Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home

12/23/2025

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Raymond Austin Baker, 28, entered into the loving arms of his Savior on December 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Raymond grew up in Clinton, Mississippi, where he graduated from high school. Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, he lived a life full of purpose, dedication, and kindness. In his earlier years, he was a member of First Baptist Church in Clinton, where his faith provided meaningful community and strength.

Above all, Raymond cherished his family and friends with a fierce and unwavering love. He was the kind of person who made everyone feel seen and valued, always ready with a warm smile, a listening ear, or one of his signature good-humored jokes that could lighten any moment. His infectious sense of humor and genuine care brought joy and laughter to those around him, creating memories that will be treasured forever.

Raymond proudly served his country in the Mississippi National Guard. In 2023, he graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi, achieving a significant milestone through hard work and determination. He worked as an IT tech at Nashville Electric Service in Nashville, Tennessee.

In his 28 years, Raymond touched many lives with his steadfast spirit, warmth, and quiet strength. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

Raymond was preceded in death by his biological mother, Jean Harrell.

He is survived by his devoted mother, Toni Jones; his father, Brantley Jones; his siblings, Kenya Baker (sister), Ashton Jones (brother), Dylan Jones (brother) and his wife Bailey, Raegan Hynum (sister) and her husband Caleb, John Richard (brother), Jordan Newell (brother), and Kenny Stevenson (brother); as well as too many cherished friends who were like family to him.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a celebration of Raymond's life at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Clinton, Mississippi.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Baptist Children's Village in Raymond's memory.

Though we grieve his passing, we find comfort in the legacy of love, laughter, and goodness he leaves behind.

An online guestbook is available at www.wrightferguson.com

12/23/2025

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Carolyn Donnell Aden, of Jackson, MS, died on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at St. Catherine’s Village in Madison, MS.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Northminster Baptist Church, 3955 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS. Visitation will take place in the Great Hall beginning at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Inurnment will follow in the Columbarium at Northminster.
Carolyn was born in Pelahatchie, MS on February 28, 1939, to Roma May Donnell and Robert Ellis Donnell. She grew up in Jackson, graduating from Provine High School in 1957 and then from Mississippi College in Clinton, MS, with a B.S. in Home Economics. She taught for several years in the Jackson Public Schools, work that reflected her lifelong love of caring for others.

Carolyn married Dr. Barry Aden on July 28, 1962, at Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson, where she had been raised and baptized. Together, they built a life in Jackson and raised four daughters, creating a home marked by warmth and hospitality.

The kitchen was definitely the heart of the Aden home. A phenomenal cook, Carolyn always had delicious meals on the stove. Her girls remember spending time cooking with her, doing homework at the kitchen table, or sitting in the chairs at the kitchen window talking and laughing and, in the summers, shelling butter beans and peas together. At Christmas, the kitchen came alive with gingerbread men, hot chocolate, and spiced tea made as gifts for friends and neighbors.

Her daughters treasure her recipe box and cookbooks. If one can’t find a recipe, one of the other three has it. Family favorites include pimento cheese, pecan and lemon chess pies, and pound cake. Friends who stopped by the house rarely left empty handed, whether with soup from the big pot on the stove or a jar of that delicious pimento cheese. Carolyn shared not only her food, but also her home, always ready to host a gathering or set an extra place or two at the table.

Carolyn was also a gifted seamstress. Every Easter there were newly sewn linen and lace dresses for her daughters, and many of their school clothes passed through her hands. Every year, often in four more newly sewn dresses, her daughters were rounded up like clock work for the annual Christmas Card picture. Year after year, they protested but treasure those pictures now.

More than anything, Carolyn loved people. One of the kindest people anyone could know, she rarely met a stranger. Conversations often ended with the discovery of shared friends. She cherished her many close friendships, but she would say, without hesitation, that the great loves of her life were her husband, Barry, her four daughters, and her four grandchildren.

Carolyn was a devoted member of Northminster Baptist Church, where she quietly served through the Caregivers Committee, Meals on Wheels, and other ministries. She was a longtime member of the Mary Foose Sunday School Class, a place of friendship and faith that mattered deeply to her.

She is preceded in death by her parents and by her husband. She is survived by her daughters, Anne Russell Aden Bradley (Dr. Scott) of Hattiesburg, MS, Leigh Aden Box (Mike) of Madison, MS, Katherine Aden Rhodes (Patrick) of New Braunfels, TX, Barrie Aden Mahaffey (Dr. Eddie) of Brandon, MS, and her grandchildren Aden Marie Burchak Peroutek (Michael), Coleman Joseph Mahaffey, Andrew Lamar Mahaffey, and Nicholas Gordon Mahaffey.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Northminster Baptist Church.

