Obituaries 09-25-25

DEWEY RAY LOPER

Dec. 13, 1954-Sept. 21, 2025

Funeral services for Dewey Ray Loper, 70, of Waynesboro, were conducted 
on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025 from Crossroads Baptist Church in 
Strengthford, with Brother Ronnie Jones officiating the service and 
Brother Kris Parker assisting at the graveside. 

Interment followed at Crossroads Cemetery.

Born in Waynesboro on Monday, Dec. 13, 1954, he grew up in the Beat Four 
community. He made his living as a Truck Driver, Heavy Machine Operator 
and Mechanic — proudly carrying on the hardworking legacy of the Loper 
family name.

He died on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. at Wayne General 
Hospital.

He loved his daily visits to Quickway to grab a bite to eat and give the 
ladies there a hard time. He will be remembered for his laughter and 
sense of humor, his deep love for his family and the friendships he 
cherished throughout his life.

He is survived by his children and their respective spouses, Cain and 
Dora Loper, Boone and Amy Loper and Kasi Pugh; his stepdaughter and her 
spouse, Holly and Timathy Sherman; his grandchildren and their 
respective spouses, Dylan and Svanah Pugh, Damon and Faith Holcomb 
Loper, Payge and Austin Davis, Jake and Jaden Loper, Wyatt Pugh, 
Carleigh Claire Loper, Cooper Sherman, Trace Loper, Kenzi Loper, Cali 
Loper and Kolter Loper; 11 great-grandchildren; his siblings and their 
respective spouses, Gloria Jean and Leonard Langley, Hance C. 
"Buddy" Loper, Jr., Dian McIlwain and Jamie and Dorris "Tug" 
Loper; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and his lifelong 
friend and his spouse, Robin "Boober" and Sharon Busby.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hance C. and Merle Loper; and 
his son, Ryan Loper.

Serving as pallbearers were Dylan Pugh, Damon Loper, Jake Loper, Wyatt 
Pugh, Matt Loper and Robin "Boober" Busby. Honorary pallbearer was 
Nathan Loper.

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

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

TONY COCHRAN, JR.

Sept. 16, 1977-Sept. 17, 2025

Graveside services for Tony Cochran, Jr., 48, of Waynesboro were 
conducted on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025 from the Hendry Family Cemetery in 
Waynesboro, with Brother Josh West officiating.

Born in Laurel on Friday, Sept. 16, 1977 to Tony Andrw Cochran, Sr., and 
Pamela Kay Bunch, he was a member of Evergreen Baptist Church. He worked 
as a Driller with Scandrill, Inc., for 20 years.

His passions were the oilfield, chopping wood and spending time with his 
grandbabies.

He died on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 at his residence.

He is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Brayden Alexander and 
Kristen Cochran of Waynesboro and Braxton Cruz Pierce of Japan; his 
daughter and son-in-law, Christian Brooke and Austin Reynolds of 
Shubuta; his father, James Craig Bunch of Waynesboro; eight 
grandchildren, Eliana Reynolds, Lyla Cochran, Khyzer Reynolds, Grayson 
Pierce, Caleb Cochran, Renalyn Reynolds, Lena Cochra and Alorah 
Reynolds; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Eric Scott and Rhonda Bunch 
of Waynesboro and Hunter Cochran of Waynesboro; his sister, Holly 
Cochran of Waynesboro; the mother of his children, Gennie Cochran of 
Waynesboro; his mother-in-law, Flora Pierce of Waynesboro; his 
grandmother, Betty Bunch of Waynesboro; and his aunt, Gloria Kelley of 
Waynesboro.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Pamela Kay Bunch; his 
grandfather, James Craig Bunch; his grandparents, Andre and Hazel 
Hendry; and his grandmother, Myrtle Holcomb.

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

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

ETHEL MAE CUNNINGHAM

March 14, 1934-Sept. 10, 2025

Funeral services for Ethel Mae Cunningham, 91, of Shubuta were conducted 
on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 from St. Matthew Baptist Church in Shubuta, 
with Rev. Advail McKenzie officiating.

Interment followed at Davenport Cemetery.

Born on March 14, 1934, she was a Homemaker.

She died on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025 at her residence.

She is survived by her daughter, Jackie Lang of Shubuta; her brothers 
and sisters-in-law, Curtis and Vicky Thomas of Baltimore, Md., and Fred 
and Ann Thomas of Loudonville, N.Y.; two grandchildren and a 
great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters and two brothers.

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

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

PERNELLUS TURNER

Nov. 6, 1920-Aug. 31, 2025

Funeral services for Pernellus Turner, 104, of Collins and formerly of 
Richton, were conducted on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 from New Hope 
Baptist Church in Richton, with Rev. Billy R. Benn officiating.

Interment followed at Sunrise Cemetery in Richton.

Born on Nov. 6, 1920, he was a World War II U.S. Army Veteran and a 
retired Automative Mechanic and Lead Foreman.

He died on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 at the Mississippi Veterans Home in 
Collins.

He is survived by his sons and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Rosanna 
Turner and Timothy Turner; his daughters and son-in-law, Sharon Burrell 
and Beverly and Wayne Washington; eight grandchildren and 11 
great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two wives and his siblings.

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

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

LADARIUS "K.K." WASHAM

Dec. 29, 1991-Aug. 30, 2025

Funeral services for LaDarius "K.K." Washam, 33, of Waynesboro were 
conducted on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 from Pineville Missionary Baptist 
Church, with Rev. Chris West officiating.

Interment followed at Pine Grove Cemetery.

Born on Dec. 29, 1991, he was a Truck Driver. 

He died on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 in Butler, Ala.

He is survived by his wife, Porshe Washam; his daughters, Khyli and 
Khaniy'Jha Washam; and his brothers, Orlando Washam, Rolando Washam, 
Marquez Everett, Devin Carter and Kavarri Washam.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn Washam; and his father, 
Gerald Washam.

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

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

CEDRIC LAMAR JAMES

May 1, 1976-Aug. 29, 2025

Funeral services for Cedric Lamar James, 49, of Waynesboro, were 
conducted on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 from Sweet Hope Missionary Baptist 
Church, with Dr. Jeremy James officiating.

Interment followed at Serenity Gardens Cemetery.

Born on May 1, 1976, he was a Porter with Wayne General Hospital.

He died on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 at Forrest General Hospital in 
Hattiesburg.

He is survived by his fiance, Cindy Edwards; his daughters, Sydney and 
Keirsten James; his brother, Dr. Jeremy James; his father, Rev. Alfred 
James; his mother, Carrie Tillis; and two grandchildren.

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

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

GRACIE LEE FALCONER

Feb. 9, 1922-Aug. 30, 2025

Funeral services for Gracie Lee Falconer, 103, were conducted on Friday, 
Sept. 5, 2025 from St. John U.M. Church in the DeSoto community of 
Shubuta, with Rev. Cecil Bernard Scarbrough officiating.

Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Born on Feb. 9, 1922, she was a retired Nurse and also a World War II 
Veteran of the Women's Army Air Corps (WAC).

She died on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 at Diversicare of Quitman.

She is survived by a host of cousins, friends and loved ones.

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

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

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.