Southern Funeral Chapel

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

05/01/2026

Peggy Ann Miller Alexander, 81, departed this life on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Trend Health and Rehab in Houston. She was born in Chickasaw County on January 10, 1945 to Duffie Miller and Myrtie Moore Miller. She was a lifelong resident of Chickasaw County and a Baptist.
Funeral services celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 2:00 at Southern Funeral Home in Houston with Bro. Cody Childress officiating. Burial will follow in Schooner Valley Cemetery in Houlka. Visitation will be from 12:00 until service time at 2:00 at the funeral home.
Serving as pallbearers will be Lee Alexander, John Gann, Charles Brown, Blake Galloway, Harlan Galloway, David Hall, Byron Alexander, River Brown, and Robbie Easley.
Peggy was a graduate of Houlka High School. She worked as a secretary at the school for a while until her youngest child was born. After starting her family, she became a fulltime homemaker. She found her greatest joy in nurturing her family. She had 53 wonderful years with her husband, David Donald "Ben" Alexander, until his death in 2017. She believed in the importance of a home-cooked meal and cooked every single day when raising her family. A gifted seamstress, she poured love into hand-making her children's clothes, even making matching outfits for their dolls. She also loved tending to flowers and had a beautiful flower garden. One of her greatest joys, however, was her role as a grandmother. She enjoyed babysitting them and getting to spend time with them. Mrs. Peggy was also well known throughout the community and had many friends. She leaves behind a legacy of devotion to family and many special memories to be cherished by those who loved her.
She is survived by her daughters, Kim Gann (Brian) and Kristin Peden (Robbie), both of Houlka; her grandchildren, Lee Alexander (Sara), Becky Brown (Charles) and John Gann (Jerilyn): her great-grandchildren, Bryon Alexander, Eli Alexander, Alice Alexander, River Brown, Reagan Brown, Cooper Brown, Cayson Brown, and Mia Gann; her sisters-in-law, Darthie Galloway (Harlan) and Ruth Hall (David); and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Duffie and Myrtie Miller; her husband, David Donald "Ben" Alexander, her son, David Keith Alexander; and her sisters, Helen Jo Barlow and Bonnie Dale Easley.
Southern Funeral Home of Houston is honored to serve the Alexander family during this difficult time.
Expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.southernfuneralchapel.com

05/01/2026

Peggy Alexander
Houlka-Peggy Ann Alexander, 81, passed away at Trend Health and Rehab in Houston on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 2:00 at Southern Funeral Home in Houston with Bro. Cody Childress officiating. Burial will follow in Schooner Valley Cemetery in Houlka. Visitation will be held on Saturday,, May 2 from 12:00 until service time at 2:00 at the funeral home.

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

04/14/2026

Billy Higginbotham
West Point-Billy Ray Higginbotham, 85, passed away on Saturday, April 11. 2026 at Baptist Golden Triangle Hospital in Columbus. He was born in Chickasaw County on November 7, 1940 to Bill Higginbotham and Birl Nichols Higginbotham. He attended Calvary Baptist Church in West Point.
Southern Funeral Home in Houston is honored to serve the Higginbotham family.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, April 16 at 4:00 at Southern Funeral Home with Bro. Johnny Cherry officiating. He will be laid to rest in Ellzey Cemetery in Vardaman. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 16 from 3:00 until service time at 4:00 at the funeral home.
Serving as pallbearers will be Chad Higginbotham, DeWayne Higginbotham, Greg Colbert, Chris Laster, Taylor Terry and C**t Moore.
Billy really enjoyed his job as a truck driver and worked for several different companies during his career. In February of 1999 he married the love of his life, Linda McAdams and they had 27 wonderful years together. Linda rode with him on many trips in his 18 wheeler and they always had a great time seeing the countryside together. In his free time, he enjoyed watching National Geographic and westerns, especially John Wayne movies. Billy was a simple, hardworking man that loved his family. He lived a full life and will be greatly missed.
He leaves behind his wife, Linda Higginbotham of West Point, his son, DeWayne Higginbotham of Houston; his daughter, Michelle Moore (Larry) of Calhoun City; his brother, Kenneth Higginbotham (Lois) of West Point; his sister, Ruth Ann Reedy (Don) of Vardaman; his stepdaughters, Linda Holmes of Bridge City, TX and Cindy Mitchell of Mauriceville, TX; his stepson, Terry McAdams of Oklahoma; his grandchildren, Teletha Rowzee (Tony), Jessica Laster (Chris), C**t Moore (Candace), Magnolia Higginbotham, Deidre McAdams, Kelly Young, Sky Mitchell, and Paige Holmes, thirty-six great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Birl Higginbotham; his son, Michael Ray Higginbotham; his brother, James Edward Higginbotham, and his grandson, Jacob Kade Holmes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ellzey Cemetery Fund, c/o Jackie Suggs, 242 County Rd 451, Houston, MS 38851.

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

04/13/2026

Billy Ray Higginbotham, 85, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Baptist Golden Triangle Hospital in Columbus.
A funeral service will be held at 4:00pm on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at Southern Funeral Home in Houston with Bro. Johnny Cherry officiating. He will be laid to rest in Ellzey Cemetery in Vardaman. A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 16 beginning at 3:00 until service time at 4:00.
Please remember his wife, Linda and all the Higginbotham family in your prayers during this difficult time.

A complete obituary will be posted as soon as available.

Expressions of sympathy for the family 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