Riverwood Family Funeral Services - Obituaries (2024)

Robert Louis Brown, 64, was born on December 4, 1955, in Brookhaven.

He passed away on November 10, 2020, at Jaquith Nursing Home.

He was preceded in death by his parents,

Robert Eugene Brown and Billie Waldrop White Brown; sister, Debra Susan Brown,

and a special sister, Karen Adams who was only 4 years old when he was born.

She took him under her wings and protected him like a little mother hen; he was also

preceded in death by his two nephews, Sid and Brad Beasley.

He is survived by two sisters, Lisa Rudesill

(Patrick) of Hammond, LA. and Diane Beasley (Sidney) of Wesson, MS; brother, Ronnie White

of Brookhaven, MS. His uncles, Tommy Brown

and Wayne Brown of Wesson, MS.; along with several nieces and nephews and other family members.

Robert was a special part of our family and we are rejoicing today because we

know he has a whole new body and is sitting

on the right arm of our Lord and Savior.

God is Good! All the Time!

Published inObituaries

Services for Mrs. Rebecca Elizabeth Vaughn Furlow of Wesson are 3:00 pm Sunday, November 15, 2020, at Riverwood Family

Visitation will be from 1:00 until the time of the service with interment at Easthaven Cemetery.

Rebecca “Becky” Nettles Vaughn-Furlow was born in Pascagoula, MS on June 13, 1946 to parents, W.E. and Elizabeth Nettles.

She passed away peacefully at her home on November 12, 2020. She is preceded in death by her parents,

husband, Glen Vaughn and husband, Benton Furlow. Brothers, James Nettles and Jeff Nettles,

sisters, Joyce Butler, Kathleen Garren, and Peggy Ritchie.

Becky is survived by her children, Angie Jordan and husband, Bob, Chad Vaughn and wife, Mendez, Bethany Lewis and husband, Keith.

She was a very proud “Gran Gran” to her grandchildren, Leighton Jordan, Kailyn Jordan, Olivia Grace Lewis, and Glen Vaughn Lewis.

Becky also enjoyed the companionship of her beloved dog, Sammy.

Becky was a graduate of Brookhaven High School; attended the University of MS; was a graduate of School of Bank Marketing at

the University of Colorado & Bank Management School for Marketing Managers at the University of Wisconsin.

She graduated from the Graduate School of Banking of the South at LSU in 1987.

She worked for 51 years in retail bank and operations at Trustmark National Bank in both Brookhaven and Jackson, MS.

She transferred to Marketing and finally to Human Resources where she was the Director of Human Resources when she retired in 2014.

She was the first female Executive Vice President at Trustmark. She wrote several articles that were published in banking magazines and journals.

After retirement, she enjoyed being a columnist for The Clarion Ledger and The Daily Leader for a short while.

She was an active member of Heucks Retreat Baptist Church where she taught the Adult Ladies Sunday School Class, was a member of the choir,

chair of the Personnel Committee, and member of the Stewardship Committee. Before moving to Heucks Retreat, Becky served as a long time

Sunday School teacher and chair of the Missions Committee,

Transportation Committee, and Building Finance Committee while attending First Baptist Church in Brookhaven.

She was a current member of the Grand Cougars Club at Brookhaven Academy, facilitator for Widows Support Group, board member of Capital Club,

treasurer and member of Board of Directors of the Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation, member of the Board of Directors of the MS

Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, where she served as the former chair of the Nominating Committee, and a member of the Leadership Council of Greater MS Girl Scouts.

Her former Civic involvement included being a member of the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement, Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women

where she was a finalist in 2003 for the MS Business Woman of the Year, director of MS Economic Council, participant in MEC’s Leadership MS,

consultant for Project Business Division of Junior Achievement and Board Member of the Educational Foundation Trust.

Becky was also an active member of the Kiwanis Club, Capital Area Human Resource Associates,

Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, and Board of Hinds County Workforce Investment Network.

