Linda Smith

Linda Smith, 82, of Yazoo City, passed away on Sept. 30, 2025 at Mississippi Baptist Health Services in Jackson.

Survivors include her daughter, Tonya Fisher Hicks of Yazoo City; grandson, Thad (Crosby) Hicks of Edwards; and great granddaughter, Emmalyn Hicks.

Funeral services will be held on October 3, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the Stricklin King Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Luke Edwards officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral service. Burial will follow at Shiloh Cemetery. All arrangements are under the direction of Stricklin King Funeral.

  Joe David McWilliams, 72, of Yazoo City, Mississippi, passed away on September 19, 2025, at St. Dominic’s Hospital surrounded by his loving family. 

Born on September 25, 1952, in Sharkey County, Mississippi, Joe was the son of late George and Zelma McWilliams. He grew up with his brothers Tommy, George, and Miles, forming a close-knit family bound by love and faith. 

Joe was a hard worker and a dedicated provider. He retired from the Linde Corporation after more than 45 years of faithful service, where he was respected by his colleagues for his loyalty, steady work, ethic, and friendly nature.

Outside of work, Joe had many passions that brought him joy He loved deer hunting, especially bow hunting, and he enjoyed working on bows for himself and others. He was also an avid fan of all Mississippi State sports, though baseball held a special place in his heart.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Elaine McWilliams; his children, Jennifer (Claude) Potter and David (Samantha) McWilliams; his grandchildren, Cole (Jackson) Pitts, Cade Potter, Sara Catherine Potter, and Trae McWilliams; his great grandchildren, Nolan Pitts and Laney Pitts; his brother, Miles McWilliams.

To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was affectionately known as “Papaw,” a role he treasured above all others. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Zelma McWilliams, and his brothers, Tommy and George McWilliams. 

Pallbearers will be Cade Potter, Trae McWilliams, Jeff McWilliams, Ralph Alexander, Sean King, Joe Ashley, Jayson Harper, and Jonathan McClellan. Honorary pallbearers will be James Thornhill, Paul Parker, Jimmy McClellan, Travis Caston, Jackson Pitts, and Frank Broussard.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Strickland King Funeral Home in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. with the funeral service following at 2:00 p.m. Stricklin King Funeral Home will handle the arrangements for the family.

Joe will be remembered for his warm heart, his unwavering devotion to family, and the countless ways he blessed the lives of those around him. His presence will be deeply missed but forever cherished. 

Billy Ross Thomas, age 85, of Yazoo City, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025.
 

Born on July 12, 1940, in Bentonia, Mississippi, Billy proudly served his country in the United States Air Force before returning home to marry the love of his life, Gwendolyn Ann Waters. Together, they built a life rooted in love, faith, and family, celebrating sixty years of marriage.
 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin Phillip Thomas and Louise Wooten Thomas, and his sister, Betty King.
 

Billy was a devoted husband, father, and friend. He is survived by his beloved wife, Gwendolyn Thomas; his daughters, Chandra Beasley (Garland) and Tammy Thomas; as well as many extended family members and friends who will cherish his memory.
 

A graveside service will be held at Melrose Baptist Church on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Stricklin King Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for the Thomas Family.
 

Pallbearers will be Stacy King, Gil Waters, Jeremy Simmons, Phillip Pope, Michael Peyton, and Don Corley.
 

He will be remembered for his unwavering love for his family and the kindness he shared with all who knew him.

Esther Hennis Warren, 91, passed away Friday, September 5, at Martha Coker Home.  She was born in Yazoo County on August 2, 1934, to Burl David Hennis and Lizzie Covey Hennis.

Esther and her husband, Pete, were married for 64 years until his death in 2016.  They were self employed at Warren Pallet Company and were long time members of Calvary Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Pete, her sisters, Bertha Sanders, Edith Crawford, Mable Strickland, Peggy Saxton and her brother, B. D. Hennis, Jr.

She is survived by her daughters, Linda Chapman (Bob) and Lisa Rush (Pat); grandson, Thomas Warren Rush; granddaughters Elizabeth (Beth) Rush Shipp, (Thomas), Alexandra (Lexie) Chapman Felton (Sean), Carlie Melissa Hennis Chapman and Marisa (Marsi) Chapman Hardin (Kenny); great grandchildren Miles Thomas Shipp, Elizabeth (Libby) Rush Shipp, James Doler Shipp, Casper Gable Ramirez, Kit Wylie Felton, Warren Robert Felton, Zachary Chapman Hardin, Gwendolyn Rose Hardin, Oswyn Amelia Hardin and Evangeline Grace Hardin.

