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Ellisville Funeral Home, 1204 Avenue B, Ellisville, MS (2026)

02/03/2026

John "Mike" Wages, 60, of Ellisville, MS, passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel, MS. Born on December 28, 1965, in Laurel, Mississippi, Mike was a beloved member of his community.

He is survived by his fiancée, Tanya Graves, sister, Barbara Tallent, step-son, Brandon Graves and his wife Jessica; step-daughter, Brook Nunley and her husband Jon; grandchildren, Branson Nunley and McKenzie Nunley; nephew, Stephen Wages; niece, Kelli Cummings; great niece, Victoria Elise Thompson; Mike was also cherished by a host of friends and family.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Johnnie Malcomb Wages, and his mother, Clara Jane Sumrall Wages.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Ellisville Funeral Home, located at 1204 B Ave, Ellisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM at the same location, with Bro. Curtis Pitts officiating.

Arrangements are being handled by Ellisville Funeral Home, and condolences can be shared online at their website.

02/02/2026

Mildred Beatrice Griffith Stroud
7-15-1930 - 2-1-2026
age 95 1/2

Mildred was born on 7-15-1930 in Wayne County, Mississippi. Her parents are the late James Mallard and Thelma Henrietta Craven Griffith. Mildred has one sister, Mary Nell Griffith Gieger. Mildred and her family lived in several places and she attended schools wherever her family was living at the time. Mildred was around 15 years old when she was saved and baptized in Whistler, Alabama. At 16 years old, her family moved from Mobile, Alabama to Newton, Mississippi and Mildred was going into her junior year of high school at Newton High. One Sunday Mildred was attending a church service at Liberty Baptist Church when she met the love of her life, Marvis Zelma "Monkey" Stroud. After dating for nine months, they were married in Newton by Bro. Sizemore on 12-21-1946 in Mildred's parents' home with both sides of their parents attending, along with other family members and a few close friends. At Monkey's death on 8-3-2009 they were married 62 years.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2026 from 1:00PM until 2:00PM at Oakland Grove Baptist Church in 2475 Pleasant Grove Rd, Laurel, Mississippi. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 2:00PM at Oakland Grove Baptist Church in Laurel, Mississippi. Burial will follow in Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Laurel, Mississippi. Bro. Chris Hodge and Bro. Alex Hodge will officiate. Ellisville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 601-477-3797.

Mildred dropped out of school after she and Monkey were married and since she was not one to start something and never finish it, at 25 years old Mildred traveled to USM in Hattiesburg and got her GED certificate. She always believed you finish what you start.

Mildred loved being a wife, mother of three, grandmother to six, great grandmother to 12 and great-great grandmother to six children. Her pride and joy were in the raising their three children, Beverly Evan, Marvis Randal and Conley Ratrelle. In 1957 they purchased land and their house in the Byrd community at the end of Stroud Road, that was later named after them. Mildred was 'the Family Matriarch' where she was called "Nanny" by her grands and greats and "Mil-Mil" by most of her nieces and nephews. Mildred was the last remaining member of the Stroud family, whom she loved dearly.

Mildred was a true Christian country lady. She lived her life being a good example serving God and her family. She saw the need for her family to attend church regularly. She also saw the need to grow a garden, have chickens and have a milk cow. During her life time she drew water out of a well, washed clothes on a rub board and later in a ringer-type washing machine. She cooked on a wood stove, raised and killed hogs and smoked their meat. She canned food in jars and made jams and jellies for them to eat. She would bleach chicken feed sacks and fertilizer sacks to make their clothes, house curtains and bed sheets.

Mildred also had various outside-the-home jobs when it was needed. She worked at the 5 & 10 Store in Texas City, worked in clothing sales at Eagle & Levine's in Newton and sold Avon and Stanley products. Mildred worked at Reliance Shirt Factory. She was a sales clerk at Lott's Furniture Store and was the professional photographer for Olan Mills and Sears Portraits for many years. Mildred also enjoyed reading and crocheting. She made many, many dollies and gave them as gifts. She enjoyed taking scraped material, piecing and quilting her family members handmade quilts. She also enjoyed listening to gospel music.

