Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes

04/23/2026

Mary Margaret Smith

Mary Margaret Sullivan Smith, lovingly known as “Ms. M”, age 80, ran into the arms of her Savior on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

A service celebrating her remarkable life will be held on Sunday, April 26th at 3:30 pm, at DeKalb Baptist Church in DeKalb, Mississippi.

Visitation will be from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, prior to the service. Rev. James Ruffin, Rev. Hal Bates, Rev. Tyler Smith, and Rev. Chris Gully will be officiating the service. Burial will follow at Rush Cemetery in the Kipling Community, with Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes in charge of the arrangements.

Ms. M, of DeKalb, departed this life and began her heavenly homecoming on April 22, 2026. She was the only child of Rev. and Mrs. Auzie Sullivan of Louisville, Mississippi.

She graduated from Louisville High School with the Class of 1963, then attended Clarke College in Newton before completing her undergraduate degree at Mississippi College.

Following graduation, she returned to Clarke College, where she served in multiple roles, including directing youth ministry teams that traveled to churches and conducted services. She remained there until her marriage to Robert M. Smith in 1969. In later years, she served on the college’s Board of Directors.

Ms. M devoted 40 years to education. She pursued graduate studies at The University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi University for Women, and Mississippi State University.

Other teaching positions included Clarke College, Weir High School, West Lauderdale, Kemper County Schools, and East Mississippi Community College.

Her honors included Mississippi Woman of Achievement, Kemper County Citizen of the Year, EMCC Stellar Award for Faculty Member, Teacher of the Year, the Distinguished Service Award from EMCC, and being named a 2011 nominee for the Rush Caring Woman of East Mississippi.

While at EMCC, she was Coordinator of the Single Parent/Displaced Homemaker Program. She loved Christmas—her favorite time of year—because of the birth of her Savior. Each year, she coordinated the “Christmas with the Kids” program, providing assistance for children of single parents and many other families in the community. She often said her greatest joy on the EMCC campus was her involvement in the Chapel in the Pines building project. The story of the Chapel and Orr Center for Christian Activity reflects vision, faith, sacrifice, and the dedication of a community working together. Being part of that work remained closest to her heart.

For many years, Ms. M was a faithful and active member of DeKalb Baptist Church, where she served as a devoted Sunday School teacher, Bible Drill instructor, and Vacation Bible School director, investing deeply in the spiritual lives of children and families. She also served as chaplain of the Gideon Auxiliary and faithfully distributed Gideon Testaments, sharing her love of God’s Word with all she encountered.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 56 years, Robert M. Smith; her two beloved sons, Rob Smith (Lori) of Meridian and Jonathan Smith of DeKalb; and her grandchildren, Rev. Tyler Smith (Alex) of Meridian, Braden Smith of Meridian, and Morgan Smith of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Preceding her death is her grandson, Tristan Smith of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

Pallbearers will be Braden Smith, Shane Baty, Don Stokes, Tommy Jones, Joe Vandevender, Troy Coward, and Gene McArthur. Honorary Pallbearers are Larry Gibson and Jeb Pittman.

The family would also like to thank the love and service provided to Ms. M in her final days by Nancy Conner and the health care workers at Gentiva Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests for donations to be made in Ms. M’s honor to Chapel in the Pines-Campus Ministry Fund, East Mississippi Community College Development Office, P.O. Box 158, Scooba, MS 39358.

The staff of Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes-DeKalb is grateful for the opportunity to honor Ms. M’s life and memory and to serve her loving family during this time.

View Mary Margaret Smith's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/22/2026

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!
We want to recognize our amazing admin team, Tyler & Candie, for their dedication, precision, and unwavering support. Your hard work, kindness, and meticulous care for our families & staff does not go unnoticed. Thank you for making our offices a place of comfort and efficiency. We appreciate both of you more than words can say!

04/16/2026

Today is National Orchid Day, a day dedicated to one of nature’s most resilient and symbolic flowers. 🌸
​In many cultures, the orchid has long been a symbol of eternal love, strength, and rare beauty. Unlike many blooms, orchids are known for their longevity and their ability to thrive even in delicate conditions—much like the enduring legacies of those we love.
​The history of this specific "National Day" is also one of deep personal meaning; it was founded by a family to honor the memory of their daughter, turning a personal loss into a beautiful tribute that celebrates life and nature.
​At Webb and Stephens, we often see orchids chosen for services because they represent a love that never fades. Whether it’s a gesture of sympathy or a quiet tribute in a home, the orchid serves as a reminder that beauty and memory are lasting.
​Do you have a favorite flower that brings you comfort or reminds you of a loved one? Share it with us in the comments below. 👇
​

03/31/2026

🖍️ More Than Just Color: Finding Healing in Crayons on National Crayon Day 🖍

Today, March 31st, is National Crayon Day! It’s a day to celebrate the joy of coloring, the nostalgia of a brand-new box of 64 (with the sharpener!), and the creativity that lives in all of us.

