Mims Mitchell Colonial Chapel Funeral Home

01/14/2026

Annie Lois Little Smith, a resident of Pearl, MS, was called home by her Lord and Savior on January 14th 2026 at the age of 92 while in the comfort of her home surrounded by loved ones.

Annie Lois was a wonderful wife, mother grandmother, and friend. She worked hard, loved deeply, and believed Jesus and laughter were the best solutions to all of life’s problems. Annie Lois would spend her free time working in her yard, baking delicious treats, or sharing sweet moments with her family. Annie Lois had a passion for cooking. She would always make sure those who came to visit her never left hungry. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Pearl and looked forward to spending time with the ladies in her Sunday school class, studying the gospel. She also enjoyed her monthly get-togethers with her Merrymakers group, where she could join in good fun and good food with great friends. Annie Lois’ loved ones will miss her immensely, but they know she is happily and peacefully in the arms of Jesus Christ.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Ralph Smith; father, James A. Little; mother, Mary Elizabeth Roach Little; brothers, J.W. Little, Paul Little, Jerrell Little; sisters, Jane Chestnut, Hazel Wigington; and a special brother, Billy Stewart

Annie Lois is survived by her sister, Missy Bashline; children, James "Sonny" Smith of Pearl, Beverly Smith Alford (Jerry) of Ridgeland, Stan Smith (Patti) of Brandon, and Ronald Smith (Christy) of Pearl; grandchildren, Stacey Smith Aultman (Kyle), Brad Smith (Maghan), Coby Smith (Brooke), Shannon Hinton, Jeremy Alford, Darrell Smith (Saranne), Lauren Smith and Anna Marie Smith; great grandchildren, Ethan Aultman, Eli Aultman, Noah Smith, Stella Smith, Rylee Layken Smith, Sawyer Smith, Brady Jackson, Breanna Jackson, Anne Presley Smith, Harper Smith, Easton Williams and Blair Smith; a special sister-in-law, Linda Stewart; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the fourth floor staff at Baptist Hospital, as well as Megan, Kelly, Emma, and Bro. Danny at Gentiva Hospice for the exceptional care Annie Lois received.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2026 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee, 302 Eighth Ave SW, Magee, MS and again on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church of Pearl in Pearl, MS until the funeral service at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Pearl, MS. Bro. Tim Black and Bro. Scott Crawford will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee is in charge of arrangements. 601-849-5031

01/14/2026

Kenneth Patrick Harris, 68 of Magee, MS passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg, MS. He was born Tuesday, October 1, 1957 in Brookhaven, MS.

Kenneth was a simple man who enjoyed life’s simple pleasures like music, and fishing. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Harris; mother, Opal Murphy Harris; and brother, Robert Harris.

Survivors include his wife, Rhonda Lynn Lucas Harris; son, Trinity Harris (Chelsea); brother, Jeff Harris; 2 half-brothers and 1 half-sister.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com

01/09/2026

George Thomas Runnels, 74 of Flora, MS passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in Braxton, MS. He was born Sunday, June 17, 1951 in Mississippi.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026 from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall. Graveside services will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 2:30 P.M. at Mendenhall Cemetery. Bro. Earl Clark will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall is in charge of arrangements. 601-847-4401

Mr. Runnels loved his work as a carpenter and owned a business called T’s Home Repair. He cherished his family deeply and will be greatly missed by them and by his friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jeff Runnels and Helen Runnels; sister, Mary Joe Crider.

Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Runnels; children, Elizabeth Ainsworth (Michael), Brannon Runnels, Walt Runnels, and Kristi Parker (Garret); grandchild, Wyatt Williams; sister, Sandy Entrekin

Pallbearers will be Family and Friends.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com

01/06/2026

Christopher Amos Arender, 55 of Raleigh, MS passed away Monday, January 5, 2026 at the Magee General Hospital in Magee, Mississippi. He was born Friday, August 21, 1970 in Bay Springs, Mississippi.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 from 5:00 pm until 8:30 pm at Salem Baptist Church in Raleigh, MS. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 08, 2026 at 10:00 am at Salem Baptist Church in Raleigh, MS. Burial will follow in Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery in Raleigh, MS. Bro. Stevie Hand and Bro. Anthony Grayson will officiate. Special music will be performed by Angie McKissack. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee is in charge of arrangements. 601-849-5031

He was preceded in death by his father, Amos William (A.W.) Arender, Jr.; mother, Thelma Jo Blakeney Arender; paternal grandparents, Amos and Helen Arender; maternal grandparents, Gladys and Lois Blakeney.

