Luke speaks about Jesus’s crucifixion and his resurrection, and it reads: “While they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, the son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men. And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. Pilate called together the chief priests, rulers and the people and said unto them, ye have brought this man to me as one that perverted the people and, behold, I, have examined him. I have found no fault in this man, but some of the people cried out, Crucify him. Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. Jesus Christ was crucified at Calvary. When they arrived at the sepulchre he was not there he had arose like he said that he would with all power in heaven and in earth in his hands.” Let us rejoice in the fact that Jesus Christ was lifted up as he said with all power in his hands. Have a blessed Easter in Christ’s name.

It is truly sad to lose someone that you love, but the scriptures say that God will not put more on you than you can bear. A way that a person copes or deals with death as well as other tragedies in life is by leaning and depending on Jesus Christ because he cares for you.

A home-going celebration was given in honor of the life and the legacy of the late Mr. Willie Humphries on March 21 at Macedonia M. B. Church on Nola Road east at 1 p.m.

As we look at some of the times of his life we will reflect on his birth, schooling, family and his services to the church and the community. He was born Sept. 19, 1919, in Lincoln County to the late George Humphrey and the late Fannie Dixon, the youngest of 11 siblings. He had eight brothers, Julius Dixon, R. T. Dixon, Elton Byrd, Ned Byrd, John “Goody” Humphrey, Ellix Humphrey and Billy Humphrey; and three sisters, Lucille Humphrey, Alice Humphrey Wesley and Betty Humphrey. His brother- and sister-in-laws preceded him in death.

He united with Mount Zion 550 at an early age and remained there throughout his youth and teenage years. As an adult he united with Macedonia M. B. Church on Nola Road and served through four pastors: Rev. R. B. Sesser, Rev. G. L. Morris, Rev. O. D. Evans and his present pastor Rev. L. C. Williams. He loved his church and his pastors, and he served well throughout his tenure at Macedonia Church in the following capacities with loyalty, devotion, admiration and with faithfulness until his demise. He served as a deacon for about 58 years; he sang in the vocal choir along with his wife Allie Mae for a number of years. Both of them enjoyed singing. He enjoyed driving the church van or bus to pick up the young people and the adults alike for Sunday school, Bible study, church services, revivals and for vacation Bible school classes.

His services were not limited to those of Macedonia Church. He served with devotion and with faithfulness as the Sunday School Institute president for about 42 years. He was known by the following names, and he took pride at answering to each of them: Mr. Willie Humphries, Willie, Bill, Daddy, Bilbo, Paw-Paw, Deacon Humphries, Uncle Willie, Uncle Bilbo  and Cousin Willie. He was united in holy matrimony to Mrs. Allie Mae Jackson Humphries in December 1939 and December 2016 would have marked the 77th year anniversary of their marriage. To their union, they were blessed with four loving children, Willie Mae, John, Kirby and Floradine.

He was a veteran and served in the United States Army during World War II and received an honorable discharge. After his discharge he attended G. I. Classes at night and received his GED Certificate. Mr. Willie Humphries was a truck driver and throughout his 45-plus year at Southern Wholesale Company that is now known as McLane he trained drivers. They traveled many, many different places making their deliveries for this company. He also, worked for Brookhaven School District as a bus driver and at Wal-Mart Super Center as a door-greeter after his retirement. He was a person who never met a stranger.

Mr. Willie Humphries, was my father-in law. He was one who I called Paw-Paw. He was a person who our family looked up to and respected. We looked to him for advice, for words of admiration and for words of wisdom, especially when we were discussing the Bible or family history. He loved his family, and they have some fond memories of some of their times together: his invitation into his house was “get out and look at it.” If you dined with him and his family he would say grace, then he would say “what you see you are welcome to eat it, but what you don’t see, don’t ask for it!” His favorite saying and his signature words were “still puttin’ up with it.” Mr. Willie Humphries was a praying husband, father and grandfather, and he took great pride in being able to sit and talk to the ones that he loved and now leaves to remember and cherish those fond memories that he left behind: his wife, Mrs. Allie Mae; his children, Willie Mae (James) Reed of Gulfport, John (Josie) Humphries, Kirby (Carolyn) Humphries, Floradine (David) Hamilton, all of Brookhaven; his 10 grandchildren Stephanie (Chizz) Macalup, Dedric Godbolt, Amelia (Timothy) Thompson, Gregory (Tessie) Reed, Demetra, Kimberly, Gary Cooper Jr., Jennifer Addison and husband, Ozell, Roderick Humphries and wife, Carmen; 22 great grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; a special niece Eva Nell (Johnny) Adams; a special nephew Robert “Candy” Thadison; and many more special nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, other relatives and friends.

The Humphries family would like to thank you for the many prayers, cards, visits, flowers, telephone calls and all other acts of kindness and expressions of love shown to them during their time of bereavement. The family’s gratitude cannot be adequately expressed in words. May God continue to richly bless and keep each of you. Special thanks to Brook Manor/Golden Living Nursing Home nurses and staff, pastor Rev. L. C. Williams and Macedonia Church Family, the Choir and dining committee, Rev. O. D. Evans, Toot’s Florist, Mr. R. E. Tyler & Daughter Funeral Home and staff, all family and friends who attended these services or contributed in anyway to console the family, we thank you.

Please read the Loyd Star Area News on the second Sunday in April for dates for the Eva Hall Harris Alumni meetings and for more happenings around Loyd Star, Brookhaven and surrounding areas.

 

If you have any news to contribute please call Carolyn E. Beard Humphries at 601-833-5753.