Matheney Honored
Midway M. B. Church hosted its First Easter Morning Brunch on last Sunday. It was attended as churches now, by a few. The Brunch was declared good by the participants. The Brunch meal was sent out to all those home participants in the breakfast program. The Easter Program chairperson was Chelsea McClendon. We had a lot of children attending church and participating in the Easter Program.
A lot of families came home for Easter Service. Dr. Lorraine Dozier’s family was there, Larissa, her husband Joseph and their children, Jordan Riley an anchor at WDAM, a Hattiesburg TV Station, Joseph Page “Jojo” a honor student and Kappa at Philander Smith University and Daylin Page, a football star and honor student at Louisiana Tech University, Devon Clay and her three boys, Senior graduate Isaiah Cleveland, August and Joseph, Zina Clay Cousin, Jennie Clay, Dr. Locord Wilson, Tom Wilson and Elyse.
Pam Banks Family, Tambra, and her daughter, Chasten and his family, Thomas Smith, and Colby.
Daniel Matheney was honored for his accomplishments in archery. Daniel is the son of Jody and Shawanna Matheney. The grandson of Shirley Matheney and Sammie Hoye.
Sandra Faye McClendon family attended, Tracey Williams her husband Kenya and family.
Glad to see Eric Ross, Lhindra Thornton and Laboris Ross at church on Easter Sunday.
Sympathy to the Rodriguez Family in the passing of Johnny Rodriguez, Sr. August 19, 1948 - March 28, 2026. His service was last Saturday at Mapp Funeral Home Chapel. Interment was Lovelady Cemetery. All arrangements were entrusted to Mapp Funeral Home.
Mr. Johnny was married to Lillie M. Rodriguez and to this union five children were born. Johnny Rodriguez (Daphane) Forest, MS, Lillie M Stewart (Patrick), Carrie Rodriguez, Jackson, MS, Carmen Rodriguez Logan (Otis) Pearl, MS, and Jesus Jose Rodriguez of New Orleans, LA. 15 grandchildren, and 28 great-grandchildren.
Sympathy to the Slaughter Family in the passing of Russell Slaughter 1959-2026, age 66. His service will be at 1:00 pm, Saturday at Mapp Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be at Lovelady Cemetery. All arrangements were entrusted to Mapp Funeral Home.
Sympathy to the Gilbert Family in the passing of Earnest D. Gilbert. His service was last Saturday at Harmony M. B. Church.
Sympathy to the Pinkston Family in the sudden passing of Mr. Roy Pinkston. He service is scheduled for Saturday at 11:00 am with viewing from 10:00 am – 10:45am. at Forest Elementary Auditorium. Holifield Funeral Home is entrusted with his arrangements.
Roy Pinkston retired as a teacher, basketball coach and Beat 1 Election Commissioner. I taught a lot of years with Roy at Hawkins Middle School. One of my fondest memories of him was his loving and affectionate care for his wife and family. He would tell me many times of his sacrifices for his family. I remember before Jalissa was born, no matter how many times Joann needed to go to the doctor during her pregnancy he would take off work and go with her. That was really amazing with so much dedication. After retiring from teaching, he ran for Election Commissioner and won. His statements were his children need some help and he was there to give it to them. His family was first.
Mr. Joe Watkins, 66, of Lawrence, passed away Sunday, March 29, 2026, surrounded by his family at his home. The funeral service will at Pine Ridge Missionary Baptist Church officiated by Rev. Bobby Everett, and Rev. Victor Bugg. Graveside services will follow in the church cemetery. Joe was born on December 30, 1959, to Charles and Lula Watkins. Ott and Lee of Forest was honored to be entrusted with arrangements.
He leaves behind a legacy of his children, Tonya Watkins Orr of Newton, and Billy Watkins (LeAnn) of Lake, and a bonus son, Josh Richardson (Jetta) of Lawrence; his grandchildren; Chloe Orr; Taylor Watkins; Ember Bell (Mackenzie), Megan Richardson; a bonus granddaughter, Zae Sharp; three great grandchildren, Benji, Alex, and Kaylee Bell; two brothers, Buddy Watkins (Eva) of Lawrence, and Jimmy Watkins of Philadelphia; nieces, Crystal Collins, Jennifer Baldwin, Tiffany Morrison, Connie Ware, Teresa White, and Lorie McMullan; and nephews, Greg Watkins, and Big Billy Watkins.
Wendy Lynn Cooksey Culpepper, 53, of Lake, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 8, 1972, in Forest, Mississippi, to Jimmy and Dianne Cooksey. All arrangements were entrusted to Wolfe Funeral Home.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Lavelle Lee Culpepper III; her children, Jessie Barrett, Justin Barrett, Levi Culpepper, Madison Culpepper, and Kurt Culpepper; her nine beloved grandchildren; her mother, Dianne Cooksey; and her siblings, Wayne Cooksey, Wally Cooksey, Wanda Dean, Wade Cooksey, Wynette Cole, Wilma Royal, Wynona Basinger, and Wileen Gray.
Mrs. Peggy Mynon Tadlock Burns, 82, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026, peacefully at home in Forest, Mississippi.
Mrs. Peggy was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was married to Walter Mack Burns of Forest for 64 years. Although almost 90 years old, he was right by her side until the very end. Survivors include one son, Walter Todd Burns of Forest, MS, and husband Walter Mack Burns of Homewood, MS. Her daughter Gina Burns, whom I worked with at Hawkins Middle School as teachers preceded her in death.
Funeral Services was at the Wolf Funeral Services Chapel in Morton on last Tuesday, April 07, 2026. Interment service followed at the Homewood Cemetery.
The Care Facilities: Milton Jerome Banks – Laurel;
Remember with your prayers, all our sick and shut-ins: Sarah Harper, Walter “Ben” Smith, Sollie White Smith, Janie White McClendon, Glenda Strong McKee, Bill Bradford, Sarah Janitha White Johnson, Willie Letha Stowers Peavy, Victoria Cox, Betty Flowers, Marshall Beamon, Dwight Beamon, Versherica Ficklin, Mattie Bobbitt Holifield, Billy Strong, Wesley Lewis, Chasten Banks, and B. H. Kennedy.
Please call or text me those who are sick, deceased with planned arrangements, and anything remarkable you want publicized about your family. You may reach Delie Shepard by phone/text at 601-507-0992 and email: dshep10399@gmail.com.
