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.

John Wesley “JW” Holden

John Wesley “JW” Holden died Friday, Aug. 15, 2008, at River Region Medical Center. He was 77.

Mr. Holden was born in Hinds County. He lived most of his life in Vicksburg and, in his later years, had lived in Muskegon, Mich. He was a retired farm-equipment operator.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Beatrice Eatmon Holden; four brothers, Frank Stewart, Leonard Stewart, Prentiss Lyons and Sam Neal Sr.; and five sisters, Joanna Holden, Lenora McGriggs, Rosie Lee Lindsey, Mary Bradford and Lucy Holden Bingham.

He is survived by his wife, Ida Lee Holden of Vicksburg; four sons, Roland Holden and Leon Holden, both of Oakland, Calif., John Wesley Holden Jr. of Charlotte, N.C., and Henry James Holden of Hamburg, Germany; four daughters, Ida Mae Russell and Gladys Smith, both of Vicksburg, Classie Holden of Las Vegas and Kate Smith of Columbia, Mo.; one brother, Willie Holden of Muskegon, Mich.; a sister, Annie B. White of Vicksburg; and grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other relatives.

Lakeview Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Patrick Humphreys Kavanaugh

Patrick “Pat” Humphreys Kavanaugh, 62, lost his battle with cancer on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008.

Visitation will be from 5 until 8 tonight at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street in Jackson, with funeral services at 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Matthews United Methodist Church in Madison.

Mr. Kavanaugh was the son of the late Robert C. Kavanaugh and Arlene Humphreys Kavanaugh of Vicksburg. He was a self-employed businessman and had a long affiliation with the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Reserve.

Pat enjoyed life to the fullest. He treasured his family and friends. His greatest joy was giving to others and expecting nothing in return.

Pat leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Ann; daughters Kris Davis and her husband, Michael, Tracey Beeson and her husband, Beau, Shelley Lindsay and her husband, Telford, and Haley Bianchini and her husband, Ryan; and grandchildren Shelby Davis, Jamie Beeson, Billy Beeson, Patrick Beeson and Anna Grace Lindsay. He also leaves brothers Mike Kavanaugh and his wife, Janie, and Kelly Kavanaugh and his wife, Gail; nieces and nephews; and his beloved aunt, Margaret K. Martin.

Memorials may be made to the Hinds County Sheriff’s Reserve.