesburg; five brothers and three sisters-in-law,

Johnnie Lee Blakley, Wilmer and Toni Blakley, Jr., Billy Joe and Emma

Blakley and Ray Preston Blakley, all of Waynesboro, and Larry and

Shirley Blakley of Shuqualak; three sisters, Bernice Arrington of

Wiggins, Erma Lee Gray of Boston, Mass. and Annie Mary Blakley of

Waynesboro; five grandchildren, two step-grandsons and four

great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and a sister.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.turnerfuneralhomems.com

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

AARON CHARLES JOHNSON

Sept. 13, 1956-July 30, 2023

Graveside services for Aaron Charles Johnson, 66, of Chicago, Ill., were

conducted on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 from Sweet Pilgrim Cemetery in

Shubuta, with Rev. Kevin Carter officiating.

Born on Sept. 13, 1956, he was a former Employee with KFC.

He died on Monday, July 10, 2023 at University of Chicago Medical

Center.

He is survived by three brothers, John Henry, George Shreef and John

Johnson; two sisters, Misha Miller and Geneese "GG" Davenport; and a

stepson, Dana Jordan.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.turnerfuneralhomems.com

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro and Taylor Funeral Home of Chicago

were in charge of arrangements.