Becky’s professional involvement included Financial Women International Member, National Board of Directors

of the Bank Marketing and BMA’S National Executive Committee. She was chosen two years to inclusion in the

Outstanding Young Women of America and was the Beta Sigma Phi’s “Girl of the Year” of MS in 1968.

She also was a Gala Honoree from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in 2015, received the Woman of Achievement Award from the Girl Scouts in 2015.

She was the first woman elected to serve as president of the Brookhaven Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce,

where she was the winner of the Membership Award for 3 years. She was the former director of United Way, Linbrook Arts Council, Kiwanis Club,

Boys and Girls Club and the American Cancer Society. She chaired the Mayor’s Awareness Committee to make Brookhaven a more accessible

city for people with disabilities, was the first female member of the Board of Directors for Brookhaven Academy. Becky organized and led a widowed support group for many years.

Becky was loved and admired by family, friends, and colleagues that she met over the years. She made an impact on many lives and her leadership will be

missed by many. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Heucks Retreat Baptist Church, debt reduction fund.

Published inObituaries

Services for Mrs. Nona Meek Sutton Leggett, of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm, Thursday, November 12, 2020, at Riverwood with burial at Matthews Chapel Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 12:00 until the time of the service at Riverwood.

Mrs. Nona Meek Sutton Leggett, 62, passed away on November 8, 2020, at Kings Daughters Medical Center.

She was born on November 10, 1957, to Isaac Daniel Meek and Jeane Rose Paugh Meek.

Mrs. Leggett was a nurse for 42 years. Throughout her rewarding career, she

worked in Hospice, Home Health, and Pediatrics.

She enjoyed sewing, cross-stitching, gardening, and people. Most of all, she loved being with her grandbabies,

her dogs Baxter and Harley and cats, Taco and Cheeto, and her best friend and husband, Frank.

She also loved making holiday gifts, and candy. Her fudge was requested every year.

Preceding her in death were her parents; brothers, Lance Meek, Blair Meek; son, Richard Sutton, and also her children’s father, Gordon Sutton.

Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Frank (Bub) Leggett, that always kept her smiling;

son, Shawn Sutton (Kristine Ball); daughter, Nisa Sutton; step-son, Chris Leggett (Erica);

brothers, Foster Meek, March Meek; sisters, July Meek (Georgette Bourg) Dara Meek, Tarla Phillips (Ronnie).

She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Avery Fischer, Harrison Sutton, Jameson Sutton,

Miles Sutton, Chelsea Jackson (Brendon), Cody Leggett, Tyler Leggett, and mother-in-law, Opal Leggett, along with a host of nieces and nephews.

Published inObituaries

Mark David Olin, 58, of McComb, passed away of natural causes November 6, 2020, at his residence.

He was born on September 8, 1962, in Miami, Florida, to the late Theodore Olin and Mary Ann Olin.

He was a Production Supervisor for Georgia Pacific and served his country in the United States Army as a lifeguard.

He enjoyed boating, fishing, woodworking, and water sports.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and brothers, Darrell Hansen and Vernon Hansen.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 27 years, Anne-Marie Olin; brother, Tim Olin, and sister, Cynthia Knowles,

and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Published inObituaries

Graveside service for Mr. Paul Edward Willingham, Sr. will be 11 a.m.,

Thursday, November 12, 2020, at Mt. Olive Church of Christ Cemetery.

Mr. Willingham, 81, of Brookhaven, passed from this life November 7, 2020.

He was born May 15, 1939, in Brookhaven to parents, William Edward Willingham

and Ruby Nell Dunaway Willingham. During his lifetime he provided for his family

by working in the Timber business. For pleasure, he took time to hunt and fish, and

just enjoy his family. He was a member of Brookway Church of Christ.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Willingham; his parents; son, Paul Willingham, Jr.;

grandfather, Bailey Dunaway; and sister, Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Willingham Ratcliff.

