Mr. James “Jimmy” Leach, 64, passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, MS. He was born in Kilmichael, MS to R. L. and Edith McCorkle Leach on January 21, 1962. Mr. Jimmy was with KCS Railroad for 14 years and had a love for sawmilling in his spare time. He was currently serving as pastor of Hebron Baptist Church near Poplar Creek, where he faithfully proclaimed the Gospel. He was a humble man who served others with no reservations and stood in the gap for anyone in need.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Wood Leach; daughters, Laura Wood (Ryan) of Kilmichael, Nikki Leonard (Justin) of Stewart, Jami Pruitt (Ryan) of Glen Allen, VA, and Katie Crimm (Chad) of Stewart; sons, Joey Leach (Abby) of Poplar Creek and Matthew Leach of Stewart; brother, Ronnie Leach (Debbie) of French Camp; thirteen grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mandy Dees; brother, Alan Leach; and an infant son, “Little Jimmy.”
Russell “Danny” Ethridge passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by the love of his family, on Sunday, July 12, shortly after celebrating his 82nd birthday. After a long illness, he is now at peace in the presence of his Lord and Savior.
Danny found great joy in life’s simple blessings. He loved spending time with his family, watching Wheel of Fortune and baseball games together. He had a passion for people and never met a stranger. He loved watching things grow, both people and his garden. He planted countless trees, shrubs, and flowers over the years. The beautiful yard he created became a place of peace that nourished both his soul and those he loved.
Danny was born in Meridian, Mississippi, at Mattie Hersee Hospital to Mark Dee and Bonnie Ree Ethridge. He was the seventh of eight children. He attended Martin-Center Hill School and Meridian High School before earning degrees from Clark College and Mississippi College. Education was deeply important to Danny, and he encouraged a lifelong love of learning within his family.
Called to ministry, Danny faithfully served the Lord as a pastor, including at Wahalak and Salem Baptist Church, where he touched many lives through his compassionate leadership and unwavering faith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mark Dee and Bonnie Ree Ethridge; his brothers, Mark, George, and Jimmy Ethridge; and his sister, Betty Ethridge Katsaboulas.
He is lovingly remembered by his devoted wife, Lynda Ethridge; his children, Angelia Garrard and her husband Jim of Plano, TX; Rus Ethridge and his wife Karen of Plano, Texas; Sue Owens and her husband Jeremy of Sioux City, Iowa. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Jon Garrard and his wife, Caitlin; Amber Garrard; Joy Garrard; and Matthew Ethridge. He is further survived by his sisters, Jean Vinson of Chattahoochee, Florida; JoAnn Collins of Union, Mississippi; and Joyce Ward of York, Alabama; along with many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Stephen Wesley Keen, 46 of Mize, passed away on Friday, July 16, 2026, at his residence.
Mr. Keen was born on January 18, 1980, in Collins, Mississippi to Marvin Wesley Keen and the late Linda Adcock Keen. He was a graduate of Raleigh High School Class of 1998 and earned an associate of arts degree from Jones County Junior College in Ellisville. Mr. Keen was a design and construction field technician engineer for the Canadian National Railroad. He was a member of the Liberty Baptist Church in Raleigh, Mississippi.
Mr. Keen was a generous and kind person that always loved to help others in need. He loved God and his family very much. Mr. Keen will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Linda Adcock Keen.
Survivors include his wife of seven years, Candace Idom Keen of Mize; his father, Marvin Wesley Keen of Mize; two sisters, Kimberly Keen of Mize, and Melissa Keen Bryant (Wayne) of Laurel; and a host of other family members and friends.
Larry Lavoy Edwards passed away peacefully at his home in Grenada, MS, on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
Larry was born to the late Durell and Geneva Edwards on February 24, 1951, in Calhoun County, Mississippi. Larry married Sarah Evelyn Stacks on May 30, 1971, and they were blessed with 3 children: Gabe, Amy and Tom.
Larry was called to the ministry in 1980 and was ordained by his father at Holcomb Baptist Church. Throughout his career, he pastored at Malmaison Baptist Church in Teoc, MS; Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Coila, MS; Gardiner Baptist Church in Gardiner, MT; Oregon Memorial Church in Lexington, MS; and New Hope Baptist Church in Coila, MS. He proudly spent the last 31 years pastoring at First Baptist Church, Tchula, MS.
Lovingly known as “Pop” after the birth of his first grandchild, Larry was a man whose generosity and kindness touched everyone who knew him. Pop worked hard to provide for his family. He loved deeply, never met a stranger, and always found joy in making others smile. He never passed up a good prank, had a contagious laugh, and was known for giving the very best hugs.
Larry was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Sarah, his parents Durrell and Geneva Edwards, and his sister Linda Lewis (Gary).
After Sarah’s passing in March of 2024, he married Glenda Sides of Grenada, MS.