But on this day, we also want to recognize how these simple wax sticks can be a powerful tool for navigating something complex: Grief.

🎨 How Crayons Help Process Grief:
A Safe Outlet for Big Emotions: When words are too heavy, coloring can help externalize sadness, fear, or anger. It allows us to put our grief onto paper where we can see it and work with it.
Calming the Mind: Studies show that coloring, for adults and children, can be a form of mindfulness, reducing anxiety and providing a calming, tactile sensory input during stressful times.

"Broken Crayons Still Color": Just like our lives after loss, crayons can break, yet they still work—perhaps creating even more unique art. It’s a reminder that we can be broken and still create something beautiful.
Therapeutic Tool: Art therapy uses crayons to help people—especially children—express feelings they cannot articulate.

This National Crayon Day, we encourage you to:
Grab a coloring book (or just a blank sheet of paper) and let your hand move without judgment.
Color your feelings: Try drawing a "feelings heart" using colors to represent how you are feeling right now.
Color in memory: Create a picture in honor of a loved one who has passed.
Donate used crayons: Support organizations like The Crayon Initiative or Crayon Collection, which turn old crayons into new ones for children in hospitals.
Let’s fill the world with color, even when our own worlds feel gray.

03/19/2026

Peggy May Hailey

Peggy May Clearman Hailey, 92, of DeKalb, passed away peacefully on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the Mississippi Care Center of DeKalb.

Peggy was born to Henry Grady and Aramae (Smith) Clearman on June 1, 1933, at their home in Noxubee County. Peggy was a delightful, loving soul whose world revolved around her family and her deep roots in Kemper County. A devoted lifelong member of Spring Hill Church, she found her joy outdoors―gardening, fishing, or relaxing in her porch swing, often admiring her cherished Confederate Rose bush. Known for her infectious warmth, Peggy loved interacting with her community during her many years at Piggly Wiggly as a cashier.

Peggy fondly and jokingly shared with her family over the years that when she first married, she did not know how to cook and if her husband, Tillman, brought in anything she didn’t know how to prepare, she would toss it out the back door. She did learn to cook and became quite excellent at it, with her family often requesting her to prepare her famous fried chicken. Though she is gone from this life, Peggy’s memory will live on in her family’s hearts―a testament of the joy of loving and being loved by her.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter-in-love, Mary Ann Hailey; her granddaughter, Leah Hailey Polk; three precious great grandsons, Cooper, Augie, and Shep Polk; a host of beloved nieces and nephews; and her special friend, Rachel Woodfin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Aramae Clearman; her beloved husband, Tillman C. Hailey; her cherished son, Cooper Dale Hailey; her brother, Kenneth Leon Clearman; and her nine sisters, Kathleen Gurley, Polly Townsend, Nancy Haskins, Gladys Inez Haskins, Mildred Townsend, Maxine Haskins, Edna Lapearl Hickson, Bobbie Jean Skipper, and Gloria Clearman.

In accordance with Peggy’s wishes, a graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 21st, beginning at 1:00 pm at Spring Hill Church Cemetery with her nephew, Bro. Chris Gully, officiating the service. Peggy's favorite hymn, "In The Garden", will also be sang at the close of the service in tribute to her memory.

Serving as pallbearers for Peggy’s service will be Ronnie Lofton, Jerry Haskins, Phillip Haskins, Randal Miller, Ryan Miller, and Hutch Miller.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Mississippi Care Center of DeKalb for their loving care and dedication to Peggy during her stay there, and a grateful thanks to Ronnie Lofton for his friendship, help, and dedication over the years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests for donations to be made in Peggy's honor to the Spring Hill Cemetery Fund, in care of Janet Nester, 11 Nester Road, DeKalb, MS 39328.

The staff of Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes-DeKalb is grateful for the opportunity to honor Peggy’s life and memory and to serve her loving family during this time.

View Peggy May Hailey's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/11/2026

This National Morticians Day (March 11), we are profoundly proud to celebrate our team of dedicated women who bring compassion, strength, and innovation to funeral service, while also recognizing our fellow professionals across the industry.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor the female morticians and directors on our staff who bring unparalleled empathy, care, and precision to their work every single day.
In a field that requires both incredible strength and deep compassion, our women-led team is committed to serving families during their most difficult moments with dignity and grace.
Join us in thanking the women who make up our foundation! 🌸

03/08/2026

Once a rarity in what was traditionally a male-dominated profession, women now stand shoulder to shoulder, taking the greatest care of families in their most tender moments. This , we celebrate the strength, compassion, and grace of our female funeral directors, arrangers, and support staff. Thank you for leading with heart and bringing a delicate touch to our profession every single day. 🌹

03/06/2026

🌟 Happy National Employee Appreciation Day to my Webb & Stephens and Forest Lawn Memory Gardens family!🌟

They say working in funeral service isn't just a job; it’s a calling. To my incredible team at Webb & Stephens and Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, I want you to know that I see the tremendo us heart you bring to work every single day.

