Area Obituaries

Gerald Wayne Sumrall, 91, of Monticello, passed away peacefully on Sept. 13, 2025. He was born on June 28, 1934, in Jayess to Seth and Cavie Smith Sumrall. Visitation will be held at Bethel Baptist Church from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday,…

Funeral services were held on Aug. 30, 2025, at New Zion M.B. Church, Oakvale, for Billy Jannal Hammond, 72, of Oakvale, who passed away on Aug. 20 in Oakvale. Rev. John Johnson officiated, with interment following in the church cemetery. Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. He is the son of the late…

Funeral services were held on Aug. 30, 2025, at Quinn Temple COGIC, Monticello, for Stevie Lydell Watson, 61, of Silver Creek, who passed away on Aug. 13 at his residence. Elder Stanley Bridges officiated, with interment following in the church cemetery. Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mr. Watson is the son of…

A celebration of life will be held for Sandra Cothern Gaskins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Powells Grove Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, at Powells Grove Church. She will lie in state from 10 to 11 a.m.…

Michael E. Beasley, 76, of Monticello, passed away on Aug. 23, 2025, in Pulaski County, Ill., while he was doing what he what he loved to do. He was born on July 22, 1949, in Brookhaven. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Arm Baptist Church at 2151…

A celebration of the life of Roger Hilton will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at Saulters Moore Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Old Hebron Cemetery. Mr. Hilton, 80, passed away on Aug. 25 at his home. Saulters Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Friends are…

A celebration of life will be held for Thomas Eugene “Tommy” Evans at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, at Shiloh Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Shiloh Baptist Church. He will lie in state from noon to 1…

Yancey Damalh Peyton was born in Oakland, Calif., on Dec. 26, 1979, to Huriah Peyton and Janice Lucas Peyton. Following a valiantly fought battle with cancer, Yancey passed away on Aug. 8, 2025, at his parents’ home in Conroe, Texas. He was 45 years old. His partner was with him when he passed. Her unwavering…

A funeral service was held on Aug. 8, 2025, at Carl Barnes Funeral Home Chapel in Houston Texas, for James Williams, who passed away on July 15, 2025. Pastor Eric A. Wilson Sr. officiated. Interment was in Houston National Cemetery. James was born on Nov. 28, 1946, in Lawrence County, Monticello, to Minister LJ Williams…

Funeral services were held on Aug. 16, 2025, at China Lee Baptist Church, Silver Creek, for Judy Kay White, 65, of New Orleans, La., who passed away on Aug. 4 at University Medical Center, New Orleans. Rev. Jerry Earl officiated, with interment following in the church cemetery. Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.…