12/20/2025

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Mary Polk Montague Yerger passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, December 20, 2025. She was born March 3, 1933, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the daughter of the late Ida Lois Polk Montague and Frank Douglas Montague. After growing up in Hattiesburg, she attended Randolph Macon Womans Colleg...

12/18/2025

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Mary Jane Dixon Fuerst, age 96, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Born September 20, 1929, in Brownsville, Tennessee, she was the daughter of Isabel Drake Dixon and Chester Moore Dixon Sr. She attended the University of Mississippi Ole Miss, where she met the love of her life,

12/09/2025

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Rosemary Sterk Tolsdorf Hood, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2025. Born on March 29, 1949, in Royal Oak, Michigan, Rosemary lived a fulfilling life grounded in faith, family, and service to others. She made her home in Brandon, Mississipp...

12/06/2025

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Jerry Glynn Dennis, affectionately known by most of his coworkers and fellow hunters as S**g, passed away on December 1, 2025, at the age of 64. Born in Jackson, Mississippi, on January 16, 1961, Jerry was the son of James and Irma Dean Dennis. He grew up in South Jackson

12/04/2025

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Dorothy “Dot” Pilgrim, 94, passed away on Friday, November 28, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025 with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. before the service at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Clinton. A graveside service will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park South in Jackson.

Dot was born August 15, 1931 in Booneville, MS to Eb and Ora Jennings. She graduated Booneville High School and then went to nursing school in Meridian. While there, she met her husband, Glenn Pilgrim. Following graduation, they moved to Jackson where she worked at Baptist, St. Dominic and Hinds General. Her last employment was the Old Ladies Home in Jackson. She was a long-time member of Country Woods Baptist Church in Byram.

Dot was preceded in death by her husband, Glynn Pilgrim; her son, James Pilgrim; her sister, Willie Ruth Wheeler; and her brother, J.W. Jennings.

She is survived by her son, Danny Pilgrim; granddaughter, Mackenzie Severt (Andrew); and her great granddaughter, Eden Joy.

A special thanks to Cheryl Sykes for all of her help.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Country Woods Baptist Church in Byram.

12/01/2025

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Thomas L. Hemphill, age 83, of Brandon, Mississippi, went to be with the Lord on November 28, 2025.

He was born on September 17, 1942. Thomas proudly served his country in the United States Navy and was one of five children. He is preceded in death by his parents, Doris and Robert Hemphill; his beloved wife, Kathleen M. Hemphill, who passed away in 2019; his sister, Glenda Weathers; and his brother, Randell Hemphill.

Thomas retired from Eaton after 40 years of dedicated service. He took great pride in both his military service and his career, valuing the relationships he built throughout his life.

Thomas is survived by his two daughters, Charlotte Bowlin and Lee Ann Foreman (Kevin). He was a devoted grandfather to his four grandchildren: Taylor, Noah, Jack, and Sarah Kate, who were the joy of his life.

Thomas loved his family and enjoyed watching Ole Miss football and cheering on the Rebels.

He is also survived by his sister, Myra Moore, and his brother, Bill Hemphill.

Services will be held on December 2, 2025, at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Flowood. Visitation will be from 10:00–11:30 a.m., with the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. A graveside burial will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park in Clinton.

An online guestbook is available at www.wrightferguson.com

11/27/2025

From our family to yours, we wish you a peaceful Thanksgiving filled with warmth and good company. Today, we reflect on how grateful we are for the trust this community places in us. May your day be full of cherished memories.

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍂🧡

11/25/2025

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Lillie Marie McCrory, 83, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Wright & Ferguson Funeral in Clinton. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Parkway Church in Madison. A graveside service will follow at Jackson Cemetery in Flora.

Born in 1942 in Philadelphia, MS to Wilburn and Lillian Dunn. She was the eldest of 7 children. After graduating from Madison Ridgeland High School she met the love of her life, Curtis McCrory and oh how she loved that man. Together in Flora, MS they raised two daughters, Marcia and Debbie and didn’t just tell them how to live for God, they showed them by example. They traveled 22 miles one way to a place they loved to pray. Marie was a devoted child of God and lived by her husband’s motto “Rain, sleet or snow to Jesus house we will go.” Tragically in 1985 she lost Curtis and never remarried. She always said she was a One Man Woman.

