Obituaries for Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003

By Staff
Mikel Monroe Brashier
Retired auto dealer
Services for Mikel Monroe Brashier will be held today at 2 p.m. at Barham Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Jason Bird officiating. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery.
Mr. Brashier, 43, of Meridian, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003, at University Medical Center in Jackson. His love for his daughter and grandchildren was inspirational. His fiancee, Lisa, dedicated herself to his care and Mikel loved her for sticking with him where others would have left.
Among the loves of his life were his mother and grandmother. His greatest enjoyment came through auto racing. He enjoyed being a part of Riley Racing at local dirt tracks, following NASCAR races and collecting NASCAR replicas. He lived and breathed racing. He was his brother's best friend and inspiration.
Survivors include his daughter, Brandi "Niki" O'Mell and her husband, Chris, of Meridian; two grandchildren, Gage and Slade O'Mell; his mother, Eva Lou Brashier Pace of Meridian; a brother, Jimmy Brashier and his wife, Barbie, of Collinsville; nieces, Christy, Jessie, Ashton, and Amanda Brashier, all of Meridian, and Toni Haywood of Jackson; a nephew, John "Billy" Brashier and his fiancee, Lisa Stanton, of Meridian.
He was preceded in death by his father, John W. Brashier Jr.; a brother, John W. Brashier III; grandmother, Christine Brashier; and his step-father, Lamar Pace.
Nelloise Allen Scurlock
Retired bookkeeper
BUTLER, Ala. Graveside services for Nelloise Allen Scurlock will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Resthaven Memorial Gardens Cemetery with the Rev. Garry Williams officiating. Bumpers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Scurlock, 86, of Creola, Ala., died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003, at Mobile Infirmary.
Survivors include her daughter, Patsy Scurlock Buffkin of Creola; a sister, Mary Margaret Kimbrough of Chipley, Fla.; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Scurlock Sr.; and a son, John A. Scurlock Jr.
Visitation will be Friday one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Theodore Wayne Ashley
FOREST Services for Theodore Wayne Ashley will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Goodwater Baptist Church in Smith County with the Rev. Melvin Boles officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Ashley of Dallas, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003, in Dallas.
Survivors include his wife, Judy Ashley; children, Royce Ashley, Douglas Ashley, Brenda Thompson and Becky Daniel; step-sons, Dayle, Robby and Billy Peters; a sister, Allie Matthews; 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; and his beloved, Wiggles.
Visitation will be today 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Myrtice Cutrer
Homemaker
PHILADELPHIA Services for Myrtice Cutrer will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Pine Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Gilbert Allan officiating. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery in Neshoba County. McClain-Hays Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Cutrer, 86, of Philadelphia, died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003, at Neshoba County General Hospital.
Survivors include several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Homer Earl Massey
Services for Homer Earl Massey will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Barham Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Meehan Cemetery.
Mr. Massey, 65, of Meridian, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003, at University of Alabama Birmingham Medical Center.
Visitation will be Friday 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Lillie Lewis
Homemaker
Services for Lillie Lewis will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. from Shiloh Baptist Church in Quitman with the Rev. S.M. McKenzie officiating. Burial will be in Shiloh Cemetery. Berry and Gardner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Lewis, 74, of Quitman, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2003, at Guardian Angel Hospice.
Survivors include her daughters, Wanda Lewis, Gloria Lewis, Deborah Lewis, Mary Evans and Robin Lewis, all of Quitman; three sons, Clarence Lewis, Morris Lewis and Curtis Lewis, all of Quitman; sisters, Sharon Gambrell, Annie Alexander and Margaret Leatherwood, all of Chicago, and Dora Moss of Quitman; brothers, Howard Bartee, Sant Bartee and Malcolm Bartee, all of Chicago; 21 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
Visitation will be Friday 7 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home in Quitman.
Billy Ray Rigdon
Retired
LAKE CHARLES, La. Services for Billy Ray Rigdon were held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Jake Mullican, Larry Bailey and Charlie Bailey officiating. Burial was in LeBleu Cemetery in Fenton.
Mr. Rigdon, 70, of Barnes Creek, La., died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, in his home.
He was born in Meridian and lived in Lake Charles and Westlake for many years before moving to Barnes Creek 20 years ago.
He was a graduate of Collinsville High School and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of VFW Post #10655 in Topsy. He was a route salesman for Borden's Milk Company for 41 years and a well known dog breeder and trainer.
Survivors include his wife, Lou Arabie Rigdon of Barnes Creek; a son, Paul Ray Rigdon of DeRidder, La.; a daughter, Linda Fay Matte of Gillis, La.; a brother, W.J. Rigdon of Meridian; a sister, Etoy Buffington of Little Rock; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Roy Arabie, Donovan L. Rigdon, Judgery C. Rigdon, Steven R. Matte, Stewart R. Matte, Jerry McClellon, Wayne Thibodeaux and Dennis Rigdon.
Honorary pallbearers will be Gyth Rigdon, Whimpy Guynes, Doug McKelvain, Paul R. Rigdon and Jesse Guynes.
Mary N. Ray
Arrangements were incomplete at Barham Funeral Home for Mary N. Ray, 67, of Meridian, who died Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003, at Riley Hospital.
Exekiel Betts
Arrangements were incomplete at Berry and Gardner Funeral Home for Exekiel Betts of Meridian, who died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2003, at Rush Foundation Hospital.