All Obituaries

Dean Earl Gerber, 81, of Jackson, Mississippi, passed away peacefully January 14, 2023, surrounded by family. Dean was born on April 16, 1941, to Arthur Earl Gerber and Helen Barnt Gerber in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  He grew up in Holstein, Iowa, and graduated from Holstein High School in 1959. He then attended Iowa State University on a Navy ROTC scholarship. Upon graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the U. S. Navy and began flight training...

Betty Ann Kern, 94 passed away January 13, 2023 at Copiah County Medical Center.  Graveside services will be 4:00 pm Sunday, January 15, 2023 at the Canton Cemetery. Mrs. Kern was preceded in death be her husband Marshall Kern, Sr. Survivors include: daughter, Karen Kern Clower (William); son, Marshall Keith Kern, Jr. (Dinah); grandchildren, Amanda Clower Wilson (Keith), Meghan Clower Meredith (Shane), and Rebecca Kern Swain; and great-grandchildren, Taylor Wilson, Olivia Wilson,...

Gerald L. Rayburn, 82, of Cordova, Tennessee, passed away on January 5, 2023, at the Baptist Reynolds Hospice House in Collierville, Tennessee. Gerald or Jerry was born to parents J.P. “Jake” Rayburn and Mable Lucille Britt Rayburn, on January 21, 1940, in Como, Mississippi.  Gerald graduated from Como High School in 1958.  Upon graduation, Gerald joined the United States Navy serving as an airman at Barber’s Point, Hawaii.  Following his discharge he...

JoAnn Smith-Vaniz Phillips, of Canton, MS was born December 23, 1943 and passed away January 5, 2023 at the age of 79. She was the first of four children born to Joseph and Lucille Smith-Vaniz.  JoAnn was married to the love of her life, Gene, for 60 years. Whether it was working at their store, The Cricket Box, or tending their beautiful flower garden, they were rarely ever without each other. Affectionately known as Nana to her grandchildren, she would do anything for her...

Robert Louis “Robby” Beckwith, 36 passed away December 27. 2022.  Visitation will be at Breeland Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 from 11:00 AM until the 1:00 PM chapel service.  Burial will be in the Canton Cemetery. Robby is survived by: parents, Wanda and Robert Beckwith; sons, Gage Beckwith and Braxton Beckwith; daughter, Harley Beckwith; and brothers, Jeff Beckwith and Timmy Beckwith (April).

Thomas Richard Smith-Vaniz, of Canton, MS, passed away unexpectedly on December 6,2022 at the age of 70. He was a devoted husband to the love of his life and soulmate as well as a loving father who knew and instilled the importance of hard work, family & doing what is right. He was a very talented artist, avid photographer; loved to travel and was always up to any adventure life had to offer. He had a passion and eye for the beauty in all things, never missed a chance to stop and smell...

Clark Ancel McDaniel, 91, passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. Graveside services will be held at Shiloh Cemetery, Pickens, MS at 11:00 am on Friday, December 9, 2022. Mr. McDaniel was preceded in death by: wife, Betty McDaniel; son-in-law, Mike Cochran; brothers, Earl McDaniel Walter McDaniel, Wayne McDaniel, and Buford McDaniel, Jr.; and sisters, Mary Fitzgerald, Merle Kelty, Mozelle Cain, and Edith Hand. Survivors include: daughters, Elaine...

Herman Kendrith Beebe Jr. was born to Herman Kendrith Beebe Sr. and Mary Womack Beebe on July 20, 1956 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Ken and his sisters, Pam, Bunny and Ann were raised in a house of discipline led by their father but also learned to be generous while their mother led in family and faith. Through his youth, Ken followed his father’s lead, learning to hunt, fish, golf and play tennis in which he was ranked in the state. After high school, Ken attended Louisiana State...

Donna Jennings Murphy, 53, of New Orleans, Louisiana formerly of Senatobia, MS died Friday, November 25, 2022 in Canton, MS. Donna was employed with the Veterans Hospital in New Orleans. She is survived by her husband and best friend, Chris Murphy, sister Barbara Hunter of Senatobia, MS, and brother, Ronnie Hunter of Senatobia, MS. She is also survived by her aunts, Shirley Trimm of Senatobia, MS, Rosemary Bailey of Jackson, TN and uncle, John Britt (Betty) of Batesville, MS and numerous...

Cornelia Ann Kraft, known as Neetsie to her friends and family, was born on November 22, 1944 and passed away November 19, 2022. Cornelia was the third of eight children born to Coot and Vera Ketchum. She was preceded in death by her husband; Jerry Kraft, her parents; James E Ketchum Sr. and Vera Pierce Ketchum; brothers; James E. Ketchum Jr., Frank Ketchum, and sister; Angela Nicholas. She is survived by her sons; Josey Kraft (Jennifer) of Yazoo, Allan Campbell and his friend Bobby...