James Earl Williams, Jr.

 James Earl Williams, Jr. of Benton, MS, 69, passed away on May 24, 2024, at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Born on June 2, 1954, he was married to Jackie Callihan Williams of Benton, MS and retired from Mississippi Chemical. A Methodist, he was a member of Benton Methodist Church. He was the son of James Earl Williams, Sr. and Eddie Delores Stuart Williams. 

He is survived by his wife, Jackie; daughter, Jamie Necaise (Barry) of Kiln, MS; sons, Richard Miller (Jane) of Bentonia, MS, and Todd Truitt of Brandon, MS; sisters, Charlotte Williams and Scarlett Jordan; and grandchildren, Brook Dedmon, Blake Necaise, and Hunter Miller. 

Graveside service will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at the Old Union Methodist Cemetery, with arrangements overseen by Stricklin King Funeral Home. Reverend Jimmy Seay will be officiating the service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the MS Diabetes Association.

Jeffrey Jerome Courtney, 58, of Louise, passed away on May 27, 2024 at Baptist Memorial Hospital. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Gracie Courtney; wife, Dawn Marie Courtney; two brothers, Felix Courtney and James Courtney Jr.; and sister, Cecelia Carr.  

Survivors include his daughter, Lee Ann Courtney of Louise; son, Jeffrey Alan Courtney of Louise; and brother, Rufus Courtney of Louise. 

Funeral services will be held on June 1 at 2 p.m. at Straight Bayou Baptist Church with Rev. Casey Sorrells officiating. Burial will follow at Straight Bayou Cemetery in Sharkey County under the direction of Stricklin King Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until the funeral service.

Pallbearers will be Russ Allen, Croey Mann, Billy Hodnett, Alan Courtney, Jonathan Still and J.T. Sullivan. 

  Elizabeth M. Hood, 102, of Yazoo City, passed away on May 30, 2024, at her residence in Pass Christian. Born to Jordi Lee and Emma Davis Morris on July 3, 1921, she was a member of Westwood Baptist Church. She was also a homemaker. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Homer C. Hood, former sheriff of Yazoo County. 

Survivors include her two daughters, Joyce Hood or Pass Christian, and Melissa (Joe) Shay of Cartersville, GA. 

Graveside services were held on June 3 at Glenwood Cemetery with Rev. Steve Howell officiating all overseen by Stricklin King Funeral Home. 

 Bessie Ellis, aged 95, of Benton, MS, passed away peacefully at her residence on June 3, 2024. She was born on March 13, 1929, to Wiley Harrison and Beulah Ann Graham. Bessie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wilton Leo Ellis, granddaughter Gwen Johnson, four brothers, and five sisters.

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She is survived by her daughter Carol Hollingsworth, son Mickey and Karen Ellis, four grandchildren: Kelli and Mike Burnam, Kacee Blackstock, Lucas Hollingsworth, Kade and Brittany Hollingsworth, as well as 10 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on June 5 from 9:30-11:00 A.M. at Benton Methodist Church, followed by funeral services officiated by Reverend Jonathan Stokes. Burial will take place at Glenwood Cemetery. Stricklin King Funeral Home is overseeing all arrangements for the Ellis family.

The pallbearers honoring Bessie's memory are Lucas Hollingsworth, Ty Blackstock, Otto Worthy, Kevin Ellis, Kade Hollingsworth, John Bright, Bruce Ruschewski, and Chuck Ertle.

 William "Bill" Homer Alexander, 80, of Vaughan, passed away on June 5, 2024 at Baptist Medical Center. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, L.C. "Joe" and Annie Laura Moore Alexander; and sister, Peggy Rucker Youngblood. 

Survivors include his wife, Katherine Alexander of Vaughan; two sons, Jim (Stacey) Alexander of Vaughan and Will (Kristin) Alexander of Goodman; sister-in-law, Judy Hargon of Vaughan; brother-in-law, James Youngblood of Rose Hill; five grandchildren, Caden Alexander, Holden Alexander, Avery Alexander, Aimee Katherine Alexander and Lynley Ann Alexander; and brother, Joe Carroll Alexander of Elon, NC. 

 
Funeral services will be held on June 8 at 11 a.m. at Ellison Methodist Church with Rev. Glen Hoskins officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of Stricklin King Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the funeral service.  

Pallbearers will be Leon Rucker, Kelly Moore, Kinch Ledbetter, Hank Moore, Daniel Moore and Cooper Dixon. 

Curtis William Kyle, Jr, long time resident of Yazoo City and Benton, MS passed away peacefully with his family by his side late in the afternoon of Friday, June 7, 2024 at the age of 88 at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel, MS.  

