West Jones High School Class of 1987

07/29/2026

The West Jones Class of 1987 would like to extend our deepest love and sympathy to our classmate Shawn Jones, in the passing of his dad.

Arnold Ray Jones
Apr 8, 1943 - July 17, 2026

Arnold Ray “Red” Jones, 83, of Laurel, MS, went home peacefully to be with Jesus on Friday, July 17, 2026, at his home with his wife and family by his side.��Red was born on April 8, 1943, in Laurel and was a lifelong resident of Jones County. His work often took him to different areas of the country, but nothing made him happier than to see the Jones County line when he got back home. Red attended Lamar Elementary School where he was the self-declared “King of the Playground”. He graduated in 1964 from Shady Grove High School. He loved to tell the stories of actually driving a school bus route as a student and the many antics that he and his riders shared. One of his more memorable honors was that he excelled in high school football under the direction of Coach Morris Brown. Red honorably served his country in the United States Army and Army Reserve.��Red began working at an early age by delivering newspapers on his bicycle for the Times Picayune. His career in the oilfield included being a driver for Schlumberger, an inspector for Smith International Drilco, and eventual owner of Jet Inspection Service. Following his career in the oilfield, Red transitioned into a very active retirement spending 13 years serving his community through his own lawn care business.��At the age of 30, he met the love of his life, Janice, with whom he shared 53 years of marriage. They raised a family of four children, embracing the lively, unpredictable, and often challenging adventures of their blended life. Through every storm and celebration, they created a deeply bonded family. Their final conversation was a perfect reflection of their marriage. Janice spent time thanking Red for the life they shared, and after pouring out her heart to him, he looked at her with a gentle smile and simply said, “You’re welcome.”��Red was preceded in death by his parents Hilmon and Christine Jones; son Shane Jones; brothers Charlie Jones and Jimmy Dale Jones; son-in-law Russell J. Logan; and precious angel grandchildren.��He is survived by his loving wife Janice; son Shawn Jones; daughters LeAnn (Terry) McLaurin and Missy (Robert) Crane; Papa’s grandchildren Erin (Jonathan), Shayne, Sarah (Jay), Shawna (Eddie), Westley (Jaime), Nathan (Kaitlyn), Abby (Tanner), Trevor, Sidnee, Allyson (Matt), Emily (David), Melanie; Papa’s great-grandchildren Jonas, Everleigh, Christian, Addison, Lennon, Harper, Avery, Tyler, Cayden, Kameron, Asher, Callum, Sophia, Hayden, Cole, Noah, Fisher, Finley, and Foster; sister Peggy Sheffield; a host of nieces and nephews…and his feline fur-friend, Baby.��The family members wish to express their deepest, most heartfelt gratitude to the incredible team at Heart of Hospice. The compassion, dignity, and gentle guidance brought immense comfort to Red and our entire family.��Serving as pallbearers will be Trevor Watkins, Nathan Crane, Tanner Brinkley, Jonathan Rayburn, Bill Hilbun, and Mike Sheffield. Honorary pallbearers include Larry Robinson, Mike Jordan, Al Garrick, and Wayne Limerick.��Red was a faithful member of Trinity Baptist Church. A service to honor and celebrate his life and faith will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel, MS. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Brother Bill Blair will be officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Gardens Cemetery.

07/19/2026

The West Jones Class of 1987 would like to extend our deepest love and sympathy to our classmate Kim Goodwin Orman, in the passing of her dad.

Kenneth B. Goodwin, of Laurel, MS passed away on July 17, 2026, at Forest General Hospital at the age of 93. He was born on October 29, 1932, at the height of the Great Depression, as the youngest of four children.

He graduated from Mississippi State University in General Agriculture and retired from the Soil Conservation Service as a District Agent after 32 years. He served his country for two years in the United States Army as an MP.

Mr. Kenneth was known for his love of telling stories about his college and military days. He also loved The Lord, having been a member of Springhill Baptist Church for many years, he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and a trustee. He loved his country and his family. He especially loved his Mississippi State Bulldogs. He was married to his wife, Glenda McSwain Goodwin, for 62 years.

