Caby Edward Byrne, 91, was born in Brookhaven, Mississippi and passed away May 13,
2025, in Clinton, Mississippi, where he and his wife Betty had been residents for 18
years. Caby was devoted to family, church and community throughout his life.
Caby was a native of Brookhaven, Mississippi, graduating from Brookhaven High
School, then Mississippi College in Clinton, and then New Orleans Theological
Seminary. Following seminary graduation, Caby ministered to students with campus
ministry programs on the campus of Mississippi College, Mississippi State, and West
Point Military Academy. During the time following seminary, he also served as a
chaplain with the Army Reserve for thirty-five years, retiring as a Colonel.
While living in Memphis, Tennessee, Caby developed the Volunteer Program of
Memphis and was involved in the start of the Adopt-A-School program with Memphis
City Schools. Additionally, Caby was critically engaged with the initial planning of
hospice for Memphis. He was the former director of Methodist Alliance Hospice.
Volunteering was important to Caby, serving on programs of Meals on Wheels, Habitat
for Humanity, church mission outreach programs which included three mission trips
to Honduras. In later years he and Betty were devoted volunteers at Heifer Ranch in
Perryville, Arkansas, where they served as hosts to groups, sharing how to impact the
hunger of the world and to share peace.
Caby was a lifelong athlete. Football was his favorite sport from high school days,
where he also ran track. He was an accomplished marathon runner. His devotion to
football led to him being a referee. His love for the MSU bulldogs was legendary and of
course his favorite colors were maroon and white. Photography was a favorite hobby
throughout his life.
Caby is survived by his wife, Betty Byrne; his daughter, Debbie Byrne Shaughnessy
(John) and son, Caby Edward “Ed” Byrne III. He took great pride and pleasure in his
four grandchildren: Jessica Carrie Fabre (Ben), Dr. John E. Shaughnessy III (Morgan),
Chad Rollins Byrne (Inez), and Joshua Wade Byrne; four great-grandchildren: Madison
Leigh Byrne, Elizabeth Claire Byrne, Elizabeth Clare Shaughnessy, and John Nelson
Shaughnessy. He also loved his brother-in-law and sister-in-law (Hal and Betty Harris)
his nieces and nephew (Tyler, Morgan, and Brittany), as well as his many devoted
students and friends.
In Caby’s memory, share time with a friend and volunteer in your community.
Rev. Robert Curtis Ragland, Sr., 91, of Belzoni, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 12, 2025, at Indywood Glen in Greenwood.
Bro. Robert was born July 2, 1933, in Cleveland, to E.A. Ragland and Audrey Reed Ragland. He grew up in Leland where he attended school. Bro. Robert earned his associate’s degree from Clark College. He became a Baptist minister in 1960. He preached in Humphreys County for 54 years, retiring from Beulah Baptist Church in 2016. During his ministry, he baptized all three of his children and many other family members and married all his grandchildren. Bro. Robert was always full of joy, whistling, and doing magic tricks for children. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Bro. Robert was a very talented man and was a gifted painter, wrote many poems, books, and songs. He loved the Lord, his family, and especially his beloved wife, JoJo. Bro. Robert was a member of First Baptist Church in Belzoni.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 65 years, JoAnn Cleveland Ragland, his son, Mike Ragland, and four brothers: Earnest Ragland, Ronald Ragland, Larry Ragland, and Sid Ragland.
Bro. Robert is survived by his son, Robert Ragland, Jr. (Cindy) of Belzoni; daughter, Tami Ragland Hawkins (Bubba) of Belzoni; sister, Ann Hill of Seattle, Washington; nine grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren.
Thomas “T.E.” Everett Davis, a devoted preacher and loving family man, was born on September 5, 1930, in the warm heart of Mississippi. His earthly journey came to a peaceful close on April 17, 2025, at Tishomingo Manor Nursing Home, where he left behind a legacy that touched the lives of many.
For over fifty years, T.E. served his Lord through his ministry, preaching with unwavering faith and compassion. He was not only a pastor but also a skillful handyman, proficient in electrical work, plumbing, and small appliance repairs. His hands, which dedicated themselves to service, always had a smile and a kind word for everyone he encountered. T.E. was known for his heartwarming anecdotes, especially those that spoke of his love for fishing and traveling, taking joy in both the beauty of creation and the fellowship of those he met along the way.
