Obituaries

With great sadness, the family of Mary Nell Wiggins Spruill announces her passing on Dec. 3, 2025. Prior to her hospitalization, she resided at Berrien Co N.H. in Nashville, Ga., after suffering a stroke in February 2018. She is survived by three children and their families: Clyde Smith, of Oklahoma City, Okla., his daughter, Lindsey;…

Lottie Elaine Stuart, 84, of Crystal Springs, went home to be with the Lord on Dec. 1, 2025. She was born on April 4, 1941, in Osyka, daughter of the late William Robert McElveen and Edith Marie Bullock White. Mrs. Stuart was preceded in death by brothers, W. R. McElveen, Gene McElveen, and Paul McElveen;…

Betty Westrope was born on Sept. 5, 1940, in Prentiss and passed away peacefully at her home in Hazlehurst on Nov. 28, 2025. She loved her family beyond words. She and her husband, Eugene (the love of her life), shared a remarkable 70 years together–a bond full of devotion, laughter, and a lifetime of memories.…

Clarice Sykes Davis, 82, of Crystal Springs, passed away on Nov. 28, 2025, at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Dec. 1 at Stringer Family Funeral Home in Crystal Springs, with funeral services to follow at 2 in the Stringer Family Chapel. Interment will be…

Marjorie Renee Cannon Tompkins, 64, passed away on Nov. 22, 2025, at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m., on Friday, Nov. 28, at Stringer Family Funeral Home in Hazlehurst, with the service to follow at 10 at Stringer Family Chapel. Interment will be at Hazlehurst Cemetery. She was preceded…

Robert “Bob” Elisha Berch went home on Nov. 20, 2025. His final days this side of Heaven were spent hunting, sitting on the front porch at the farm, and playing with great-grandbabies. Bob was born in Copiah County on Jan. 30, 1956, to Jack and Betty Berch. He grew up in Hazlehurst with his three siblings,…

Ronald Allen Wood Sr., 79, of Hazlehurst, passed away on Nov. 20, 2025. Born on Nov. 6, 1946, Ronnie spent his life rooted in the Hazlehurst community that he loved. He graduated from Hazlehurst High School, attended Mississippi State University, served in the U.S. Navy, and later retired from the United States Postal Service. Ronnie…

A celebration of life will be held for Carolyn Maxine Johnson at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Bethesda Methodist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will start at 1 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Carolyn Maxine Johnson, 93, of Hazlehurst, passed away on Nov. 19 at Copiah…

Edmund E. “Buddy” Prestridge, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and one of Mississippi’s most respected community banking leaders, passed away surrounded by his family. His life was marked by integrity, service, deep faith, and a steadfast commitment to the people and communities of Mississippi. Buddy was born in San Diego, Calif., on April 1, 1938,…

A celebration of life will be held for Kathleen Russell at noon on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at Sylvarena Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will start at 10 a.m. until time of service at the church. Kathleen Russell, 87, of Wesson, passed away on Oct. 31, 2025. She was born in…