Curtis was born on December 1, 1935 in Crossett, AR. After graduating from the University of Arkansas - Monticello in June 1958 he enlisted in the Navy and was accepted into Officers Candidate School in Newport, RI. In October 1958 he received his commission as an ensign in the United States Navy. He became the third officer assigned to the USS Springfield CLG-7, which became the flagship of the 6th Fleet, deployed to the Mediterranean and homeported in Ville Franche, France.   While deployed, he visited 62 countries and island nations.  He served our country for 3 years active duty and an additional 11 years in the USNR. He was honorably discharged in 1972 with the rank of Lieutenant. 

As his active duty service came to an end, Curtis returned to Arkansas where a long and fruitful career in the insurance industry began. He began his career as a field supervisor for the Travelers Insurance Company and was transferred to Jackson, MS in February 1964.  He made the decision to go into business for himself and in April 1966 he became part owner and president of Yazoo Insurance Agency in Yazoo City, MS. He sold his interest in the business in 1995. Curtis moved to Laurel, MS in 2022. 

Over a period of almost 30 years in Yazoo City he exhibited leadership in several areas. He was president of both the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce in 1979. In 1985 he served a term as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Mississippi. For 20 years he was a member of the Public Service Commission of Yazoo City.  He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Yazoo City and served 3 terms as chairman of the Board of Trustees. He also served as a board member of the Mississippi Economic Council. 

Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis William Kyle, Sr and Nora Lucile Kyle; his wife Sylvia Wilson Kyle; and grandson Joseph Edward Kyle. 

Survivors include his son, Curtis W. "Bill" Kyle, III (Angie) of Benton and Paul Reagan Kyle (Dara) of Prairieville, LA;  wife Betty Allen Kyle of Laurel, MS; a sister, Nancy Kyle Eberdt of Little Rock, AR; Grandsons Hunter Kyle of Memphis, TN; Hayes Kyle of Benton, MS; Preston Kyle of Prairieville, LA and Reagan Kyle of Prairieville, LA. 

Services will take place on Tuesday, June 11 at First Methodist Church Yazoo City. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. with a funeral service immediately afterwards. There will also be a graveside service at Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City.  Strickland King Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Hunter Kyle, Hayes Kyle, Preston Kyle, Reagan Kyle, Smith Stoner, and David Hayes.

Honorary Pallbearers are Charles P Davis, Tim Nolan, and Sam Smith. 

Memorial donations may be made to First Methodist Church Yazoo City, MS  P.O. Box 444 Yazoo City, MS 39194

Phyllis Annette Ellis, 73, of Pearl, MS passed away June 11, 2024, at her residence.

Graveside service will be held at 11:00 Saturday June 15, 2024, at Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City. Stricklin King Funeral Home will oversee all funeral arrangements.

She was preceded in death by her parents Nick and Sarah Ellis and sister Peggy Ellis Rhodes.

Survivors include sisters Linda Ellis Trussell Trammell of Hattiesburg, Mary Ellis Coleman Jenkins of Benton, Tina Ellis Coats (Buck) of Gluckstadt, brother Nick Ellis of Benton and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the many friends who helped Phyllis during her life's journey.

Shirley Kathleen Lambert Searcy, 75, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother left her earthly home on June 10, 2024. 

Born Dec. 24, 1948, to Luther "Son" Lambert, Sr. and Rose Lee Jackson Lamber, she grew up learning to work the land with her sister and four brothers as sharecropper's children in Natchez. She graduated from Natchez High School. At the age of 18, she met the love of her life, James Searcy. They went on to have two children, Michele and Wesley. Recently, Jim and Shirley celebrated 54 years of marriage. 

Shirley was a homemaker and office manager for Communication World. She treasured her grandchildren and doted on them every chance she had. She loved to help people and acquired many "adopted" children. Shirley never met a stranger and loved to visit with friends. She will be remembered for her caring heart and her contagious laughter. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Luther "Son" and Rosie Lee Jackson Lambert; three brothers, Luther Lambert, Jr., Bob Lambert, and Jessie Lambert. 

Survivors include her husband, James Searcy of Bentonia; daughter, Michele (Wayne) Tedrick of Florida; son, Wesley (Diane) Searcy of Clinton; brother, James (Maria) Lambert of Natchez; sister, Lenny Pullen of Brookhaven; five grandchildren, Carley, Ezra, Isaiah, Haley, and Isabel; and a host of "adopted" children and nieces and nephews. 

A memorial to celebrate Shirley's life will be held in the near future. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to make donations to the Wounded Warrior Project in her name.

