All Obituaries

Betty Rose Irby Lawrence of Canton, 75, died February 25, 2021, at St. Dominic’s Hospital after a brief illness due to complications from a stroke. Funeral services will be held at Breeland Funeral Home, 3304 S. Liberty St., in Canton, MS, on Sunday, February 28, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be held starting at 12:00 noon. Mrs. Lawrence was the daughter of T.O. and Eloise (Weems) Irby. She was born in Morton, MS, and attended Morton public schools and Belhaven College. She was...

Myrtle Evelyn Hill Fairchild was born August 9th, 1923 to Will Mayo and Dovie Voyles Mayo and passed away February 23, 2021. She grew up in North MS and married Henry Hill during World War II. She and her family lived and farmed in North MS before moving to Jackson, MS in the early 60’s. She had a green thumb and enjoyed working in her yard, flower beds, and vegetable garden. She liked preserving vegetables from her garden for her family to use. She loved visiting with family but was...

Betty Jo Ellis, 72 passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.  Ms. Ellis was born on July 8, 1948 in Carson, Mississippi.  She was a loving mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend.  She loved and treasured being able to spend time with her children and grandchildren.  She was a fan of the Game of Thrones Series and the Investigative Discovery Channel, and enjoyed playing bingo and computer games.  Ms. Ellis was an animal lover and had...

Rev. Dr. Morris Alford Taylor entered the Church Triumphant January 29, 2021. A native of the Denham community near Waynesboro, MS, he was born November 10, 1931, the sixth of seven children born to Bertha Gandy and David C. Taylor. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 48 years, Lottie Alford Taylor; and his four brothers, John, Earnest, Cliff and Bobby. Morris loved his God, church, country, family and friends, and enjoyed being with people from every walk of life....

services are pending

Alfreda Weaver DiStefano died peacefully on January 25, 2021. She was born in Dividing Ridge, Yalobusha County, Mississippi, on July 25, 1932 to the late Arthur Earl Weaver and Ivy Wheeler.  Growing up in the Big Creek and Calhoun City communities, she later attended Mississippi State University graduating with an Elementary Education degree in 1954.  After graduating, she moved to Natchez and lived with fellow teachers in an apartment on Clabber Alley behind the Malt Shop....

Louise Foster Varner, 97 passed away on Monday, January 25, 2021 at Madison County Nursing Home.  Private graveside services will be at the Canton Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.  A native of Ethelsville, AL, Louise moved to Camden, MS with her family at the age of 3.  She was a lifelong member of Center Terrace Baptist Church.  She was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain her family.  She was preceded in death by:...

Evelyn Durham Guess, 95 passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at The Nichols Center. Visitation will be at Breeland Funeral Home on Saturday, January 30, 2021 beginning at 9:30 am.  Graveside services will be in the Canton Cemetery Saturday at 11:00 am.  All who attend will be asked to wear a mask and practice COVID protocols. Mrs. Guess retired from Magnolia Federal Bank.  She was a member of Center Terrace Baptist Church where she played the piano for 25 years.  She...

Vernon A. Hitsman, 84, passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at Merit Health Madison.  Graveside services will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Lone Pine Baptist Church Cemetery.  A native of Kansas, Mr. Hitsman, has lived in Madison County for 35 years.  He was a U.S. Navy Veteran and a retired plumber.  He was a member of Lone Pine Baptist Church.  Survivors include: wife Annie Steen Hitsman of Canton; son, John A. Hitsman of Stafford, KS;...

Howard Crisler Hammack, 82, longtime resident of Canton, died January 11, 2021, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland.  Graveside services will be held at the Canton Cemetery January 13 at 11:00am. Crisler was born July 23, 1938 to the late Marion Columbus Hammack and Pansy Bates Hammack. He graduated from MSU with a degree in Civil Engineering.  After graduating college, he was commissioned into the U.S. Army, serving as an engineer with the Army Medical Service Corps during the...