Obituaries 03-23-23

C.J. ANDERSON, JR.

March 23, 1948-March 18, 2023

Funeral services for C.J. Anderson, Jr., 74, of Buckatunna will be at 10

a.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023 from First Baptist Church of

Buckatunna, with Rev. Terry Williams officiating. Visitation will be

from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, March 24, 2023 from First Baptist Church of

Buckatunna.

Following the funeral service, interment will take place at County Line

Cemetery in State Line.

Born on Tuesday, March 23, 1948 to C.J. Anderson, Sr., and Barbara

Jeanette Anderson, he was the Owner of C.J.'s Florist for more than 50

years. During his time at the florist, he did floral design,

photography, wedding planning and, with "Mama A," even catering for

special events. Many in this small town knew C.J. from his involvement

in special events in their lives.

He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Buckatunna and

considered the other church members as part of his family. He enjoyed

designing floral arrangements for the sanctuary and for special events

at the church. His most remembered contribution to potlucks and special

occasions was his banana pudding. He loved being able to deliver them to

his friends to brighten their day.

One of his favorite hobbies included working in his yard cultivating his

flower garden. His favorite moments in life included flowers, friends

and time spent with "his girls."

He died on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Wayne General Hospital,

surrounded by family and special friends. As spoken by a teary-eyed

hospital employee on the morning of his death, "This is the end of an

era."

He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Timothy Wayne and

Shelia Anderson of Buckatunna; his brother-in-law, John Taylor of

Hurley; his sister-in-law, Linda Anderson of Buckatunna; his nieces and

nephews --- or, as he called them, his "Grand Devils" --- and their

respective spouses, Stephanie Taylor and Adam Burkes, Lauren Taylor and

Brandon Martino, Lindsey Taylor and Kraig Kline, Timothy "T" Wayne

Anderson, Jr., Rob and April Montgomery and Dinah Montgomery; "his

girls" and their respective spouses, Jessica Anderson and Kassidy

Anderson and Daniel Hall; several great-nieces, a great-nephew and

special friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, C.J. Anderson, Sr.; his mother,

Barbara Jeanette "Mama A" Anderson; a brother, Robert Max Anderson; two

sisters, Barbara Sue Taylor and Yvonne Paulette Montgomery; a

brother-in-law, Roger Montgomery; and a nephew, Jonathan Taylor.

Pallbearers will be Daniel Hall, Sawyer Wadley, Hunter Wadley, Lane

Stevens, Justin Smith and Jared Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be

Butch Taylor and Laura Revette Kelley.

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

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

DAVID DUANE VARNER

Sept. 18, 1953-March 18, 2023

Graveside services for David Duane Varner, 69, of Buckatunna, were

conducted on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from White House Cemetery, with

Jesse Rabourn officiating.

Born in Jackson on Friday, Sept. 18, 1953 to Sydney Duane Varner and

Catherine Laverne Varner, he served in the United States Army and had

worked as a Truck Driver.

He died on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at his residence.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Serena and Tim Fox of

Buckatunna; his brother, Terry Glen Varner of Brandon; his sister,

Pamela Cade of Brandon; and two grandchildren, Kayla Hopkins of

Ellisville and Wesley Hopkins of Pass Christian.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cathy Rene Varner; his father,

Sydney Duane Varner; his mother, Catherine Laverne Varner; and a

brother, Gerry Dean Varner.

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

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

WALTER RALEIGH BAKER

Sept. 5, 1937-March 13, 2023

Funeral services for Walter Raleigh Baker, 85, were conducted on

Saturday, March 18, 2023 from Laurel First United Methodist Church.

Interment followed at Pine Bluff Cemetery in Hazlehurst.

Born on Sept. 5, 1937, he died on Monday, March 13, 2023.

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

Memory Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel was in charge of arrangements.