Sebrell Funeral Home

Betty Betts Conner died October 19, 2023, in Madison, Mississippi, surrounded by her family. The only child of Nell and Cecil Betts, she was born on January 24, 1932, in Concord, NC, and was the apple of her parents' eyes. She was a 1950 graduate of Clift High School in Opelika, AL, and was the first in her family to attend college, earning her B.A. in Biology in 1954 from Huntingdon College, Montgomery, AL. While at Huntingdon, Betty served as president of her freshman and junior classes. She was elected student body president her senior year, and was selected for inclusion in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. After graduating, Betty attended the School of Medical Technology...

Marie Rayner Saxon, 87, of Monticello MS was called home to be with her Lord and Savior September 16, 2023, with her girls by her side in Madison, MS. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Monticello, MS. Mrs. Marie was born on June 10, 1936, in Pineville, MS and lived her younger years in Smith County. She was raised by her uncle and aunt, Earnest and Bessie Rayner. A graduate of Pineville High School, Mrs. Saxon married Doug Saxon and they were married for 66 years. Mrs. Marie retired from Larwence County Hospital where she had many friends she loved. After retirement, she continued her career as an independent...

On April 17, 2023, The Reverend John Stone Jenkins, beloved husband, father, grandfather, educator, and Episcopal clergyman, passed away peacefully at the age of 98. John was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Robert Floyd Jenkins and Glena Pritchard Jenkins. Like so many other members of the "Greatest Generation," his childhood was not an easy one. In 1938 John's father was killed in an automobile accident and the bank foreclosed on their house. At age 14 he began delivering newspapers by bicycle, eventually taking on two routes and saving enough money to pay for a year of college at Texas A&M. In 1942, with money being tight, John transferred to Louisiana State University. Because of...

Jean Covington Jackson Bulloch died on March 24, 2023, at the age of 93 after a full and blessed life. Born on June 12, 1929, in McComb, Mississippi to Augusta Aston Covington and George Ellis Covington. Jean was the second of two children and sister to William Aston Covington. She was raised in Magnolia, MS. Jean graduated high school at Sullins College in Bristol, VA. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor if Music focusing on piano from The Tulane University - Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans, LA. Jean pledged Phi Mu in college and was active in her sorority for life. After beginning her career with the USO in Memphis, TN she met and married and began her...

Charles Ervin Williamson, 82, died Sunday, December 25, 2022, at home with his wife. A funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 28, 2022, at Fellowship Baptist Church in Starkville, Mississippi. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. with funeral services following at 10:00 a.m. A graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Meridian, Mississippi. Mr. Williamson was born on October 29, 1940, in Philadelphia, Mississippi; the son of the late, Williamson and Bonnie Williamson. A veteran, He served his country honorably in the United States Air Force. Mr. Williamson previously was employed at Cali'co Hardwood Inc in Santa Rosa, Ca ; before...

Harold Slay Ishee, 90, of Brandon, MS, passed away Thursday, December 1, at St. Dominic's Hospital in Jackson, MS. Born December 23, 1931, he grew up outside of Stringer, MS. A graduate of Stringer High School, he attended Jones Junior College before joining the U.S. Army. After service in the Korean War, he attended Mississippi State University and graduated in 1958 with a degree in Agricultural Economics. After graduation, he served as Assistant County Agent for Lincoln County. In 1962, he was employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Jackson, MS, as a statistician where he worked until his retirement on December 31, 1999. He was a member of Grace Primitive Baptist Church...

Sharon Lea Thibodeaux, age 64, died November 22, 2022, in Hospice Care in Morton, MS. Sharon was born in Baton Rouge, LA on April 2, 1958 to Mary Callahan and Arsan J. Thibodeaux. She graduated from Central Private High School in Central, Louisiana. Her hands were rarely still. As a teenager she learned to make and decorate cakes, including wedding cakes. The cookie container was always full. Her family loved to camp. She and her parents traveled in the RV to visit relatives and sightseeing. Sharon was a caregiver at heart. She cared for children at the day care where she worked for a few years. She loved her nieces and nephews and was always thinking about them. As her parents needed...

