All Obituaries

Sammie Lee Irby, affectionately known by many as “Sam”, “Sammie” and by his close friends and family as “ZooKeeper”, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at his home in Yantley, Alabama. Sammie was preceded in death by his mother, Doris C. Irby, father, Raymond McDonald and sister, Geraldine Gulley.  Sammie accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Yantley, Alabama. In life, Sammie...

A TIME TO BE BORN:  Sister Franklin was born September 4, 1930 to the late Major and Geneva Hall in Meridian, Mississippi. A TIME TO LOVE:  Sister Franklin was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Alonzo Franklin, Jr. for 54 years.  She leaves to cherish her fondest memories: two sons and two daughters, George Franklin of Hueytown, Alabama; Carolyn (Johnny) Brown of Meridian, Mississippi; Melvin (Deborah) Franklin of Pushmataha, Alabama; Kathy (Hue) Holoway of Elyria,...

Brother Tommy Lee (Tom) Harris was born on September 28, 1940 to the late Steve & Odessa Knighton Harris in Meridian, Mississippi.  He later moved to Choctaw County, Alabama to be with his mother until her death. Tommy Lee entered eternal rest on December 23, 2022 at Ochsner Heath Services in Meridian, Mississippi. He joined Gilfield Missionary Baptist Church at an early age, and remained until his health failed. Tommy Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Steve & Odessa...

Raul Montanez was born August 4, 1958 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico (a district of San Juan) to the late Ruben Romeo and Margarita Montanez. Raul met Emma Nicholson when they both worked at formerly named BC Rogers in Forest, Mississippi.  There they formed a friendship that led them to marriage.  They were joined together by the late Reverend David Bush on August 4, 2000.  Their union lasted twenty-two years. Raul battled many health issues over the years which did not stop...

Hettie Mae Ruffin departed this Life for eternity on November 24, 2022.  Hettie Mae Ruffin was born August 11, 1948 to the late Alice Ruth Ruffin and to the late Benny Johnson, she confessed Christ at an early age and joined Mt Mariah Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by one sister Annie Nell Ruffin; two brothers Hugh Blanks Ruffin and Henry Ruffin and grandson Cordale Dixon. She leaves to cherish her precious memories: three sons Woodie Jackson Sr. (Phnita) of...

Mary Lee Napier was born February 8, 1943 in Butler, Alabama.  She was the oldest of ten children. Mary worked in nursing homes as an STNA and was employed as a housekeeper before retiring. She enjoyed knitting, gardening, traveling, and loved her cats. She was a member of Springhill Missionary Baptist Church.  Mary married Albert Charles Napier in July, 1997. She is survived by her pride and joy, son, Tommie L. (Mary) Pope; three grandsons, Thomas Pope, Jonathan Pope, and...

Albert Charles Napier, Sr., was born October 17, 1931 in Womack Hill to Guy and Estelle Napier. He departed this world peacefully on October 14, 2022 at Ochsner Rush Medical Center in Meridian, MS.  “A.C.” as he was affectionately known joined the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church at a young age.  Entering his adult life he served in the military during Vietnam War.  He was a devoted farmer and animal l over until the end of his life. Albert is preceded in death by his...

Dansby Larkin Jr. was the sixth child born to the late Dansby Larkin Sr. and Annie Ruth Hayden Larkin in Yantley, Alabama on September 25, 1945. After completing Kinterbish High School, Dansby had big dreams, left Alabama and headed to Chicago. Dansby (“Jay”) was no stranger to hard work and hospitality, working as a waiter in the Dining Car of Amtrak for 30 plus years.  He met countless celebrities and VIP, who praised him for his work ethic, as well as, his easy-going...

Sister Odis Ernestine Brown Jones, the daughter of Eddie E. and Willie McGrew Brown, was born July 13, 1925 in Mt. Sterling, Alabama.  She lived to be 97 years old. At an early age, she was converted and became a part of the St. John C.M.E. Church family in Mt. Sterling, Alabama.  Later years, she became a part of the Fairview Missionary Baptist Church family.  Committed to her relationship with Christ, she served faithfully as: Deaconess, Sunday school teacher, Choir...

Lee Andrew McRae was born on February 25, 1962, to the late Curtis Edward McRae and Edna Mae McRae of Lisman, AL. He accepted Christ at an early age and joined Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Yantley, AL.  Lee was a 1980 graduate of Choctaw County High School in Butler, AL. He graduated from Hinds Jr. College in Jackson, MS. He married Faye Meyers on May 25, 1994. Lee worked at KLLM and Conway for many years.  He was a member of...