Mildred's most important accomplishment was her personal salvation and her love for God. She was a devoted and a faithful member of Oakland Grove Baptist Church. She loved her family and others by witnessing and 'preaching' about her Lord. Mildred taught the Bible during Sunday school classes, taught children during VBS, was an active member of the WMU and she served on many church committees. In 1977 Mildred was also instrumental in organizing the Stroud Reunions held every year until Covid in 2019.

Mildred Beatrice Griffith Stroud was an extraordinary strong Christian woman who set a good example for her family and others to live by. There is no other like her. Mildred will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved her.

01/26/2026

Barbara Jean (Jeannie) Smith, 73, of Ellisville, MS, passed away peacefully at her home on January 23, 2026, surrounded by her family and friends. Born on December 23, 1952, in Philadelphia, MS, Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished her family above all else.
Barbara was the beloved wife of Ellis Smith for 55 years and a loving mother to her children, Tabatha Cunningham, Robert Smith, and Jennifer Crews. She was predeceased by her parents, Prentiss and Betty Hood, her sister Martha (Susie) Montgomery, and her daughter Tabatha Cunningham.

She is survived by her husband Ellis Smith, her son Robert Smith and his partner Regina Miller, her daughter Jennifer Crews, and her grandchildren Michael (Doogie) Parker and his wife Casey, Bethany Miller Patterson and her husband Ethan, David (DD) Cunningham and his wife Secilia-CC, Johnathan (Jon Jon) Parker and his girlfriend Tasha, and Jeanine Boobar and her husband Bradley. Barbara also leaves behind her great-grandchildren Paisley Parker, Lainey Parker, Isabella Beech, Dawson Cunningham, Dayton Cunningham, Tabitha Parker, and Nadia Boobar. Her brothers Jurgen Monkemeyer, Prentiss (Bubba) Hood and wife Glenda, Frank Hood and his wife Bobbie, and Billy Hood and his wife Jackie, along with a host of nieces and nephews, also survive her.
Barbara graduated from Acadia High in Louisiana and went on to attend Jones Junior College, where she became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She dedicated over 25 years to working at the Ellisville State School and held various part-time positions in the community, including at the Ellisville Elementary Cafeteria, the State Hospital in Laurel, MS, and the Ellisville Hospital in Ellisville, MS.

Barbara was known for her love of shopping, camping, cooking, and her passion for arts and crafts. She enjoyed participating in Wagon Train Trail Rides and cherished the time spent with her family and friends, especially during her favorite time of year, Christmas.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Ellisville Funeral Home, 1204 B Ave, Ellisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will take place on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the same location, with burial to follow at New Hope Baptist Church in Ellisville, Mississippi. Bro. Kenny Smith and Bro. Bill Harper will officiate the services.
Barbara's family and friends will gather to celebrate her life and bid her farewell, remembering her as the loving and caring person she was.

In Lieu of Flowers Barbara asked that rather than flowers she asked for donations to Rose Of Sharon Baptist Church 226 Stevenson Rd Laurel MS 39443 where she attended church and her Brother in Law Brother Kenny Smith is Pastor. Any flowers sent will be appreciated.

Pallbearers will include: Michael Parker, Johnathan Parker, David Cunningham, Johnathan Hilbun, Thomas Hood, Michael Montgomery.
Honorary Pallbearers will include: Dougie Landrum, Chris Mculiffe,

01/24/2026

Fred Lindsey Ellzey, 52, of Soso, MS, passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Born on Monday, May 14, 1973, in Laurel, Mississippi, Fred was a beloved Father, son and friend of his community.

He is survived by his former wife, Brandi Ellzey, and his daughter, Jayla Ellzey of Soso, MS. He also leaves behind his mother, Sheila Harris Ellzey, brothers Lindin Ellzey and Samuel Ellzey, and nieces Molli Ellzey and Kesley Ellzey. His extended family includes aunts Gail Ellzey, Janette Ellzey, Jean Finney (Charles), and uncle Joey Harris (Shirley). Also survived by a host of cousins and great friends.

