Southern Funeral Chapel

06/22/2026

Harley Langley
William Harley Langley, 94, was born July 13, 1931, in Thorn, Mississippi, to George Vaughn and Lois Clark Langley. He was the second of eight children. He passed away Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Shearer-Richardson in Okolona where he was in respite care. Harley graduated from Houston High School and attended Wood Jr. College. He taught a year at Thorn (Pleasant Grove) School, then on July 4, 1952, he married his bride of 73 years, Sue Fleming, of Vardaman. They eventually settled in Memphis for twenty years, where Harley managed Western Auto Stores in the Memphis area. In 1974 they moved back to his family-farm where he spent the remainder of his years. On return to Mississippi Harley managed the Houston Fertilizer Plant, then in 1994 he found his calling when he purchased Southern Funeral Chapel. Harley was licensed as a funeral director and spent nearly 30 years helping families through loss. He often said it was the most rewarding work he had ever done.
Harley was a member of the Thorn Church of Christ where he served as an elder for many years. He is remembered for his deep bass singing voice and his hearty laugh. Harley was civic minded serving on several community boards including Thorn Community House, Thorn Water Association, and Thorn Volunteer Fire Department. He was a charter member of the Water Association and the Fire Department.
Harley is survived by his wife of almost 74 years, Sue Langley; his children Randy Langley of Brandon, Kathy Black & Joe of Thorn, and Renee Davis of Thorn; his grandchildren, Joe Langley & Kathy, Rachel Langley, Daniel Black & Brandy Ferguson, Justin Black & Kasi, & Will Davis & Madison, three great-grandchildren, Chloe Black, Tate Black, & Callan Davis, and another on the way. He is survived by four of his seven siblings: Ruth Griffin of Chamblee, GA; Billy Langley of Clermont, FL; Douglas Langley & Charleen of Woodland; Bobby Langley & Jeanette of Aberdeen, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Johnnie Duncan, Lorette Wheeler, Sara Chase, and his son-in-law Keith Davis.
A visitation with the family will begin Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 11:30 am until the funeral service at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home in Houston, led by Brother Willie Hamblen & Brother Lee Dillard. He will be interred in Chickasaw Memorial Gardens Cemetery. At Harley’s request there will be no graveside service.
Serving as pallbearers will be Daniel Black, Justin Black, Will Davis, Luke Langley, Mike Langley, & John Langley.
The family would like to thank all the staff at Enhabit Hospice and Shearer-Richardson Nursing Home for their kind, attentive care they gave to the family. We are especially grateful for Courtney, Meghan, Bree, Misty, Tracy, Tonja, and Kelsey for their constant care.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Heart Association, or the charity of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.southernfuneralchapel.com

06/21/2026

Harley Langley
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a man very special to us. Mr. Harley Langley left this earthly life on Saturday, June 20, 2026.

Funeral services will be held at Southern Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 2:00. Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 24 beginning at 11:30 AM until service time at 2:00.

Please remember the Langley family in your prayers during this difficult time.

A complete obituary will be posted as soon as available.

06/15/2026

Richard Randall
Richard Coleman Randall, 95, passed away at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Born March 18, 1931, he was the son of the late Thomas Richard Randall and the late Cora Lee Thomas Randall Nabors. He grew up in sharecropping/farming family, which taught him early on the importance of hard work. Early in his life, Richard served his country as a medic in the United States Army. He worked first as a medic at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland during the Korean War. Afterwards, he served 8 years in the Mississippi Army National Guard at Camp Shelby. Once back home, Richard worked as an auto mechanic and did body work. He also had the honor and privilege of serving his Lord as an ordained minister with the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he was longest living minister in the regional area.

One habit he picked up from his upbringing was that he could never sit still. He was a jack of all trades, so he could always find something to do, fix, or work on. He always had a huge garden, and he took great pride in making sure it was always perfectly taken care of. He also had over 50 beehives at one time; he loved his bees. He always had all kinds of animals, especially birds — like quail, chickens, pheasants, and turkeys. He and wife raised AKC registered beautiful German Shepards.

