Obituaries 03-24-22

SAMUEL DAVID ARNOLD

April 24, 1955-March 17, 2022

Graveside services for Samuel David Arnold, 66, of Gilbertown, Ala., will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2022 from Kaiser Hill Cemetery in Melvin, Ala., with Brother Leslie Powe officiating.

Born on April 24, 1955, he worked as a Logger.

He died on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at his residence.

He is survived by three sisters and a brother-in-law, Betty Jones, Yvonne and Allen Nicholson and Ola M. Jones; three brothers and a sister-in-law, Jerry Arnold, Gregory and Nicole Arnold and J.D. Brown; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

McDonald and Son Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

ANDY BRYANT EVANS

June 6, 1947-March 21, 2022

Funeral services for Andy Bryant Evans, 74, of Waynesboro, will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022 from West Shady Grove Baptist Church, with Dr. Stephen Smith and Rev. Mike Street officiating. Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2022 from West Shady Grove Baptist Church.

Following the funeral service, interment will take place at Serenity Gardens Cemetery.

Born in Quitman on Friday, June 6, 1947 to V.C. Evans and Helen Evans, he was a member of West Shady Grove Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday School Teacher and Deacon Emeritus. He worked as a Teacher and Coach for the Wayne County School District for more than 35 years and finished coaching track at Wayne Academy last year at the age of 74.

He graduated from Waynesboro Central High School in 1965. He and his classmates remained close throughout the years. After graduation, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor's degree and was a loyal USM Alumni and supporter.

Andy was so many things to so many people but most of all he was a man of God. He loved his Lord, his family and his church. He was a fisherman, hunter, coach, teacher and mentor. He was a husband, father, Paw Paw, brother, son and so much more.

He attacked everything he did with all his ability. He is loved by so many and was welcomed into Heaven by his beloved grandson, Aidan, his mother, twin brother and father but, most importantly, by his Lord Jesus Christ.

He died on Monday, March 21, 2022 doing what he loved --- fishing.

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Vannette Evans of Waynesboro; his daughter and son-in-law, Tara and Lee Smith of Hattiesburg; his son and daughter-in-law, John and Naomi Atkinson of Clara; his sister, Rachel Stanley of Waynesboro; and his granddaughter, Masie Atkinson of Clara.

He was preceded in death by his father, V.C. Evans; his mother, Helen Evans; his twin brother, Randy Evans; and his grandson, Aidan Atkinson.

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

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

LOVI VELA "LOUVELLE" SARGENT

Feb. 2, 1951-March 17, 2022

Graveside services for Lovi Vela "Louvelle" Sargent, 71, of Waynesboro, will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022 from New Jordan Cemetery in Millry, Ala., with Rev. Alfred James officiating. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022 from the Chapel of Turner Funeral Home.

Born on Feb. 2, 1951, he was a former employee with Hood Industries.

He died on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at his residence.

An online registry can be viewed at turnerfuneralhomems.com.

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

ROD LAMAR HILL

May 13, 1971-March 11, 2022

Funeral services for Rod Lamar Hill, 50, will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2022 from the Chapel of Turner Funeral Home, with Pastor Malfalda Taylor officiating. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2022 from the Chapel of Turner Funeral Home.

Following the funeral service, cremation will be conducted.

Born on May 13, 1971, he was a Laborer.

He died on Friday, March 11, 2022 at Wayne General Hospital.

An online registry can be viewed at turnerfuneralhomems.com.

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

OTIS HAYES

Jan. 2, 1962-March 15, 2022

Graveside services for Otis Hayes, 60, of Waynesboro, will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 28, 2022 from St. John Cemetery, with Rev. Larry Pickens officiating. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Monday, March 28, 2022 from the Chapel of Turner Funeral Home.

Born on Jan. 2, 1962, he was a Veteran of both the United States Army and the United States Air Force. He worked as a Taxi Cab Driver.

He died on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at his residence.

An online registry can be viewed at turnerfuneralhomems.com.

