Billy Jack Caston

Services for Billy Jack Caston of Crystal Springs were 11 a.m.,Tuesday, July 6, at First Baptist Church in Crystal Springs withburial in the church cemetery. Stringer Funeral Home is in chargeof arrangements.

Visitation was Monday from 5-8 p.m. and 9-10:30 p.m. at CrystalSprings United Methodist Church and Tuesday at Bethel BaptistChurch in Liberty from 2-3 p.m.

Mr. Caston, 72, died at 3 a.m. on July 4, 2004, at St.Dominic/Jackson Memorial Hospital. He was born in Amite County onDec. 31, 1931, to Jack and Euna Bell Caston.

He graduated from Liberty High School. He then attendedSouthwest Mississippi Community College and the University ofMississippi. He served his country in the U.S. Army during theKorean War. He had lived in Copiah County since 1984. Billy JackCaston was a member of the Mississippi Highway Patrol for 25 years.He retired in 1986 and became a member of the Retired TrooperAssociation. He began his career in Tylertown before transferringto Amite County. He served the Mississippi Highway Patrol as apatrolman, assistant inspector, training instructor and troopcommander of the Brookhaven sub-station responsible for thesouthern 13 counties. After retirement, he began a second career asa manager of Lake Copiah in Copiah County. During football seasonhe could be found with with his wife, Linda, and their twodachshunds, Tiboo and T-Bar, in their motor home at the Ole Missfootball games.

Preceding him in death were his parents; one son, Barry; onesister, Elnor Ray Ellenor; and one brother, Wesley Caston. He was amember of First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs for 20 years.

Survivors are his wife, Linda Lynchard Caston; two daughters,Jackie Caston of Liberty, and Tamara and her husband ChrisRickenbaker of Athens, Ala; three sons, Billy Jack and his wifeEileen Caston II, and Hunter Caston of Liberty; Jay and his wifeSheri Smith of Centerville; two sisters, Dinah Kirkland of Libertyand Judy and her husband Louis Seale of McComb; two brothers, Brentand his wife, Pessy, and Jemse K. Caston of Liberty; sevengrandchildren, Johnny, Melissa, Jack and Mary of Athens, Ala.,Barry Caston of Liberty, Corey and Alex Smith of Centervile; andspecial friend of the family, Janet Harper of Liberty.

Pallbearers will be Dewey Price, Bill Frohn, John Carney, RickyDavis, Jeff Price, Vester Newcome, Ken Caston and JamesKirkland.

Memorials will be made to First Baptist Church, 306 S. JacksonSt., Crystal Springs, of the American Cancer Society.

Robert F. “Bob” Dees

A private service for Robert F. “Bob” Dees of Jackson, formerlyof Brodhead, Ky., will be held by the family. Ott and Lee FuneralHome in Brandon is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Dees, 70, died of cancer on July 4, 2004.

After serving in the Korean War, he worked in Eastern Kentuckyas a State Trooper for many years. He later relocated to Jackson,where he worked until his retirement as a Special Agent for theU.S. Forest Service. Since retirement and up until his illness, hecould be found most days fishing on the Ross Barnett Reservoir.

Survivors are his wife, Maetta, of Brandon; his daughters,Redonna Burns and her husband, Chip, of Brandon, and ReginaPatterson and her husband, Scott, of Ridgeland; his son, Bobby Jr.and his wife, Teresa, of Brookhaven; his sister, Betty Greene ofBrodhead, Ky.; his brother, Gary Dees of Cincinnati, Ohio; sevengrandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; onestep-great-grandchild; and many special friends at the Cane CreekOutdoor Club.

Memorials may be made to the Cane Creek Outdoor Club c/o DeesMemorial, P.O. Box 258, Brandon, MS 39043.

Howard Martin Griffin

Services for Howard Martin Griffin of Natchez are 11 a.m.,Wednesday, July 7, 2004, at Church of God of Prophecy in Natchezwith burial in Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery in Franklin County.Laird Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The Revs. Grady F.Fulton and Robert Lofton will officiate.

Visitation is Tuesday from 4-8 p.m., at the church.

Mr. Griffin, 83, died July 4, 2004, at Natchez CommunityHospital. He was born in Franklin County on March 21, 1921, toCharlie Walter and Mary Ratcliff Griffin.

He was a World War II veteran, serving in Sixth ArmoredDivision, Company B, in the U.S. Army. He was a member of theAmerican Legion.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, MildredWilson Griffin; one sister, Hazel Smith; and four brothers, Curtis,Bluford, Forrest, and “Doc” Griffin.

Survivors are two sisters, Arlona Freeman of Franklin County,and Irene Smith of Lincoln County; one brother, David C. Griffin ofFranklin County; and special friends, Debra, Ben and Rammon Hooverof Union Church.

Pallbearers will be Ben Hoover, Gene Jenkins, Aubrey Fulton,Lance Griffin, Steve Rollins, Lewis Johnson and Melvin Johnson.