His faith in his Lord Jesus Christ was the most important part of his life. He made sure to teach his children about the Lord, and he took them to church every time the door was open. They never missed a service.

Richard left a legacy that will last forever, through his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and through the people he touched during his life. He will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him, forever.

Southern Funeral Home has the honor of serving the Randall family.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 11:00 am at Southern Funeral Home, with Rev. Glen Williams, Rev. Keith Spratlin, and Rev. Mickey Lewis. Visitation will he held on Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Southern Funeral Home. A second visitation will also be held on Monday, June 15, 2026, prior to the funeral service, from 10:00am to 11:00am. Interment will follow the funeral service at Macedonia Cemetery in Houston.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.

Honorary Pallbearers will be his great grandsons.

He is survived by his children, Martha Lewis (Mickey) of Aurora, MO; Glenda Patterson (Billy) of Calhoun City; Thomas Randall (Mary) of Opelika, AL; and Betty Walters (Tony) of Neosho, MO; half-brother, Jerry Criddle of Amarillo, TX; sister, Patti Champion (Mike) of Gray Court, SC; grandchildren, Marcus Lewis (Amy), Ryan Lewis (Chanelle), Marty Lewis (Lindsay), Joel Patterson (Ashley), Amanda Melton (Lee), Cody Patterson, April Michelle Moody (Billy), Thomas Randall (Rachel), Rebecca Smith (Donnie), Richard Michael Taylor (Tanya), Amy Kumar (Vinod), Melvin Gann, Jr. (Kate), Vannie Mae Moore (Chaitanya Karia), Jessie Franklin Gann, Corey Walters (Jessica), and Stefanie Murphy (Donny); 47 great grandchildren; 20 great-great grandchildren; special friends, Arthur and Frona Carter, and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Cora Lee Randall; his father, Jimmy Criddle; his step-father, Estes L. Nabors; his wife, Ruth Smith Randall; daughters, Sarah Louise Randall and Mary Jo White; half-siblings, Leo Criddle, Annie Faye Criddle, Anna Doris Criddle, Will Dunn Criddle, Ernest Merrill Criddle, Frances Franks, and Martha Louise Franks; granddaughter, Jennifer Kelly Martin; and great-granddaughter, Miah Shian Walters.

Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.southernfuneralchapel.com

06/12/2026

Richard Coleman Randall, 95, passed away at Baptist Memorial Hospital on Oxford on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Southern Funeral Home.

Visitation will also be held on Monday, June 15, 2026, from 10:00am to 11:00am at Southern Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 11:00am at Southern Funeral Home.

A complete obituary will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

Please keep the Randall family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

06/01/2026

John Gilbert Hughes, 52, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Born on October 12, 1973, in Houston, he was the son of Mary Hughes and the late Gus Hughes. He married Glenda Gregory Hughes, and they spent many years together until her passing in 2009.

John was a family man, and he loved spending time with them every chance he was able. Family was the most important thing in his life. In his free time, he loved to go hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed riding the backroads with his nephew. He also was a collector; he loved to collect rocks, comic books, and action figures.

John was loved deeply by those who knew him, and they will forever cherish his memories in their hearts.

Southern Funeral Home has honor of serving the Hughes family.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 2:00pm at Southern Funeral Home, with Bro. Walter Butler officiating. Visitation will also be held on Monday, from 1:00pm to 2:00m at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Hughes Family Cemetery in Woodland.

Pallbearers will be Malachi Hughes, Jamie Johnson, Bubba Allen, Calvin Gregory, Randy Gregory, Chase McCowin, Brandon Hughes, and DeWayne Brassfield.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Chris Reynolds, Jaden Reynolds, Justin Tipton, Jim Johnson, and John Michael Gregory.

