THELMA ALICE HUGHES

Services for Thelma Alice Hughes, of Florence, are 2 p.m. onSunday, Aug. 31, at Brookhaven Funeral Home Chapel on North JacksonStreet with burial in Union Hall Baptist Church Cemetery.

Visitation is Sunday from 1 until 2 p.m. at the funeralhome.

Mrs. Hughes, 76, died Aug. 29, 2008, at River Oaks Hospital inFlowood. She was born in Lincoln County on Feb. 16, 1932, to UriahSexton Harveston and Mamie Eugenia Furr Harveston.

She was a housewife. She was a member of Union Hall BaptistChurch.

Preceding her in death were her parents; and her grandson, GaryDean Hughes.

Survivors are her son, Gary and Vicki Hughes, of Wesson; herdaughters, Tammy Barrett and husband, Donald, of Florence, LisaHughes, of Madisonville, La., Robin Windmiller, of Florence andAngelia Evans, of Gulfport; her brother, Alton Harveston, ofBrookhaven; her sister, Betty Ann Ellis, of Brookhaven; her 14grandchildren, Tamela Ellis and husband, Calvin, Kris Boyte andwife, Dana, Sid Boyte, Candi King and husband, Donnie, ChasityPennington, Jesse Hughes, Julie Hughes, William Hutcherson IV andwife, Heidi, Alacea Jackson and husband, George, Faith Evans,Brittany Evans, Spencer Hughes and Justin Hughes; and 17great-grandchildren.

FANNIE LEE SMITH LEWIS

Fannie Lee Smith Lewis, 93, went to be with the Lord on August30, 2008. She was born on February 8, 1915, at McCall Creek inFranklin County to Walter Lee and Mae Smith Smith.

She graduated from Lucien High School, Co-Lin Junior College,and the University of Southern Mississippi.

She was a longtime educator teaching at Pleasant Grove School,Auburn, Fair Oak Springs and West Lincoln. After 44 years ofdedicated service to the teaching profession, she retired. Althoughretired, she never missed an opportunity to “teach” – theseteachings were more about life than books.

Mrs. Fannie Lee began her faithfulness and dedication to herchurch, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, in 1927. For 81 years, herchurch was such a great part of her life. Through the years, shefaithfully served her Lord in many capacities.

She was an active member of the DAR Chapter of Chloe Holtserving in various positions including Regent for three years. Shewas also a member of the Colonial Dames 17th Century and theretired teachers’ organization.

Mrs. Fannie Lee was most proud of her family and theiraccomplishments. She was extremely proud of her heritage anddedicated much time and energy to the study of genealogy. Sittingon her porch and watching her hummingbirds also brought her greatdelight.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, HiramLewis; her brothers, Marshall E. Smith and Eldon P. Smith; and hersister, Helen Louise Smith.

Survivors include her daughters, Norma Jean Hammill and husband,Dr. Miller Hammill, of Brookhaven, and Mary Louise Freshwater andhusband, Dave, of Bogue Chitto; her grandchildren, Jennifer HammillRebich and husband, Richard, of Jackson, Dr. Melanie Hammill Bishopand husband, Dr. Steve Bishop, of Summit, Dr. Renee Freshwater, ofMarietta, Ga., Rhonda Freshwater, of Atlanta, Ga. and RobinFreshwater Greer and husband, Paul, of Brookhaven.

She treasured the young lives of her great-grandchildren, AnnaMiller, Allen Rebich, Katherine, Ruth, Eleanor and Arthur Bishopand Lainey, Landon, and Carson Greer. A host of nieces and nephewswho admired and loved her dearly also survive her.

Visitation will be at the Brookhaven Funeral Home on NorthJackson Street on Sunday, August 31, from 4 until 8 p.m. Visitationwill be at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church on Monday, September 1 at10 a.m. prior to the funeral at 11 a.m. Burial will be in thechurch cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Copiah-LincolnCommunity College Foundation, P.O. Box 649, Wesson, Mississippi39191, toward the Fannie Lee Smith Lewis Scholarship. Thisscholarship was begun to recognize a well-deserving West LincolnHigh School student who exemplifies the qualities that “Miss FannieLee” instilled in those that she taught. Donations may also be madeto Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Building Fund.

CLARA MAE SMITH RUSHING

Clara Mae Smith Rushing, 81, went home to be with the Lord onAug. 27, 2008. She was a lifelong, faithful member of Church ofChrist.

Clara Mae was a long time resident of Sulphur, La., but was bornand reared in Brookhaven. She was a foster mother for more than 20years providing a loving home for more than 150 children in need,but her primary purpose in life was being a wife to her belovedhusband, Frank, and a mother to their four children.