 Visitation will be held Monday, September 8, 2025, at 3:00 at Stricklin King Funeral Home with graveside service to follow at 4:00 at Dover Cemetery in Little Yazoo.  Reverend David Bryant will officiate.

Pall bearers will be Pat Rush, Bob Chapman, Thomas Shipp, Carlie Chapman, Casper Ramirez and Sammy Strickland. 

Stricklin King Funeral Home has been entrusted with all arrangements. 

 Ruby Kathleen Bishop Raden, 89 passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Lee R. Raden; son, Donald Lee; parents, Wright and Mary Bishop; brother, James Bishop; and grandson, Jamie Nichols.

She is survived by her children, David R. Raden (Yvonne) and Lisa Nichols (Jay); granddaughters, Stacey Travis (Jordan), Brooke Hogan (Michael) and Christie Dunham (Ethan); and many grandchildren.

She worked tirelessly side-by-side with Lee in the Tom’s business in Arkansas and Mississippi for over 35 years while raising her family. She loved keeping the books for the business, visiting with her friends and family, cooking meals for her family (especially on the holidays) and camping in the summer and fall of each year. Kathleen and Lee had a heart for people, and it showed with their many friends.

The family wants to thank all the caregivers for her over the past few years at the hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing home and home health agencies. She received excellent care, and we are very grateful for all that you have done.

Visitation will be held at Stricklin King Funeral Home in Yazoo City on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. A graveside service will be held at Glenwood Cemetery following the visitation.

Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Pettigrew, Richard Perry, Taz Ketchum, Pat Rush, Clarence Nelson and Bill Gully.

In lieu of flowers, please make any memorial donations to Blackjack Baptist Church in Vaughan.

Stricklin King Funeral Home has been entrusted with all arrangements for the family.

David H. Smith, 72, of Yazoo County, passed away on August 16, 2025.

Preceded in death by parents, Nathan Smith and Marie Smith, W.L. McFarland and Sadie McFarland; sisters, Bettie Williams and Peggy Saxton; and brother Wayne Smith.

Survivors include his daughter, Whitney Smith Roberts (Brandon) of Bentonia; stepdaughter, Mandy Worthy-Catlett (Charles) of Bentonia; brothers, James Harber (Lois), Marvin Smith, Dede Smith (Sheri), Tommy Harber all from Yazoo County; two sisters, Jerri Thompson (Duane) of Madison, and Trish Porter of Yazoo County; sister-in-law, Peggy Smith of Yazoo County; grandchildren, Sadee Jean Roberts and Bo Patrick Roberts, Peyton Thrasher, and John Weston Catlett; and host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2025,  from 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. at Stricklin King Funeral Home who has been entrusted with all arrangements. 

 Timothy Turner, 52, of Yazoo County, passed away on Aug. 11, 2025, at Baldwin Nursing Home.

Survivors include his mother, Nancy Uthoff of Yazoo City; two daughters, Miranda Turner and Frankie Turner, both of Yazoo City; son, Timothy Turner III of Yazoo City; his sister, Tammie Taggart of Yazoo City; two grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Will Turner, Brandy Wigney, Britney Wigney and Parrish Harris; and several great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Aug. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Stricklin King Funeral Home Chapel.

  Carl “Jay” Jackson Hicks, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Benton on August 5, 2025, at the age of 64. 

Carl was born on May 6, 1961, to Carl Hicks Sr. and Norma Richardson. He was a dedicated member of Black Jack Baptist Church and was employed at CF Industries for 45 years. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Brenda Worbington Hicks; sisters, Sharon Williams and Donna Dickerson; and brother, D.D. Dickerson. 

Carl is survived by his wife, Tina Hicks; stepmother, Carolyn Hicks; daughters, Stacey Botha (Darren) of Yazoo City, Maggie Milnick (Michael) of Madison, and Carly Hicks of Benton; stepson, Brian Stephenson (Elizabeth) of Madison; stepdaughter, Claire Stephenson of Wesson; sisters, Betty Hollowell (Stan) of Madison and Jackie Kish (Rob) of Cordova, TN; brothers, Joe Dan Dickerson (Hope) of Madison and David Dickerson of Florida; 12 grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Sebastian. 

Pallbearers are Brendan Thrasher, John Kinch Wilson, Will Love, Jay Nichols, David England, and John Michael Duell. Honorary pallbearers are Bobby Barton, Joe Dan Dickerson, Stan Hollowell, Matt Cox, and Darrin Threet. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Black Jack Baptist Church from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with the funeral service to follow. Burial will take place at Black Jack Baptist Church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Webster Animal Shelter, Black Jack Baptist Church, or the American Cancer Society.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” Psalm 116:15

Robert (Bob) Heard Cato, a faithful servant of the Lord, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the age of 86. 