He was welcomed into Heaven by his parents, Garner and Bessie Goodwin; and his siblings, Bill Goodwin, Jack Goodwin and Garner Jean Callihan.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Glenda Goodwin, his son Busky Goodwin (Leigh); his two daughters, Kim Orman and Kelli Herrington (Lyon); and his four grandsons, K.C. Orman, Garrett Goodwin, Kameron Orman, and Noah Goodwin.

Funeral Services for Mr. Kenneth Goodwin will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Springhill Baptist Church in Laurel, MS. Visitation for friends will be at 11:00am with the service to start at 12:00pm. Graveside service will follow in Springhill Cemetery. Reverend Steve Clark and Reverend John Matt Musgrove will officiate.

Pallbearers are Kevin Cochran, Lyon Herrington, K.C. Orman, Garrett Goodwin, Kameron Orman, and Noah Goodwin.

Honorary Pallbearers are Bobby Sims, and Eddie Dodd.

The Musgrove family is honored to serve the Goodwin family and to be entrusted with the care of Mr. Goodwin’s arrangements.

To view and sign his online guestbook, please visit www.musgrovefh.com

05/30/2026

The West Jones Class of 1987 would like to extend our deepest love and sympathy to our classmates Duane Sullivan and Cathy Thomas-Sullivan, in the passing of their son.

Cooper Austin Sullivan, age 24, passed away on May 23, 2026. Born on February 1, 2002, he was the youngest child of Duane and Cathy Sullivan
He graduated from Lebanon High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 18, where he proudly served as a Senior Airman and was selected for promotion to Staff Sergeant. He also served in the Honor Guard, a role he carried out with great pride and respect. During his military career, Cooper was stationed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Nellis Air Force Base, and Robins Air Force Base, where he worked as an HVAC technician.

Cooper was known for his goofy, laid-back personality and was a loyal friend who cared deeply for those around him. To know him was to love him. He will be remembered for his infectious smile and the joy he brought to others. Cooper loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his dog Axel.

Cooper is survived by:
Parents - Duane and Cathy Sullivan
Grandmother - Lucille Thomas
Brothers - Chase Sullivan (Celine) and their daughter Adaleigh, and Caleb Sullivan (Marissa)
Sister - Cayley Sullivan

He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, and cousins, and last but not least, his dog Axel. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Walter F. Thomas, and his paternal grandparents, Daniel W. Sullivan and Mary Sullivan.

A funeral service for Cooper will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Green Hill Church, officiated by Pastor Casey Colter, with interment to follow at Mt. Juliet Memorial Gardens with military honors. Pallbearers will be: Chase Sullivan, Caleb Sullivan, Brandon Taylor, Garret Taylor, William Myers, and Watson Palmer. Honorary pallbearers will be: David Taylor, Jacob Fett, and Steve White. Visitation will be held at Bond Memorial Chapel on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at Green Hill Church.

Arrangements by Bond Memorial Chapel, N. Mt. Juliet Road and Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN. (615)-773-2663 www.bondmemorial.com

05/10/2026

03/24/2026

The West Jones Class of 1987 would like to extend our deepest sympathy to our classmate Mayola McDonald in the passing of her father.
Bennie L. Hatten of Taylorsville, MS. 79 years old. Funeral service will be Tuesday @ 2:00 PM at Young’s Funeral Home in Taylorsville.

03/02/2026

The West Jones Class of 1987 would like to extend our deepest sympathy to our classmate Bobby Russell in the passing of his mother.

Barbara Ann Russell, 78, of Laurel, MS, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at her home. Born on August 4, 1947, in Louisville, Mississippi, Barbara was a beloved member of her community and family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Ray Russell, Sr.; her father, William Thomas Haggard, Sr.; and her mother, Margie Hisaw Brewer (Adron).

Barbara is survived by her loving family, including her son, Bobby Russell, Jr. and his wife Robin; her daughter, Donna Jones and her husband Chris; her brother, William Thomas Haggard, Jr.; and her sisters, Linda Rayborn and Brenda Purvis with her husband Phil. She was a cherished grandmother to Krista Jones, Shannon Jones, Malcolm Russell and his wife Maddy, and Brandon Russell and his fiancé Brianna. Her legacy continues with her great-grandchildren, Kaden Brooks, Bentley Harris and her husband Dalton, Lexus Jones, Camry Jones, Adrian Jones, Ryder Jones, and Eil Jones, as well as her great-great-grandchildren, Bennett Russell and Jaxon Harris.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 5:00PM until 7:00PM at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel, located at 4593 Indian Springs Rd, Laurel, MS. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 11:00AM at the same location, with Tyler Powell officiating. Following the service, Barbara will be laid to rest at Sharon Cemetery in Laurel, Mississippi.

