Terry Headlight News

The sad news of the death of Sarah Frances Whitehead Burkett was learned late one night last week. I remember that, as a youngster, I would ride my bicycle and see that the porch of the Marie Whitehead home would often be filled with sisters Sarah Frances, Mary Alice and Elsie Mae (many times additionally with their sister-in-law Lurline Savell Whitehead) and granddaughters would be playing in the front yard. One of these granddaughters was the only child of Sarah Frances and husband Kenneth Burkett, Lou Ann.

Below is the obituary for Mrs. Burkett:

Sarah Frances Whitehead Burkett (1934 - 2022) Sarah Frances Whitehead Burkett, 88, died Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at home.

Visitation was held 5:00 p. m. - 8:00 p .m, on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Graveside service was held at 2:30 p. m, Friday, May 20, 2022, at the Terry Cemetery. The family received friends 30 minutes prior to services at the cemetery.

Sarah Frances was born in Raymond, Mississippi, in 1934. She later moved to Terry and met the love of her life, Harvey Kenneth Burkett. They then made their home west of Terry for the remainder of their life.

Sarah Frances was a longtime member of Mount Morgan Baptist Church and, later, a member of First Baptist Church of Terry. She loved the Lord and had such strong Christian faith. For many years Sarah Frances also served on the board of directors for South Central Water Association. Before her retirement, Sarah Frances worked for Blue Cross a Blue Shield as Assistant Vice President - Medicare.

One of her greatest fulfillments in life was the joy of her grandson, Craig, and great-grandchildren, Lauren and Addison. She loved to spoil them. Sarah Frances loved being surrounded by family and friends. Her hobbies included gardening and fishing.

Sarah Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey Kenneth Burkett; parents, Thurman and Marie Whitehead; sister, Mary Alice McFarland; and brother, Jake Whitehead.

Survivors include daughter, Lou Ann Burkett Cobb and husband Ray; grandson Craig Cohn and wife Kasey; great-grandchildren, Lauren Kathryne and Addison Caroline Cohn; brother, Garrett Whitehead; and sisters, Elsie Mae Whitehead Shack, and Dot Whitehead Woodruff.

This Sunday, the last one in May, is the seventh Sunday of the Easter season. The scriptures for this weekend are Acts 16:16-34 (Paul and Silas in prison); Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 (epilogue: invitation and warning) and John 17:20-26 (Jesus prays for all believers.)

Here is a paraphrase of Psalm 97: “Hear, hear the thunder, as the lightning slaps the sky! See the earth tremble at the power of God on High! “The heavens themselves proclaim Your righteousness, O Lord! The people behold Your glory! You shed Your light upon the righteous and true. God — the people rejoice in Thee!”

Please remember to keep Ms. Eddie Grantham Booty and family in your prayers. She had been in the hospital, but she has not returned to her home near Raymond. She is said to be still coughing and is weak. Diane Whittington Necaise should also be remembered in prayer.

The late Steve Gardner, a Highway Patrol officer from Terry, was killed thirty-eight years ago south of Hazlehurst. He was recognized recently in an annual ceremony in Jackson at a ceremony for law enforcement officers who were killed in their service to the public.

Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center’s CEO and Board of Directors is congratulating our former Board attorney, Attorney Bob Owens. Attorney Owens is set to have the newly established Pre-Law Center at Jackson State University named in his honor. President Hudson has formally invited the public to the 2nd Floor of the College of Liberal Arts on Tuesday at 2:00 p. m. for the unveiling of the Bob Owens Pre-Law Center. In his expansive, four-decade career, Attorney Owens has achieved many notable achievements and honors; including the Jack Young Award and the NAACP Lawyer of the Year Award. The son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Bo Owens, he is a father of four (Selika, Bobby, Brittany & Jason) and married to Judge Denise Owens, the first African-American Chancery Court Judge elected in the state of Mississippi. We in Terry are so proud of Attorney Owens and will forever appreciate his service to Jackson-Hinds!

On Friday, I learned that Mrs. Jackie Hamilton (Barbara Loustalot Hamilton), who has been the executive assistant to the President of William Carey University in Hattiesburg, is retiring. A retirement reception was held this past Thursday to celebrate her years of dedication to this great school. She is a former resident of Terry. She, her late husband and their two daughters (Amy and Lisa) lived on Cunningham Street in the pastorium of the Terry Baptist Church in the early 1960s before their move to Meridian and the birth of their son.

I would love to have names of graduates from Terry. The only list that has been submitted to me came from Mount Salem M. B. Church. The seniors recognized recently are Jamari Williams, Alexis Banks, Ashlei Banks, Kam’ron Bracey and Arick Robinson.

I did speak to the grandmother of Arick Robinson last week. He is planning to attend Hinds Community College next fall.

I do encourage other churches and groups to submit more of the graduates’ names in order that they may be published.