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.

Benjamin E. Beard

Benjamin E. Beard died Friday, Nov. 25, 2005, at the Mississippi State Veterans Administration Hospital in Jackson. He was 74.

A former Vicksburg resident, Mr. Beard served in the Army and retired from Waterways Experiment Station.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben B. Beard and Mamie Fletcher Beard.

He is survived by three sons, Benji Beard, Randall Beard and Preston Neal Beard; three daughters, Cindy Beard, Mary Beth Beard and Krystal Lynn Sheppard; four sisters, Louise Smith of Madisonville, Texas, Linnie Dougherty of Houston, Texas, Beth Brooks of Vicksburg and Ann Wright of Flora; and grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Services were Nov. 27 under the direction of Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Jackson. A memorial will be placed at Beard Cemetery in Yokena.

Robert Lee Devoils

Robert Lee Devoils died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, at University Medical Center. He was 30.

Born in Vicksburg, Mr. Devoils was a 1994 graduate of Warren Central High School where he was on the football team. He was employed at Anderson-Tully Co. for the past 10 years and was a member of Mount Zion M.B. Church at Ballground.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Estella Devoils, and his grandparents, Marion and Lottie Williams.

Survivors include Jessie Rose Sylvester of Valley Park; two sons, Robert Lee Devoils Jr. and JaDariuce Devoils, both of Valley Park; a stepson, Devonteye Sylvester of Valley Park; a stepdaughter, Deshawnte Sylvester of Valley Park; and other relatives, including Melvin and Ora Ragan of Ballground.

Dillon-Chisley Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Robert Stephen Rushton

CARRIERE – Robert Stephen Rushton died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, at his home in Carriere. He was 64.

A native of Canada, Mr. Rushton was an oceanographer and had retired after 41 years of service. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Picayune.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Donna Deen Rushton of Carriere; his mother, Phyllis Polleys Hachey of Lewiston, Maine; one son, Rob Rushton of Vicksburg; one daughter, Bethany Rushton Easterling of Vicksburg; a brother, Bill Hachey of Lewiston; and four grandchildren.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at McDonald Funeral Home in Picayune with Dr. Keith Warden officiating, assisted by the Rev. Joey Tatum.

Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the service.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of Louisiana/Mississippi, 770 Gause Blvd., Suite C, Slidell, LA 70458 or to the American Cancer Society, 2405 River Road, New Orleans, LA 70121.

Paden Lee Thompson

HATTIESBURG – Paden Lee Thompson, infant son of Krystal Cochran of Hattiesburg and Matthew Thompson of Valley Park, died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, at his home in Hattiesburg.

In addition to his parents, Paden is survived by a brother, Zackary Pedroche of Hattiesburg; his maternal grandparents, Herman and Lisa Cochran of Vicksburg and C.W. Shirley Creel of Winnsboro, La.; and his paternal grandparents, Tina and Tony Britt of Hattiesburg and Mike Thompson of Valley Park.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Glenwood Funeral Home with the Rev. Roger Cresswell officiating. Burial will follow at Green Acres Memorial Park.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 tonight at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be John Cochran and David Cochran.