Ruth Posey Keen

Mrs. Ruth Posey Keen, 90, died at her residence at Aston CourtRetirement Assisted Living Center in McComb on July 24, 2009.

Mrs. Keen was born in Lincoln County to the late Harvey Poseyand Lemmie Watts Posey on Feb. 7, 1919, the eldest of fivechildren, all of whom preceded her in death.

She and her husband, Barney Lee Keen, a native of LincolnCounty, lived in New Orleans and Robert, La. After his death in1965, she moved to Hammond, La., and in 2005, she moved to AstonCourt to be near her immediate family.

She was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church, a bornagain believer and her faith had a big influence on those aroundher whether family or friends.

She was a secretarial associate with the Department of VeteransAffairs in Hammond for many years until her retirement. She becamea member of the Order of the Eastern Star in 1942 and was a pastWorthy Grand Matron for Louisiana. She very much enjoyed O.E.S.activities and played an active role until her health began todecline a few years ago.

She helped care for her brothers and sisters when they were sickin their later years. Aunt Ruth had no children of her own, but shewas a very loving aunt and was greatly loved by her nephew andnieces and their families. She is remembered for always beingnicely dressed and was meticulous in everything she did.

Mrs. Keen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; twobrothers and their spouses, Walter Day Posey and Sara, of BaySprings, and Paul Harvey Posey and Bobbie, of Bogue Chitto; twosisters, Ruby Posey Moak and Larkin, of Bogue Chitto, and AileenPosey Brumfield, of Bogue Chitto; and a niece, Vickie JoyBrumfield, of Bogue Chitto.

She is survived by one brother-in-law, Gordon Brumfield, ofBogue Chitto; one sister-in-law, Delia Posey Skendrovic, of ElPaso, Texas; one nephew, Richard Moak and wife, Mary Ann ofQuitman, La.; eight nieces, Patricia Moak Fortenberry and husband,Charles, of Fayetteville, N.C., Gail Brumfield of McComb, BonnieBrumfield Cook and husband, Ross, of Bogue Chitto, Beverly PoseyHackel, of Bay Springs, Gloria Posey Berry of Ohio, and Mary EllenPosey Baker, Elizabeth Posey Gunderson and Catherine Posey, all ofthe El Paso area and their families.

Also surviving are her great nephews, Craig Fortenberry, ofWilmington, N.C., Ernie Johnston of Bogue Chitto, and Steven Moakand wife Sloane, of Jonesboro, La. Great nieces include PamelaFortenberry-Slate and husband, Chad, of Wilmington, N.C., CindyMoak Pardue and husband, David Ray, of Jonesboro, La., Lemmie RuthAnderson and husband, Jason, of San Diego, Ca., and KatelynJohnston of Bogue Chitto.

She is also survived by is a great-great niece, Katie Vendetti,of Wilmington, N.C. Great-great-nephews include Jacob Vendetti ofWilmington, and Dillon and Tyler Pardue, of Jonesboro.

Thanks to the staff and her friends at Aston Court.

Pallbearers will be Richard Moak, Steven Moak, David Pardue,Charles Fortenberry, Craig Fortenberry, Jacob Vendetti, Ross Cookand Chad Slate.

Visitation will be at the Harry McKneely and Son in Hammond from6 until 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2009 and from 8 a.m. until theservices at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2009 in the funeral homechapel. The Rev. John Cook, of Immanuel Baptist Church, and theRev. Mike McKee, of Montgomery Baptist Church, will officiate.Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Hammond.

An online guest book is available at www.harrymckneely.com.

Virgie Ruth Maxwell Lofton

Services for Virgie Ruth Maxwell Lofton, of Brookhaven, are 11a.m. Monday, July 27, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with burialin the church cemetery. The Revs. Kent Cochran and DavidFortenberry will officiate. Riverwood Family Funeral Service is incharge of arrangements.

Visitation is Sunday from 5 until 9 p.m. at the funeralhome.

Mrs. Lofton, 95, died July 24, 2009, at her residence. She wasborn on May 22, 1914, to Fleet Maxwell and Caby Wilson Maxwell.

She was a homemaker. She was a member of Pleasant Grove BaptistChurch for over 60 years. She was a lady that loved her Lord andtaught her family that love. Her radiant smile brought much joy tothose who knew and loved her.

Preceding her in death was her husband of 59 years, Clint E.Lofton; her parents, Fleet and Caby Maxwell; her brothers, VictorMaxwell and O.B. “Otto” Maxwell; her sisters, Bessie Mae Wiliamsand Lillian Brock; and her great-grandson, Russ MichaelMangold.

