Obituaries

Joyce Simmons, 89, of Hattiesburg, passed away Jan. 10, 2020. A graveside service was held Jan. 14 at Hazlehurst Cemetery. Stringer Family Funeral Service in Hazlehurst handled arrangements. Joyce was born on Dec. 24, 1931, in Hazlehurst, to Robert Slay and Marguerite Love Slay. She resided in Crystal Springs when she was younger but later…

Mary Frances Slay, born Sept. 10, 1940, in the little community of Pinola, entered her heavenly home on Jan. 15, 2021. She is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Guy A. Little and Mary Alice Davis Little; her brothers, Max and Freddie Little; and her husband, Alvin Clifton Slay. Survivors are her two children:…

Addie L. Taylor, 75, of Crystal Springs, passed away Jan. 7, 2021, in Jackson. A graveside service was held Jan. 16 at Miller Springs, with Rev. Herbert Gustavis officiating. Century Funeral Home handled arrangements. Survivors include her sons, Johnnie B. Taylor Jr., of Atlanta; Jimmy Taylor and Romon Taylor, both of Crystal Springs; and daughter,…

A graveside service for Isaac Lafayette Turner Jr. was held Jan. 16, 2021, at Beauregard Cemetery in Wesson. Mr. Turner, 75, of Wesson, passed from this life Jan. 14 at his residence. He was born in Grenada on Nov. 21, 1945, to Isaac Lafayette Turner Sr. and Ruth Marie Timmons Turner. He was a carpenter…

Gennie Belle Allen, 88, of Hazlehurst, passed away Dec. 28, 2020 at Copiah County Medical Center. A funeral service was held Dec. 30 at Stringer Family Chapel, with burial at Spring Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Stringer Family Funeral Home in Hazlehurst handled arrangements. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Allen; and son,…

Dr. Hugh Ray Bridges, 72, of Indianola, passed away Jan. 3, 2021, at South Sunflower County Hospital in Indianola. Ray was born Nov. 11, 1948, in Hazlehurst, to Russell Bridges and Jean Nelson Bridges. Ray graduated from Hazlehurst High School and attended Delta State University on athletic scholarships, where he still holds many records. After…

Tonja Shannon Byther, 61, passed away Dec. 30, 2020, at her place of business in Hazlehurst. A funeral service was held Jan. 8, 2021, at Greater New Zion M.B. Church in Hazlehurst, with Dr. Willie J. Jones officiating. Hazlehurst Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Tonja was born on Jan. 11, 1959, to the late Prosine…

Benjamin Claude Daughtry, of Georgetown, passed away Jan. 8, 2021, surrounded by family. A memorial will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Jan. 23 that will be accessible at https://zoom.us/j/9802923283 with Meeting ID 980 292 3283, or by dialing in with +1-346-248-7799. Ben was a longtime resident of Copiah County and was an elder for…

Nancy Funchess Lyles Harris, 68, passed away Dec. 28, 2020, at her home. A graveside service was held Jan. 9, 2021, at Hazlehurst City Cemetery, with Rev. Lenard Hooker officiating. Hazlehurst Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Nancy was born May 12, 1952, in Hazlehurst, to Edward and Bertha Lee Lyles. She was a member of…

Mildred Anita Hendrix, 61, passed away Jan. 3, 2021. A graveside service was held Jan. 9 at Hunter Cemetery in Hazlehurst, with Pastor Maurice Kendrick officiating. Hazlehurst Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Mildred was born April 1, 1959, to Pauline and David Hendrix. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Demonte Hendrix; sisters,…