Fred was preceded in death by his father, F.L. “Sam” Ellzey, grandfathers Fred Ellzey and Tenyson Husser, grandmothers Willie Mae Ellzey and Loretta Husser, aunts Darlene Stewart, Gwen Ellzey, and Sharon Cunningham, and uncles Ted Ellzey, J.C. Ellzey, Jim Ellzey, Robert Harris, and Larry Harris. Cousin Tracy “Puddin” Ellzey

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from 1:00PM until 3:00PM at Centerville Baptist Church, located at 995 Centerville Rd, Soso, MS. Funeral services will follow at 3:00PM at the same location, with burial in the Centerville Baptist Church Cemetery. Dr. Joseph Harris will officiate the services, and arrangements are being handled by Ellisville Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will include Sonny Ellzey, Terry Ellzey, J.P. Varnell, Greg Walters, David Cunningham, Robert Grayson, Billy Ryan, and Scott Drennan. Honorary pallbearers will be Chameron Jones, John Kelly, David Welch and Kevin Sims.

01/23/2026

Burnice “Bernie” Herrington, age 93, of Moselle, Mississippi, formerly of Benton, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Bernie lived a long and meaningful life marked by hard work, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for simple joys. A welder by trade, he took great pride in working with his hands and had a natural gift for fixing, building, and tinkering. Whether in his yard or his shop, Bernie was rarely idle and always content when working on a project.

He especially loved the outdoors and could often be found fishing, crabbing, or sh*****ng, pastimes that brought him both peace and happiness. These moments reflected who Bernie was at heart—steady, patient, and appreciative of the world around him.
Bernie was preceded in death by the love of his life, Patsy Dunn, with whom he shared 54 years; his daughter, Kay Staples; and his grandson, Nathan Smith.

He is survived by his sons, Jeff Herrington (Sheila) of Moselle, Mississippi, and Ray Herrington (Roxanne) of Purvis, Mississippi; his daughters, Sandra Smith (Clifford) of Fort Myers, Florida, Summer Demers (Chris) of Covington, Louisiana, and Leah White of Metairie, Louisiana; his brother, I.D. Herrington (Diane) of Decatur, Mississippi; and his sister, Inez Munn of Decatur, Mississippi. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, along with many extended family members and friends who will cherish his memory.

Pallbearers will be Raygan Herrington, Nathan Herrington, Chad Herrington, Jonathan Staples, Juan Centeno, and Ronnie Williams.
Visitation will be held on January 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at Ellisville Funeral Home, with burial following at Lott Cemetery.

Above all, Bernie loved his family, and his presence will be deeply missed. His legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the skills he passed down, and the quiet strength and devotion he showed throughout his years.

01/20/2026

Elsie Ann Pitts, 83, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on January 19, 2026, in Soso, Mississippi. Born on June 29, 1942, in Laurel, Mississippi, Elsie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Elsie Pitts was an active and faithful member of Centerville Baptist Church-affectionately known as “Nonna”. She is the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman (Proverbs 31:10-31). Elsie served, helped, loved, showed charity and giving as no other-never seeking praise-humble.

She served as a USDA Poultry Inspector for numerous years and was highly regarded in her field as such. Cooking and gardening were mainstays of her life. She often showed love by freely giving her food and produce to anyone. She loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, her family, and everyone who knew her loved her back.

Our lives are better for having known her and being loved by her.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years, Gerald Pitts, and her loving sons, William Keith Pitts and Phillip Gerald Pitts, along with their spouses, Robin and Lynn. Elsie was a cherished sister to Wayne Edwards and Gail Ellzey. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren, Will Pitts, Kaylee Winpigler, Mollie Culpepper, Layton Pitts, and Laci Pitts, as well as her great-grandchildren, Archer Pitts, A.J. Pitts, Ellie Winpigler, Evie Winpigler, Riggs Winpigler, Archie Culpepper, and Palmer Culpepper. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Barbara Edwards.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, William Taft Edwards and Anna Maude Black Edwards, her brothers, C.W. Edwards and Larry 'Tinyman' Edwards, her sisters, Delores Walley and Shirley Edwards, her brother-in-law, J.C. Ellzey, and her sister-in-law, Rhonda Edwards.

Pallbearers will be Will Pitts, Trey Winpigler, Patrick Culpepper, Layton Pitts, Sonny Ellzey, and Kenny Edwards.