Services for Mrs. Rushing were 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, atRiverwood Family Funeral Service Chapel with burial in New SalemChurch of Christ Cemetery in Brookhaven.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank B. Rushing andtheir son, Frank Marlon Rushing, both of Sulphur; her mother,Maggie Arnold Smith; her father, Jeff “Coot” Smith; her sisters,Winnie Calcote and Nellie Bedford; and her brother, Earl Smith, allof Lincoln County.

She is survived by her daughters, Paulette Field and husband,Walter, of Humble, Texas, Teresa Smith and husband, Roger, ofSulphur; her son, Jeff Rushing and wife, Melody, also of Sulphur;her sister, Pauline Berry, of Lincoln County; her ninegrandchildren; and her 11 great-grandchildren.

MAX ERIC THORNHILL

Max Eric Thornhill, of Brookhaven, passed away peacefully athome on August 28, 2008, surrounded by his loving family after alengthy battle with cancer.

Max graduated from Columbia High School in Columbia, where hemet his lifelong sweetheart and wife, Bonnie Pierce. Theycelebrated 56 years of marriage on August 24. Max graduated with ageology degree from the University of Texas and after spending twoyears in the U.S. Army, he worked in the oil industry in Tyler,Texas.

In 1957, he and Bonnie moved to Columbia, where he was inbusiness with his father-in-law, Ed Pierce. In 1964, he bought andmanaged the Texaco distributorship in Brookhaven until selling outin 1976. In recent years, Max was involved in oil exploration andreal estate development.

He was a man of many interests and talents. He enjoyedphotography, music, woodworking, traveling, snow skiing and most ofall his family. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Churchwhere he served in many capacities through the years.

He enjoyed singing in the choir and recently took great pleasurein being a bassist in the church orchestra. As a self-taughtmusician, Max was a talented guitarist and has passed his love andpassion for music down to his children and grandchildren. He was aman of integrity, loyalty, laughter and love. His kindness andgenerosity touched many. He will be greatly missed.

Max Thornhill was born on December 4, 1932, to Charles ClaytonThornhill and Gertrude Forbes Thornhill. He is preceded in death byhis parents and infant brother, Charles Clayton Thornhill Jr.

Survivors are his wife, Bonnie Pierce Thornhill; his daughters,Debbie Thornhill Acker and husband, Aaron; Dana Thornhill Simmonsand husband, Robert; Diane Thornhill Irby and husband, Joe; and hiseleven grandchildren and brother, Jerry Thornhill.

Services for Mr. Thornhill are 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, atFirst Baptist Church in Brookhaven. Following the service,visitation will be held in the Fellowship Hall at the church.Riverwood Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church RenovationFund or to Gideons International.

J.C. WHITTINGTON

J.C. Whittington, 83, of Bogue Chitto, died August 28, 2008, athis residence.

Visitation will be Sunday from noon until the time of theservices at Jones Family Funeral Services in McComb. The Rev.Cletus Moak will officiate with the Revs. Mike McKee and John Prattassisting. Burial will be at Montgomery Cemetery in Summit.

He was born January 22, 1925 in Bogue Chitto. He was the son ofJames Carse and Julie Mae Whittington.

Mr. Whittington was a logger, a constable of Lincoln County andhe worked for the oil fields. He was a member of Shady GroveBaptist Church and a U.S. Navy Veteran having served in World WarII. He was full of life. He was a heck of a man with a wonderfulcharacter and a sense of humor with a knack for storytelling. Hewill be sadly missed by his family.

Mr. Whittington is preceded in death by his parents; threebrothers, Douglas, Luther and Jimmy Whittington; and four sisters,Bessie Campau, Ruby Jordan, Thersa Gatlin and LouiseRichardson.

Survivors include his wife of 63 happy years, Lenis MarieWhittington; his son, Karey Dale Whittington and wife, Beverly ofBogue Chittto; his daughter, Carol Ann Alexander and husband, Jesseof Bogue Chitto; his brother, Carse Whittington Jr. and wife, Nellof Tylertown; five grandchildren, Cory Jay Whittington, MandySykes, Destiny Arickson, Maela Alexander and Rita Badon andhusband, Jimmy; additional grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren;and many nieces, nephews and close friends.

Pallbearers will be Wendell Upton, Henry Palmer, Charles Gatlin,Jason “Tiny” Wallace, Clint McCullough, Malcome McCullough, RustyWilliams and Jeff Gatlin. Honorary pallbearer will be Lee EdwardGatlin.