Obituaries 03/20/2025
Jerry Lynn Beckwith
COFFEEVILLE – Jerry Lynn Beckwith, 78, of Coffeeville passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025 at his residence. He was born September 27, 1946 in Carrollton to Alex Bruce and Cecil Hill Beckwith.
Jerry honorably served our country in the US Navy during the Vietnam War and retired from the United States Postal Service. Among his many hobbies were hunting, fishing, gardening and grilling out with his family and friends. An avid Ole Miss sports fan, he enjoyed watching all sports, either in person or from his recliner at home. Above all, Jerry enjoyed being “Beckdaddy” to his grandchildren and supporting them in all of their activities.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 18 at First Baptist Church in Coffeeville with Rev. Craig Baker officiating. Interment with military honors followed in the Elam Cemetery near Coffeeville. Jay Allen, Ben Beckwith, B.W. Beckwith, Sam Denley, Cody Jones and Channing Martin served as pallbearers. Ricky Beckwith, Wayne Beckwith, Adam Boyle, Michael Ingram, Terry Jones, Robert Lee and Ronnie Stark were honorary pallbearers. McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Debra Ann Beckwith; a daughter, Kim (Jay) Allen of Coffeeville; a sister, Patricia Pittman Prince of Grenada; a brother, Larry Beckwith of Carrollton; four grandchildren, Alicyn Jones, Megan Jones, Audrey Allen and Jake Allen; and two great-grandchildren, Bray and Dallas Higdon.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bruce Beckwith; and son, Brian Jones.
Donald Ray Edwards
RALEIGH, N.C. – Donald Ray Edwards of Raleigh, N.C. passed away on November 16, 2024. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Don was born November 7, 1937, in Water Valley to Raymond McCain Edwards and Margaret Logan Edwards.
Don graduated from Water Valley High School in 1956 and went on to graduate from The University of Mississippi with a double major in Psychology and History. He met Wilva, the love of his life, at Ole Miss and they were married a week after graduation on June 11, 1961. Don left for Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Once commissioned as a Naval officer, he served actively until 1965 and continued reserve duty until 1973.
Don enjoyed a successful career as a sales engineer with General Electric and Allen-Bradley, helping businesses to improve their industrial processes and automation. He then started his own business, ASCII, building computer network systems for offices. In addition, he taught and consulted on the hazards of lead contamination. Don and Wilva also owned The Wine and Cheese Shop and Klass Ink in Slidell, La.
Don was a member of the Valley City Masonic Lodge #402 for 65 years, the Picayune Shrine Club, Hamasa Shriners in Meridian and Joppa Shriners in Biloxi. He was a past Captain and King of Krewe de la Boutte Dominique. He and Wilva took great joy in creating costumes, participating in local art shows, performing magic show for civic events and learning about food and wine. He was deeply involved in his children’s activities, including Boy Scouts, coaching his sons’ baseball teams, attending his daughter’s dance recitals, participating in PTA carnivals and Sunday afternoons teaching all of his children how to cook. Once their children were grown, he and Wilva spent each September traveling to numerous countries, embracing their love for adventure and exploring new cultures.
He is survived by his children, R.L. “Ed” (Becky) Edwards of Pass Christian, Katrina (Thorne) Edwards James of Raleigh, N.C. and Ian M (Liz) Edwards of Oxford; grandchildren, Cheyenne Edwards, Wesley (Kelley) Edwards, Cody (Paige) Brown, Molly Edwards and Lindsey; brothers, Jimmie Edwards and Larry (Linda) Edwards; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Don is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wilva. A graveside service for Don and Wilva will be held in Oxford on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 11 a.m at Oxford Memorial Cemetery on North 16th Street.