The Vicksburg Post prints obituaries in news form for area residents, their family members and for former residents at no charge. Families wishing to publish additional information or to use specific wording have the option of a paid obituary.

Willie Mae Gossett

NEWELLTON – Willie Mae Gossett died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005, at Madison Parish Hospital. She was 82.

Mrs. Gossett was born in Plain View, Ark., and had lived in Newellton for 79 years. A retired cafeteria worker for the Tensas Parish Schools, she was a member of First Baptist Church of Newellton.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry T. Gossett, and a son, Floyd L. Gossett.

Survivors include two sons, Joe D. Gossett of Newellton and Danny E. Gossett of Pineville, La.; two daughters, Lavone G. Garner and Robbie G. Merriett, both of Newellton; and eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Services will be at 3 p.m. today at First Baptist Church in Newellton with the Revs. J. Fulton McGraw and Todd Sumrall officiating. Burial will follow at Legion Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Dust Merriett, Glen Gossett, Jeremy Johnson, Allen Bozeman, Charlie Campbell, Grady Humphries and Jay Garner.

Margie Jackson Smith

MADISON – Margie Jackson Smith died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005, at her home in Madison. She was 76.

Mrs. Smith was born in Franklin County. She graduated from Gilfoy School of Nursing and worked at King’s Daughters Hospital, Brookhaven; Baton Rouge General Hospital, Baton Rouge; Children’s Medical Group, Jackson; and the Baptist Medical Center of Jackson, where she was employed for 25 years and retired as head nurse of obstetrics and gynecology.

She was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Inez Jackson, and her brother, Edwin Jackson.

Survivors include her husband of 53 years, David L. Smith; three daughters, Kathy Boteler and Linda A. Smith, both of Madison, and Karen Godfrey of Vicksburg; a brother, John W. Jackson of Natchez; a sister, Sybil Freeman of Brookhaven; and nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson.

Visitation will be from 5:30 until 7:30 tonight at Wright and Ferguson on High Street in Jackson and at the church Tuesday from 1 p.m. until the service.

Memorials may be made to HIS Heart, Calvary Baptist Church’s Community Ministries, at 1300 W. Capitol St., Jackson, MS 39203.

Evelyn Bernice Swihart

WEST MONROE – Evelyn Bernice Swihart died Friday, Oct. 21, 2005. She was 99.

Mrs. Swihart was born in Malden, Mo., to Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Swihart. She received a teaching degree from Will Mayfield College and moved in 1930 to Waverly, La., where she taught for 39 years at Waverly Elementary. She also farmed with her father.

She received a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech University and a master’s degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

She retired in 1969 and served a year as principal at Franklin Academy in Winnsboro.

Mrs. Swihart received the Diamond Award for service to the 4-H Club. She was chosen 1984 Delhi Woman of the Year and was named to the White Rose Society for Garden Club members. She was a member of Delhi United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her niece, Sandy Swihart Richardson of Smackover, Ark., and other relatives.

Services were at 2 p.m. Sunday at Delhi United Methodist Church with the Rev. Joe Hamilton officiating. Burial followed at Mulhearn Memorial Park in Monroe.

Pallbearers were Theo Coenen III, Fred Eubanks, Andy Long, Trey Long, Joey Long and Tony Richardson.

Honorary pallbearer was Tommy Bradley.