Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory

05/31/2026

Allen Fitch

Jerry “Allen” Fitch, 61, originally from Columbus, Mississippi, passed away on May 31, 2026, at his home in Millbrook, Alabama.

Allen was born on September 5, 1964, in Columbus, Mississippi, to Cecil and Rena Fitch. He grew up in New Hope and graduated from New Hope High School in 1983. Following graduation, he attended East Mississippi Community College on scholarship, where he played both baseball and football.

Allen began his working career with Weyerhaeuser/Domtar Pulp and Paper Company, where he served in various capacities from 1986 to 2010. He later joined Albany International as a Sales and Service Engineer, serving from 2010 until his retirement in November 2024.

Allen was a lifelong member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. A devoted Alabama football fan, he had a huge personality and a passion for life. He treasured spending time with family and friends at Lake Martin.

Allen will be remembered as being kind, gentle, genuine, and selfless, living his life with grace, and always wearing his signature smile. He was always ready with a joke or a story to make others laugh. His generous spirit and compassionate heart touched everyone who knew him. He never missed an opportunity to encourage others and make them feel valued. He was truly one of a kind, and to know him was to love him.

Throughout his courageous battle with cancer, Allen demonstrated remarkable strength, courage and selflessness. No matter what he was facing, he rarely spoke of his own struggles and remained far more concerned about the well-being of others. One of the questions he asked people most often was simply, “You okay?” Those words reflected the genuine care and kindness that defined his life.

Allen is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 35 years, Anita Manzolillo Fitch; his daughter, Melanie (Hutch) Beard; his grandchildren, Conner Beard and Madi Beard; his brother, Terry (Karen) Fitch; his nephews, Austin Fitch, Davis Fitch, Steve Turk, Josh (Meagan) Turk, Jacob (Brittany) Turk, and Justin (Sarah) Davis; and his niece, April (Devin) Downey.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Rena Fitch; his brother, Cecil Fitch Jr.; his grandparents, John and Mamie Robinson and Shepard Petty and Lillie B. White Fitch; and his Brother-in-Law and best buddy, Todd Davis.

Visitation will be held Friday, June 5, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church located at 1791 Lake Lowndes Road, Columbus, Mississippi, with funeral services immediately following. Officiating will be his nephews, Austin and Davis Fitch, and Brother Ty Danielson. Burial will follow at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory.

Allen’s nephews and brother-in-law will serve as pallbearers: Austin Fitch, Davis Fitch, Jacob Turk, John Turk, Justin Davis, and Devin Downey.

Honorary pallbearers will be Allen’s close friends and caregivers: Tracy Cole, Todd Graham, Dennis McDaniel, Jeff Perkins, Phil Sprayberry, Steve Younger, Sonny and Sharon Paul, Bill and Kim Crowder, Jamie Camp, Donnie Camp, Coach Tommy Upton, Russ Brown, Chuck Putt, David Dortch, Marecia Browning, Kenneth Romans; his wonderful neighbors, Steve and Gloria Hickman, Ronnie and Dorothy Singleton, and Jerry Knight; his many friends from Real Island; and the staff of ACG Hospice.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Marecia Browning for her outstanding support and care to both Allen and Anita. Also to, Dr. Scott McDaniel, Ashley Mann, Renee, Sarah, and the entire staff of The Montgomery Cancer Center; as well as The Interventional & Vascular Specialty Center, Chris, Lauren, Carrie, Cheyenne, Stephanie, Melanie, Jamera, and Alisha, for the exceptional care, compassion, and support they provided throughout Allen’s journey. Their kindness and dedication went above and beyond, and we will be forever grateful.

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05/29/2026

Sam Fondren

SAM FONDREN - Samuel Wister "Sam" Fondren, III, age 85, of Columbus, MS, passed away May 28, 2026, at his residence. Funeral services will be Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Rob Dowdle officiating. The interment will immediately follow at Memorial Gardens of Columbus. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until the time of the service at Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory.

Mr. Fondren was Born August 17, 1940, to the late Samuel and Charlene Dabbs Fondren, II. He owned and operated Flintlock Sporting Goods and Fondren Heating and Air. Mr. Fondren was a master electrician and plumber and "Jack of all Trades" and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gold prospecting. In addition to his parents, Mr. Fondren was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor "Ellie" Fondren, brother, Craig Fondren, sister, Debbie Silas, stepdad, Harold Dabbs, and grandson, Jonathan Fondren.

