OBITUARIES
Recent obituaries in Brandon, Forest, Morton Mississippi
The obituaries in the Brandon, Forest, and Morton area reflect the region's diverse population, featuring individuals from a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Some were pioneers in their fields, while others dedicated their lives to community service or philanthropy.
Teresa Watkins Ray
Feb 5, 2026
Teresa Watkins Ray, 62, of Brandon, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2026.
Born on December 1, 1963, in Jackson, Mississippi, Teresa is the daughter of Cleo Watkins and the late Dan Watkins. She grew up with her roots deeply planted in both her family and her faith. These values would carry her throughout her lifetime. She graduated from Brandon...
Odell Stephens
Feb 2, 2026
Odell Stephens, born on September 27, 1948, in Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away peacefully at his home in Brandon, Mississippi, on February 2, 2026. He was a devoted family man, and his memory will be cherished by many.
Odell dedicated a significant part of his life to his career. He worked as a foreman for Irby Construction, showcasing his strong work ethic...
Wanda Joyce Applegate Wooten
Feb 6, 2026
Wanda Joyce Applegate Wooten, beloved wife, mother, and sister, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026, at her home in Brandon, Mississippi, at the age of 78.
Visitation will be Tuesday, February 10, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 am at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 am in the funeral home chapel. Wanda...
Patricia (Patsy) Scruggs Fiongos
Feb 3, 2026
Patricia (Patsy) Scruggs Fiongos entered her heavenly home Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Visitation will be Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, with the funeral service beginning at 12:30 pm in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Florence Cemetery.
She was preceded in death by her parents William Arnon...
Brenda Galyean Robertson
Feb 6, 2026
Brenda Galyean Robertson, 83, passed away on Fri. Feb. 6, 2026 in Brandon, MS. Visitation will be held on Thurs. Feb. 12, 2026 from 1pm-3pm at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS. Funeral Services are 3pm on Thurs. Feb. 12, 2026 at the Ott & Lee Funeral Home Chapel in Brandon, MS.
A full obituary will be updated when...
James Dudley Lindsay Jr.
Feb 5, 2026
Mr. James Dudley Lindsay, age 80, passed away on February 5, 2026 at his home in Walnut Grove. Born September 25, 1945 in Forest, MS to the late James Dudley Sr. and Martha Roberts Lindsay. Mr. Lindsay was an electrician and worked for Floral Daniel Chevron, he proudly served his country with the United States Army.
Preceded in death by his...
Albert "Ross" Winstead
Feb 5, 2026
Albert "Ross" Winstead, born on April 22, 1939, in Simpson County, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2026, in Florence, Mississippi. He grew up in the Cato community and moved to Star when he married Mary Rankin in 1974. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, whose life was marked by his unwavering faith and commitment to...
Joe Steven Varner
Feb 4, 2026
Joe Steven Varner, age 70, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. He was born on October 4, 1955, in Jackson, Mississippi, to John Thomas Varner, Sr. and Ludie Stevens Varner.
Joe is survived by his wife, Cindy Varner; his sons, Joey Dewayne Varner (Rachel) and Dennis Sylvester Varner (Elliott); three grandchildren, Hailey Joe...
Hollie Archie McKay
Feb 3, 2026
Hollie Archie McKay, the son of Otto McKay, Sr. and Christine Agnew, passed away on February 3, 2026. Archie was a long-time resident of Brandon, Mississippi. He was a lay minister in the Episcopal Church. Archie served in the U. S. Navy as a Submarine Technician and as Nuclear Engineering Operator during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War...
Thomas Lund Loland
Feb 1, 2026
Thomas Lund Loland passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, February 1, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by 4 generations of his most prized possessions.
Born in New York on July 6, 1943 to Martin and Gina-Marie Loland, Tommy spent his childhood running the streets of Brooklyn and fishing off the piers of the Hudson...
Dr. William K. Duncan, DDS
Feb 1, 2026
Dr. William K. Duncan, DDS, age 79, passed away on Sat. Feb. 1, 2026, in Birmingham, AL. Visitation will be held on Sat. Feb. 7, 2026, from 11am-1pm at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS. Funeral Services are 1pm on Sat. Feb. 7, 2026, at the Ott & Lee Funeral Home Chapel in Brandon, MS.
