Obituaries 12-16-21

JAMES A. PALMER

July 5, 1931-Dec. 12, 2021

Funeral services for James A. Palmer, 90, of Waynesboro, were conducted on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 from Liberty Baptist Church, with Rev. Phillip Gandy, Rev. Dwight Smith and Rev. Randy McLeod officiating.

Interment followed at Liberty Cemetery.

Born in Waynesboro on Sunday, July 5, 1931 to Houston A. Palmer and Mary Palmer Martin, he was a faithful member of Liberty Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon. He was also a member of Lions Club International.

He served in the United States Air Force and was a Veteran of the Korean War. He worked as Owner/Operator of Palmer Veneer.

He died on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021 at his residence.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, James D. and Vicki Palmer of Waynesboro; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Diana and Thomas Jordan of Waynesboro, Patty and Bruce Griffin of Mobile, Ala., and Kay Alexander of Waynesboro; his brother and sister-in-law, Morgan "Tom" and Virginia Palmer of Waynesboro; seven grandchildren and their respective spouses, Daniel and Dana Jordan, Brian and Kristin Jordan, Renee and Reo Price, Sean and Alisha Pierce, Christy and Bryan Allen, Michael and Stacy Palmer and Joshua and Brandi Palmer; 20 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and a special friend, Christine McKee.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jan Palmer; his father, Houston A. Palmer; his mother, Mary Palmer Martin; four brothers, Harold Palmer, Ray Palmer, Don Palmer and Virgil Palmer; three sisters, Shirley Whittington, Jan Sanoff and Sandra Hopton; and his grandson, Joseph Tiner.

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

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

JERRE WILLIAMS BREWER

Sept. 20, 1948-Dec. 10, 2021

A memorial service for Jerre Williams Brewer, 73, will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 from Boyles Chapel, with Rev. Tom Walker officiating.

Born on Sept. 20, 1948, she died on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.

KENNETH WAYNE RICHEY

June 10, 1947-Dec. 11, 2021

Funeral services for Kenneth Wayne Richey, 74, of Clinton, were conducted on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 from Morrison Heights Baptist Church.

A graveside service was conducted on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 from Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery in Waynesboro.

Born on June 10, 1947 to John Robert "Boss" and Sam Ella Mozingo Richey, he was a 1965 graduate of Beat Four High School and a 1969 graduate of Mississippi College. He continued his education at MC and completed his Master's degree in Math with a Specialist Degree in Counseling.

Clinton Junior High became his home away from home from 1969 until 2010. He began by teaching 7th grade Math and then became an 8th Grade Counselor at the school. During his tenure as a Math teacher, he was awarded Outstanding Young Educator. He continued his love of math by creating a Math Counts team for CJHS, with the team winning many state awards.

He was a beloved and devoted member of the Legacy of Faith Group at Morrison Heights Baptist Church, where he recently served as president.

Nearly every facet of the community had been touched by him. He was a member of the original Arts Council of Clinton and recently served as treasurer. He also served as treasurer of Friends of the Library of Clinton and Mississippi School Counselors Association while also serving as president of the Clinton Association of Retired Educators. He was selected as Outstanding Math Alumni at Mississippi College. The award for which he felt most honored was Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 2019 from the Clinton Chamber of Commerce.

Richey was so much to so many. Above all, he was generous, kind, humble, fastidious to detail, always keeping CJHS foremost in his heart. Jason Woodcock, junior high teacher, said, "He lived an amazing life and affected more people in a positive way than I could ever hope to reach."

He will be remembered as a man who loved God first, this family and friends and Clinton, Miss.

He lived by "In order to rise, you lift up others."

He died on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021 in Clinton.

He is survived by his sisters, Jerry Undine Ray and Author Jacqueline Weber; and his nieces and nephews, Ella Harris, Hollis Carroll, Linda Dale Carroll, John Price, Mary Ann Richey, Edwin Ray, Terry Turner, Abby Stuart and Ewen Richey Weber.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings, Katie Mae Carroll, Ruth Inez Richey, Robert Junior Richey and J.R. Richey.

Pallbearers were Ewen Richey Weber, Anthony Goins, Tim Martin, J. Reeves, Kent Mummert and Jean Selby.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Morrison Heights Baptist Church Mission House Building Project or a charity of your choice.

Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

WILLIAM DONALD BEARD

Dec. 4, 2021

Funeral services for William Donald Beard, 87, of Clara, were conducted on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 from the Chapel of Freeman Funeral Home, with Rev. Jason Sehon officiating.

Interment followed at White House Cemetery.

Born and raised in Clara, he was married to the love of his life, Billie Utsey Beard, for 68 years. He had a successful career as Owner/Operator of full-service stations for more than 30 years. Beard's Exxon was the last full-service station in Wayne County. He was a hard worker who provided the best for his family.

After retirement, he enjoyed being outdoors and fishing in his pond. Being a devoted husband and father, he was very affectionate who generously gave hugs, kisses and "I Love You's." He enjoyed humor, loved laughing and had a wonderful smile.

He died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 at his residence.

He is survived by his wife, Billie Beard of Clara; his son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Sharon Beard of Clara; two daughters and sons-in-law, Lynn and Jerry Mosley of Waynesboro and Phyllis and David Sumrall of Clara; four grandchildren and their respective spouses, all of whom affectionately called him "Pawpaw," Sierra and Tom Wade, Chad and Mandy Beard, Chase and Katie Sumrall and Hannah and Brad Berryman; and five great-grandchildren who loved their "Big Pop."

He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Grady and Thelma Beard of Clara; and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Marilyn and Jerry Cain of Plano, Texas, and Kathy and Harold Johnson of Clara.

He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Beard; his mother, Elsie Beard; and a brother, Charles Beard.

Pallbearers were Chad Beard, Chase Sumrall, Tom Wade, Brad Berryman, David Sumrall and Jerry Mosley.

A special "Thank You" goes to his sitters, Vernettia Pough Kirksey, Erma Nobles and Shanika Allen. All three will always hold a special place in the hearts of the family, and they are so grateful for the love and care shown to him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (act.alz.org).

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

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

BOBBY SARGENT PHILLIPS

Nov. 13, 1960-Dec. 3, 2021

Funeral services for Bobby Sargent Phillips, 61, of Waynesboro, were conducted on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 from the Chapel of Freeman Funeral Home, with Rev. Chris Cooper officiating.

Interment followed at White House Cemetery.

Born in Jonesville, La., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 1960 to Bobby S. Phillips, Sr., and Dirce C. Phillips, he was a member of Clara First Church of God. He worked as a Lease Operator with Denbury Onshore.

He died on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021 at Wayne General Hospital.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Jenna Phillips of Wayneboro; his daughter, Heather Phillips of Waynesboro; his stepson, Jason Stokley; his stepdaughter, Lindsey Merrit of Waynesboro; two sisters, Barbara Cameron of Rhinehart, La., and Annette Phillips of Pollock, La.; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Teresa K. Phillips; his second wife, Sharon Phillips; his father, Bobby S. Phillips, Sr.; his mother, Dirce C. Phillips; and his sister, Betty Brown.

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

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.