An avid farmer, Bob loved driving a tractor. He left the earth doing that very thing as he passed away on his riding lawnmower, mowing the yard. Medically it will be said that he died of a heart attack, but anyone that knew Bob knows that his heart really stopped beating when the love of his life, Marie, passed away last summer. He never was the same after her passing, and God has finally reunited them in heaven. 

Bob was born in Winona, Mississippi, in his grandparents’ home on September 17, 1938. Bob's parents were Henry Heard Cato and Annie (Ann) May Grace Cato. He was raised in Jackson, Mississippi. His dad was in the Army until he had to resign due to health reasons. His family moved to various states with his father’s frequent relocation as a naval base designer. After World War II, they moved to New Albany and lived with Bob’s grandparents. Bob’s brother, Tommy, was born in New Albany four years from the day Bob was born. Bob went to school in New Albany through the 2nd grade and then the family moved to Jackson. In Jackson, Bob’s sister Ann Grace was born in 1950. Bob attended Clinton Elementary, Bailey Junior High, Central High and he graduated from Murrah High School in 1956. 

Growing up, Bob was nicknamed “wormy Bob Cato” because he was so small. That changed during high school, and during his senior year of high school, Bob was named Most Athletic. He was offered athletic scholarships to several small colleges but decided to attend Mississippi State University and pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. He was a member of the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity where his future wife, Marie Harlow Clark, was named Sigma Chi Sweetheart. Bob lived in the Old Main dormitory during his freshman and sophomore year. This was the same dorm that his father lived in 50 years earlier than Bob. 

Marie and Bob were married on August 8, 1959, at First Presbyterian Church in Yazoo City. They moved to West Point, Mississippi, to finish his college education at Mississippi State while Marie taught high school English. One of Bob’s favorite stories to tell from those years was his adventures hitch-hiking to and from Starkville while he finished his degree. Bob completed his Civil Engineering degree from Mississippi State in 1960. 

After Bob’s graduation, the couple moved to Jackson, where Bob worked for BellSouth. In 1961, they relocated to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where Bob was stationed in the Army. Their first son, Robert Clark Cato, was born later that year. In 1963, they moved back to Yazoo City, where Bob began farming with his father-in-law, Will Clark. Bob and Marie were blessed with two more sons: Robert Heard Cato III, who was born in 1963 and tragically died at birth, and Kinch Henry Cato, who was born in 1969.

When Bob moved to Yazoo City in 1963, he knew nothing about farming. His father-in-law, William (Will) Thomas Clark, and other local farmers helped train him to change from being an engineer to a farmer. Bob fell in love with farming and was constantly working to improve his farming knowledge. He served on many agricultural and local boards including the following: Staplcotn, Delta Council (Vice-President), founding member and Vice-President of Yazoo Planters Gin, Yazoo County Farm Service Agency, Mississippi Boll Weevil Association, Yazoo County Soil & Water Conservation, Yazoo County Farm Bureau (President), and Manchester Academy.

Bob loved the Lord, and he faithfully served Him in the churches where he was a member, as well as the many ministries he volunteered his time to such as Gideons International. He taught Sunday School and led Bible studies at First Presbyterian Church and later at Second Presbyterian, which he helped start. He served as an elder in both churches, and he also helped start Covenant Christian School. He also served in the Presbyterian Church in America Presbytery. Bob was a true servant of the Lord.

Bob was a tremendously hard worker and would take pride in “outworking” everyone. His hard work, military background, and leadership skills earned him the nickname: “The General.” He was a committed Christian, loving, generous, and faithful husband, father, and grandfather, and friend to many.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Marie Cato, his parents, Henry and Ann Cato, his brother, Tommy Cato, his sister-in-law, Hy Harrell, and his son, Robert. He is survived by his sister, Ann Price (Bill); his son Clark (Christine) and his children Causey, Sterling (Ben Parker), Stewart, Caleb, and Elijah (son Worley); his son Kinch (Audra) and their children Robert and Helen; sister-in-law JoAnne Forbes (Marlin); and his brother-in-law Guy Harrell.

Memorial donations may be made to Reformed Theological Seminary, 4268 I-55 N,

Jackson, MS 39211, Fort Worth Christian School, 6200 Holiday Lane, North Richland Hills, TX 76180, or the charity of your choice.

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 1, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Stricklin-King Funeral Home in Yazoo City. The following day on August 2, a visitation will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Yazoo City starting at 9:00 a.m. followed by a celebration of life service at 11:00 a.m. Immediately following this service, close friends and family are invited to the graveside service at Glenwood Cemetery and lunch at Second Presbyterian Church. Stricklin King Funeral Home has been entrusted with all arrangements.