 Mary "Dinky" Danita Wilson Brown, born on Nov. 9, 1958, of Yazoo City, met her heavenly Father on June 24, 2024 at the age of 65, surrounded by her children at the time of her death in her family home. 

Born the fourth child of nine to the late Mary Alice Nave Wilson Carter and the late W.L. Wilson Jr. Danita graduated from Yazoo City High School in 1980. She was raised in Yazoo City until she moved to Starkville. She has two children and raised them in Starkville where she met her beloved late husband, Edward "Eddie" Gene Brown. After returning to Yazoo City, she enjoyed living the rest of her years in her childhood home where there were many memories of her childhood and grandparents, the late Bertha and Audy Nave. 

Danita established a special place within such a large family. She was known for remembering and acknowledging birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions, always the first to send good wishes. Even those who left us, she honored them with a gravesite visit along with flowers and sometimes a cleansing of the grave markers. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her grandparents; her husband; brothers, Howard Alan Wilson and William R. Wilson; and brother-in-law, Freddie Vancleave. 

She leaves behind her children and grandchild, daughter Ashley Renee Walker; son, Jason Brook Wilson and grandson, Wesley Allen Walker. She also leaves behind her siblings, Sheila Coody (William) of Broken Arrow, OK, Angela Knight (Lynn) of Benton, Audy "Bubbie" Wilson of Ponchatoula, LA, Luther "Neal" Wilson (Linda) of Pine Grove, LA, Lynette Vancleave (Freddie) of Yazoo City, Lynelle Davis of Knoxville, TN; 11 nieces, five nephews, and a host of great nieces and nephews. 

Stricklin King Funeral Home is handling all arrangements for the family which will be announced at another time.

Rebecca (Becky) Ainsworth Stovall passed away at Wisteria Rehab Center on June 25, 2024. Mrs. Stovall was born on November 6, 1934, in Attala County to Howard and Ida Ainsworth. She married the love of her life (Chester Curtis Stovall who predeceased her) July 19, 1952, and they began their married life in Yazoo City, MS.

Mrs. Stovall worked for Black's Fabrics for many years sharing her love and expertise for sewing to many others. She sewed all her daughter's clothes and even her wedding dress, meticulously sewing on hundreds of small pearls. She continued sewing her 3 grandchildren's dresses beautifully for many years loving every minute of it.

Later she began working for Dr. Roland Stevens and then David Parker, and again loved working with the public and assisting others.

When she finally retired, she started gardening in her yard full time. She took so much pride in her garden and hosted many Sunday School and family reunions so that others could enjoy it. That garden, the pond and even a pasture were the backgrounds for beautiful weddings and receptions for two of her grandchildren. Even at Castlewood’s Place she had a small flower garden which gave her so much pleasure.

Mrs. Stovall was highly active at First Baptist Church in Yazoo City until she moved to Castlewood’s Place. She loved to cook and was always available to help with funerals and parties. Her potato salad was always a hit. She also carried meals from First Baptist Church to others who were home bound, sometimes holding an umbrella in one hand and the meal in the other. She devoted herself to the Lord.

After her husband died, she began to go with her son and daughter-in-law to FBC Fannin where she was graciously welcomed. We would like to thank all the members of FBC Fannin that called, visited, brought gifts, and transported her to FBC Fannin during those 2 years. Because of that, we ask if anyone wants to donate in Mrs. Stovall's memory, please give to FBC Fannin.

We would also like to thank Castlewood’s Place staff for loving, nurturing, and taking such great care of her. We would love to give names, but there are far too many to list. 

She leaves behind one daughter, Patricia McDonald (Mike) of Flora, MS and one son, Chester Stovall, Jr. (Pat) of Brandon, MS; one sister, Emma Dell Provenza of Greenville, MS. She also leaves three grandchildren, Lauren Lazzaro (Tony) of Kailua, Hawaii; Lindsey Winn (Jamie) of Brandon; Ashley Burkis (Josh) of Starkville; two step grandchildren, Joe (Claire) McDonald of Overland Park, KS; Natalie (Chuck) Smith of St Charles, IL; six great grandchildren who were the absolute apple of her eye: Rivers and Laken Winn; Anthony and Zane Lazzaro; JT and Hayden Burkis, Amber Smith and four step great grandchildren, Ava Smith, Jackson Smith, Mia Smith and Trey McDonald who lovingly called her Mrs. Pop.

Funeral services will be held at Stricklin King chapel at 11 A.M. on June 29, 2024, following the visitation which will begin at 9:30 A.M. Burial will continue after the service at Glenwood Cemetery. Stricklin King Funeral Home will oversee all arrangements for the Stovall Family.