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.

Jesse Brown

OCOEE, Fla. — Jesse Brown, formerly of Vicksburg, died Sunday, April 6, 2008, at Health Central Medical Center in Ocoee, Fla. He was 84.

Mr. Brown was an Army veteran, serving in World War II.

He was preceded in death by five sisters, Beulah Brown Watson, Virginia Brown Warfield, Charity Brown Williams, Carrie Brown and Estella Brown Ford; and three brothers, Ben Brown, Joe Brown and Fred Brown III.

He is survived by nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Dillon-Chisley Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Carroll Dean Laird

Carroll Dean “Sonny” Laird died Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at River Region Medical Center. He was 63.

Mr. Laird was born in Natchez, he was the son of the late Allen McFarland and Elizabeth Ezell McFarland. Mr. Laird was a longtime resident of Bude, Miss., and had been a resident of Vicksburg since 1964. He was a graduate of Franklin High School in Meadville, Miss., and had served with the Mississippi National Guard Unit in Meadville. He was a retired welder with LeTourneau retiring in 2005 with 35 years of service. Mr. Laird was a past governor of the Vicksburg Moose Lodge No. 1581, a member of the Woodmen of the World, a charter member of the Deer Park Hunting Club and a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Sandra Jane Creech Laird of Vicksburg; a daughter, Suzanne Laird Parker and her husband, Ronnie, of Tallulah; a son, Christopher Dean Laird and his wife, Lisa, of Vicksburg; a grandson, Gage; a granddaughter, Logan; one sister, Myrt Reeves of McComb; two brothers, Robert Earl Coley and his wife, Linda, of Vicksburg and George McFarland Jr. and his wife, Joy, of Natchez; and numerous other relatives.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Riles Funeral Home with the Rev. Billy Brumfield of Immanuel Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Green Acres Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 this evening at Riles Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Greg McFarland, James D. Freeman II, Jimmy Callender, Ronnie Deckerman, Walter Breithaupt and Edward Partridge.

Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Landers, Bobby Joe McRaney, Elvin Key, Harvey Landers, Jonah Ray Jones, Jack Bryant, Dr. Paul Pierce III, Donald Cross, Junior Tew, Bo-D Massey, Walter Beall, Dr. Abdul Bahro, Dr. Stephen Sudderth, members of the Deer Park Hunting Club and past and present employees of LeTourneau.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 and to Immanuel Baptist Church, 6949 U.S. 61 South, Vicksburg, MS 39180.

John A. Luckett

Mr. John A. Luckett died Monday, April 7, 2008, at River Region Medical Center. He was 94.

A native and lifelong resident of Warren County, he was the son of the late Charles B. and Laura Hullum Luckett. He was a graduate of Jett High School, married Evelyn M. Luckett in 1939 and lived in Vicksburg for 66 years.

Mr. Luckett owned and operated Genuine Auto Parts in Vicksburg, Utica, Port Gibson, Edwards and Fayette for some 32 years, retiring in 1981. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Vicksburg and the Boaz Sunday school class.

He was an outdoorsman. He co-founded Mill Pond Hunting Club in 1970, served as president and trustee for a number of years, and was granted life membership. He was a member of Elks Lodge No. 95, where he was twice exalted ruler and trustee.

Mr. Luckett was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Emily Thompson and Alice Luckett; two brothers, Vardaman and David Luckett; and his wife, Evelyn M. Luckett.

He is survived by his daughter, Mary Anne Kirklin of Vicksburg; three grandsons, Glenn Kirklin of Fort Mohave, Ariz., and Tommy and Mike Kirklin, both of Vicksburg; and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Frank J. Fisher Funeral Home with Dr. Matt Buckles, Dr. John G. McCall and the Rev. James Hess officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. Thursday until the hour of service.

Pallbearers will be Mike Kirklin, Tommy Kirklin, Glenn Kirklin, Blake Kirklin, Dustin Brown and Roger Barlow.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Hill, Junie Barlow, Chuck Mendrop, Otho Mendrop, Dewey Purser, Ernest and Odele Barlow, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Carter, John Bove, Dr. Charles Marascalco, Dr. Anita Tribble, members of Boaz Sunday school class, members of Elks Lodge No. 95 and members of Mill Pond Hunting Club.

The family expresses special thanks to Loretta Poates, Kirk Harper and the fifth floor nursing staff at River Region.

Frank J. Fisher Funeral Home has charge of all arrangements.

Ira Parker Jr.

Ira “Duke” Parker Jr., formerly of Vicksburg, died Friday, April 4, 2008, in Houston, Texas. He was 15.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ira parker Sr.; his maternal grandfather, Rex Miller; and his paternal grandfather, Square Harris Sr.

He is survived by his mother, Shelia Butler of Houston; one brother, Vidale Parker of Houston; two sisters, Eyanna Butler and Iris Monique Curry of Vicksburg; his maternal grandmother, Deborah Butler of Wilmington, Del.; paternal grandmother, Flora Parker of Vicksburg; his maternal great-grandmother, Elizabeth “Sue” Butler of Vicksburg; his paternal great-grandmother, Stella Mae Brown of Vicksburg; and aunts, uncles and other relatives.

Dillon-Chisley Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Nelia Irene Young

FOREST — Nelia Irene Young died Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at Lackey Memorial Hospital in Forest. She was 98.

Mrs. Young was a former resident of Morton and moved to Forest in 2000. She retired from B.C. Rogers Poultry Company and began her second career at Mississippi Care Center in Morton where she worked in food service until the age of 87. She was an avid gardener, growing beautiful flowers and vegetables and in past years enjoyed making quilts for family and friends. She was a woman of tremendous faith and was devoted to her Lord and her family. Mrs. Young was the oldest member of First Baptist Church of Morton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walton and Leathy Harkey; husbands, Dale Calhoun and Spurgeon Young; a daughter, Irene Townsend; three sisters, Lona Whatley, Gwendolyn Wade and Mollie Dee Barfield; a brother, Miller Harkey.

Family she leaves behind will forever cherish her love and sweet memories. Survivors include daughters Latain Blossom and husband Charles of Forest; Ruby Hamilton of Forest; Sherrie Johnson and husband Fred of Morton; Lucy Young of Vicksburg; son Dub Young and wife Liz of Morton; and sister Lillie Austin of Philadelphia, Miss.; 15 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and other family and friends.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Forest with Earl Clark officiating. Burial will follow at Harperville Cemetery in Harperville. Visitation will be this evening from 5 to 9 at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Sammy Blossom, Bill Blossom, Ben Kitchens, Scott Young, Adam Young and Thomas Crapps.