Funeral services were held on May 10, 2025, at St. Paul M. B. Church, Silver Creek, for Franklin Jerome Oatis, 70, who passed away on May 3 at his residence. Rev. Michael Evans officiated, with interment following at Pearl River Valley Baptist Church Cemetery, Monticello. Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. He is…

On April 25, 2025, Myra Sue Williamson Coleman, 74, of Ragland, Ala., went to her heavenly home. She passed away at UAB Medical Center in Trussville, Ala. She was preceded in her journey by her parents, Hollis Williamson, Lillian Williamson Thames, and Howard Thames; sisters, Virginia Williamson Graham, Linda Williamson Wallace, Peggy Williamson Jeans, and…

Ray Edward Roberts, 74, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025. A service was held May 2 at Wilson Funeral Home, with burial at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery in Prentiss. Born on Nov. 13, 1950, in Jeff Davis County, Ray was the beloved son of Clara Mae Hamilton and Reggie Roberts. He built a lifelong…

Funeral services for Simpson County centenarian DB Burkett were held on April 21, 2025, at Saulters Moore Funeral Home Chapel, with interment following in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Simpson County. Rev. Mike Sutton and Rev. Don McClellan officiated. Mr. Burkett, 104, entered into the eternal rest of his Lord on April 18 at his…

Funeral services were held on April 17, 2025, at Rocky Branch Baptist Church, Monticello, for Arcola Taylor, 84, who passed away on April 7 at Lawrence County Nursing Center, Monticello. Rev. Oles Newsome officiated, with interment following in the church cemetery. Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. She is the daughter of the…

Funeral services were held on April 12, 2025, at Friendship M.B. Church, Monticello, for Henry Lee Smith, 68, who passed away on April 4 at Lawrence County Nursing Center, Monticello. Rev. Dr. Kelvin Langston officiated, with interment following in the church cemetery. Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. He is the son of…

Funeral services were held on April 12, 2025, at Spring Hill M.B. Church, Silver Creek, for Datavia Kamarye Oatis, 4, who passed away on March 30, 2025, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson. Rev. Timothy Rhodes officiated, with interment following in the church cemetery. Johnson Funeral home was in charge of arrangements. She…

Funeral services were held on April 11, 2025, at Spring Hill M.B. Church, Silver Creek, for Dr. John Cornelius Williams, who passed away on March 30 at Wesleyan Village in Elyria, Ohio. Rev. Johnnie C. Williams officiated, with interment following in the church cemetery. Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. John was born…

James Pinkney Hedgepeth passed from this life on April 15, 2025, at Lawrence County Nursing Center. He was born to Toxie Hall Hedgepeth and Zelma Dunn Hedgepeth on Oct. 21, 1932. His childhood was spent in the Carmel community of Lawrence County, but work took him to Indianapolis, Ind., where he lived 40-plus years. He…

John Buford Stephens, 72, of Jayess, went to his heavenly home on April 9, 2025. He was born on Nov. 14, 1952, in Monticello. He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Minnie Hall Stephens; brothers, Paul Stephens (Evelyn) and Wayne Stephens; and sister, Cathern Buchanan (Elzy). John Buford is survived by his…