You show up during the darkest hours for families, providing a steady, gentle presence when they need it most. From the first phone call to the final, respectful goodbye, your compassion, professionalism, and quiet kindness make all the difference. 💙

I am deeply grateful for your dedication, your empathy, and the way you support each other and the families we serve. You are the backbone of this funeral home. Thank you for your service and for being such amazing human beings.
❤️Amanda

03/02/2026

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory." – Dr. Seuss
Every life is a storybook, filled with chapters of joy, laughter, and love. On this Dr. Seuss Day, we reflect on the beauty of a life lived and the memories that last forever.
Let us help you honor those precious memories and celebrate the unique story of your loved one. We are here to guide you through the quiet moments. 🕊️

02/19/2026

Elizabeth Jane Malner

A visitation will be held for Elizabeth Jane Molpus Malner on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, at Webb and Stephens Funeral home in Dekalb, from 1-2:30 Pm. A Graveside service will follow at Bluff Springs Cemetery in Kemper County, Mississippi.

Elizabeth Malner passed away peacefully on February 18th, 2026, at Marion Health & Rehab. Her Life was devoted to her family, community and the simple joys that life brought her.

Elizabeth attended Forest Dale High School, and she got married to Ed Malner on November 4th, 1945.

Elizabeth worked for 32 years at the Old Dekalb Hospital. She got her certified license for lab and X-Ray Technician. She served as state treasurer of the Mississippi state Society of American Medical Technologists for 8 years. Elizabeth was a Mississippi Homemaker Volunteer, and she actively attended First Baptist in Dekalb, Mississippi.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband Edwin Frank Malner, her parents John W.P and Mary Molpus, and her brothers, Paul, Don and Howard Molpus.

She is survived by her sister, Annie Laura Basteb, her only son, Edward Frank Malner (Diane); Grandchildren, Charles Edward Malner, John Andrew Malner, Melanie Carol Davis (Van), and Jennifer Joy Dorris (Jay); her great grandchildren, Sean Patrick McCullock, Kellen Cole McCullouch, Anna Elizabeth Dorris, John Franklin Dorris, and Gabbie Eliabeth Malner.

View Elizabeth Jane Malner's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/14/2026

Valentine’s Day isn’t only about romance — it’s also a beautiful time to honor the love that shaped our lives. Today, we honor those who are no longer physically with us, but whose love still surrounds us.
There is no right or wrong way to feel on Valentine’s Day. If today is heavy, please know that it is okay to feel sad, and it is okay to feel love simultaneously.
We are holding space for all of you who are navigating grief today. May you find comfort in the memories that make you smile through the tears. How will you honor your loved one today? Maybe it’s a favorite meal, a song, or looking through old photos. We invite you to share a name or a memory in the comments below, if you feel comfortable. 🕯️🤍
Our hearts are with you today.

02/12/2026

Bobby Earl Thomas II

Bobby Earl Thomas, II, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 9, 2026, in Haughton, Louisiana, with his loving wife by his side.

Bobby was born to Bobby Earl “Bob” Thomas I and Guyula Jones Thomas on April 14, 1975, in Gulfport. Bobby joined our United States Navy in March of 2001 and served his country faithfully. While enlisted, he spent time in Guantanamo Bay as Master-at-Arms, and earned several commendations including, the National Defense Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Pistol Sharpshooter Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Bobby will be remembered as a man who truly loved God, his family, and all of God’s creatures. He lived with a happy spirit, finding immense joy in helping people, making them laugh, and sharing a good meal. To know Bobby was to know a devoted, down-to-earth-soul―if you went one step for him, he would go ten in return.

He cherished his wife―his ‘Boohoo Bear’―and was her biggest supporter, wanting to share every experience with her. Whether it was fishing, traveling, or simply enjoying her cooking, he was happiest by her side. She often joked that he would enjoy a meal even if she ‘boiled a rock’, yet he was just as passionate about ensuring everyone around him was well-fed.

A truly thoughtful and respectful man, Bobby was known for his love of Country music―especially Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson―which he would play while cooking to set a bright, stress-free mood. He was also a devoted dog dad to his ‘baby’, Mia. He will be remembered for his loving, kind heart, his humor, and his unwavering dedication to his wife.

Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Cigdem Thomas; his aunt, Jeffrie Bruton; brothers-in-law, Daniel Schatzman (Zeliha), Jason Meeker (Sonay), and Lee Holden (Zeynep); numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; along with his beloved ‘baby’, Mia.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Bobby Earl Thomas I and Guyula Jones Thomas.

A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, February 17th, beginning at 11:00 am at the Union United Methodist Church Cemetery in Kemper County.

The staff of Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes-DeKalb is grateful for the opportunity to honor Bobby’s life and memory and to serve his loving family during this time.

View Bobby Earl Thomas II's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.