Obituaries

James Jefferson Freels, born March 3, 1950, passed away on Jan. 6, 2026, at his residence surrounded by his loved ones.  Visitation with family will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9 with memorial service to follow at 2 at Stringer Funeral Home in Hazlehurst. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 156,…

Richard Carrington Stockett Jr., 90, a retired realtor, died on Jan. 3, 2026, at St. Catherine’s Village in Madison. A native of Jackson, Richard was born on Aug. 5, 1935, to Beth and Richard C. Stockett Sr. An Eagle Scout, Richard graduated from Central High School in 1953 and from Mississippi State University in 1957…

Patricia A. Robertson, 75, passed away on Dec. 10, 2025. Born on Dec. 17, 1949, Patricia dedicated 25 years to the Copiah County School System. She was known for her love of family, community, and faith. Services will be held at Westhaven Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Jan. 10, 2026.

Sylvia Langford was born on July 20, 1943, to parents Eddie and Earnest Johnson. She was born and raised in Crystal Springs, later moving to Jackson where she graduated from Byram High. Sylvia did very well in school and graduated a year early, just like her mother. She went on to attend Southwestern College of…

James Harrell Hinton, 94, passed away on Dec. 28, 2025, at his residence in Crystal Springs. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Stringer Family Funeral Home in Crystal Springs. The service will be at 11 at Stringer Family Chapel, with burial at Crystal Springs Cemetery. Mr. Hinton was…

Dr. David Ralph Brown, 84, of Madison, Wisc., passed away on Dec. 18, 2025, a scientist and musician until the end. David was born on July 10, 1941, in Crystal Springs to Ralph Bingham and Ida Mae Hailey Brown.  His earliest memory was listening to radio broadcasts of World War II.  Growing up, he had…

Rebecca Susan Neal Dionne, born on Nov. 17, 1951, passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 23, 2025, in Crystal Springs, after a courageous three-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, beloved sister, and aunt along with a faithful friend to many. She is survived by her husband,…

As Greek mythology tells it, the nymph Daphne pleaded with her father to bless her with deliverance from the relentless pursuit of Apollo. Thus, she was transformed into a laurel tree–the Greek origin of “Daphne”–symbolizing achievement, victory, and eternal life. On Dec. 24, 2025, per her namesake, Daphne Dabney Terrill was transformed into a heavenly…

Caroline Yvonne Wages Pitts, 82, of Crystal Springs, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Dec. 20, 2025. Born on Jan. 28, 1943, in Memphis, Tenn., Caroline was the daughter of Clyde and Frances Wages. She was raised in Jackson and graduated from Central High School in 1961. Shortly thereafter, she began a lifelong…

Timothy Wayne Holliday, 42, of Crystal Springs, passed away on Dec. 17, 2025, at his residence. A memorial service will be at 5 p.m. on Dec. 27 at the home of Christopher Holliday. Mr. Holliday was born on Dec. 7, 1983, to Charlie Eugene Holliday and Virginia Lynn Holliday. He was a truck driver until…