Honorary pallbearers will be Archer Pitts, Michael Hendry, Scotty Graves, Ray Bob Jefcoat, and J.B. Pitts.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at Centerville Baptist Church in Soso, Mississippi, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM. She will be laid to rest at Centerville Baptist Church Cemetery. The services will be officiated by Bro. Brian Dickens and Dr. Richard Gray, with arrangements handled by Ellisville Funeral Home.

01/19/2026

David Aaron Oswalt, Sr., 82, of Laurel, MS, passed away on Monday, January 19, 2026, at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel, MS. Born on January 13, 1944, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, David lived a full life surrounded by family and friends.

He is survived by his loving wife, Johnnie Lovett Oswalt; his sons, David Oswalt, Jr. and James Daniel Oswalt; his daughter, Angela Coker and her husband Ryan; his brothers, Curtis Goff and Jerry Oswalt with his wife Susan; his grandchildren, Ryan Phillips with his wife Jessica, and Christian Hancock with her husband Dalton; and his great-grandchildren, Nolan Phillips, Lennon Phillips, Blaise Hancock, and Tatum Hancock.

David was preceded in death by his father, Charlie Oswalt; his mother, Ethel Johnson Truman; his brothers, John Edward Goff and Cecil Goff; his sister, Bonnie McNeil and her husband Paul; and his grandchild, Brent Austin Oswalt.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Myrick Cemetery in Myrick, MS, with burial to follow in Myrick Cemetery in Laurel, Mississippi. Dr. Parrish Bridges will officiate the service. Arrangements are being handled by Ellisville Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.ellisvillefuneralhome.com.

01/19/2026

We are very heartbroken, the Travis family, the Bradley family and the Adams family, to share with family and friends that our beloved Janie Ruth Adams, aged 83, of Ovett, MS, went to be with her Lord on Friday, January 16, 2026, at the Guardian Angels in Laurel, MS. Born on April 25, 1942, in Runnelstown, Mississippi, Janie lived a life full of love and dedication to her family and community.

Janie retired from a career in banking. She had many hobbies. She enjoyed, sewing, puzzles, music, and tending to her flowers inside and outside the home.

She is survived by her loving husband, Rudolph Adams of Ovett, MS, and her son, Keith Bradley of Bay Springs, MS. Janie also leaves behind her step-sons, Charles Kelvin Bradley, Ricky Alton Bradley, and Artie Adams, as well as her step-daughter, Amy Adams Harvison. Her siblings, William H. Travis, Carolyn Kate Tillery (Reese), Betty Lou Cooley (Sam), Sharon Travis, and Kay Frances Russell, will cherish her memory. Janie was blessed with a host of grandchildren, nieces, and nephews who will remember her fondly.

Janie was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Osbourne Bradley, her parents, William Prentiss Travis and Katie Louella Travis, her brother, Charles Fred Travis, and her sister, Flora Ann Williams.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at County Line Baptist Church 3765 MS-29 S, MS, with visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by the service at 11:00AM. Burial will take place at Walters Cemetery in Ovett, MS. Dr. Paul Young and Bro. Kenny Walters will officiate the services, with Ellisville Funeral Home handling the arrangements.

Pallbearers for the service will include Hunter Scarborough, Chris Gallington, Shane Bennett, Charlie Ladner, Fedrick Hutson, and Robert Jordan, with Gary West Jr. serving as an honorary pallbearer.

Janie's family invites friends and loved ones to sign the online guestbook at www.ellisvillefuneralhome.com.

01/16/2026

Brenda Joy Herrington Cranford, age 85 of Laurel, MS passed away on January 16, 2026. She was born on Sept. 2, 1940. She was the daughter of Thomas Watson and Dollie Terry Herrington of the Pleasant Ridge Community.

She was a lifelong member of Our Home Universalist Unitarian Church having been church treasurer for many years. She worked for Pleasant Ridge Water Assn. having started in 1967 and retiring in 2014.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026 from 12:30PM until 2:00PM at Ellisville Funeral Home in 1204 B Ave, Ellisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 2:00PM at Ellisville Funeral Home in Ellisville, Mississippi. Burial will follow in Our Home Universalist Cemetery in Ellisville; MS. Joe Herrington will officiate. Ellisville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 601-477-3797.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 40 plus years Thomas Lee Cranford, step son Michael Cranford, sister Sue Burns, brothers Tom Herrington and Sammy Herrington, brothers-in-law V. A. Moss and Blake Burns, sister-in-law Nelda Herrington, great niece Kayleigh Stoner and Step Grandson Dustin Cranford.

