William J. Smith

Services for William J. Smith, of Hazlehurst, were March 15 atPine Bluff Baptist Church in Hazlehurst with burial in the churchcemetery. Community Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Smith, 86, died March 13, 2006, at Hardy Wilson MemorialHospital in Hazlehurst. He was born on Oct. 16, 1918, to Isom Smithand Beulah Reed Smith.

He was retired from the Mississippi State ExperimentStation.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wives, Olla MaeSmith and Nellie Smith; his sons, Jerald and Jerry Smith; his threebrothers; and his three sisters.

Survivors are his son, Leon Smith and wife, Jean, of Hazlehurst;his three stepchildren; and his nine stepgrandchildren.

Loyd W. Steele

Loyd W. Steele, 77, of Vidalia, La., died March 21 at SouthwestMississippi Regional Medical Center. He was born on Aug. 1, 1928,to Barney Steele and Velia Freeman Steele.

He was retired from his job with International Paper Company. Hewas a member of the Baptist faith. He was a veteran of the UnitedStates Army and served in the Korean Conflict.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and his sister, WonzieJackson.

Survivors are his wife, Lucille Bellis Steele; his son, LeonSteele of Baton Rouge, La.; his stepsons, Terry Bellis, of NewHebron, and Charles Bellis, of Vidalia; his daughter, Doris Mobeck,of Peoria, Ill.; his stepdaughter, Shirley Smith, of Birmingham,Ala.; his brothers, Lucien Steele, of Meadville, Rayborn Steele, ofSummit, Adrien Steele, of Tylertown, and Clem Steele, of BatonRouge; his sisters, Audrey Bass, of Baker, La., Birdie Brown, ofNatchez, and Ada Lee Huff, of Brookhaven; his four grandchildren;his five great-grandchildren; and his former wife, Ida M. Steele,of Jena, La.

A memorial service will be set at a later date at the SteeleFamily Cemetery. Riverwood Family Funeral Services is in charge ofarrangements.

Cora E. Williams

Services for Cora E. Williams, of Suffolk, Va., are 3 p.m.Friday, March 24, at Rose Hill M.B. Church in Silver Creek withburial in the church cemetery. Tyler Funeral Home is in charge ofarrangements.

Visitation is Thursday from 12 to 6 p.m. at the funeralhome.

Ms. Williams, 63, died March 20, 2006, at her residence. She wasborn on Oct. 14, 1942, to Archie Fortenberry and Ida Mae BridgesFortenberry.

She was a former teller with AmSouth Bank in Monticello.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her brother, E.L.Fortenberry; and her sister, Hattie Fortenberry.

Survivors are her sons, LaPatrick Williams, of Silver Creek, andAnthony Williams, of California; her daughter, Sylvia D. White, ofSuffolk, Va.; her brothers, Eshmond Fortenberry, AlexanderFortenberry and A.J. Fortenberry, all of Silver Creek; her sisters,Louise Madison and Mary Randolph, both of Silver Creek; and a hostof grandchildren.