Martha Nell Burcham, age 84, passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Iuka, Mississippi. A graveside service was held Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at Antioch Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.
Born on September 13, 1941, in Benton, Kentucky, Martha was the daughter of the late Esther Searcy Burcham and Harvey Ray Burcham, formerly of Burnsville, Mississippi. She graduated from Ballard Memorial High School in 1960 and became a licensed beautician, serving clients throughout Ballard County for many years.
After high school, she married Glenn Thomas Bumpous, and together they welcomed a daughter, Teresa Bumpous, now Teresa McGaughy.
Martha found joy in tending flowers and plants and was gifted with a creative spirit. She enjoyed painting, drawing, and crafting handmade dolls, sharing her talents with family and friends.
More than anything, Martha loved her family. She treasured time spent with her grandchildren, whether cheering at ballgames, enjoying summer picnics and swimming, or sharing books, crafts, and stories. Her encouragement helped foster a lifelong love of learning and reading in those she loved.
In retirement, Martha devoted countless hours to preserving the history of Tishomingo County through volunteer work with the Old Courthouse Museum and the genealogy research library in Iuka. A passionate genealogist and member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, she took great pride in helping others discover their family histories.
Martha also enjoyed traveling the country by RV, especially visiting the mountains she loved so dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Harold Burcham and James Burcham; and her sister, Sarah Margaret Alexander.
She is survived by her daughter, Teresa McGaughy; grandchildren Jason Bumpous, David Bartlett, Daniel Giles, Stephanie Rainey, and Esther Giles; eight great-grandchildren; and her brother, Ronnie Burcham.
As she closed her eyes on earth and opened them in Heaven, her family can almost hear her say one last time: “Sand in the left eye, sand in the right eye, shed a tear and there’s mud in your eye.”
Memorial service for Anthony (Tony) Vescio will be held Saturday June 6th at 1:00PM at Sardis Church; 206 CR 169 (Mt. Gilead Rd) in Iuka, MS.
Issac R. Williams
Isaac Ray Williams, 78, of Iuka, Mississippi, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, June 5, 2026, surrounded by loved ones at UAB Medical Center in Birmingham. He was born on September 3, 1947, to Frank and Star Mae Williams, the third of five children. He was a veteran of the Mississippi National Guard where he served as a tank commander. He was a member of the Pipefitters Local 760 for over 50 years and formerly worked at Parkes Mechanical in Muscle Shoals, AL. He later formed W & W Trucking and Gravel where he spent many years loading and hauling gravel in the surrounding area. Isaac bought his first cattle in 1969, and that grew into River Hills Farms, a passion he enjoyed with his brothers and sons. In 1995, he and his son, Todd, started Williams Service Center where he worked in the office and waited on the front. He was diagnosed with a kidney disease in 1983 and received a kidney from his oldest son, John, on Valentine’s Day in 1995. Isaac remained a transplant patient for 31 years.
The love of Isaac’s life for the last 56 years has been his wife, Kathy Reynolds Williams. He is also survived by their three sons, John, Tony, and Todd; four grandchildren, Kayley Dunn (Zack), Cameron Williams, Cody Walker Williams, and Bella Grace Andronic; his oldest brother, Frank Williams, Jr. (Gayle), and two younger sisters, Star Ann Hy (Ronn) and Jane Robinson (Sidney); and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Star Mae Walker Williams; a brother, Donnie R. Williams and wife, Dora; and a brother-in-law, Talmage Reynolds.
Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka, MS, is entrusted with arrangements. Visitation is scheduled for 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 8, at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka. Visitation will continue on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 9, at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Lance Foster. Interment will follow at River Hills Farms. Pallbearers include Stephen Williams, Clint Robinson, Luke Robinson, John Roberts, Bo Johnson, and Keith McNeely. Honorary pallbearers include Heath Robinson, Bob Unwin, and Bob Largent. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. An online guest book may be accessed at http://www.cutshallfuneralhome.com
Jennie Osborn Mooneyhan, 80, of Florence, Alabama, departed this earthy life on Monday, June 8th, 2026. She was born on October 25th, 1945, in Iuka, Mississippi, and was a 1964 graduate of Iuka High School. She was a member of Fairview Baptist Church and held many types of bookkeeping roles over the course of her life. Jennie enjoyed the simple things in life: a good nap, gospel music, TV preaching from the likes of Billy Graham and Jimmy Swaggert, and just a simple meal. She loved to keep up with all her family, never missed a reunion, and deeply cherished phone calls from her family and friends. Jennie was preceded in death by her brother “Rass” or “Rooster” Osborn, and her parents Robert Paul and Eunice Osborn. She is survived by her sons, Daniel Reynolds (Leigh) and Scott Reynolds; her grandchildren, Ethan Reynolds (Alex), Grant Reynolds (Layla), Clayton Reynolds, Gage Reynolds, and Ada Beth Reynolds; 1 great grandson, Rhett Reynolds; her brothers, Raymond Osborn (Tina) and Tom Osborn; her boyfriend, J.R. Higgins; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jennie’s family would like to extend a special thanks to Suzanne Cain, the station 2 team at Mitchell Hollingsworth Nursing Home, and Gentiva Hospice. Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka, MS, is entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka. Visitation will continue on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Hubbard Salem Church from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, with the service starting at noon, officiated by Bro. Ray Osborn. Pallbearers include Ethan Reynolds, Grant Reynolds, Clayton Reynolds, Gage Reynolds, Michael Osborn, and Samuel Osborn. Honorary pallbearers include Paul Osborn, Tommy Joe Osborn, and Stephen Adams. Burial will be in Hubbard Salem Cemetery beside her parents and other family. She always longed for the day she would see her mother again. From her favorite gospel song, “The holy hills of heaven call me, To mansions bright across the sea, Where loved ones wait and crowns are given, The hills of home keep calling me”
Selina Marie Long was born on June 29, 1983, to George and Yusun Long in Fort Polk (Leesville), LA; she was the youngest of two children and brought warmth and kindness to everyone who knew her.
After graduating from Tishomingo County High School in 2001, Selina earned an associate degree from NEMCC in 2003 and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2006. At NEMCC she was a proud member of Phi Theta Kappa and served as a reporter from August 2002 to May 2003. At USM she joined the Eta Tau chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., serving both as a vice president and president, and graduated with a 3.4 GPA.
Selina followed her calling into education, beginning her teaching career in Moss Point, MS, then spending time in Nettleton, MS, and eventually making Waynesboro, MS her home. As a special education teacher she was devoted to helping students reach their potential; her compassion, patience, and encouragement touched countless lives. Her influence extended far beyond the classroom and will live on in the students, families, and colleagues she inspired.
Selina transitioned from this life on May 30, 2026. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Calvin Long Sr. and Eddie Mae Long; her maternal grandparents, Lee Ki Hong Pak and Yen Gu and her uncle, John Long Jr. Her memory remains a lasting gift to all who loved her.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her parents George and Yusun Long, Iuka, MS; her sister Angela (Adrian)Reddix of Brandon, MS; Uncle Howard (Rose) Long of Augusta, GA; Uncle Curtis (Teresa) Long, Iuka. MS; Aunt Faye Long of Cheroker, AL; Aunt Estella Long of Nashville, TN; Uncle Lee Jim Beak (Park Yunha) of Seoul, ROK; Uncle Lee Jung Dyek of Seoul, ROK; Aunt Lee Hyen Hi of Seoul, ROK; and an adopted family, the Parsons of Bucktatunna, MS, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ben was born in Memphis, Tennessee on April 2, 1968 to Benjamin MacArthur Gaines, Sr. and Beverly Small Gaines. After living in Akron, Ohio for most of his childhood, he, along with his brother, moved to Iuka, MS and to the place he would always call “home” no matter where he hung his hat.
He graduated from Iuka High School in 1987 and then attended Northeast Community College in Booneville, MS. He then received his Associate of Science in Culinary Arts from Sullivan University in Louisville, KY. Ben then went on to work for a number of restaurants after becoming a chef, which include the Seelbach Hotel, Azalea Restaurant, Masterson’s, all in Louisville, KY, Caesar’s Indiana, Turtle Point Yacht and Country Club in Killen, AL, the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN and finally at The Skybox Grill in Collierville, TN
He decided to leave the culinary world behind him in 2017 and went to work as a forklift operator for Tempur Sealy in Belmont, MS, where he worked until his untimely passing on June 10.
