Obituaries for the week of December 9, 2024

Published 3:20 pm Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Gladys Janell Winchester
Brewton

Mrs. Gladys Jannell Winchester, 91, of Jay Road in Brewton, passed away Monday, December 9, 2024 in a Slidell, La., hospice house after a brief illness. She was a native and life long resident of Brewton. Mrs. Winchester was a member of the North Brewton Baptist Church and was retired from Monsanto with 35 years of service. She was a devoted Mother and Grandmother.

She is survived by one daughter, Martha Winchester (Ret. Judge James) Strain of Carriere, Miss.; five grandchildren, Angie Hyde (Todd) Berrier, Paul Hyde, Sarah Jackson, Greg Winchester, Allison Winchester Murphy; 13 great-grandchildren, Reese Jackson, Tyler Murphy, Eric Murphy, Payton Murphy, Brandon Winchester, Madison (Tripp Floyd) Winchester, Hayden Winchester, Morgan Berrier, Owen Berrier, Ian Winchester Hyde, Emma Grace Hyde, Sophee Winchester, Paxten Rose Lee; and five great-great-grandchildren, McKenzie Winchester, Breeze Winchester, Riggs Winchester, Luke Postlewait, and Hudson Postlewait.

She was preceded in death by two sons, Al Wichester and Paxton “Brother” Winchester; one grandson, CPL. Christopher Winchester; and a great-grandson, Bryant McCall.

Visitation will be Monday afternoon December 16, 2024 from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home  in Brewton.

Funeral Services are scheduled for Monday afternoon December 16, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Gerald Burch officiating. Interment will follow in Weaver Cemetery in Brewton.

Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Brewton is in charge of arrangements.

James Willett Evans
Gautier, Miss.

Mr. James Willett Evans, 64, of Gautier, Miss., passed away on Nov. 25, 2024 after a long battle with COPD.
Born and raised in Brewton, Mr. Evans was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Leslie Evans Sr., and Joy J. Evans; his brothers, Charles Leslie Evans Jr. and Stephen W. Evans.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Letechia (Tish) Schumaker of Gautier, Miss.; two sisters, Betty Jo (Ernie) Edeker of Evergreen and Nellie Johnson of Brewton; two brothers, Darrell Evans and Rufus Evans, both of Brewton; nieces and nephews Steve Evans Jr.., Shawn Evans, Karen Hopkins, Elisa Brown, Rhapsody Miller, Nathan Evans, Makensie Evans, Izzy Evans, Karen Nelson; a step-son, Gregory Kelley; grandson, Andrew Kelley.
Cremation arrangements were made by Southern Mississippi Funeral Services in Gautier, Miss.
A “Draping of the Charter” memorial service was held Dec. 9 at The American Legion hall in Gautier, Miss.

Martha Raye Finklea Benjamin
Brewton

Martha Raye Finklea Benjamin, 80, passed away November 26, 2024. She was born the fourth of 13 children on June 26, 1944 in McKenzie.
Martha accepted Christ as a child and her Christian work began at Baptist Hill Baptist Church. She later united with Apostolic Truth Tabernacle and remained a member until her death.
Martha’s mother, Mary, passed at age 51. As the oldest daughter, Martha became the matriarch of the family. Martha’s love for her family was her greatest asset and was the ultimate part of her life. Martha was “like-a-mther” to everyone. Her no-nonsense style was her trademark in the family; she said what she meant and meant what she said. Martha ruled her life with unconditional love, strong convictions and a zestful spirit for all those she met.
Her education, work and livelihood were all rooted in Brewton. Martha had strong work ethic and was widely known as an exemplary employee at Judy Bond Factory for over 20 years. In her retirement years her passion for others led her to become a caregiver and she devoted several years to caring for the elderly. She was always motivated in her life by pure genuineness and her concern for others. Martha’s marvelous talent for cooking was known throughout the community.
Martha was married to Clarence Lewis Benjamin who was by her side for 41 years. He preceded her in death in 2010. Additionally, she was preceded in death by her parents, Saul Finklea and Mary Lee Shufford Finklea and three siblings, Clarence Finklea, Charles Finklea and Freddie Finklea.
She leaves immeasurable love to her entire family: James (Schurron) Finklea, Regina Robinson, Jason (Ella) Shufford, Johnny Shufford, Annie (Wayne) Floyd, Clifford (Charlene) Shufford, Council (Leola) Shufford, Mary Shufford, Robert Shufford, Almus Shufford, Linda Dixon and Anita Dick. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her beloved and admired grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Apostolic Truth Tabernace in Brewton with Pastor Jason Shufford officiating. Interment followed at Baptist Hill Cemetery in Brewton.
Presley-Fluker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.