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS JIMMY BLAKelY

Dec. 16, 1959-March 16, 2022

Funeral services for Petty Officer 1st Class Jimmy Blakely, 62, of Buckatunna, were conducted on Monday, March 21, 2022 from Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Darron Chapman officiating.

Interment followed at the church cemetery.

Born on Dec. 16, 1959, he was a Veteran of the United States Navy. He worked at Masonite Corporation.

He died on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at Asbury Hospice House in Hattiesburg.

He is survived by his wife, Annette Blakely; his daughter, Jennifer R. Warren of Buckatunna; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Master Sergeant (Ret.) Billy and Mary Blakely of Georgia and Colonel (Ret.) Freddie and Madelyn Blakely of Kentucky; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Gloria D. Blakely of Buckatunna and Master Sergeant (Ret.) Francine and Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Marcus Blakely-Smith of Northern Virginia; and two grandchildren, Jeniya and Terry Ruffin of Buckatunna.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, his paternal grandparents, his maternal grandparents, his foster maternal grandparents and a sister-in-law.

An online registry can be viewed at turnerfuneralhomems.com.

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

BILLY RAY TAYLOR

July 16, 1953-March 15, 2022

Funeral services for Billy Ray Taylor, 68, of Ocean Springs, were conducted on Saturday, March 19, 2022 from the Chapel of Freeman Funeral Home, with Rev. Bo Bankston officiating.

Interment followed at White House Cemetery.

Born in Waynesboro on Thursday, July 16, 1953 to H.A. Taylor, Jr., and Mary Taylor, he had worked as a Trade School Worker with Singing River Industries.

He died on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport.

He is survived by his brother, Bobby True; two aunts and their respective spouses, Bonnie and Forrest Bonner of Clara and Faye Chestang of Axis, Ala.; and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, H.A. Taylor, Jr.; his mother, Mary Taylor; and his sister, Shirley Faye Taylor.

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

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

ERVIN L. MOORE, SR.

june 28, 1936-march 5, 2022

Funeral services for Ervin L. Moore, Sr., 85, of Waynesboro, were conducted on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 from Pineville Missionary Baptist Church, with Dr. Kenneth Maurice Davis and Pastor Samuel Newton officiating.

Interment followed at the church cemetery.

Born on June 28, 1936, he was a Retiree of Northern Electric Company.

He died on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Pine View Health and Rehabilitation Center.

He is survived by his wife, Claretha Moore; his son, Ervin L. Moore, Jr., of Waynesboro; two daughters and a son-in-law, Gloria Genese and Kenneth Maurice Moore-Davis of Saucier and Gwendolyn Latonya Moore of Waynesboro; five brothers and three sisters-in-law, Walter Prentis and Barbara Moore of Cleveland, Ohio, Robert Curtis and Eula B. Moore, David Lee Moore, Kenneth and Dorothy Moore and Ray Charles Moore, all of Waynesboro; two sisters, Emyrtle Binder of Pritchard, Ala., and Mary Davis of Tchula; five grandchildren and their respective spouses, Caleb Kenyal and Rowena Davis of Huntsville, Ala., Jairus Kendal and Alexis Davis of Gulfport, Shy-Erviyunna Gwentasha Moore, Armanni Laxavra Edwards and Arnanda Genese Moore, all of Waynesboro; and three great-grandchildren, Carter Addison Davis and Riley Madison Davis of Huntsville and Haley Grace Slater of Waynesboro.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two brothers-in-law, a sister-in-law and a great-grandchild.

An online registry can be viewed at turnerfuneralhomems.com.

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

GREGORY "LOADERMAN" SMITH

Oct. 29, 1960-March 1, 2022

Graveside services for Gregory "Loaderman" Smith, 61, of Waynesboro, were conducted on Saturday, March 12, 2022 from Waynesboro Cemetery, with Pastor David Edwards officiating.

Born on Oct. 29, 1960, he was a Logger.

He died on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at Providence Hospital in Mobile, Ala.

