Jack Kenneth Gatlin

Services for Jack Kenneth Gatlin, of the Thompson community inSmithdale, are 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at Thompson Baptist Churchin Amite County with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. BrentParker will officiate.

Visitation is Thursday from 5 until 9 p.m. at Hartman-SharkeyFuneral Home in McComb and Friday from 1 until 3 p.m. at thechurch.

Mr. Gatlin, 82, died Sept. 16, 2009, at Southwest MississippiRegional Medical Center in McComb. He was born in the Thompsoncommunity on April 23, 1927, to Alton B. and Florence HutchinsonGatlin.

He was devoted to his wife of 58 years, the late Annie RuthAnderson Gatlin. Mr. Gatlin was a World War II veteran of the U.S.Merchant Marines, serving in the overseas operation in 1944. Uponreturning to his home on the banks of the Amite River, he continuedthe tradition of his father as a cotton farmer. Together, theyreceived many awards for raising the most bales of cotton per acrein the state.

He began his career as a Camellia Milk delivery man in the early1950s and he delivered fresh milk door-to-door to homes in theMcComb area. He continued working in the milk industry for 35 yearsuntil his retirement from Flav-O-Rich Milk Co. Because of this hewas known by many as “The Milkman.”

Because of his faith in Jesus Christ, Mr. Gatlin was an activeand lifelong member of Thompson Baptist Church, serving as a deaconfor 57 years. He also had served as a Sunday school teacher, songleader choir member and was always first to welcome new memberswith his booming voice, “I make a motion we receive.”

Mr. Gatlin was a loving and devoted father, grandfather andgreat-grandfather and was loved and adored by each one of them. Hewas able to lead and teach by his example. He was named Father ofthe Year by the McComb Enterprise-Journal in 2007. Because he livedon the Amite River, much of his life was spent with his familyswimming, fishing and enjoying life. He truly loved people andnever met a stranger. He had a smile and a firm handshake foreveryone. He was always optimistic and expected only the best fromeveryone.

He enjoyed sports of all kinds, especially if his children orgrandchildren were involved. He loved raising a big garden and thengiving away all the vegetables to neighbors and friends. A humblebut outgoing man, he touched the lives of everyone he came intocontact with. He lived each day to the fullest, loving his Lord,loving his family and loving others. His life can truly be wrappedup in one word – love.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife; and an infantsister, Patsy Ruth Gatlin.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and WandaGatlin, of Smithdale; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jackie andGreg Maxwell, of Auburn, and Jennifer and Dennis Lindsey, ofSmithdale; a sister and brother-in-law, Jill and Billy Nunnery; hissix grandchildren and their spouses, Tom and Angel Maxwell, Scottand Suzanne Lindsey, Chad and Betsy Lindsey, Kate and Andy Lott,Lance and Angela Gatlin and Kayla Gatlin; and his 11great-grandchildren, Hunter, Garrett and Spencer Maxwell, MaryMcLean Lindsey, Jack, Gigi, Ethan, Ruth and Wick Lindsey, and Campand Andrew Lott.

Pallbearers are Tom Maxwell, Scott Lindsey, Chad Lindsey, LanceGatlin, Andy Lott and Gene Nunnery. Honorary pallbearers are thedeacons of Thompson Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to the Prader Willi Syndrome Association,(www.PWSAUSA.org) or to the Thompson Baptist Church Building Fund,5422 N. Greensburg Road, Smithdale, MS 39664.

To share sympathies, condolences and memories, go toHartman-Sharkeyfuneral Home com.

Tera ‘Doll’ Johnson

Services for Tera “Doll” Johnson, of Monticello, are 11 a.m.Saturday, Sept. 19, at Oak Grove M.B. Church in Monticello withburial in the church cemetery.

Visitation is Friday from noon until 7 p.m. at R.E. TylerFuneral Home with family present from 6 until 7 p.m.

Mrs. Johnson, 99, died Sept. 13, 2009, at Lawrence CountyNursing Center in Monticello. She was born in Lawrence County onApril 7, 1910, to John Tyler and Martha Collins Tyler.

She was a homemaker. She was a member of Oak Grove M.B. Churchand served on the usher board.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, John HenryJohnson; a son, Jessie Walker; her brothers, Marcus Tyler, KabyTyler and Julius Tyler; and her sisters, Mary Hicks and IreneTyler.

Survivors are her sons, Frankie D. Peyton, of Laurel, and ThomasJohnson, of Jackson; her daughters, Margie Roberts, of PeachtreeCity, Ga., Betty Evans and JoeAnn Jinks, both of New Haven, Conn.;a brother, George Tyler, of Monticello; and a host of grandchildrenand great-grandchildren.

Kaileb Dewayne Stewart

Graveside services for Kaileb Dewayne Stewart, of Brookhaven,are 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at Hillcrest Cemetery. R.E. TylerFuneral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The infant died Sept. 15, 2009, at King’s Daughters MedicalCenter in Brookhaven. He was born in Brookhaven at King’s DaughtersMedical Center on Sept. 15, 2009, to Roland Stewart Jr. and BarbaraWilson Stewart.

Preceding him in death was his paternal grandparent, SamHughes.

Survivors are his parents; a sister, Rolanda Wilson, ofBrookhaven; and his grandparents, Roland and Elnora Stewart andVirginia Wilson, all of Brookhaven.