Those left to cherish his memory are his grandson, Paul Willingham III; sister, Barbara Willingham;

and two great grandchildren, Nathan Edward Willingham, and Brayden Edward Willingham; and

other loving family members, F. J. Ratcliff, and Bailey and Abby Dunaway.

Published inObituaries

Graveside service for Eloyce Watts Porter will be 2 p.m., Saturday,

November 7, 2020, at New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be

held from noon until 1:30 p.m. at Riverwood prior to the service.

Mrs. Porter, 92, of Brookhaven, was transported from her earthly home to

her eternal home Wednesday, November 4, 2020. She began her walk here

June 2, 1928, born to the late Ezra Watts and Mae Smith Watts. She was a member

of Central Baptist Church. Mrs. Eloyce was a caring wife, mother, grandmother,

and great grandmother. She was a diligent worker, at home as well as in her church

and community. Her talents included all kinds of needlework, sewing, crochet,

and quilting. She also enjoyed gardening and preparing tasty meals for her family

and friends. Mrs. Eloyce was a member of Homemakers Cooperative Extension.

She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Shirley Labeth Callender, and

Dorothy Watts Case; and her grandson, Bradley Scott Porter.

Those who remain to cherish her memory are her husband, Pat Porter; sons,

Ronnie Porter (Charlotte), Randy Porter (Ruby), Terry Porter, and Jeff Porter (LouAnn);

sister, Bonnie Watts Smith; ten grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren,

as well as numerous nieces and nephews and other loving family members and friends.

Published inObituaries

Funeral service for Robert W. Foster will be 11 a.m., Friday, November 6,

at New Sight Baptist Church with interment at New Sight Cemetery.

Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, November 5, at New Sight Baptist Church.

Mr. Robert Lee Walter “Skeet” Foster, 85, of Brookhaven, passed from this life

November 3, 2020, at his residence. He was born June 1, 1935 to the late Robert Lee Foster

and Elena Price Foster. He attended Fair Oak Springs School and went on to serve his

country in the United States Navy. Mr. Foster made an honest living as a truck driver

and was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Walter Patrick Foster; grandchild, Shelby L. Foster; and brother-in-law, Harold Smith.

Those left to cherish his memory are, his wife, Roena Davis Foster; sons, Robert Curtis “Bobby” Foster

and wife, Brenda, of Brookhaven, Daniel Christepher Foster and wife, Susan, of Brandon, Stacey Lee Foster

and wife, Tillie, of Wesson; daughter, Angelia Sue Foster Ross and husband, Jason, of Wiggins; brothers,

Wayne Foster and wife, Virginia of Bogue Chitto, Derrall Foster and wife Linda, of Sontag, Jerry Foster

and wife, Bonnie, of Colorado, Thomas Foster, of Brookhaven; sisters, Francis Smith, of Brookhaven, and

Kathyrn McDonald, of Baton Rouge. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren, Dustin Foster and wife,

Emily, Jennifer Cothran and husband, Tyler, Madison Foster, Hunter Foster, Kelsie Foster, Kaylie Foster,

Foster Ross, Eli Ross, and Ryan Ross; and one great grandchild, Emma Reese Foster; as well as

other loving family members and friends.

Published inObituaries

Graveside service for Mr. Lee Gorton will be 2 p.m., Friday, November 6, at

Heucks Retreat Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is 5-7 p.m., Thursday, November 5,

at Riverwood Family.

Lee Gorton, 95, passed away peacefully at Silver Cross Nursing Home in Brookhaven, MS

on November 1, 2020.

He was preceded in passing by his wife of 61 years, Ruth Gorton and is survived by his daughter,

Elizabeth Scott; son, Fred Gorton; grandson Christopher Lucas and great grandchildren,

Benjamin and Anna; and sister Faye Bullock and brother Ray Gorton.

Mr. Gorton was born on September 29, 1925 in rural Richland Parish NE LA. Lee enlisted

in the Navy on June 26, 1942 and served aboard the USS Alcyone in the South Pacific, during WW2.