Mr. Fondren is survived by son Sammy (Angela) Fondren, grandchildren Casey (Christine) Fondren, great grandchildren Braxton, Sadie, and Evie Fondren, granddaughter Ana (Tanner) Dement, son Tim (Barbara) Fondren, grandchildren, Chris (Treasure) Fondren, great grandchildren, Marleigh and Easton, granddaughter Chasity Fondren (Jim Logan), great grandchildren, Bryson and Bentley Nash, granddaughter, Tabatha (Wade) Swindol, great grandchildren Addie and Peyton, son Daniel (Tammy) Fondren, granddaughter Ashlee (Will) Jones, great grandchildren Greyson and William, granddaughter, Kaitlyn (Heston) Vaughn, great grandchild Beverly, grandson Kody (Tristen) Fondren, grandchildren Dawson Cox and Isabelle Fondren, son Jason (Amanda) Fondren, grandson Morgan (Alyssa) Franks, great grandchildren Kinsleigh, Tucker, and Sawyer Franks, granddaughter Raichel (Austin) Pinkerton, great grandchild Hayden Pinkerton, son Ben Fondren, granddaughter Karlee Fondren (great grandson on the way), granddaughter Baylee (Chandler) Collums.

Pallbearers will be Sammy Fondren, Tim Fondren, Daniel Fondren, Jason Fondren, Ben Fondren, and Kody Fondren. Honorary pallbearers will be Casey Fondren, Christopher Fondren, Morgan Franks, and Dawson Cox.

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05/28/2026

John Stockton

JOHN STOCKTON - John Everett Stockton, Sr., age 81, of Columbus, MS, passed away May 27, 2026, at his residence. Graveside services will be Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Vaughn's Cemetery in Steens, MS, with military honors and Rev. Kevin Jenkins officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 2, 2026, from 10:00 AM until 10:30 AM at Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory.

Mr. Stockton was born November 6, 1944, in Gastonia, NC, to the late Everett Lee and Monnie Peeler Stockton. He was a veteran of Vietnam serving in the United States Air Force and worked for many years at Columbus Air Force Base as an inspector for housing quality control as part of the civilian work force. Mr. Stockton was a member of the Woodland Baptist Church and enjoyed making trips to Myrtle Beach, SC, to hear southern gospel music. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Paulette Hawkins Stockton, and sisters, Ann Stockton Dawkins and Kay Stockton Parkhurst.

Survivors include his son, John Stockton, Jr. of Columbus, MS, daughter, Tammy Stockton of Columbus, MS, and brothers, Danny Stockton of Detroit, MI, and Mike Stockton of Gastonia, NC.

Pallbearers will be men of Woodland Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Danny Adams Sunday School Class of Woodland Baptist Church.

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05/26/2026

Cessney Diane Brown

CESSNEY BROWN

Cessney Diane Brown age 66 died Friday May 22, 2026 at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Columbus. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory.

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05/26/2026

05/25/2026

Janelle Forkum

JANELLE FORKUM

Janelle Forkum age 85 died Sunday May 24, 2026 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Columbus. Services will be held Wednesday May 27, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Minister David May officiating; burial will follow at Vaughn Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday one hour prior to service at the funeral home.

Mrs. Forkum, a loving mother and grandmother was born on November 8, 1940 to the late Leo Swindle and Nellie Treadway Swindle, she was a member of Magnolia Church of Christ and a homemaker. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Richard Forkum, and her sister, Patricia Carroll

Survivors include her daughter, Ronda Hinkey, (John), brothers, Larry Swindle, and Phillip Swindle, granddaughters, Dallas Cheyenne Frayser, (Michael), and Sierra Slatton, (Jennifer), and several nieces and nephews, step-grandchildren and step- great grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers will be, Mark Frady, Joey Smith, John Hinkey, Terry Howard, Owen Stelzreide, and Avery Pinkerton. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be, Michael Frayser, and Noah Stelzreide

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05/18/2026

Sam Langford

SAM LANGFORD - Sam Langford, Jr., age 84, of Maryville, TN, formerly of Columbus, MS, passed away May 16, 2026, at Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville, TN. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory. A graveside service will immediately follow at 2:30 PM at Tabernacle Cemetery with Robin Elmore officiating.

Mr. Langford was born July 19, 1941, in Lowndes County, MS, to the late Samuel V. and Reba Long Langford. He was a retired welder. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Randy Hallmark.

Survivors include his son, Robbie Langford of Maryville, TN, and daughter, Samantha Evans of Michigan City, IN.

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05/13/2026

L.C. McGee, Jr.

Obituary for L. C. McGee

L. C. McGee, Jr., age 96, of Columbus, Mississippi passed, at Trinity Healthcare, from his earthly life on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. He was born August 29, 1929, in Lamar County, Alabama. His parents were Louis C. McGee and Georgie Lou Sprouse McGee.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 16, at 11:00 at Memorial Funeral Home, Columbus, MS. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 with Rev. Paul McDonald officiating. Interment and graveside services will be at Friendship Cemetery in Columbus. Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

L. C. moved to Columbus in 1941. He graduated from Stephen D. Lee High School. He served four years in the United States Navy, 1948-1952. On December 8, 1952, he married Betty Wallace and they enjoyed 74 years together.