Ben was a very unique soul to say the least, and to anyone who ever met him, someone that they would never forget. He was very firm in his beliefs on current affairs, politics, psychology, history, mythology, and conspiracy theories, always welcoming a casual debate or conversation about those topics. You always knew where Ben stood. He was a movie buff, collector, gamer, avid reader, and prepper. Something he had devoted most of his adult life to. If ever the world would fall into great peril, he had his family in mind and he would be able to provide and protect.
He loved music, especially progressive rock, and he was always happy to introduce people to some of his favorite bands. Anyone who knew Ben also knew that he was fascinated with the Japanese culture and the history of the Vikings. Even with his Scottish-Welsh ancestry, Ben always believed that he was part Viking.
Ben is survived by his brother, Adam Gaines of Collierville, TN, his bonus mom, Rhonda Moore Gaines (GiGi) of Moore’s Mill, MS, his bonus sister, Kimberly Potts Gramling (husband, Terry Gramling) of Corinth, MS and his nephews Grey Gaines, Eli Gramling, Jack Lester, Will Gramling, and Kale Gramling.
Ben is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin MacArthur Gaines, Sr. and Beverly Small Gaines.
Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka, MS is entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 12:00 P.M. until 1:30 P.M., at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka. Services are scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 1:30 P.M., at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Bro. Dallas Culver. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Pallbearers include Tony Gaines, Grey Gaines, Eli Gramling, Jack Lester, Eric Moore, and Michael Fennel.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in memory of Ben.
IUKA, Miss – Michale William Harvey, II, born on September 26, 1978, passed away at his home in Iuka, Mississippi, on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the age of 47.
Known by all as a great guy who was dependable, reliable, and always willing to help, Mike was truly a person that everybody loved. He was a proud member of New Salem Baptist Church, where he loved singing and sharing joy with the congregation.
Mike enjoyed many hobbies, including fishing, riding the side-by-side, and spending time with his family and friends. He was also a devoted fan of the Tennessee Volunteers, an enthusiasm he proudly showed.
Mike is survived by his beloved wife, Crystal Nicole Harvey; his sons, Kamo Harvey and Hunter Harvey; his daughters, Haley O’Steen (Taylor) and Emmalee Bunns (Levi); his parents, Mike Harvey (Connie) and Melonie Harvey; his sisters, Monica Harvey, Sara Harvey, and Staci Walters; his brothers, Lance Harvey, Lyle Harvey, and Marc Harvey; and a host of other loved family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Stanley and Winona Norton; and his brother, Malcolm Harvey.
Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka, MS, is entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation is scheduled from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at New Salem Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, in the church, officiated by Bro. Ron Norvell. Burial will be in New Salem Cemetery.
Pallbearers include Mitchell Glawson, Ryan Jett, Matthew Dillard, Josh Parrish, Robbie Kennedy, Carter Mitchell, Drew Thigpin, and Scott Woodruff.
In honor of Mike and his love for the Vols, please incorporate Tennessee Orange if you are in attendance on Wednesday.
An online guestbook may be accessed at http://www.cutshallfuneralhome.com.
Phillip Curtis Martin, age 69, passed away Sunday, May 31, 2026. Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Ludlam Funeral Home Chapel Iuka, MS beginning at 10:00 a.m. until noon. Ludlam Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Phillip Curtis Martin. You may leave your condolences online to the family at http://www.ludlamfuneralhome.com
Kenneth Randell Amerson, age 80, passed away Monday, June 8, 2026.
He was a lifelong resident of Tishomingo County, growing up in the Holcut area.
He worked as a carpenter and a cabinet maker. He was an avid hunter, particularly of deer and he enjoyed fishing.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wallace and his mother, Evia Amerson.
He is survived by a brother, Bob, and sister, Sybil. He leaves a former wife, Sue, two daughters, and some pets.
Ludlum Funeral Home says you can honor him by planting a tree. But if you really want to honor Kenneth, go run a trot line.