He is survived by his wife, Janice Smith; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dederrick and Britany Stokes and Gregory Smith, all of Waynesboro; two "bonus" children and their respective spouses, Cyrus and Netta Howard and Kimely Howard, all of Waynesboro; two daughters, Stephanie Stokes and Esoterica Stokes, both of Waynesboro; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Diane and Charles Ray Ellis of Heidelberg and Rose and George Hardaway of Salem; and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an aunt, two sisters and a brother.

An online registry can be viewed at turnerfuneralhomems.com.

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

SHIRLEY GRAY

Jan. 3, 1938-Feb. 28, 2022

Graveside services for Shirley Gray, 84, of Miami Gardens, Fla., were conducted on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 from Mt. Levy Church Cemetery, with Rev. Marvin Chapman officiating.

Born on Jan. 3, 1938, she was a Nurse's Aide in the healthcare industry.

She died on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022 in Miami Gardens.

She is survived by four sons and a daughter-in-law, Ollie, Jr., Caesar and Rosina, Henry and Robert; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Elsie and Erol Stewart, Faye and Benny and Betty; her siblings, Clara Pickens of Sandusky, Ohio, Elise Horne of Mississippi and Charlie Mood of the Matherville community; her grandchildren, Ollie III, Steven Paul, Robert Marcus, Katrina, Ebony, Diamond, Mercedes, Janatha, Erol, Jr., Ra'Bria, Antoinette, Latoya and Henry; 26 great-grandchildren and a host of grieving nieces, nephews, family, friends, neighbors and church members.

McDonald and Son Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

ARDELL NELSON

Jan. 6, 1932-Feb. 25, 2022

Graveside services for Ardell Nelson, 90, of Shubuta, were conducted on Friday, March 4, 2022 from Little Zion Cemetery, with Rev. Darin Rogers officiating.

Born on Jan. 6, 1932, she was a Homemaker.

She died on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 at her residence.

She is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, Fred and Rosemary Nelson, Willie B. and Mary Nelson, Chucky and Tracy Nelson, all of Shubuta, and Cleveland and Yvonne Nelson of Waynesboro; two daughters and a son-in-law, Patricia and Billy Walley of State Line and Diane Brown of Shubuta; a sister, Jeanie Brewster of Altadena, Calif.; a goddaughter, Annie Jean Powe of Shubuta; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and all but one sibling.

An online registry can be viewed at turnerfuneralhomems.com.

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

LOSSIE MAE MORGAN

April 1, 1938-Feb. 14, 2022

Funeral services for Lossie Mae Morgan, 83, of Waynesboro, were conducted on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022 from Sunlight Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Cecil Jackson officiating.

Born on April 1, 1938, she was a Retired Laborer in the manufacturing industry.

She died on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022 at her residence.

She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Henry Lee Gilner and Rodney and Bobbie Gail Gilner; two daughters and a son-in-law, Teresa Gilner and Doris Faye and Felix Wright;, two brothers, six sisters, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, her husband and her youngest son.

An online registry can be viewed at turnerfuneralhomems.com.

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

CHRISTINE "MAMA DULA" GANDY

Feb. 3, 1963-Feb. 5, 2022

Funeral services for Christine "Mama Dula" Gandy, 59, of Waynesboro, were conducted on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022 from Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Donald R. Gandy officiating.

Born on Feb. 3, 1963, she was a Homemaker.

She died on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022 at Wayne General Hospital.

She is survived by her son, Christopher Jenkins of Waynesboro; her daughter, Christina Lee See of Waynesboro; five brothers and four sisters-in-law, J.C. and Bobbie Gandy of Tupelo, Frank and Belinda Gandy of Jackson, Albert Gandy, Steve and Felicia Gandy and Rev. Donald and Audrey Gandy, all of Waynesboro; and four sisters and three brothers-in-law, Yvonne Wilson of Laurel, Mable and the late Marcus Jones, Mary and Aaron Miles and Lola and Darwin Dubose, all of Waynesboro.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

An online registry can be viewed at turnerfuneralhomems.com.

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.