Obituaries

Patrick E. Hopkins, 60, of Wesson, died unexpectedly Nov. 3, 2020, at his home. A service of remembrance will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at Decell Memorial United Methodist Church in Wesson. Mr. Hopkins was born March 17, 1960, in Pascagoula, to Roger B. and Betty L. Hopkins, of Lucedale and Pascagoula.…

Ernest Alvin Newell Sr., 83, passed away on Oct. 24, 2020. A graveside service was held at Tabernacle CME Church in Hazlehurst, with Pastor Jimmy McClinton officiating. House of Peoples Funeral Home handled arrangements. Mr. Newell was born on Oct. 29, 1936, in Hazlehurst, to Anna and Walter C. Newell Sr. He attended Parish High…

Robert Melvin Slater, 94, of Byram, passed away Nov. 5, 2020, at his home. Services were Nov. 9 at Stringer Family Chapel, with burial at Crystal Springs City Cemetery. Mr. Slater was a retired Master Sargent with the U.S. Army, who served 26 faithful years. He fought tirelessly in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.…

Byron Jefferson Armstrong Jr., 70, of Vicksburg, passed away Oct. 24, 2020, at his home. A funeral service was held Oct. 28 at Crossway Church in Vicksburg. Interment was at Strong Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Wesson. Glenwood Funeral Home handled arrangements. Mr. Armstrong was born Oct. 24, 1950, in Hazlehurst. After graduating with bachelor’s…

Gloria Gail Purifoy Garett, 82, passed away Oct. 25, 2020, in Missouri City, Texas, at a local nursing home. She was born Oct. 6, 1938, in Copiah County, to Stanley Purifoy Sr. and Maxine Lingle. Preceding her in death were her parents and a son, David. Survivors include a daughter, Amy, of Magnolia, Texas; and…

Johnnie Faye McMillian Girault, 78, of Crystal Springs, passed away Oct. 25, 2020 at Copiah County Medical Center. A funeral service was held Oct. 28 at Stringer Family Chapel, with burial at Old Crystal Springs Cemetery. Stringer Family Funeral Service in Crystal Springs handled arrangements. Mrs. Girault was born in Harrisville on March 19, 1942…

Melody O. Hinton, 62, of Crystal Springs, passed away Oct. 25, 2020, at Pine Crest Guest Home in Hazlehurst. A graveside service was held Oct. 31 at the Crystal Springs City Cemetery, with Rev. Oscar Thompson officiating. Century Funeral Home handled arrangements. Survivors include one aunt, two uncles, several cousins, and a special friend, Pamela…

Merri Ruth Singletary, 60, of Crystal Springs, passed away Oct. 25, 2020, at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center. A memorial service Oct. 31 at the family home. Stringer Family Funeral Services handled arrangements. She is survived by her husband, Quitman Singletary; daughters, Tina Seabern, of Mt. Sterling, Ohio; and Elizabeth Pyles, of Ashville, Ohio; sister, Karen…

Kenneth B. Walker, 74, of Wesson, passed away Oct. 27, 2020, at his residence. A graveside service was held Oct. 31 at Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery. Stringer Family Funeral Home in Hazlehurst handled arrangements. Mr. Walker was retired from the Army National Guard as Sergeant 1st Class and retired from MDOT after 33 years. He…

Mary E. Thigpen Howard, 66, of Crystal Springs, passed away Sept. 24, 2020. A funeral service was held Oct. 3 at St. Mary United Methodist Church in Crystal Springs, with Walk of Faith Ministries Co-pastor Loretha Hall officiating. Interment followed at Little Rock Church Cemetery. C.J. Williams Mortuary handled arrangements. Mrs. Howard was born April…