He is sorely missed, yet joyfully remembered by his beloved wife of over seventy years, Virginia Davis, who stood by him through every season of life. Together, they nurtured a beautiful family, leaving a mark of love that will continue to flourish. T.E. is survived by his cherished children, Tommy Davis (Sheila) and Debra Davis Young (Charley), as well as his beloved grandchildren: Kenneth Lee Wilbanks, Jennifer Morris (Bucky), Jessica Davis, and Michael Todd Davis. The joy of his legacy extends further to his great-grandchildren, Dawson Hollan, Ryan Davis, Paige Willms, Michael Lane Barbee, and Madalyn Davis, and to his great-great-granddaughters, Liberty Grace and Brynlee Anne. He also holds a special bond with his sister, Shirley Harris.
T.E.’s life was anchored in faith, family, and service. With a heart always willing to lend a hand, he instilled in his loved ones the same devotion that he showed in his ministry. Throughout his life, he made no greater joy than serving his community and church, particularly at New Salem Baptist Church. His spirit of giving and compassion will be fondly remembered.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Lloyd Davis, William J. Lambert, Frank Davis, Mary Noble Hollins, Ruth Hollins, Syble Blakney, and Sunny Byrd. While they await the day of reunion in the kingdom above, those who knew T.E. find comfort in the legacy of faith and love he imparted to them.
William Marion Waddle, 89, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Huntsville Hospital Hospice Family Care. He was born January 22, 1936, to Arthur Lafayette Waddle and Lela Gertrude Wood Waddle. On May 29, 1954, Marion married the love of his life, Nadine Taylor. Together they welcomed three children, Dudley, Barbara, and Pat.
Mr. Waddle had many names over the years. To his family, he was known as Marion. During his academic years, he was called William. To the congregations he pastored, he was Bro. Waddle and Dr. Waddle. Later, on the mission field, he was called Bill. His most treasured titles were Daddy, Pop, Papaw, and Papaw Bill to the different generations who loved him most.
He attended Blue Mountain College, Luther Rice Seminary, and New Orleans Baptist Theology Seminary and achieved his Doctorate in Ministry. Dr. Waddle pastored for 20 years collectively at Jones Chapel Baptist Church, Nettleton, MS, New Hope Baptist Church, Hatley, MS, West Ripley Baptist Church, Ripley, MS, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, New Albany, MS, and Emmanuel Baptist Church, Grenada, MS. While pastoring, he served as a Board Member of the Mississippi Baptist Convention and chairman of the Minister Relations Committee for the north half of Mississippi. He was also a resource person for the Cooperative Program Department of the Mississippi Baptist Convention. For 15 and a half years, Bill and Nadine served with the International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention in Uganda, East Africa.
In addition to being a faithful servant of the Lord, Mr. Waddle was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His favorite pastimes were fishing and watching sports and westerns on television. He loved pulling a good joke, especially on his family members. Papaw most enjoyed attending the various activities of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bill was a member of Fairview Baptist Church, Athens,AL.
Services will be at 2:00 pm, on Thursday March 20, 2025, at Senter Funeral Home, Fulton, MS, with Dudley Waddle and Carter Whiteside officiating. Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, Thursday, March 20, in the Senter Funeral Home parlor. Burial will follow at Salem Baptist Church Cemetery, Golden, MS.
Survivors include his wife of almost 71 years, Nadine Taylor Waddle of Madison, AL; children: Dudley Marion (Valerie) Waddle of Knoxville, TN, Barbara Lynn (Carter) Whiteside of Athens, AL, Patricia Leigh (Steve) Ashley of Oxford, MS; grandchildren: Charles William Waddle, Brandi Lynn Waddle Rogers, Erin Maria Whiteside Chambless, Ethan Carter Whiteside, Evan Taylor Whiteside, Amanda Leigh Ashley, Stephanie Elizabeth Ashley Glover; 14 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives.
He is preceded in death by his parents: Arthur L. and Lela G. Waddle and sisters: Hilda W. Johnson, Mildred W. Wilson, Marie W. Johnson.