He was an active and involved member of Central United Methodist Church, Covenant United Methodist Church, and Christ Covenant Church.

Always active in the community, he was a past president of the Magnolia Kiwanis Club. His employment and business ownership provided opportunities for him to be a valuable citizen and close friend to many people who knew him as “Gee” or “Daddy Gee.”

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert J. (Bob) McGee. He is survived by his wife, Betty, daughter Melanie McGee Denny, son M. L. McGee and his wife Lorene, daughter Margaret McGee Hayward and her husband Eddie, and six grandchildren.

Pall bearers are Michael Hayward, Daniel Hayward, Steven Jenkins, Larry Scott, Randy Burris, and Jackie Triplett.

The family appreciates the loving care provided by Octavia Stowers, Tammy King and the staff of Trinity Healthcare.

In lieu of flowers, donations or memorials are encouraged to places of your choice, Christ Covenant Church, P. O. Box 9552, Columbus, MS 39703; Columbus Emmaus Community, 32 Isaac Drive, Columbus, MS 39702, and Trinity Place, 300 Airline Road, Columbus, 39702

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05/07/2026

Thomas Samuel "Toby" Hodges, Jr.

Thomas (Toby) S. Hodges, Jr, age 92, of Columbus, MS passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the MS Veterans Home in Kosciusko, MS. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at Woodland Baptist Church in Columbus. Followed by a funeral service at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Kevin Jenkins officiating, internment with U.S. Army Honors will follow at Vaughn Cemetery in Steens, MS.

Mr. Hodges was born September 11, 1933, in Kolola Springs, MS to the late Thomas S. Hodges, Sr and Ellen Chappell Hodges. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, JoAnn Sizemore Hodges; son Butch Hodges; sisters Rebecca Roach (Al), Helen Atkins (Roy), Dorothy Hodges; and brother Jim Hodges (Hazel). He is survived by his daughter, Diane Atwood (David) of Katy, TX and grandson, Sean Hodges of Columbus, MS and his 3 great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews. Toby lived a life marked by faith, service, and dedication to his church, community and country. He proudly served in the US Army during the Korean War, stationed in the Philippines, where he worked as a Morse Code Interceptor. Following his military service, he worked for Ho**er Chemical for more than 35 years. He also owned Tweety Bird Mini Storage. He was a devoted member and deacon of Antioch Baptist Church and deacon and founding member of Woodland Baptist Church. Toby loved to work in his garden and hunt on his family property. Sometimes he just liked to watch the deer and turkeys graze in the field.

Pallbearers will be the deacons of Woodland Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be the Men’s Sunday School Class of Woodland Baptist Church. Special thanks to the care team at MS Veterans Home in Kosciusko, MS as well as Quality Hospice Care. Memorials can be made to American Macular Degeneration Foundation, Gideons International (bibles) or Woodland Baptist Church.

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05/04/2026

Sylvia Shelton White

Sylvia Shelton White, 68, of Millport, Alabama, passed away on May 4, 2026.

Sylvia was born on March 22, 1958, in Columbus, Mississippi, to the late Revis and Betty Shelton. She spent her life working in management and was known for her friendliness and strong work ethic. She also, enjoyed volunteering at Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle. Sylvia had a love for working in her yard, traveling, and attending festivals, where she created many cherished memories with family and friends. Her favorite activity was being a grandmother. She also enjoyed supporting Alabama football. ROLL TIDE ROLL!

She is survived by her loving husband, Matt White; two sons, Nathaniel Worthey and Dusty White (Lesli); two daughters, Ashley Worthey Stuart and Kelsey McWilliams (Brandon); four grandsons, Corporal Tristan James Norris, USMC, Elisha Perrigin, Tyr White, and Jacob McWilliams; two granddaughters, Lorelei White and Makayla McWilliams; one sister, Becky Miller (Joe); and five brothers, Charles Shelton (Debi), Tony Shelton (Donna), Frank Shelton (Pam), Michael Shelton (Brandy), and Bobby Shelton. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Funeral services will be held on May 7, 2026, at Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory at 2:00 PM, with Reverend Michael Shelton and Reverend Robert Gillis officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM prior to the service. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Charles Shelton, Tony Shelton, Frank Shelton, Michael Shelton, Joe Miller, Dusty White, and Elisha Perrigin. Honorary pallbearers will be Nathaniel Worthey and Corporal Tristan James Norris, USMC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her memory.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her—gone from our sight, but always in our hearts.

The service will be livestreamed at the following link: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=775e7561-c559-4567-acb7-4c2919d508d0

View Sylvia Shelton White's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.