He is survived by his wife, Glenda Sides Edwards; daughter Amy Waldrop (Johnny) of Canton, MS; sons Gabe Edwards (Bethany) of Learned, MS; and Tom Edwards (Jamie) of Clinton, MS; grandchildren Madelyn Alford (JP), Will Waldrop (Mary Turner), Jackson Haney, Leland Edwards, Caleb Edwards, Abbey Edwards, Molly Edwards, and Elsie Edwards; great granddaughter Ava Kate Chenhall; sisters Becky Long of Holcomb, MS; Lori Lance of Holcomb, MS; Rhonda Bailey (Tim) of Holcomb, MS; brothers Donald Edwards (Margaret) of Holcomb, MS and Ronald Edwards (Judy) of Jefferson, MS; step daughter Cleta Parker of Grenada, MS and step son Anthony Sides of Grenada, MS.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2026, from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church Tchula, MS, with the funeral service immediately following at 1:00 PM with Bro. Ricky Davidson officiating. After the funeral service, a graveside service will be held at 4:30 PM at Calvary Cemetery in Bruce, MS. Serving as pallbearers will be Larry’s grandchildren; Madelyn Alford, Abby Edwards, Caleb Edwards, Elsie Edwards, Leland Edwards, Molly Edwards, Jackson Haney, and Will Waldrop.
Bro. William Harvey Reeves, a faithful minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ passed away peacefully at his home on June 19th. He spent his life preaching The Word staying instant in season and out. After surrendering to preach in 1975, he served as pastor at 3 different churches: Casey Creek, Union, and Bethel. In 1996, he was called into evangelism where he travelled the United States preaching in different meetings each week. No matter the health issues he faced, he showed up and preached. In 2010, he was in need of kidney transplant and needed dialysis multiple times a week. This did not stop him, he would receive dialysis in a variety of hospitals in the town his meeting was in. As his health declined in his latter years, God opened the door for him to stay close to home and pastor at Hamilton Baptist Church. He loved the word of God and meditated on it daily.
Preaching was his life, but he also had several hobbies he enjoyed. One of those being gardening and yard work. At one point he had over 300 different varieties of Hosta that he tended to and loved to show off. He also loved attending horse shows and dirt track races. Lastly, he loved the Alabama Crimson Tide and watched them everyday Saturday in the fall. #RollTide
He married the love of his life and best friend, Dean Reeves, on Christmas Eve 55 years ago. They spent their life serving one another. A void will be felt in her heart the rest of her days.
He is survived by his wife Dean Reeves. 3 children; Tina Stewart (Gary) of Kossuth, Bro. Mike Reeves (Renee) of Pontotoc, and Jeff Reeves (Karen) of Tupelo. 6 grandchildren; Daniel Stewart (McKinley), Shelby Kirk (Trey), Gable “Little Buddy” Reeves (Hope), Sarah Russell (Denver), Maddy Reeves, and Alonzo Holliman. 7 great grandchildren, Charlye, Maesyn, Adalaide, Collins, Wrennyn, Ryat, and Liam. 5 sisters and 1 brother. A host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He is proceeded in death by his parents Orby and Ethel Reeves. Three brothers, Jimmy Glen, Allen, and Durrell Reeves.
Paul Daniel Harrell, 90, went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 2, 2026. Paul was born at home in rural Rankin County on September 14, 1935, to Edward and Daisy Harrell. He graduated as salutatorian from Pisgah High School before attending Mississippi College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1959.
On September 8, 1957, Paul married the love of his life, Sarah Maurer. They shared more than 54 wonderful years of marriage before Sarah’s passing in January 2012. Paul went on to earn his Master of Religious Education degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1961, preparing for a lifetime of faithful ministry.
Paul began his vocational ministry as Minister of Education at Highland Baptist Church in Meridian, Mississippi, and later served in the same role at First Baptist Church in Louisville, Mississippi. In 1965, he accepted a call to serve as Associate Brotherhood Director for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board in Jackson where one of his favorite activities was directing Royal Ambassador (RA) camps throughout the state. He became Brotherhood Director in 1977, a position he held until his retirement in 2001.
During his tenure as Brotherhood Director, Paul provided visionary leadership that led to the establishment of Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief, a faith-based volunteer ministry dedicated to serving communities affected by natural disasters and other crises. Under his leadership, the ministry grew into one of the nation’s most respected disaster response organizations, recognized alongside the American Red Cross for its commitment to compassionate service. Volunteers provided mass feeding, chainsaw and debris removal, chaplaincy, and other critical assistance to those in need.
The ministry’s first major responses included the 1978 Utica tornadoes and the Easter Pearl River flood of 1979. In 1985, Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief expanded its reach internationally by responding to the devastating earthquake in Mexico City. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, volunteers also traveled to New York City to minister to first responders and those affected by the tragedy.
