Obituaries 02-23-23

RODERICK L. SMITH

May 18, 1945-Feb. 18, 2023

Funeral services for Roderick L. Smith, 77, of Buckatunna, were

conducted on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023 from the Chapel of Freeman Funeral

Home, with Rev. Mitchell Smith officiating.

Interment followed at Chason Cemetery in Buckatunna.

Born in Perry County on Friday, May 18, 1945 to Elisha Roosevelt Smith

and Annie Smith, he served in the United States Air Force and retired as

a Master Sergeant with more than 20 years of service. He also retired as

a Truck Driver.

He died on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 at Wayne General Hospital, surrounded

by his loving family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Arlene J. Smith of Buckatunna;

his son and daughter-in-law, Billy Joe and Marie Smith of Myrick; his

daughter and son-in-law, Ava and Stacey Beasley of Buckatunna; three

sisters and a brother-in-law, Carlene Russ of Mobile, Ala., Marcy and

Ricky Webb of Waynesboro and Rhonda Hayes of State Line; a brother, Hugh

Smith of State Line; three grandchildren and their respective spouses,

Slade and Maddy Smith of Laurel, Gage Smith of Laurel and Ashtin and

Colby Stevens of Buckatunna; and three great-grandchildren, Reid Smith,

Ridge Stevens and Gracie Smith.

He was preceded in death by his father, Elisha Roosevelt Smith; his

mother, Annie Smith; and a brother, Wilford Smith.

Pallbearers were Hugh Smith, Phillip Brewer, Slade Smith, Gage Smith,

Spike Webb and Kelly Thornton. Honorary pallbearers were Josh Beasley

and Jerry Ball.

THOMAS ELLIS RIGNEY

Jan. 5, 1941-Feb. 16, 2023

Funeral services for Thomas Ellis Rigney, 82, of Strengthford, were

conducted on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 from the Chapel of Freeman Funeral

Home, with Rev. Marvin Griffin, Rev. Ronnie Adams and Rev. Joel Ray

officiating.

Interment followed at Strengthford Church of God Cemetery.

Born in Wayne County on Sunday, Jan. 5, 1941 to Charles L. Rigney and

Daisy Rigney, he was a member of Strengthford Church of God. He was

retired as a Toolpusher in the oil field industry and was a Farmer.

He died on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 at his residence.

He is survived by his wife, Duple Rigney of Strengthford; three sons and

daughters-in-law, Quintin and Brenda Rigney of Plantation, Fla., Marcus

L. and Regina Rigney of Philadelphia and Paul and Selena Rigney of

Strengthford; a daughter, Antoneia Rigney of Waynesboro; 10

grandchildren and their respective spouses, Ambert and Matthew

Cartwright, April and Zachary Whitaker, Chele' Rigney, Chay Rigney, Adyn

Rigney, Taylor Rigney, Laken Rigney, Michael and Brittany Simmons, Robin

and Drake Bonner and Derrick and Elizabeth Simmons; and nine

great-grandchildren, Madelyn Cartwright, Alexis Cartwright, Hope

Cartwright, Emily Bonner, Maddie Bonner, Hunter Bonner, Mario Simmons,

Skylar Simmons and Axel Simmons.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles L. Rigney; his mother,

Daisy Rigney; three brothers, Landis Rigney, Charles Leonard Rigney and

Charles Ellis Rigney; and four sisters, Elizabeth Marcum, Daisy Marie

McCary, Marion Cooper and Mildred Falks.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

GENE HARRIS, JR.

Dec. 2, 1945

Funeral services for Gene Harris, Jr. were conducted on Thursday, Feb.

16, 2023 from St. Luke Baptist Church.

Interment followed at Waynesboro City Cemetery.

Born on Dec. 2, 1945 to Ella Mae Moore Harris and Gene Harris, Sr., of

Waynesboro, he was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army in Vietnam after

graduation. He was wounded in service and received a Purple Heart. He

served five years active duty and returned several years later to the

Army Reserves, where he was a member of the 3rd/83rd FA and the 647th

Transportation Brigade.

During his tenure as a Reservist, he actively participated in several

missions state side and abroad after 9/11. He continued to serve in the

Reserves until his retirement in December 2005.

He was married to Rosa Harris. They raised five children: Derrick

(LaTonya) Louden, Ontario Louden, Bruce Louden, Gerald (Tammy) Gay and

LaMaya Harris; and two grandchildren, Yukoa Bailey and Lovell Louden,

Sr.

In addition to the five children and two grandchildren, he leaves behind

many other loving family members, including two siblings, Sherlan Frost

and Gregory and Shirley Harris; a sister-in-law, Diane Harris; several

grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Anthony Marquez Mayfield, Jakeria

Larice Bailey and Lovel Charmont Louden, Jr.; and a host of nieces,

nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosa Harris; his parents, Ella Mae

and Gene Harris, Sr.; two brothers, Jerrell Harris and Bill Harris; and

a great-grandchild, Taylor Book Louden.

McDonald and Sons Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of

arrangements.

TRACY DALE SMITH

Jan. 24, 1948-Jan. 31, 2023

A private memorial service for Tracy Dale Smith, 75, of Waynesboro, will

be conducted by his family at a later date.

Born in Velasco, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 24, 1948 to the late Homer

Smith and Loyal Smith Gibson, he was retired as a Law Enforcement

Officer with the Mississippi Department of Transportation. He also

served in the Mississippi Air National Guard.