John was survived by his mother, Mary Idell Hughes of Woodland; brother, Linn Hughes (Darlene) of Woodland; sister, Ellen Allen of Houston; aunt, Betty Haygood of Houston; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded on death by his father, Gus Hughes; his wife, Glenda Gregory Hughes; and his brother-in-law, Johnny Allen.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the funeral home to help in covering expenses.

Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at

Southern Funeral Home, Inc. Welcomes You. Since 1987, Southern Funeral Home, Inc. has provided dedicated and compassionate care to families of Houston, Mississippi and surrounding communities. Our funeral home offers a range of personalized services for families to honor their loved ones and remembe

05/18/2026

updated obituary

Houlka-Terry Lee Washington, 70, passed away at his home in Houlka on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Born August 8, 1955, in Chickasaw County, he was the son of the late George Ordell Washington and the late Lillie Irene Funderburk Washington. On December 16, 1972, he married his wife of nearly 54 years, Patricia Scallon Washington.

Terry worked in maintenance for many years for Astrolounger and Master/Southern Fibers. There was a saying about Terry that went - “He could fix anything with a roll of duct tape and bailing wire.” He was truly a jack-of-all trades. In his free time, he loved to go deer hunting and fishing with his older grandsons. He fished and hunted every chance he had while he was still able.

Terry loved his family and friends with all his heart, and they will all miss him dearly.

Southern Funeral Home has the honor of serving the Washington family.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 2:00pm at Southern Funeral Home, with Bro. Linn Hughes officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, at the funeral home. Interment will follow the funeral services at Poplar Springs Cemetery in Calhoun County.

Pallbearers will be Hutch Washington, Reese Washington, Alex Washington, Rusty Washington, Ronald Washington, and Lil Sam Washington.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Dennis Washington, Darrin Vance, and Theo Pulliam.

Terry is survived by his wife, Pat Washington of Houlka; sons, Rusty Washington (Tina) of Houlka, Ronald Washington of Bruce, and Sam Washington (Jamie) of Braxton; daughter, Kim Pulliam (Theo) of Houston; brothers, George Washington (Mildred) of Woodland and James Washington of Thorn; sisters, Sarah Lancaster of Houlka and Martha Vance of Houlka; grandchildren, Reese Washington (Beth), Hutch Washington (Olivia), Terri Leigh Washington, Joy Washington, Alex Washington, Lil Sam Washington, Jaxson Pulliam, and Leroy Washington; and great-grandchildren, Holden Washinton, Lizzy Washinton, and Lilly Washington.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Lillie Washington; brothers, Bobby Washington and Raymond Washington; sisters, Mary Ann Vance and Faye Washington; nephew, Jimmy Reeves; and daughter-in-law, Tangie Washington.

Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.southernfuneralchapel.com

05/15/2026

Terry Lee Washington, 70, passed away at his home in Houlka on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at Southern Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will also be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 2:00pm at Southern Funeral Home.

A complete obituary will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

Please keep the Washington family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

05/12/2026

Morris Smith

Houlka-Morris Oliver Smith passed away on Friday, May 8, 2026, just a few days before his 59th birthday, at North MS Medical Center Hospice. He born on May 11, 1967 in St. Mary’s County, Maryland to Mickey Leroy Smith and Margaret Juanita Waters Smith. He was a member of Heaven's Gate Apostolic Church in Tupelo.

Southern Funeral Home in Houston is honored to serve Mr. Smith’s family during this difficult time.

The family will hold a celebration of his life at a later date.

A native of Maryland, Morris lived most of his life in Mississippi after his family moved to Houlka when he was 4 years old, He worked in different furniture factories in the area, working the longest at Washington Furniture. He liked to buy and sell at area flea markets, always looking to make a deal. He also enjoyed assisting with auctions and operating booths at carnivals. He was a talented craftsman and enjoyed woodworking in his shop, where he built furniture.