Following his retirement from the Brotherhood Department in 2001, Paul continued serving through the Partnership Missions/Missions Mobilization Department on a part-time basis until 2017. He established numerous partnerships between Mississippi Baptists and other states and countries to further the spread of the gospel. His dedication to the work of the Lord remained unwavering throughout his life.
Paul was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Jackson, where he served for many years as a Sunday School teacher. He was also an active leader in the Mississippi Baptist Religious Education Association, serving as president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer.
Paul’s life was marked by humble leadership, steadfast faith, and a deep commitment to serving Christ through ministry and missions. His legacy lives on in his devotion to his family, the countless lives he touched, the churches he strengthened, and the disaster relief ministry that continues to bring hope and help to people in times of greatest need. While he will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him, they rejoice in the assurance that he is now in the presence of his Savior, hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Daisy Harrell; his beloved wife, Sarah Harrell; and his brothers, Talmadge Harrell and H.T. Harrell.
He is survived by his two daughters, Paula Harrell Eaves (Dan) of Preston, Mississippi, and Maura Harrell of Bedford, Texas; his son, Lewis Harrell (Tami) of Pontotoc, Mississippi; his sister, Dottie Merchant of Oxford, Mississippi; and his brother, Charlie Harrell of Jackson, Mississippi. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Hannah Harrell Young (Nick) of Macon, Mississippi; Tommy Lee Kirkpatrick III (Jamie) of Jackson, Mississippi; Paul Daniel Harrell II (Kayla) of Benbrook, Texas; Madeleine Kirkpatrick of Brandon, Mississippi; Benn Harrell (Ellen) of Starkville, Mississippi; and Todd (Kelly) Eaves of Preston, Mississippi, as well as nine cherished great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Bro. Bobby Donald Long of Houlka, MS, a beloved Baptist minister, devoted family man, and respected community leader, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2026, at the age of 91. Born in Bruce, Mississippi, to a loving family, Bobby dedicated his life to serving others and spreading the message of the Gospel. He graduated from Bruce High School in 1953 and continued his education by attending Clark College from 1969 to 1970 and obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from Blue Mountain College in 1972, all while beginning his own family and nurturing relationships with his loved ones.
Bro. Bobby’s commitment to ministry began in 1967 when he surrendered to his calling. He served as the pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church for over 20 years, where he shared his passion for Jesus and touched countless lives through his preaching. An avid outdoorsman, he cherished fishing and hunting, enjoyed going on cruises, and was especially proud of his experiences traveling to Israel and the Holy Land. A member of the John S. Cain Masonic Lodge #259 in Houlka, Bro. Bobby valued fellowship among his peers.
Bro. Bobby is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn Tedford Long; children Debby Long of Houlka, Mark Long of Houlka, Trent (Margaret) Long of Bruce, and Donna (Chris) Clark of Houlka; sister Virginia Mitchell of Amory; and numerous grandchildren who carry on his legacy, including Corey Long, J.B. (Lauren) Long, Kaylyn (Parker) Rish, Josh (Ally) Long, Megan (Matt) Autry, Cody Clark, Kyle Clark, Justin (Mattie) Long, Stetson Long, and Miranda (Luke) Byars; as well as 8 great-grandchildren.
Bro. Bobby was preceded in death by father, Dwight Wayne Long; mother, Donie Bell Brasher Long; sister, Carolyn Kimbrell; and brothers, Harold Long, Charles Long, Larry Long, and Fred Long.
Bro. David E. Walley, age 75, of Sand Hill, passed from this life on June 14, 2026 at his residence. Bro. Mike Blair and Nathan Walley will officiate the service. Serving as pallbearers will be Billy Byrd, Gary Harlan, Jimmy James, Jack Cooley, Wayne Moss, and Tim Pope. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Butch Woodham, Don Fulmer, Gary Wade, Ronnie Walley, and Vic Dungan.
Bro. Walley was a retired minister whose life was marked by a deep love for God and a heart for serving others. Over the course of his ministry, he faithfully pastored several churches in Mississippi and Alabama, which included Hillcrest Baptist Church in Lucedale, Friendship Baptist Church in Vineland, Alabama, Union Baptist Church in Grand Bay, Alabama, and Seminary Baptist Church in Hintonville, where he offered spiritual guidance, encouragement, and comfort to all who knew him. His steadfast faith, gentle spirit, and dedication to sharing God’s love left a lasting impact on the communities he served. Though his presence will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the many congregations he shepherded, his legacy of faith, kindness, and service will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Grady and Marilyn Walley; and brother, Brent Walley.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Walley of Sand Hill; daughter, Brooksy Lee (Jonathan) Burgett of Mobile, AL; grandchildren, Annabelle Lee, Baylor, Amos, and Henry; sisters, Lisa Walley (Tommy) Cotten, Theresa (Billy) Byrd, and Eleanor Walley.