He died on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 at his residence.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Smith of Waynesboro; his stepson,

Ronald Scott Johnson of Waynesboro; his adopted daughter, Candall Smith;

his brother and sister-in-law, Dean and Anne Rominger of Dothan, Ala.;

and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer Smith and Loyal Smith

Gibson.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

CHARLENE HOLIFIELD RYALS

April 10, 1958-Feb. 11, 2023

Funeral services for Charlene Holifield Ryals, 64, of Waynesboro, were

conducted on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 from the Chapel of Freeman Funeral

Home, with Rev. Ronnie Morris officiating.

Interment followed at Waynesboro Cemetery.

Born in Waynesboro on Thursday, April 10, 1958 to Charley Holifield and

Pauline Holifield, she was a member of Free Will Fellowship Church. She

worked as a Florist at Maxine's Florist.

She died on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 at her residence.

She is survived by her husband, Roger E. Ryals of Waynesboro; three

sons, Brian Philyaw of Hewitt, N.J., Darrell Philyaw and Trent Philyaw,

both of Waynesboro; five brothers, Charles Holifield of Lafayette, La.,

Benny Holifield of Waynesboro, Jerry Holifield of Sandersville, Roger

Holifield and Ricky Holifield, both of Waynesboro; two sisters, Laverne

Hudson and Pat Odom, both of Waynesboro; seven grandchildren, Braxton

Philyaw, Hunter Philyaw, Dawson Philyaw, Trinity Philyaw, Jayla Philyaw,

Maddi Philyaw and Sara Philyaw; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father, Charley Holifield; her mother,

Pauline Holifield; her brother, Wayne Holifield; and two sisters, Sarah

Jean Holland and Sandra Rowland.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

JAMES C. "JIMMY" MILLER

June 6, 1955-Feb. 3, 2023

Funeral services for James C. "Jimmy" Miller, 67, of Waynesboro, were

conducted on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023 from the Chapel of Freeman Funeral

Home, with Rev. Chris Adcock and Rev. Corbin Kill officiating.

Interment followed at White House Cemetery.

Born in Waynesboro on Monday, June 6, 1955 to James C. Miller and Zelma

Doris Miller, he had worked in construction as an Electrician.

He died on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 at Wayne General Hospital.

He is survived by his daughter, Chipperess Guthrie of Quitman; two

brothers and sisters-in-law, Gary and Regina Miller of Richton and Kevin

and Milly Miller of Waynesboro; his sister and brother-in-law Dianne and

Brian Dew of Waynesboro; and his grandchild, Autumn Guthrie of Quitman.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Myra Miller; his father, James C.

Miller; and his mother, Zelma Doris Miller.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

GERALDINE DEARMON

May 31, 1950-Feb. 3, 2023

Funeral services for Geraldine Dearmon, 72, of Millry, Ala., were

conducted on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023 from Flat Branch Assembly of God

Church in Millry, with Rev. Larry Turner officiating.

Interment followed at Pine Tree Cemetery in Millry.

Born in State Line on Wednesday, May 31, 1950 to Clarence Strickland and

Rena Strickland, she was a member of Johnson Creek Baptist Church. She

was a Homemaker.

She died on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 at her residence.

She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Shelia and Winston

Waite of Millry and Nikki and Chris Odom of Waynesboro; a son and

daughter-in-law, William and Leann Dearmon of Millry; three brothers,

Van Strickland, C.V. Strickland and Vardaman Strickland; two sisters,

Juanite Hillman and Jeanette Williams; seven grandchildren, Amber

Phillips, Kirsten Dearmon, Bailey Dearmon, Kambree Odom, Landree Odom,

Victoria Tate and Dustin Dearmon; and three great-grandchildren, Jaden

Phillips, Brylee Phillips and Kaden Tate.

She was preceded in death by her father, Clarence Strickland; her

mother, Rena Strickland; her brother, Leon Strickland; and four sisters,

Irma Jean Smith, Helen Williams, Gracie Lee Smith and Dorothy McInnis.

Pallbearers were Brad Hopkins, Timothy Dearmon, Curtis Ray Strickland,

Bailey Dearmon, Cameron Waite and Hugh Smith.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

GLADYS OREE HENDERSON

July 27, 1939-Feb. 10, 2023

Funeral services for Gladys Oree Henderson, 83, of Clara, were conducted

on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 from Trinity Free Will Baptist Church, with

Rev. Jarrod Vanderslice and Rev. Gerald Henderson officiating.

Interment followed at Trinity Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery.

Born in Perry County on Thursday, July 27, 1939 to R.C. Phillips and

Myrtle Phillips, she was a devoted member of Trinity Free Will Baptist

Church. She was retired as a Supervisor at Northern Electric Company.

She died on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 at her residence.

She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Charles Henderson of

Clara; her daughter and son-in-law, Carla and Calvin Mozingo of Clara;

four grandchildren and their respective spouses, Joshua and Miranda

Jones in Clara, Jammi Stevison of Clara, Heather and Tommy Guin of

Austin, Texas, and Will Mozingo of Clara; five great-grandchildren, Sam

Jones, Jaleigh Jones, Charlie Jones, Kiley Stevison and Aubrey Ana

Stevison, all of Clara; and four sisters, Shirley Dykes of Richton,

Garcia Hutto and Robbie Mills, both of Clara, and Ardena Ellzey of

Biloxi.

She was preceded in death by her father, R.C. Phillips; her mother,

Myrtle Phillips; her daughter, Annette Henderson Jones; and her sister,

Gay McDonald.

Pallbearers were David Dykes, Marlyn Dykes, Pete Cooley, Danny Mills,

Duane Mills and Benny Walley.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.