Charles J. Brown moves swiftly through his life, making a difference with impeccable service to his country, his long-time employer, his church, community and, more importantly, his family.
It all began in the public schools of Hattiesburg, ending with his graduation from the L.J. Rowan High School in Hattiesburg in 1958 as class president. From Rowan, his education continued at William Carey College with a Bachelor of Science on May 19,1973; the University of Colorado at Denver with a vocational training degree; and at the National Veterans Training Institute on April 8, 1997.
He rendered stellar service to his country for 11 years, serving as Sergeant First Class U.S. Army from 1958-69; retired in 1969; and due to a medical issue (Walter Reed Army Medical Center) in May 1969 was honorably discharged in June 1969 for medical reasons. He was also decorated for heroism, including two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars for Valor, and numerous other citations with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vietnam 1967.
He served his life-long employer, Mississippi Employment Security Commission, from 1973-2000. During this time, he served in Employment Aid as a vocational counselor working with applicants receiving state/public assistance; he also served at the levels of Employment Counselor II, Employment Counselor III and worked in the Veterans Outreach Program. He was recognized as the Mississippi Counselor of the Year in 19990 and received the Mississippi International Association Personnel in Employment Security, Community Service Award in both 1988 and 1995.
Charles’ life of hard work and dedicated service earned him a number of honors and awards, including the Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Veteran of the Year (first recipient), 1994; received the Dr. John Hope Franklin Award for Community Service, 2012; the Hattiesburg Professional and Business Men’s Club Man of the Year, 1978; Jesse L. Brown Elks Lodge Man of the Year, 1987; African-American Military History Museum Service Award, 2000; Jesse L. Brown Community Service Award, 2004; Southwestern Province Polemarch Award from Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., 2013; the Brown/Lucas Executive Conference Room at the Lake Terrace Convention Center (in part, bears his name); William Carey University Hall of Fame Class of 2012; featured in the History Channel “Vietnam in HD” television series; member of the Foundation Board of Directors; AARP member; and active member of EURO (now EUROHA) since 1974. Charles’ name is also engraved in seven public buildings in Hattiesburg: City Hall – First Veteran of the Year, Hattiesburg Convention Center, Saenger Theater, African-American Military History Museum, Hattiesburg Forrest County Library, Petal Library, Kamper Park Zoo and Eureka School, as a member of their boards or commissions.
As a man of deep and abiding faith, Charles is a life-long member of True Light Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as deacon (past chair) and trustee, past Sunday School superintendent (25 years) and director of the youth department.
Charles’ life of dedication to his employer, his country and his faith have brought a number of organizations to take advantage of his expertise, wisdom and professional competency. His membership on boards and other organizations include Main Street Policy board; Hattiesburg Convention Commission; Hattiesburg-Petal, Forrest County Library Trustee; Hattiesburg Public Schools Biracial Advisory Committee; Hattiesburg Economic Task Force Committee; NAACP Forrest County Chapter Executive Board, where he is a Gold Life Sustaining Member; Hattiesburg Arts Council; The University of Southern Mississippi Partners for the Arts; Disabled American Veterans – Life Member; VFW Life Member; member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.; and American Legion Vietnam lecturer for The University of Southern Mississippi History department (in 2000, accompanied USM study-abroad students to Vietnam); South Mississippi Community Action Agency member; Pine Burr Council Boy Scouts of America – Pine Burr Award; Salvation Army Advisory Council; R3SM Board of Directors; and Hattiesburg Rotary Club, Non-Rotarian of the Year Award, 2011. Charles has three children and seven grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to William Carey University, in honor of Charles J. Brown. http://gowcu.info/brown.
Gai Corley, 93, of Ocean Springs, MS, passed away on January 18, 2025. Elinor Gai Eure Corley was born August 23, 1931 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to parents Otis Perry Eure and Vera Bryant Eure.
Gai grew up in Hattiesburg and graduated from the University of Mississippi. She and her husband, Ed, lived in Moss Point for 43 years. She was active member at Dantzler Memorial Methodist Church. She was a charter member of the Pascagoula-Moss Point Junior Auxiliary and dedicated duplicate bridge player, earning the level of Life Master of Duplicate Bridge.
She enjoyed life, was always curious and open to new adventures. She made friends easily and loved to travel. She took 26 river cruises, visiting over 38 countries. She enjoyed traveling in the United States to different Jazz Festivals, Film Festivals and thoroughly enjoyed her many trips to New York City.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Otis Perry Eure and Vera Bryant Eure. Siblings, Spurgeon Eure and Mary Jane Loper; nephews Cary and Al Eure; in-laws, Lynelle Corley Jones and Thomas Jones; and her husband of 43 years, Edward B. Corley.