Survivors include his brothers, Danny Arender (Suzette) of Raleigh, Donnie Arender (Paula) of Raleigh, and Jason Arender (Melissa) of Raleigh; sisters, Karen Arender of Raleigh, Lisa Arender Boone (Ken) of Raleigh and Marcia Arender Taylor (Jamie) of Raleigh.

Pallbearers will be Janson Arender, Justin Boone, John Carter Arender, Shannon Arender, Sam Arender, and Jordan Arender.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jaxon Arender.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com

01/05/2026

Linda Kay Tanner, 54 of Magee, MS went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 2, 2026 at her residence in Magee, MS. She was born Saturday, July 17, 1971 in Center, TX.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026 from 10:00 am until the service at 12:00 pm at Anew Creation Church 108 Railroad Dr. W, Magee, MS 39111. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Mize, MS. Bro. Dylan Webber and Monica Webber will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee is in charge of arrangements. 601-849-5031

Kay loved her family and held a special place in her heart for her children, grandchildren, & her girlfriends whom she enjoyed taking many special trips with. She especially loved the outdoors, whether it be fishing, swimming, sunbathing, or riding four wheelers. Kay was a devoted reader of her Bible, drawing strength, comfort, and guidance from her faith. That faith showed itself most clearly in the way she treated others. She had a natural compassion and was always willing to help anyone in need, often without hesitation and never expecting anything in return. Those who knew her will remember her kind heart, strong spirit, love for family, & her beautiful smile. She will be deeply missed by those who loved her and whose lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Sylvia Jean Craig and father, Robert Craig.

Survivors include her husband, Derek Tanner; sons, Josh Wedgeworth (Ashley), Dallas Tanner and Stephen Tanner (Katie); brother, Chase Vaughn; grandson who she raised, Gage Tanner; grandson, Sawyer Wedgeworth; granddaughters, Aubrey Tanner, Landri Wedgeworth and Ellisyn Wedgeworth; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family.

Pallbearers will be Michael Beard, Shannon Busby, Dewayne Cook, Randy Tanner, Austin Tanner and Kevin Bratcher

An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com

01/05/2026

Syble Annette Wigginton Wright

Born July 9, 1935 Died January 3, 2026

Syble was the third child born to Grady and Barbara Wigginton. Her brothers Lee Roy and Gene would have told you that she was a little spoiled. At 18 months old she contracted 2 forms of polio, one that affected her face with paralysis and the other that devastated both of her lower legs and feet. At 13 years of age, Syble learned to walk again, and she never slowed down after that.

Syble married Ernest Louis Wright in June of 1955. They were together until Ernest died in August of 2011. 56 years of wedded bliss, where Ernest aggravated and Syble pouted, they were a perfect coupling!

Syble’s greatest accomplishment was the raising of her 5 children, but that wasn’t the end of her talents. She taught adult literacy to quite a few Simpson Countians. She was Simpson County’s first female deputy. Syble could sew, quilt, crochet, oil paint, and carve wood. She was a Daughter of the American Revolution, a proud member of the Eastern Star, and a mean card-playing member of her friend group, The Creepy Crawlers. Syble attended New Zion Baptist Church and Star Baptist Church.

Syble is survived by her five plus children, John and Heather Stanley, Mary and Johnny Lea,
Joe and Linda Stanley, Morris and Cindy Wright, and Kathleen Smith.

These are her 15 living grandchildren, Hannah, Leah, Sarah, Dana, Melanie, Allison, Aaron, Charlene, Amanda, Seth, Kimberley, Stephanie, Jake, Beth and Luke. Her 16th, Eric, had the honor of meeting her in heaven. The others will serve as her pallbearers.