After the war he met and married Ruth Lee of Brookhaven, MS. Working in the oil fields

for the next 40 years, primarily living in New Iberia, LA., he and Ruth retired to “the hill” in 1988,

just outside Brookhaven near her old family home.

When not gardening, which he was great at, he loved fishing the nearby ponds, or tinkering

with anything old that had a motor on it. Lee could often be seen riding up and down

the nearby rolling hills in his bright red Chevy truck, waving to neighbors,

exhaust pipes rumbling, and puppy dog in his lap.

He loved our Lord Jesus Christ, his wife and all his family.

Published inObituaries

We are all diminished today by the passing from this life of Robert O. Allen

but know we have been enriched by his presence in our lives. Bob died on October 30, 2020,

at Kings Daughters Hospital, the hospital he helped lay the foundation for as a mason’s helper while a teenager.

Born in Brookhaven, Mississippi on September 29th, 1946 to Lt Col. Emmette P. Allen and Gertrude Allen,

Bob started school in Bordeaux, France after WW II before moving to Brookhaven. A 1964 graduate of Brookhaven High School,

Bob was a varsity letterman in track, baseball, and football. He received a scholarship to play free safety for the University of Arkansas

but failed to matriculate from there due to his excellence at extracurricular activities. Instead, Bob graduated from Mississippi College

with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology in 1969. With his priorities straight and his beautiful bride, Patricia Black Allen, by his side,

Bob completed law school at the University of Mississippi in two years while chairing the Law School Honors Council and working for the Bank of Oxford repossessing automobiles.

After receiving his law degree in 1972, Bob clerked for Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Neville Patterson

and prosecuted for the Hinds County District Attorney’s office. Bob eventually returned home to practice with this father where they opened Allen & Allen.

Bob practiced law from that day forward in Brookhaven and was joined by his son, Will Allen, in 2001. While Bob began his career in

Brookhaven handling domestic and criminal matters, he eventually transformed his practice into one defending governmental entities.

In addition to his litigation practice, Bob was the board attorney for the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors for 41 years

and the board attorney for the Brookhaven Separate School district for 43 years.

Bob received a multitude of honors during his legal career including being named to the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers,

America’s Top 100 Attorneys, Super Lawyers, and his firm was named by US News and World Reports as a Best Law Firm in America.

Bob has long held an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell –the highest rating available.

Bob was a member of the American Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, the Mississippi Bar Association, and the Lincoln County Bar Association.

He was most active in the Mississippi Bar where he served multiple terms as a bar commissioner and served on the Ethics, Insurance,

and Death Penalty Committees. He was also a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation as well as a member of the Defense Research Institute,

the Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association, National Council of School Board Attorneys, Mississippi Counsel of School Board Attorneys (Board of Directors),

and the Mississippi Association of County Attorneys.

While Bob was involved in a number of significant lawsuits, he was most proud of his ability to befriend adversaries and clients alike.

He was a passionate advocate for his clients but also a gentleman who was forthright and well trusted by the bar and bench.

Bob had numerous offers to join large firms throughout his career but was completely satisfied being, as he often said, a “country lawyer.”

Bob loved Brookhaven and invested his time there as president of the Kiwanis club, president of the United Givers Fund,

and president of the Lincoln Lawrence County Red Cross. He was a proud member of Trustmark National Bank advisory board and

also supported Outreach Ministries and the Mississippi Capital Defense Fund. He was involved in the Krewe of Ceres his entire life where he served as a page, an escort, and finally King.

Bob coached every level of softball and baseball for his children and many others in the community. He built a batting cage in his backyard to

give not only the players on his team's extra practice but anyone who needed it. It was not unusual to find him throwing batting practice for

opposing team hours before game time, and he was well known for blaring “pump up music” to encourage his players. He had the unique ability

to make kids comfortable and confident at crucial moments during games regardless of skill level. While he asked for kids to give every game their all,

telling them “no guts, no glory,” he often tempered that by telling them that regardless of what happened, “the sun would come up the next day.” Much to Pat’s chagrin,

Bob gave yearly demonstrations on the proper method for executing a hook slide, often in slacks and a button-down. His proudest baseball moment was the 1984

City Baseball Championship where he coached an underdog team to victory.