She is survived by her children, Elinor Corley Allen and Brannan Corley. Her grandchildren, Brannan Corley (Michelle), Christopher Corley (Kathryn) and great grandson, Joey Corley. Her very special nieces and nephews, Gai Loper, Wesley Eure, Jeff (Dawn) Jones, Stennis (Kasey) Jones, Janie (Peter) Kamp. And dear friends, Alice and Wilber Chambers.
Her family wishes to thank Vital Caring Group and Home Instead for the support and care they provided to Gai and her family during the last month of her life.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs beginning at 1:00 pm, with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs, Main Street United Methodist Church of Hattiesburg, Dantzler Memorial Methodist Church in Moss Point, or a charity or organization of your choice.
Emma Doris (Cote) Mason, age 92, of Hattiesburg, MS, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2025, with her loving husband, Jim, and her youngest daughter, Sandy, at her side.
Born at home on August 8, 1932, in Amagansett, NY, Emma was the youngest of 13 siblings. At the age of six, her family gradually relocated to Lowell, MA. She adored her family her entire life. She held a deep reverence for her parents: her father, Francois (Frank) Alfred Cote, who made her feel truly "seen," and her mother, Emma Morin Cote, whom she adored and cherished all her life. Even in her final days, Emma's memories of her mother were fresh in her mind, as she spoke of her to daughter Sandy, on the last day she was truly able to speak, just days before her passing.
The love of Emma's life was her beloved husband of 40 years, James (Jim) Mason. She described Jim as "Different from anyone I had ever met...an honest, loyal, faithful, hard-working man who loves me unconditionally." Their loving and committed relationship was one of the greatest blessings in Emma's long life.
Emma's great passion, pride, and joy were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When she was younger, she delighted in doing special things for all the children. In her final years, she was always excited when a new picture of her great-granddaughter, Ava, arrived via email, a joy that continued right up until the last few weeks before she entered the hospital. She was very proud of the Morin and Cote family traits she could see in each of her descendants.
Emma was a gifted writer who wrote prolifically throughout her life. Thankfully, much of her legacy will live on through these writings. She worked in the gaming industry in Nevada and Washington state, and also served as an executive secretary for many companies and influential professionals.
After spending 12 days in the hospital, Emma succumbed to complications from pneumonia. She fought valiantly in those final days, showing her desire to live. When her husband Jim asked her about her final wishes, Emma's response was simple but profound: "I just want to be with you, wherever you are."
In the days since Emma's passing, everywhere we go people tell us how much they loved her, that she was a kind, gentle and loving woman, and how much they will miss her. We feel the same.
Emma was preceded in death by her parents, eleven siblings, and her beloved daughter, Jocelyn Rombough, whom she loved with all her heart.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 40 years, James (Jim) Mason of Hattiesburg, MS; her daughter Sandra (Sandy) Arguello, Sandy's son Andrew, his wife Amanda, and great-granddaughter Ava; and her late daughter Jocelyn's children, Chenee, Shane, Christian, and Gabriella.
She is also survived by her three stepchildren:
James P. Mason, Jr., Robert (Bobby) Mason, his three children, Melissa, Rachael, and Veronica, as well as Melissa's two children (great-grandchildren Easton & Mylie) and Veronica's two children (great-grandchildren Anniston & Adelynn).
And Michelle Whisnant, her husband Dave, along with Michelle's daughter Ashley, and Ashley's three children (great-grandchildren Lincoln, Evelyn & Lilly).
In addition to her cherished friends in Hattiesburg and beyond, Emma leaves behind a large extended family, including a few notably close loved ones who Emma especially trusted, appreciated, and treasured.
A prayer service in honor of Emma will be held at St. Fabian Catholic Church in Hattiesburg, MS, at 2:00 PM (Central Time) on February 28, 2025, with a reception to follow. The service will also be available via livestream at https://www.saintfabian.com.
"As you rest in peace, your light will continue to shine in the lives you touched."
James Stewart “Pat” Chambless (78), of Hattiesburg, passed away on February 6, 2025. Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home handled arrangements. Visitation will be held at First Presbyterian Church on February 15, 2025 at 9 a.m. followed by a service at 11 a.m.
Dianna Lynn Cochran (70), of Petal, passed away on February 5, 2025. Moore Funeral Service handled arrangements.
Patricia Dyess Gamble (91), of Petal, passed away on February 4, 2025. Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Clint Ashley Keith (49), of Hattiesburg, passed away on February 3, 2025. Trinity Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Michael Lee Lowery (75), of Hattiesburg, passed away on February 4, 2025. Moore Funeral Service handled arrangements.
Patricia Ann Ray (75), of Sumrall, passed away on February 5, 2025. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Sally Ann Strickler Sullivan (89), of Hattiesburg, passed away on February 3, 2025. Visitation will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on February 15, 2025 at 1 p.m. followed by service at 2 p.m. A graveside service at Roseland Park Cemetery will follow after. Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Lessie Wren (90), of Hattiesburg, passed away on February 9. 2025. Forrest Funeral Home handled arrangements.