These are her 33 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Trey, John Michael, Audrey, Dylan, Aiden, Joshua, Jenna, Brody, Kinsley, Landon, Selah, Jud, Eamon, Katalina, Lochlan, Thyra, Ambrose, Caleb, Jude, Blake, Ariel, Janie, Kate, Reese, Riley, Joanna, Maci, Mackenzie, Jasmine, Marcus, Erin and Dash.
These are her 7 great-great-grandchildren, Kennedy, Georgia, Maverick, David, Jesse, Baylor and Breelynn.

Plus her companion Chihuahua, Dotty

What a legacy Syble!

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall in 3077 Simpson Hwy 13, Mendenhall, MS. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 07, 2026 at 11:00 am at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall in Mendenhall, MS. Burial will follow in New Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Braxton, Mississippi. Bro. Seth Stanley will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee is in charge of arrangements. 601-849-5031

Our family would like to acknowledge the kindness and love given to our mother by Patricia Carter, Dianne Carr and Debbie Williamson.

01/05/2026

Janie Purvis Johnson, 78 of Florence, MS went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 2, 2026 at her residence in Florence, MS. She was born Sunday, August 24, 1947 in Laurel, MS.

The family will hold a Memorial Visitation Saturday January 10th, 2026 starting at 1:00 pm with the service to follow at New Covenant Church in Harrisville, MS. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall is in charge of arrangements. 601-847-4401

Janie was born at the South Mississippi Charity Hospital in Laurel, MS, on what was undoubtedly a hot August day in 1947. She was the middle child of 7 siblings. She had 3 older brothers and 3 younger. With this arrangement came three big brothers who were built in protectors of her and three younger brothers whom she was able to help her mother with. Her father traveled for work to provide for such a large family. He was a welder by trade working extensively throughout the US on different projects. Her father's travel provided an opportunity for her mother to load her and her brothers in the car to go see their father all over the country. This left an impression on her. She had a nomadic spirit that loved to travel. She was able to go to Dubai and live for a year as well as go on mission trips to Israel, Armenia, and Guatemala. She was also able to see much of the continental US, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

She attended Glade Elementary School until her family moved to the countryside outside of Ellisville, MS. She then went to Ellisville High School until her senior year, where she moved to Buras, LA, and graduated from Buras High School. This was because her father was on a longer project working and was close enough to home for the family to move and stay with him. After graduation, she lived in New Orleans, LA, for a time before moving to Jackson, MS. Once she was in central Mississippi, she would move around a little bit; she lived the rest of her years there. She had two sons, the first, Sammy, was born in Jackson in 1977. The second and meanest, Josh (I wrote this, I can say that), was born in Jackson in 1980. She was a stay-at-home mom for the years her sons were in school and provided a warm, loving home along with their father. Janie loved Jesus with everything she had. She was ever faithful and steadfast in her faith. She enjoyed going to church and ministered to people whenever she had the chance. It was not unusual at all to pray with strangers about their needs at the drop of a hat. The only thing in her life that surpassed her love for her family was her love for Christ. She lived a life that leaves no doubt she rests in heaven today. She not only enjoyed the church and her faith, but all her life she enjoyed riding motorcycles she had an adventurous spirit as well. Later in life, she was able to put two of her favorite things together by owning a motorcycle and being a member of CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association). She touched many lives in this community as well. Through the countless lives she touched, she was a blessing to many. She attended both New Covenant Church in Harrisville, MS and Restoration Church in Florence, MS for many years. Her church and CMA families meant a lot to her. She had a very outgoing personality, never meeting a stranger and trying to help bring light into people’s lives. In November of 2025, she was diagnosed with late-stage cancer. She fought hard and gave it her all. She spent her last two months at home with her oldest son. Right up until her last days, when friends and family would visit, she would ask to pray with them. She always had a bright smile and a giving heart. As we say goodbye to her, we know her suffering has ended and that she is rejoicing with the angels. She leaves behind a legacy of people whom she blessed, whether that relationship lasted for a 30-second encounter or a 30-year-plus friendship. She will be missed. The world is a better place having had her in it for a time.

She was preceded in death by her father, Vaun Ray Purvis and mother, Esther Phillips Purvis.