She is survived by Brother Joe (Butch) Herrington (Patsy), sister Nell Moss. 6 nieces, 3 nephews, a number of great and great great nieces and nephews. Step children Tony (Vanessa) and Sandra Cranford, Step Granddaughter Bandice Morris. She also had a special family she said she had adopted and they adopted her, Candis and David Holifield and children Rachel (Josh) and Mason (Megan).

She loved all her family very much and was close to all of them. She had a special love for her namesakes, niece Joy Nicolette (Nicki) Hinton and grandniece Dana Joy Pierce.

Ellisville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Instead of flowers, the family request donations be made to Our Home Cemetery in her memory.

01/16/2026

Faye Clark, 86, of Ovett, Mississippi, passed away peacefully at her residence on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Born on August 18, 1939, in Jones County, Mississippi, Faye lived a life full of love and dedication to her family.

She was preceded in death by her beloved Husband, James Clark, sons, Kyle Howard Murphy and Robert Earl Murphy, her parents Dalton Creel and Willie Mae Pitts Creel, her sisters Maxine Murphy, Janet Stroud, Georgia Mae Edwards, and Liz Jones, and her cherished grandchildren Lawanda Powell, Jennifer Jones, and Karie Jones.

Faye is survived by her devoted daughters, Deborah Ann Jones, Carol Sue Allday, and Nettie Faye Blackwell, all residing in Ovett, MS. She also leaves behind her brother Eugene Creel, her grandchildren Andrew Jones, Brandon Jones, Peyton Jones, Benjamin Allday, Melissa Womack, Jenna Cooley, Mathew Murphy, and Patrick Murphy, as well as 16 great-grandchildren who will carry on her legacy.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Ellisville Funeral Home, located at 1204 B Ave, Ellisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM at the same location, with burial at Tiger Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Ovett, MS. Bro. Bob Burch will officiate the services.

Faye will be remembered for her unwavering love for her family and her kind spirit. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

01/15/2026

Jimmy T. Parker, 85, of Laurel, MS, passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel, MS. Born on January 21, 1940, in Laurel, Mississippi, Jimmy lived a full life surrounded by family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Paulette Parker; his father, Franklin Parker; his mother, Mildred Parker (Buckelew); his brother, Jerry Parker (Martha Ann); and his brother-in-law, John Long.

Jimmy is survived by his daughter, Tammy Barnes and her husband Robert of Laurel, MS; his sisters, Billie Long, Shirley Carter and her husband Van, and Lynnette Holloway and her husband Mickey. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Wesley Barnes and his wife Regan, and Jarred Barnes and his wife Brianna, as well as his great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Barnes, Elliot Barnes, and Amelia Barnes.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, located at 1743 Hwy 29 North, Ellisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM at the same location, with Bro. Roy Crouch officiating. Burial will take place in Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery in Ellisville, MS. Arrangements are being handled by Ellisville Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will include Caleb Walters, Brian Mott, Josh Beech, Wayne Parker, Matthew Spiers, and Caleb Miller. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny McDonald, Terry Graham, David Bullock, Larry Beech, Don Turner, Raymond McLaurin, and Harrel McLaurin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Beams Ministry for Bibles. P.O. Box 10200 Gulfport, MS, 39505.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.ellisvillefuneralhome.com.

01/14/2026

Deborah Jean Jefcoat, 66, of Ellisville, MS, passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Jones County Rest Home in Ellisville, MS. Born on March 26, 1959, in Stringer, Mississippi, Deborah was a beloved member of her community.

She is survived by her loving companion, Jerry Hayes and her mother, Lou Mandy Upshaw Williams. Deborah was preceded in death by her father, B. F. Williams, Jr.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 10:00AM until 11:00AM at Ellisville Funeral Home, located at 1204 B Ave, Ellisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will follow at 11:00AM at the same location, with burial to follow. Arrangements are being handled by Ellisville Funeral Home.

Deborah will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.ellisvillefuneralhome.com.

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