Craig Beall

Craig Beall, 61, of Wesson, passed away on Dec. 9, 2025, at his residence.  Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Stringer Family Funeral Home in Hazlehurst.  The service will be at 2 on Tuesday at Stringer Family Chapel, with burial at Zion Hill Cemetery.

Craig began at a young age to show interest in fishing and hunting and joined in with his daddy, Lee Beall, every time the chance arose.  As he grew older, he started riding motorcycles and three wheelers and was a daredevil at both.  As his teenage years came around, he grew a very strong interest in racing.  This hobby stayed with him and mechanicing became a way of life to him.  His racing and mechanicing skills worked hand in hand to bring him to being very well known for both.  He had numerous vehicles that he built for racing from the ground up that were some of the best.  He became hard to beat…almost impossible.  He continued racing and mechanicing well into his late 30s and early 40s.

He worked for Copiah County as a mechanic from Dec. 1, 2004, to July 16, 2014.  In December 2014, he was hired as state maintenance technician and continued there until Oct. 31, 2018.  On Nov. 1, 2018, he transferred to the Hazlehurst branch of MDOT and was employed there until his death.

He grew interest in cattle, riding three and four wheelers, and challenging himself on his tractor with the upkeep of his land.  Riding his side-by-side became a pastime for him as well.  His ability to weld aided him in learning to make bottle trees.  He was a jack of all trades.

Sitting around the campfire and cooking on the grill was something he enjoyed.  He was known by many and will be well missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melving Lee Beall and Gertrude Elizabeth Erwin Beall.

He is survived by his son, James Craig Beall Jr. (Audra), of Wesson; grandson, Justin Lee Beall; sister, Sherry Beall Kinstley, of Wesson; and nephew, Sidney Edward Kinstley Jr.