Obituaries 12-11-25

LUCILLE "LUCY" RHODA BOYLES SMITH GAGNON

July 1, 1933-Nov. 27, 2025

Lucille "Lucy" Rhoda Boyles Smith Gagnon, 92 — a vibrant and 
determined soul known for her resilience and infectious energy — died 
on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 2025.

Born in Waynesboro on July 1, 1933, her early life on a cotton and 
peanut farm instilled in her the hard-working spirit and resilience that 
defined her. Accustomed to both hard labor and the adventure of being on 
the move, she embraced every chapter of her life.

With her first husband, Robert Wayne Smith (U.S.A. Air Force), Lucy 
began a life of travel. They were stationed in places like Texas and 
England, raising a family of two sons and two daughters. After Robert 
retired, they moved to Florida to be near his brother, and it was there 
that Robert passed away.

Fate, in its kindness, offered Lucy a second chance at love. She met her 
soulmate, James "Jim" Maurice Gagnon — a fellow U.S.A. Air Force 
member — on a memorable Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 1969. They shared 
exactly 56 years together.

They married and welcomed their son, Nick, continuing their adventurous 
life with assignments that took them from Florida to California and 
Spain before ultimately settling in Newnan, Fla., where they created a 
comfortable and beautiful home.

Lucy was wonderfully outgoing and feisty, widely known for her 
generosity and warmth. People were naturally drawn to her, knowing they 
could talk to her about anything and everything.

She loved all genres of music and was a talented dancer. Her favorite 
pursuits included the domestic arts of cooking and quilting, as well as 
fun-filled pastimes like playing bingo and working on puzzles. She 
particularly enjoyed cookouts and a cold beer, was an avid collector 
from thrift stores, an excellent cook and gardener and was a passionate 
animal lover, especially cherishing her beloved dogs, Bibite and Holly.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Jim; her three sons and two 
daughters; her sister, Joanne Busby; and her cherished friends, Tonya 
and Nancy.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to her husband and soulmate, 
Jim, who sever as Lucy's loving caregiver and companion during her final 
years, navigating the challenges of congestive heart failure and 
dementia.

The family also wishes to express heartfelt thanks to Brightmoore 
Hospice for its compassionate service, especially to nurses Shannon, 
Earl and Kaleesha, whose light and gentle touch provided great comort.

CLEVELAND BELL

Aug. 27, 1927-Nov. 29, 2025

Cleveland Bell, 98, of Pasco, Wash., died on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 at 
his residence.

Born in Warynesboro on Aug. 27, 1927, he was raised by his grandfather, 
Sam Whigham, who owned a farm in Wayne County. Growing up, he helped on 
the farm and later worked in the timber industry.

As a young man, he left Mississippi, moved and worked in Chicago, Ill., 
for several years and later joined his mother, Lola James, in Pasco. He 
continued to live and work in Pasco until he took advantage of an 
opportunity to move to Alaska, where he continued working for 30 years 
in construction.

Upon retiring, Cleveland returned to Pasco where he enjoyed fishing, 
hunting, gardening, traveling back and forth to Mississippi and Alaska. 
He especially enjoyed the "true love of his life" — playing dominoes. 
He was a hard working, kind and caring man who was always willing to 
help.

He is survived by his long-time partner, Patricia Cleghorn; his 
daughters, Debbie Bell of Pasco and Tyanna Kinsey of Portland, Ore.; his 
son, Michael Cleghorn of Richland, Wash.; his grandchildren, Shanice 
Bell of Pasco, Calvin Bell of Seattle, Wash., Aleah Slack of Richland, 
Wash., Keesha Slack of Pasco and Keyshon Slack of Pasco; four 
great-grandchildren and a host of cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Sam Whigham; his mother, 
Lola James; and his son, Charles Collins.