Morris had a profound and unwavering faith in God. He had a deep love for God and his church family. He showed his faith by caring for others. He was the kind of person who would help anyone in need, often going as far as welcoming those with nowhere else to go into his own home. He was known as a happy-go-lucky guy that brightened every room he entered.

On July 4, 2009, he married the love of his life, Treasia Wood. He was a devoted husband that loved his family. He took great pride in his grandchildren. To them, he was simply “Pa”, a title he loved. Morris will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He leaves behind many great memories for them to cherish.

He is survived by his wife, Treasia Smith of Houlka; his daughters, Tommye Jean Smith of Pontotoc and Mikki Peck (Rustin) of Milton, FL; his step-daughter, Amber Paige Frost of Houston; his brother, Mike Smith (Roseli) of Houlka; his sisters, Mary Smith Roberts (Gary) of Petal and Margaret Smith of Meridian; his grandchildren, Brayden Martin, Dawson Smith, Bentleigh Hamblin, Cohen Smith, Raylee Peck, Kinlee Peck, Harley Shettles, and Lauren Shettles; one great-grandchild on the way, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mickey and Juanita Smith; his step-daughter, Emma Owens, and his granddaughter, Anniston Harlow.

Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.southernfuneralchapel.com

05/07/2026

John Potmesil
Okolona-John Franklin Potmesil, 83, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2026 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born on August 1, 1942, in Newman Grove, Nebraska, to the late John Elouis Potmesil and the Thelma Potmesil. John married his wife, Janie Summerford, and they spent their lives together until her passing in 2018.
John served his country in the United States Army. He was deployed and served overseas in Korea the years following the Korean Conflict. After his time in the service, he moved to Mississippi. He worked for himself for many years as a truck driver. He loved driving his truck, and he cherished every moment he was able to do it. He also was a blacksmith for many years, and he had his own shop in Okolona. John was always good with his hands. In his free-time he loved to keep a garden. He spent many hours out there tending to his plants and pulling weeds.
There was nothing more important in his life than his family, and he jumped at every opportunity he was able to spend with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Southern Funeral Home of Houston is honored to serve the Potmesil Family.
Funeral services celebrating his life will be held on Friday, April 8, 2026 at 2:00pm at Southern Funeral Home, with Bro. Randy Rinehart officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Jones Chapel Cemetery in Nettleton.
Serving as pallbearers will be Dylan Potmesil, Koty Potmesil, Chris Potmesil, Jordan Clippard, John Lewis Potmesil, and Billy Clippard.
Honorary pallbearers are Eli Potmesil and Ozzy Potmesil.
John leaves behind his son, John Lewis Potmesil of Okolona; daughter, Carolyn Clippard of Shannon; brothers, Kenny Potmesil and Debert Potmesil; sisters, Karen Potmesil, Helen Potmesil, and Bonnie Potmesil; 6 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Thelma Potmesil; wife, Janie Potmesil; daughter, Katrina Potmesil; and grandson, Hank Potmesil.
Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at

Southern Funeral Home, Inc. Welcomes You. Since 1987, Southern Funeral Home, Inc. has provided dedicated and compassionate care to families of Houston, Mississippi and surrounding communities. Our funeral home offers a range of personalized services for families to honor their loved ones and remembe

05/07/2026

John F. Potmesil
Okolona-John Franklin Potmesil, 83, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at North MS Medical Center in Tupelo.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 2:00 at Southern Funeral Home in Houston. Burial will follow in Jones Chapel Cemetery in Nettleton. Visitation will be on Friday, May 8 from 12:00 until service time at 2:00 at the funeral home.

A complete obituary will be posted as soon as available.

Please remember Mr. Potmesil's family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Online condolences may be left at

Southern Funeral Home, Inc. Welcomes You. Since 1987, Southern Funeral Home, Inc. has provided dedicated and compassionate care to families of Houston, Mississippi and surrounding communities. Our funeral home offers a range of personalized services for families to honor their loved ones and remembe