Funeral services for James Ray Beeson, of Brookhaven, are 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service, with burial in Bogue Chitto Cemetery.

     Visitation is Thursday from 5 until 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

     Mr. Beeson, 74, died Nov. 19, 2012, at his home. He was born in Mississippi on Aug. 5, 1938, to Cullen and Annie Marie Beeson.

     When he was young, he worked on oilrigs at Marshall Young Drilling. Together with his father, they owned Beeson and Son Sawmill and retired as a heavy machine operator with Lincoln County Road Crew. Mr. Beeson was a member of Big Springs Baptist Church, where he served as deacon for many years. He was known for helping anyone in need and loved by everyone.

     Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Wynn James Beeson; and brother, Marty Beeson.

     Survivors are his wife of 55 years, Barbara Laird Beeson; son, Larry Beeson and wife, Wendy, of Wesson; daughters, Daphne Montgomery and husband, William, Kayla Cantrell and husband, Kenny, and Veeva White and husband, Alvie, all of Brookhaven; brothers, Joe Pat Beeson and wife, Sarah, Gary Beeson and wife, Marilyn, and Randy Beeson and wife, Cindy; sister-in-law, Beth Beeson; 17 grandchildren, Jeremy Beeson and wife, Wendy, Corey Beeson and wife, Amy, Kristen Schroder and husband, Bryan, Will Montgomery and wife, Melissa, Nikki Hux and husband, Joey, Dudley Waldrop and wife, Laraye, Leila Jackson and husband, Lindsey, Candi Lee and husband, Jason, Lori Cantrell, Logan Cantrell, Makalah Cantrell, Tristan Cantrell, Kaegen Cantrell, Ashli White, Kelsi White, and Courtney Myers and husband, Corey; 15 great-grandchildren, Shade Beeson, Tucker Beeson, Allie Beeson, Bryan Edward Schroder Jr., Logan Montgomery, Matt Montgomery, Madison Montgomery, Donavin White, Mackenzie Hux, Myleigh Hux, Dandolyn Deblanc, Rachel Lee, Andi Lee, Adliegh Myers and Miriam Myers.

     To express your thoughts to the family, you may visit riverwoodfamily.com and click on his name to leave a comment.