She was a faithful member of First Pentecostal Church in Canton and later Parkway Church of Madison for 54 years and loved her church, pastors and all of her church family. She taught Sunday School for 35 years and was blessed enough to see many preachers, preachers wives and many more children become great people of God.

She was a seamstress who made many beautiful clothes for many people. She spent many days in her yard and garden tending to her beautiful flowers. She enjoyed spending time with her quilting team making quilts for others. She never met a stranger and loved talking and loving on her friends.

She was a loving person who loved to pray, sing and read her Bible every day.

A wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her family was blessed to spend her last days together with her, loving on her at her home and with her till the end where she started on her journey to her heavenly home. Oh if we could see her now! No handicaps, but shouting on the streets of gold with Curtis and loved ones gone on before.

Well done Mom, You ran the race, You kept the faith and it’s not goodbye, but see you later.

Lillie was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Leroy McCrory; her parents, Wilburn and Lillian Dunn; her brothers, Jr. Dunn and Joey Dunn; and her sisters, Linda Carter and Rosie Neese.

She is survived by her daughters, Marcia Dickerson (Jr.) of Canton and Deborah Parker (Tony) of Flora; her grandchildren, Jeremy Dickerson (Kala), Curtis Parker and Cassandra Parker; her three great grandchildren, Kam Dickerson, Lilly Gardner and Henry Gardner; her brother, Johnny Dunn (Marie); her sister, Joyce Sims; and a host of family and friends.

An online guestbook is available at www.wrightferguson.com

11/22/2025

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Carrie Leigh Brewer of Madison, MS passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025 at the age of 48. Carrie was born on October 14, 1977 in Jackson, MS to Suzette Winstead and Daryl R Brewer Sr. and was raised by Alisa Jones and Daryl R Brewer Sr. She was raised

11/20/2025

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Rebecca Phillips, 69, of Clinton, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2025, in Jackson, Mississippi, after a brief battle with cancer. Born September 2, 1956, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Rebecca grew up in Mount Hope, West Virginia, where she developed the deep roots of kindness and service that would define her remarkable life.

Rebecca was a lifelong educator who believed in the transformative power of learning. Armed with both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Education, she dedicated her career to teaching Special Education and working as a school librarian. For countless students, especially those who struggled, Rebecca was often the one bright spot in their day—pouring her heart into every lesson, every conversation, every small encouragement that said, "You matter."

Her gift extended far beyond the classroom. Rebecca had a remarkable ability to instill in others a genuine love of reading and learning that lasted long after they left her care. She understood that education wasn't just about books—it was about seeing people, believing in them, and giving them tools to believe in themselves.

As a military spouse, Rebecca moved her family across the country as her husband Randy served in the Army. Through every relocation and new beginning, she created homes filled with laughter, soul music floating through the rooms, and stacks of funny movies waiting to be enjoyed together. She loved to laugh—deeply and often—and brought that joy wherever she went.

Rebecca's generosity knew no bounds. She delighted in giving gifts, both large and small, to friends and family. But her greatest gifts couldn't be wrapped—her empathy, her encouragement, and her unwavering presence for those who needed her. She worked tirelessly to help those less fortunate, living out her deep Christian faith through action and love. She loved deeply, listened intently, and had a way of making everyone feel seen and valued.

Rebecca is survived by her devoted husband, Randy Phillips of Clinton; her daughters, Courtney McCabe-Johnson and husband Zach Johnson of Clinton, and Whitney Phillips of El Dorado, Kansas; her son, Brett Phillips and wife Courtney of Columbiana, Ohio; her cherished grandchildren: Madeline, Marianne, Melodie, and Malachi McCabe, Reece and Ava Johnson, and Bryce, Cora, and Blake Phillips; her sister, Susan Daniels of Beckley, West Virginia; and numerous other family members and friends whose lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Muriel Dowdy of Beckley, West Virginia, and her brother, David Dowdy of Athens, Georgia.

Rebecca has gone home to be with her Lord. While our hearts ache with her absence, we celebrate a life extraordinarily well-lived—a life of service, love, laughter, and grace. Her legacy lives on in every student she taught, every person she encouraged, every heart she touched with her boundless love.

A viewing and funeral service will be held at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Clinton, Mississippi, on Sunday, November 23rd. The family will receive friends during a viewing from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at 4:00 p.m. All who knew and loved Rebecca or her family are invited to gather in celebration of her beautiful life.

An online guestbook is available at www.wrightferguson.com