She is survived by her sons, Sammy Vaun Johnson of Florence, MS and Joshua Wayne Johnson (Dana) of Pensacola, FL; brothers, Gene Purvis (Gaye), Bill Purvis, Ray Purvis (Maddie), Phil Purvis (Brenda), Dene Purvis (Barbara) and Tim Purvis (Karen); and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com

01/01/2026

A new year often brings a mix of reflection and hope. To the families we’ve served this past year: you remain in our thoughts. May 2026 bring you the comfort and strength you deserve. Happy New Year from our family to yours.

12/29/2025

Dwight Gene Cole, 79 of Brandon, MS passed away Sunday, December 28, 2025 at his residence in Brandon, MS. He was born Thursday, November 7, 1946 in Magee, Mississippi.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 03, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall. Burial will follow in Puckett Cemetery in Puckett, Mississippi. Bro. JC Cole and Bro. Perry Sanderford will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall is in charge of arrangements. 601-847-4401

Mr. Dwight Cole, who retired from Atmos Energy after many years of service, proudly served in the U.S. Army. He had a deep love for football; especially for Mississippi State. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gayther F. Cole and Bobbie Kathyrine Cole; brothers, Allen D. Cole and Jerry F. Cole; sisters, Barbara Ann Cole and Mary Kathyrine Cole.

Survivors include his nephews, David Cole (Dana); uncle, Marshall Cole (Ruby); sister-in-law, Betty S. Cole; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Pallbearers will be David Cole, Scotty Cole, Greg Cole, and Brad Cole.

An online guestbook may be signed at

Welcome to Colonial Chapel - Mims Mitchell Funeral Homes. We are a Missisippi Family owned funeral home dedicated to serving the families of Simpson, Smith and other surrounding counties. We quietly provide support, guidance, compassion and total commitment at a time when inner strength and peace ar

12/29/2025

Danny Dewayne Ferguson, Sr., 68 of Magee, MS passed away Sunday, December 28, 2025 at his home in Magee, MS. He was born Saturday, September 14, 1957 in Philadelphia, Mississippi.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee. Burial will follow in New Life Fellowship Cemetery in Magee. Bro. Gary Phillips will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Magee is in charge of arrangements. 601-849-5031

Mr. Ferguson was a loving father, grandfather, great- grandfather, and brother. He will greatly be missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Penny Jean Ferguson; father, Pearl Ferguson and Margie Thompson Ferguson; brothers, S.A. Ferguson, Garland Ferguson, Glen Ferguson, James Ferguson, Anthony Ferguson, Richard Ferguson, Johnny Ferguson and Dale Ferguson; sisters, Janet Huddleston and Kathy Cole.

Survivors include his sons, Christopher Ferguson (Kasey), John Paul Ferguson, Danny Ferguson, Jr. and Zachary Chase Ferguson (Christie); brothers, Terry Ferguson (Barbara), Delin Ferguson (Gail); grandchildren, Hayden Ferguson (Brianna ), Connor Ferguson, Korben Ferguson, Isabella Ferguson, Piper Ferguson, Kaydence Ferguson, Macey Ferguson, Haylee Ferguson, Chloe Ferguson, James Summerlin and Mollie Ferguson; great grandchildren, Bentley Ferguson and Kaleb Floyd; and a host of nieces and nephews.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com

12/25/2025

Wishing everyone in our community a very Merry Christmas. From our family to yours—have a blessed and peaceful day.

12/24/2025

William Randall Roberts, 69 of Mendenhall, MS passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at the St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, MS. He was born Monday, June 18, 1956 in Jackson, Mississippi.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025 from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 1:30 P.M. at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery in Mendenhall, MS. Bro. Vernon Connerly will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall is in charge of arrangements. 601-847-4401.

Mr. William Randall Roberts was a resident at Bedford Care Center and a former employee of Shell Oil in Magee. He lived in Mendenhall for 20 years and attended Macedonia Baptist Church before moving to the nursing home.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Andrew Roberts; mother, Peggy Roberts; niece, Michele Pitts.

Survivors include his sisters, Delores Pitts (Mike) and Janice Hazelwood; nieces, Jeanette King (Brian), Grace Turman (Jason), and Amy Delcambre; nephews, Michael Pitts (Kayla), Joseph Delcambre (Danielle) and a host of great-nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Family and Friends.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com