Dr. Duncan was born...
Michael William Yakstis
Jan 30, 2026
Michael William Yakstis, age 82, was born on July 21, 1943, in East St. Louis, Illinois, and passed away on January 30, 2026, at his home in Brandon, Mississippi.
Michael was raised in the Catholic Church and converted to the Methodist Denomination when he married in 1966. He served in many positions in the church but enjoyed teaching Bible study the...
Jimmy "Steve" Toney
Jan 30, 2026
Jimmy Steven Toney, age 55, of Pelahatchie, MS went to be with his Lord and Savior January 30, 2026 after a short illness. He passed away at home surrounded by loved ones. He was born June 6, 1970 at Morton, MS.
Steve will be remembered for his kindness to all but especially his nieces and nephews, to whom he was very...
Maria Melania Woods
Jan 30, 2026
Maria Melania Woods, a beloved wife, mother, and friend, passed away on January 30, 2026, in Flowood, Mississippi. Born on April 5, 1983, in Romania, Mel had a vibrant spirit that touched the lives of many.
She graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Transylvania, a testament to her dedication and hard work. Alongside her husband, James Andrew "Andy"...
Linda Sue Layton
Jan 29, 2026
Linda Sue Layton, aged 75, passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2026, in Brandon, Mississippi. Born on January 31, 1950, in Independence, Louisiana, she was a devoted member of her community and a beloved family member.
For many years, Linda served as the cafeteria manager for the Rankin County School District. Following her retirement, she dedicated over 20 years as a...
John Douglas Denton
Jan 29, 2026
John Douglas Denton, affectionately known as Doug, was born on June 5, 1956, in Jackson, Mississippi. He left this world on January 29, 2026, where he made a profound impact through his work, hobbies, and friendships.
Doug dedicated many years of his life to the MS State Hospital, where he served as a skilled heavy equipment operator and maintenance worker. His...
Georgianne Marie Delaney
Jan 28, 2026
Georgianne Marie "Georgia" Delaney, 72, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026, in Florence, Mississippi. Born on April 13, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, Georgia brought warmth and creativity into the lives of those around her throughout her life.
A gifted artist from a young age, Georgia found joy in drawing and sewing—expressions of her vibrant imagination and attention to detail. Her...
Robert B. McKnight, Jr.
Jan 27, 2026
Robert B. McKnight Jr., age 77, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2026, in Oxford, Mississippi. He was born on March 5, 1948, in Jackson, Mississippi.
Robert is survived by his loving wife, Jan McKnight, and his children: Brad McKnight (Jen) and their sons Luke and Colton; Brian McKnight; Molly Sullivan (Tom) and their sons Cooper, McCann, and Baker; and Jeff...
Dawn Hall Smith
Jan 27, 2026
Dawn Hall Smith, 66, passed away on January 27, 2026, and went home to join the love of her life, her husband Murrel, once again. Born on May 5, 1959, in Magee, Mississippi, to Bobby Royce Hall and Jackie Nell Sullivan, Dawn later grew up in Pearl, Mississippi as the oldest of four girls.
Dawn lived an adventurous life, a spirit...
Willie Mae Wigley Schoeber
Jan 25, 2026
In Loving Memory of
Willie Mae Wigley Schoeber January 8, 1939 – January 25, 2026
Early Sunday morning, January 25, 2026, our family said goodbye to our beautiful Mother and Mimi, Willie Mae Wigley Schoeber. Born on January 8, 1939, she was the beloved daughter of Bertha Mae Keith Wigley and William Wigley.
Shortly after Christmas, she was hospitalized with pneumonia, and soon...
Subscribe
To Email Notifications
Subscribe to receive an email when we add new obituaries to our website. Your email will not be used for any other purpose and will not be shared. You may unsubscribe at any time.
365 Days of Grief Support
Sign up for one year of grief messages designed to offer hope and healing during difficult first year after a loss

HeartLight offers a variety of support groups, education, resources, and special programming related to grief and loss.
