All Obituaries

Lois Beane was born November 23, 1943 to the late Jake Perry, Sr. and Mary Perry. She departed this life on Wednesday July 21, 2021. She loved being surrounded by family and friends. Her home was always the center of family gatherings, and she was the anchor. She was always willing to give her last to anyone in need. She faithfully watched soap operas, game shows and Lifetime movies with a cup of coffee and something sweet. She was truly a joy to be around and will forever be...

Shirley Mae Coleman McKinney was born on August 14, 1937, in Shuqualak, Mississippi, to the late Jessie and Lorena Coleman. Shirley spent her early childhood years in Shuqualak, Mississippi, where they were sharecroppers. For entertainment, Shirley enjoyed basketball, hunting, and singing in a group with her sisters; Nadine, Marcela, and Erma Jean. After moving to Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1954 she joined Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church, where she was faithful until her death. Shirley...

I Just Stopped By A Time to be Born: Holly Berry Wright was born on May 16, 1977, to Ruby Berry and the late Henry Walker in New Albany, MS. Holly was raised to love and serve God. She was loved by many of her family and friends. Holly was a comedian by her own rights. She cared for people and wanted to walk closely with God.  A Time to Love: Holly was the devoted wife of James Wright. To this union, one child was born and returned to heaven. A Time to Serve: Holly was a member...

John Thomas McKinney, “Big Mac,” was born on March 16, 1957, in Lee County to the union of A.C. McKinney and Edna Earl Richardson, and reared by stepmother, Shirley Mae McKinney. He graduated from Pontotoc High, attended ICC, and played football. He loved football and basketball and ran track in high school. John worked at Mid-South Packers, Kruger Metal, and Metalloy Foundry. He went to truck drivers’ school in Lebanon, TN and then drove for Builders Transport, Alabama,...

Mrs. Druzilla Harden was born April 22, 1935 to the late David Lee Boyd and Lula Jane Holmes in Houston, MS. She attended Houston Colored School, where she was a graduate of the Class of 1953. She later met and married Lenord E. Harden, Sr. and to this union six children were born. She accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of New Salem M.B. Church in Pontotoc. Mrs. Druzilla departed this life on June 15, 2021 at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Mrs. Druzilla leaves...

Baby Zaria Elise Bell, 3 weeks, passed away Monday, May 31, 2021, at Regional One Hospital in Memphis, TN. Graveside service will be Sunday, June 6, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Gerizim Cemetery in Myrtle, MS.

Patricia Marie Benson Williams was born September 27, 1939 to Vera Wolff Merchant and Wesley M. Merchant in Wisconsin. She departed this life on Friday, May 28, 2021, at The Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, Mississippi. To lovingly remember her, she leaves four daughters: Tammey Lindsey (John) of Milwaukee, WI, Karrie Jo Benson of Beloit, WI, Shelley Golden of Pontotoc, MS, and Jody Ferguson (Hugh) of Winter Park, FL; two sons: Gregory Benson (Tersa) of Beloit, WI and Jeffery Benson of...

Baby Kyson Chase Payton was born May 25, 2021 to Tyler Payton and Mikela Echoles at the Tupelo Women's Hospital in Tupelo, MS.  He leaves to cherish his memory, his parents: Tyler C. Payton and Mikela S. Echoles ; his sister Arreyonna S. Echoles; Maternal Grandparents: Michael O. Gates and Katrena L. Echoles; Paternal Grandparent: Connie A. Payton; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and loved ones. He was preceded in death by his late Grandfather: Rodney Fitzpatrick. Graveside...

Keitha Rae Cochran, age 77, passed away on May 25, 2021. She was born the fifth of 11 children in Massachusetts, and by the age of 17 had moved to upstate New York, where she had four children before moving to California. She then moved all around Illinois before homesteading in Mississippi in the late 1980s. Ms. Cochran always loved large, old-style ships and had an endless passion for lighthouses. She enjoyed all types of needlework crafts along with any style game, whether board, card, or...

Destiny Chrishea Pratt was born on May 21, 2002, to Katrinia Graham and LeChristopher Pratt in West Point, Mississippi. She was only 19 when she departed this life on Sunday morning, May 23, 2021. Destiny was a member of the Trinity Outreach Center. She was a part of the dance team and youth choir. Destiny attended Tupelo High School, where she was an active student. She was on the Tupelo High School dance team and a member of chorus. Destiny’s senior year, she attended Houlka...