Obituaries 01-15-26

TARA CYNARA JAMES

Jan. 7, 2026

Funeral services for Tara Cynara James will be at Jerusalem Missionary 
Baptist Church, 49670 Hwy. 61 in Mount Bayou, on Saturday, Jan. 17, 
2026. A wake will be conducted on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 from 2-6 p.m. at 
Johnson & Scott Mortuary in Cleveland, Miss. Family hour will be from 
5-6 p.m.

Following the funeral service, burial and repast will take place at 
Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church.

The daughter of Dr. Charles Tillman and the late Lee Dorothy James, she 
was 1986 graduate of Alcorn State University, she earned a Bachelor of 
Science degree in Criminal Justice. Following graduation, she completed 
the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy (MELOTA). She 
dedicated her entire professional career to law enforcement at Parchman 
Penitentiary, where she honorably served for 25 years and retired as an 
Internal Affairs Investigator.

She died on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 in Mount Bayou, surrounded by loved 
ones.

She is survived by her father and his spouse, Dr. Charles and Rose 
Tillman; seven sisters and their respective spouses, Myrtle James and 
Larry Smith, Daphne Tillman and Stanfort Perry, Cassanda Tillman Vaughn, 
Miriam James and Tony Brown; Trebia James and Willie Daniels, Lucretia 
James and Lamar Bradley and Andrea and Lamar; two brothers, Joel and 
their respective spouses, Joel and Alanda Tillman and Lendell and Rhonda 
James; her two "sons," Kenzie Early and Deyki Bell; a special nephew in 
Baxton Bentlee; and a host of other nieces, nephews, family members and 
friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Lee Dorothy James; her 
stepmother, Carol Tillman; and her brother, Dexter James.

Johnson & Scott Mortuary of Cleveland is in charge of arrangements.

MAXINE BUIE

Oct. 4, 1947-Jan. 10, 2026

Funeral services for Maxine Buie, 78, were conducted on Tuesday, Jan. 
13, 2026 from Sarepta Baptist Church in Meadville, with Rev. Steve 
Sasser officiating.

Born on Oct. 4, 1947 in Meadville to Wesley Halford and Helen Rollins 
Halford, she loved everyone and never met a stranger. She was always 
willing to help anyone she could.

She was dedicated to making the residents at Meadville Convalescent Home 
feel loved and taken care of. She was a loving wife, mother, 
grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

She died on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, James Buie; her sons, Robert 
Buie and Randy Buie; her sisters and a brother-in-law, Bonnie McGeaver 
and Doris and John Foy; her granddaughter and her spouse, Desiree and 
Paul Delaney; her great-grandchildren, Salem Delaney, Maven Delaney and 
Bowen Delaney; and a host of family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, James Halford; 
and her sisters, Louise Combs and Pollye Platt.

Pallbearers were Randy Buie, Robert Buie, Josh Auara, Casey Foy, John 
Foy and Ernie Platt.

To share condolences, please visit www.franklinfh.com.

Franklin Funeral Home of Meadville was in charge of arrangements.

GUSSIE MAYE WENTWORTH

July 24, 1936-Jan. 7, 2026

Funeral services for Gussie Maye Wentworth, 89, of Meadville, were 
conducted on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 from the Chapel of Franklin Funeral 
Home, with Brother Pat Sullivan and Brother Mike Walker officiating.

Born on July 24, 1936 to Rev. Jesse Denman Griffin and Gussie Greer 
Griffin, she swept most of her childhood in Brookhaven and was a 1956 
graduate of Brookhaven High School. After marrying Harold Wentworth, she 
moved to Meadville.

She retired from the state after working 25 years in the Welfare 
Department. Not enjoying retirement, she went back to work — spending 
time at the Baptist Children's Village in Clinton then several years in 
administration at King's Daughters' Hospital in Brookhaven. She finished 
up her working life helping her husband at Franklin County Ambulance 
Service until his retirement and its closure in 2012.

She loved cooking for her family and enjoyed studying her Bible, sewing, 
crocheting and drawing.

She died on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Franklin County Memorial 
Hospital.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Harold Wentworth, Sr.; her 
sons and daughters-in-law, Hal "Wimpy" and Laura Wentworth and Forrest 
and Denise Wentworth; her brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Cathy 
Griffin; three grandsons and their respective spouses and eight 
great-grandchildren, Yancey and Melanie Wentworth (Niley, Cash and 
Hollyn), Cliff and Amanda Wentworth (Kaylee and Cassie) and Brandon and 
Robyn Wentworth (Jack, Eliza and Shiloh); and a host of family and 
friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, James Denman 
Wentworth; her sister, Faye Hillman McKey; and her grandson, Nigel 
Wentworth.

Pallbearers were Yancey Wentworth, Cliff Wentworth, Brandon Wentworth, 
Ayden Harrell, Landon Harrell and Barry Cotten. Beloved friends and 
honorary pallbearers were Miss Cooter Smith, Jan Hays, Doodle Smith, 
Jack Wentworth and Cash Wentworth.

To share condolences, please visit www.franklinfh.com.

Franklin Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

RICHARD NELSON

April 21, 1938-Dec. 22, 2025

Funeral services for Richard Nelson, 87, were conducted on Friday, Jan. 
2, 2026 from St. Paul UM Church in Roxie, with Rev. Rickey O'Quinn 
officiating.

Born on April 21, 1938 in Franklin County to Ethel Mae Nelson and Isaac 
"Ike" Nelson, Sr., he was a member of St. Paul UM Church, where he 
joined at an early age under the leadership of Pastor London. He 
attended school at Mt. Olivie in Roxie.

He was a widow and enjoyed working on lawn mowers. He enjoyed family and 
friends.

He died on Dec. 22, 2025.

He is survived by his brother, Isaac Nelson, Jr.; his sister-in-law, 
Alicia Ann Nelson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other 
relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, six sisters and a brother.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under 
the heavens; a time to be born and a time to die." Ecclesiastes 3:1.

Don't think of him as gone — his journey's just begun, life holds so 
many facets, this earth is only one. Just think of him as resting from 
the sorrows and the tears in a place of warmth and comfort where there 
are no days and years. Think how he must be wishing that we could know 
today how nothing but our sadness can really pass away. And think of him 
as living in the hearts of those he touched, for nothing loved is ever 
lost — and he was loved so much.