Survivors are her son, Fleet Lofton and wife, Martha, ofBrookhaven; her daughter, Barbara Lofton Byrd and husband, Cortez,of Brookhaven; her sisters, Alma Gunnell, of Jayess, and RubyeMoss, of Raymond; her grandchildren, Terry Byrd and wife, Liz,Tonya Byrd Stewart and husband, Gary, Michelle Lofton Mangold andhusband, Vince, and Mike Lofton, all of Brookhaven; hergreat-grandchildren, Kelli Byrd, Kolby Byrd, Clint Stewart, AnnaKatelyn Mangold and Caroline Stewart, all of Brookhaven, and thelate Russ Michael Mangold. She is also survived by many nieces andnephews and blessed with many, many friends.

Pallbearers will be Terry Byrd, Kolby Byrd, Gary Stewart, ClintStewart, Mike Lofton and Vince Mangold.

Honorary pallbearers will be Stacy Banes, Cameron Leggett, EalonMcGee, Hal Miller, Randy Pepper, Gus Shelby and the late RussMichael Mangold.

Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church BuildingFund or Hospice Ministries, 397 Brookhaven St., Brookhaven, MS39601.

To express your thoughts to the family, you may visitwww.riverwoodfamily.com and click on their name to leave acomment.

Clyde Eugene Pilgreen Jr.

Longtime Brookhaven resident Clyde Eugene Pilgreen Jr., 87,passed away at his home on July 23, 2009, after a lengthyillness.

Born in Selma, Ala., on July 10, 1922, Clyde was the son of thelate Eloise Binford and Clyde Eugene Pilgreen Sr. He is survived byhis beloved wife, Anita; his loving daughters, Pamela Palmer andhusband, John, in Frisco, Texas, Michele Williams and husband,Randy, in Somerset, Va., and Patrice Dell and husband, Bill, inAlbuquerque, N.M.; along with his devoted grandsons, Ryan andPreston Dell, and Taylor Williams.

Clyde pursued his early love of airplanes and joined theaviation cadets of the Army Air Corps in 1942. After serving fouryears, he entered veterinary school at Auburn University. Duringhis first year there, he married Anita Hollingsworth, of Anniston,Ala., who was also a student at Auburn at the time.

After finishing veterinary school, Clyde opened his first clinicin Brookhaven in June 1950 in a small building near what is nowThames and Eady. His practice included both large and smallanimals. The business later evolved into an 18-year partnershipwith Dr. M. L. Hayles.

Before retiring, Clyde opened a smaller clinic on his own,working predominately with small animals. Upon completion of his48-year career, Clyde was named an honorary and lifetime member ofthe American Veterinary Medical Association and the MississippiVeterinary Medical Association.

Clyde’s greatest loves were his family, music and his belovedAuburn Tigers. Even though his daughters lived in three differentstates, the family often spent time together and celebrated specialoccasions. New Orleans was the favorite destination.

Clyde’s passion for Big Band, jazz and other kinds of music waswell-known among his friends and family. His love for playing thedrums began in high school and continued throughout his life.

A funeral Mass will be held to celebrate Clyde’s life on Aug. 12at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. A rosary willbe said the previous evening at 6 p.m. at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis Church,227 E. Cherokee St., Brookhaven, MS 39601 or St. Jude Children’sResearch Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

To express your thoughts to the family, you may visitwww.riverwoodfamily.com and click on their name to leave acomment.

Nora Belle West

Services for Nora Belle West, of Brookhaven, were 10 a.m.Saturday, July 25, at Brookhaven Funeral Home Chapel on NorthJackson Street with burial in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.The Revs. Dr. David Sellers and Greg Warnock officiated.

Mrs. West, 91, died July 23, 2009, at Brook Manor Nursing Homein Brookhaven. She was born in Lincoln County on Jan. 2, 1918, toElias Newton and Ruth Elizabeth Allgood Newton.

She was a salesperson and homemaker. She was a member ofMacedonia Baptist Church.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, HenryOliver West; her brothers, Richard, Marshall and Robert Newton; andher sisters, Annie Ruth Newton, Kathleen Driskill, Elsie Bowman andElla Sandidge.

Survivors are her sons, Milton West and wife, Janie, and DoyleWest and wife, Bessie, all of Brookhaven; her brothers, RoscoeNewton and Sherman Newton, both of Brookhaven; her sixgrandchildren, Rodney West, Roxanne Harper, Ruth Brister, Jon West,David West and Rachel West; and her seven great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Michael Newton, Tim Newton, Robert Newton Jr.,Fred Johnson, Charles West and Mike Smith.