NEW ALBANY - Joyce Bonner Sumners of New Albany, Miss., and recently of Madison, Miss., died on Saturday, October 15, 2022, of the rigors of old age. She was 89. Visitation with the family is 10:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at Wesley Hall of First United Methodist Church in New Albany. The funeral is at noon at the church. (A family graveside service at New Albany Cemetery will precede the funeral.) Sebrell Funeral Home, Ridgeland, Miss., is handling arrangements. Joyce was born in New Albany as the only child of the late Thomas Troy Bonner and Mary Wilson Sherrod Bonner. She moved with her family to Booneville her junior year in high school and graduated in...

Margaret Elaine Ward Hallum peacefully passed away at home on the morning of September 5, 2022. She was 84 years young. Elaine was the eldest daughter of Francis and Vivian Ward of Fitzgerald, Georgia. Born in Macon, Georgia on November 22, 1937 she grew up in Fitzgerald where she attended Fitzgerald High School and was honored as its first Homecoming Queen. After graduating she attended Emory University in Atlanta where she met and later married the love of her life, Alton Venson Hallum, Jr. Together, along with their two young children, Alton Venson Hallum, III (Hank) and Madalyn Hollingsworth Hallum (Holli), they spent three and a half years at Clark Airforce Base in the Philippines...

Paula Steckel Burkhalter, 91, died Sunday, May 22, 2022 at Baptist Hospital. A funeral service will be held at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at New Palestine Cemetery in Picayune, Mississippi. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at Sebrell Funeral Home and will continue at 8:00 a.m. Thursday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Mrs. Burkhalter was born on December 24, 1930, in Germany, the daughter of the late Wilhem Benno Steckel and Berta Hildegard Jahn. At age 14, she was placed in a forced labor camp after losing her homeland at the end of World War II. She met...

Kenneth Anthony Bailey Sr., died, Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 at peacefully at home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am. Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the Venue at Pinelake Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM Saturday in the Venue. Mr. Bailey was born on August 4th, 1936, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the son of the late Clarence Bailey and Willlimina Bougerios A graduate off Catholic High School, he was a standout member of the football team where he played offensive and defensive guard. He continued his education at Southeastern University, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration. and continued to excel on f the football field playing offensive and defensive...

Craig Lee Bullman, 62, passed on May 10, 2022 at UMMC following a battle with lung cancer. Craig was born in Selma, AL on May 13, 1959. He married Joyce Anne Whisenhunt on October 20, 1979 in Brandon, MS. They are long time residents of Brandon. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rachel Bullman and brother in law, Raymond Carter. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Bullman; father Howard Bullman of Starkville, MS; son, Cody Bullman and wife Laurie of Fort Worth, TX; son, Chase Bullman and wife Stefanie of Carl Junction, MO; brother, Mark Bullman and wife LaDonna of Starkville, MS; brother, Paul Bullman and wife Sean of Houma, LA; sister in law Belinda Carter of Corinth, MS; multiple...

Carolyn Nix Wilson, 73, died, Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2022, at Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church in Ridgeland with burial following at Natchez Trace Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday and 10:00 am Saturday at Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church. Carolyn was born on September 15, 1948, in Hattiesburg. She was the oldest of five children born to the late Ernest L. (Jack) Nix Sr. and Katherine Morren Nix. She graduated from Hattiesburg High School and the University of Southern Mississippi, where she majored in French and history. Carolyn was a dedicated teacher for many years. ...

Carl Rogel passed away on April 15, 2022 at the age of 63, surrounded by his family at his home in Flowood, MS. Carl showed his courage in facing life challenges as he battled an aggressive cancer. Despite the pain, Carl put up an intrepid fight and stayed strong until the end. The Cleveland, Ohio native was a free spirit and worked as a weight-guesser at state fairs across the country. He never expected his life to change when he rolled into Jackson, MS for the Mississippi State Fair. Carl met Lesa, the love of his life. When he tells the story, Carl says "She was all over me!" Lesa's version of the story is the opposite of course. The biggest Cleveland Browns fan in the South began a...