Barbara will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Her family invites friends and loved ones to sign the online guestbook at www.colonialchapellaurel.com.

01/26/2026

The West Jones Class of 1987 would like to extend our deepest and belated sympathy to our classmate Laura LaVigne Largen in the passing of her mother this past October.

Sheila Faye White, 81, of Ellisville, MS, passed away on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Born on July 21, 1944, in Laurel, Mississippi, Sheila lived a life full of love and dedication to her family.

Sheila is survived by her son, Ronald S. LaVigne, Jr. (Melissa); her daughters, Pamela L. Dennis (Brian), Jolie M. LaVigne (Michelle), and Laura L. Largen (Matt), niece/daughter, Carol Simmons. She also leaves behind her sister, Linda Smallwood, and a host of grandchildren: Laine Sumrall (Nathan), Lakyn Rainer (Brock), Ron LaVigne, III (Kayla), Jack Largen (Hanna), Sam Largen (Kate), and Will Largen. Her great-grandchildren, Harper Rainer, Blaize Sumrall, Chief Rainer, Sutton Sumrall, Henley Rainer, Adlei LaVigne, and Kenlei LaVigne, will cherish her memory.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Julia Roberson Irvin, her brother Billie Joe Irvin, her sisters Maxine Traylor and Carolyn 'Susie' Wright, and her great-grandchild Caroline LaVigne.

Visitation was held on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Ellisville Funeral Home, located at 1204 B Ave, Ellisville, Mississippi. Funeral services were conducted on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the same location, with Bishop Zachary Operton officiating. Sheila was laid to rest at Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Laurel, Mississippi. Pallbearers included Brian Dennis, Brock Rainer, Ron LaVigne III, Jack Largen, Sam Largen, and Will Largen, with honorary pallbearers Blaize Sumrall and Chief Rainer.

Sheila's family invites friends and loved ones to sign the online guestbook at www.ellisvillefuneralhome.com.

01/17/2026

The West Jones Class of 1987 would like to extend our deepest and belated sympathy to the family of our former principal Jimmy Thomas in his passing.

James Windell “Jimmy” Thomas, 83, of Laurel, MS, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel, MS. Born on July 27, 1942, in Sandersville, Mississippi, James lived a full and cherished life.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mildred Stafford Thomas, his parents, LJ Thomas and Dorothy Jane Smith Thomas, his brother, Howard Thomas, and his sister, Linda Joyce Thomas.

Jimmy is survived by his son, Michael Thomas and wife Christy and his daughter, Deana Holifield and husband Richard. He also leaves behind his brother, John Thomas and wife Lillie, and sisters, Josie Carter and Susan Thomas. His legacy continues through his grandchildren, Collin Holifield and wife Kambry, Connor Holifield, Codi Collins and husband Ryan, Garrett Holifield and wife Maddie, Jordan Dobbs, and Dalton Dobbs, as well as his great-grandchildren, Ty Carr, Lillie Collins, Tinley Holifield, Tristen Holifield, Riggs Holifield, and Tripp Holifield.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 12:00PM until 2:00PM at Salem Heights Baptist Church, located at 5850 Hwy 84W, Laurel, Mississippi. Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 2:00PM at the same location, with Bro. Brent Benson officiating. Burial will follow in Vossburg Cemetery in Jasper County. Arrangements are being handled by Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel.

Pallbearers for the service will be Dickey Welborn, Lewis Vaughn, Scott Lewis, Scott Pierson, Wade Adkins, and Mike Taylor, with honorary pallbearers being Thomas Prine and the JCJC 61-62 Football Team.

Jimmy will be remembered for his dedication to his family and to the students and faculty of the Jones County and Smith County School Districts, where he served in the capacity of teacher, coach, administrator and Deputy Superintendent for a total of 36 years.