Bob was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church where he was Chairman of the Deacons

as well as Chairman of the Finance, Policy, and Wee Care committees. He was also a Sunday school teacher at First Baptist

where he loved to sneak his high school boys off for a big breakfast. Bob regularly attended Faith Presbyterian Church so that his grandchildren,

Sam and Lucy Allen, could sit with both their parents and grandparents

He leaves behind his wife Patricia Black Allen, his daughter Julie Allen Foncea and husband Dr. Pablo Foncea, Knoxville, TN,

his son Will Allen and wife Jenny Allen, Brookhaven, MS, his sister Betty Allen Tucker, and husband Jim Guy Tucker, Little Rock Arkansas,

as well four grandchildren: Jacob Foncea and wife Clayton, Janie Foncea, Sam Allen and Lucy Allen. Bob also leaves behind a multitude

of family members who mourn his passing: Charles Underwood, Lance Alworth, Jr., Kelly Driscoll, David Morgan, Anna Ashton, Michelle Staub, Sarah Tucker Piccolo,

and Phillip Morgan. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Lt. Col. Allen and Gertrude Allen, his father-in-law and hunting partner A.G. Black, mother-in-law Rosalind Black, and sister-in-law Becky Black Morgan.

While a tireless advocate for his clients and those he loved, he relished quietly serving others without recognition. A 25-year chip member of Alcoholics Anonymous and his participation in Walk to Emmaus were integral to who he became later in life. He was a difference-maker.

Bob filled up every room he ever entered; he loved and was loved fiercely. His legacy to his children and grandchildren is undergirded

by the belief that faith is expressed by action. He taught them to run to an emergency instead of running away, to look for ways to help others,

and to do the hard things with everything you have. He loved quiet mornings on a river or lake with his fly rod. He also loved fall mornings, hot coffee,

the smell of gun oil, the sound of duck wings before daylight, good dogs, the sound of a bream hitting a popping bug, and his wife, children, and grandchildren.

The last time he saw his wife, Pat, while hospitalized with COVID, he remarked to his nurse, “Isn’t she the most beautiful woman you have ever seen?”

He assured everyone around him that he knew he had “married up.”

We are absolutely certain that when he arrived in heaven, he looked for a jury to say his favorite words: “Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury.”

After that he found a campfire to sit around and tell tall tales to all of the friends and family waiting to embrace him. He fought the good fight and finished the race. Now he is finally home.

A funeral will be held at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial gifts in his name to the Brookhaven Separate School District or World Vision.

Published inObituaries

Services for Mr. Jimmie Eugene Britt, of Wesson, are 2 p.m., Sunday, November 1, 2020,

at Mt Zion Baptist Church with visitation from noon until the time of the service. Interment

will be at the church cemetery.

Mr. Jimmie Eugene Britt, 82, went to be with his Lord on October 29, 2020. He was born on

April 26, 1938, to the late Isom Wardell Britt and Myrtis May Walker Britt.

Mr. Britt was a retired dairy farmer and enjoyed spending time with his family.

Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Edith Hux, and brother, Glenn Britt.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Yvonne Britt; sons, Edward Britt (Sheila),

Alton Britt (Sherry); daughters, Kim Wallace (Jamie) and Janet Smith (Gary); along with 14 grandchildren,

Chris Britt (Sheree), Brandi Smith (Layke), Haley Britt, Shelly Price (Robert), CJ Britt (Shelby),

Ryan Wallace (Olivia), Brittany Burch (Brandon), Brock Wallace, Gaden Smith (Leah), Emily Britt (JD),

Julie Smith, Patrick Smith (Brittany), Ashley Strieff (Michael), and Wendy Howell (Shane);

and 15 great-grandchildren.

Published inObituaries