Elizabeth Patty (Beth) Swearengen died on February 19, 2022, at her home after a recent battle with cancer. A memorial funeral service will be held at Sebrell Funeral Home in Ridgeland, Ms., on Friday, February 25, at 11:00 AM with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Dr. James Robert Futral, will officiate. Beth was born on November 10, 1944, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Navy Lt. Commander Robert Powell Patty and Dorothy Bonita Herrington Patty. Growing up in Starkville, Ms. Beth enjoyed a childhood she described as wonderful. Beth was well liked by her classmates and teachers. At Starkville High School, she was selected as cheerleader, cutest girl and Homecoming Queen. A graduate of...

Lindy Lafaye Root passed away on Wednesday, February, 16, 2022, after a valiant struggle with breast cancer. She was born April 1, 1962 in Brandon, Mississippi, and was the daughter of Jacqueline Smith Root and Jack Thomas Root. She was a graduate of Brandon Academy and the University of Mississippi. Lindy was predeceased by her mother and her sister, Lara Ashley (Root) Coleman. She is survived by her father, her nephews, William Robert Coleman, III and Thomas Smith Coleman and many other loving relatives. Throughout her years long ordeal, Lindy's remarkable courage never faltered, nor did her grace, or her will for and love of life. Lindy was inspired by the principles known to all women...

Lindy Lafaye Root passed away on Wednesday, February, 16, 2022, after a valiant struggle with breast cancer. She was born April 1, 1962 in Brandon, Mississippi, and was the daughter of Jacqueline Smith Root and Jack Thomas Root. She was a graduate of Brandon Academy and the University of Mississippi. Lindy was predeceased by her mother and her sister, Lara Ashley (Root) Coleman. She is survived by her father, her nephews, William Robert Coleman, III and Thomas Smith Coleman and many other loving relatives. Throughout her years long ordeal, Lindy's remarkable courage never faltered, nor did her grace, or her will for and love of life. Lindy was inspired by the principles known to all women...

Johnnie Mae Enlow Holle, 82, of Madison, Mississippi, passed away on Friday, February 11, 2022 at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, MS after a short illness. Johnnie Mae was born May 5, 1939 in Fulton, MS to O.T. and Princess Enlow. Johnnie attended the School of Nursing in Sylacauga, AL. As a registered nurse, she worked at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS for two years and at the Sonny Montgomery Veterans Hospital in Jackson, MS for fourteen years. Johnnie Mae was known as a sweet, kind, Godly soul that was loved by everyone who knew her. On January 25, 1973, Johnnie Mae married Johnnie Lee Holle. Together they made their home in the Jackson area. They attended Creston Hills...

Johnnie Lee Holle, 77, of Madison, Mississippi, passed away on Wednesday January 26, 2022 at his home. John was born March 31, 1944 in Halstead, Kansas to Floyd Henry Holle and Emily Williams Holle. John had polio at age four and was a March of Dimes poster child. He had many surgeries through the years. He was a strong willed individual who never stopped working hard to better himself for future opportunities. After graduating from Bentley High School, he attended Kansas State Teacher College. There he earned a degree in business. He worked as an auditor for the Federal Highway Administration in Nebraska, California, Colorado and Mississippi. On January 25, 1973, John married Johnnie Mae...

Shirley Lorraine Taylor passed away on Wednesday, January 26 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jackson, MS. She was born on June 1st, 1947 to Robert Benjamin Taylor and Frances Lorraine Taylor. She is survived by her brother Bob (Jan), niece Claire (Trey), nephew Robert, great-nephew Owen and great-niece Jane. Shirley graduated from Crystal Springs High School and Mississippi State University where she earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music Education. She inherited great musical talent from her parents and worked very hard to develop her keyboard skills so that she could play equally well "by note" and "by ear." Teaching was a natural career choice for Shirley because she could...

Jackson - Richard Allen Conaway passed away on January 22, 2022, in Laurel, Mississippi. He died from complications from COVID. Richard was born in Tupelo, Mississippi to Howard and Kathleen Scruggs Conaway. Richard was born on September 26, 1948, and was an only child. He graduated from Tupelo High School and then attended Mississippi State University, graduating in 1970. He was married to Betsy Johnson from Plantersville, Mississippi, and they had three children, Laurie (Sarah Goodyear) of Brooklyn, NY., Tarah Conaway (Steve Hoeschele) of Newton, Mass., and Brian of Southport, Maine. Five grandchildren survive: Nathaniel, Sawyer, Griffin, Cyrus and Gretna. His father, Howard, also survives...