The Vicksburg Post prints obituaries in news form for area residents, their family members and for former residents at no charge. Families wishing to publish additional information or to use specific wording have the option of a paid obituary.

Curtis Anderson Sr.

Services for Curtis Anderson Sr. will be at 1 today at W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. June M. Thomas officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Tree Cemetery.

Mr. Anderson died Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, at River Region Medical Center. He was 55.

Born in Warren County, Mr. Anderson was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Soloman Sims and Mary Ella Jackson, and Jessie Anderson and Amanda Eatmon; and a sister, Gloria Anderson.

He is survived by seven sons, Curtis Anderson Jr., William Ford, Matthew Ford and Charles Michael Ford, all of Minneapolis, Minn., Jason Grant of Vicksburg, Curtis Anderson III of LaCrosse, Wis., and Shawn D. Anderson of California; three daughters, Angela Harris and Bernetha Turner, both of Vicksburg, and Omega Ford of Minneapolis; his parents, Ernest Sr. and Augusta Sims Anderson of Vicksburg; seven brothers, Michael Anderson, Larry Anderson, Jessie McCoy and Eddie McCoy, all of Vicksburg, Tommie Anderson of Houston, Texas, Ernest Anderson Jr. of Winnfield, La., and Willie Anderson of Portland, Ore.; two sisters, Emma Judge and Brelyn Gross, both of Vicksburg; 28 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Paul H. Anderson.

ROLLING FORK – Paul H. Anderson died Dec. 7, 2006, at his residence. He was 50.

Mr. Anderson was a native of Anguilla and lived in Rolling Fork for many years. He graduated from Sharkey-Issaquena Academy in 1973 and was a graduate of Delta State University.

Paul was a loving father to his two children, treasuring each minute he spent with them. The best days of each week were those spent with William and Eva. Paul also enjoyed his morning visits to Chuck’s Dairy Bar to fellowship with friends.

He was a member of Anguilla United Methodist Church where was a substitute Sunday school teacher. The church family lifted Paul up in times of need with heartfelt love and sincere generosity throughout the years.

Paul enjoyed the occasions when he was together with relatives, especially yearly family reunions at Clarkco State Park. He always had jokes and stories to entertain the children. Paul never missed a day, calling and visiting his mother. He truly loved her with all his heart. Paul was a loving brother, son, father and friend. The love and friendship he gave were so sincere. Paul will truly be missed.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Anguilla United Methodist Church with burial following at Golden Link Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the hour of service at the church.

Pallbearers are Gip Carter, Mart Ready, Dan Ready, Lee Ready, Tim Anderson, John Abney, Danny Jackson and Grover Greer.

Honorary pallbearers are Billy Johnson, Merlin and Lanetia Richardson, Paul Brown, Russell Stewart, J.W. and Patricia Perkins, Donnie Collins, James Washington and Bill Cooper.

Memorials may be made to Anguilla United Methodist Church.

Marie Jane Birch.

PORT GIBSON – Marie Jane Birch died Friday, Dec. 8, 2006, at Claiborne County Hospital. She was 93.

Mrs. Birch was born in Providence, R.I., and had lived in Port Gibson since 1955. She was a member of St. James Episcopal Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Birch; five sisters; and three brothers.

Survivors include three daughters, Judith B. Blackburn of Brandon, Meredith B. Hynum of Port Gibson and Leslye B. Bulloch of Clinton; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Glenwood Funeral Home in Port Gibson. Burial will follow at Wintergreen Cemetery.

Memorials may be made, in lieu of flowers, to St. James Episcopal Church or charity of choice.

Pallbearers are Kevin McCaskill, Lynn Outlaw, Corey Outlaw, Brian Ware, Bill Martindale and Randy Blackburn. Honorary pallbearers are Randy Hynum, Dr. E.G. Ellis and Estes Blackburn.

Mack Cassell Jr.

Mack Cassell Jr. died Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006. He was 47.

Mr. Cassell was born in Hinds County and was a self-employed painter. He was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by his father, Mack Cassell Sr.; a brother, Calvin Ray Cassell; a sister, Thelis Cassell; and his grandparents, Jonas Flagg and DeElla Flagg and Ernest Cassell and Madie Cooper Cassell.

He is survived by his companion of 17 years, Shirley Wiley of Hazelhurst; his mother, Beulah Lee Flagg of Edwards; two brothers, Kevin Cassell of Utica and Dwayne Cassell of Sioux City, Iowa; two sisters, Shirley Jean Cassell of Chicago and Nancy Lee Ford of Edwards; aunts, uncles and others, including the Allen and Mace families of Vicksburg, the Flagg family of Utica, the Robinson family of Chicago and the Cassell family of Elkart, Ind.

Services will be today at 2 p.m. at Belmont M.B. Church in Hinds County with the Rev. Phillip Burks officiating. Burial will be at Belmont Cemetery.

Ora Brown Ragan.

Services for Ora Brown Ragan will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Mount Zion M.B. Church, Ballground, with the Rev. Charlie Blackmore officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1 until 7 p.m. Saturday at Dillon-Chisley Funeral Home.

Mrs. Ragan died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006, at her home. She was 68.

Mrs. Ragan retired as a licensed practical nurse form Mercy Regional Medical Center. She was a member of Mount Zion M.B. Church, Ballground, where she was church secretary and president of the Missionary Society. She was a member of Usher Borad and choir and served as secretary of the Sunday School Institute.

She was also a member of Loving Unity Society No. 8 and Ballground Homemakers Club.

Mrs. Ragan was preceded in death by her father, D.C. Brown; a daughter, Rhonda E. Ragan; a son, Coleman Ragan; two brothers, Lewis Brown and William Luckett; and a godson, Robert DeVoils.

She is survived her husband, Melvin Ragan of Redwood; two sons, Melvin A. Ragan of Redwood and Lewis E. Ragan of Vicksburg; three daughters, Jacqueline Ragan of Union City, Ga., Shirley R. Torregano of Slidell, and Earnestine Ragan Sisney of Redwood; her mother, Earnestine Luckett of Redwood; a brother, James Luckett of Los Angeles; five sisters, Dorothy Steward of San Antonio, Texas, Katherine Jackson of Los Angeles, Mary Luckett of Inglewood, Calif., and Hazel Luckett and Carolyn Luckett, both of Redwood; 18 grandchildren; two great-grandsons; and nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives, including Steven I. Randle.

Rosa C. Rankin.

Services for Rosa C. Rankin will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary’s Center, Baltes Gym, with the Revs. Franklin Lassiter and Elijah Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home.

Visitation will be today from 5 until 7 p.m. at Mt. Carmel M.B. Church.

Mrs. Rankin died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006, at her home. She was 49.

Mrs. Rankin was a retired private-duty nurse, CNA. She was a member of Mount Carmel M.B. Church.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Monroe and Etta Jackson of Fayette, and James T. and Rosie Lee Chiplin of Vicksburg.

She is survived by her husband, Will T. Rankin of Chicago; two sons, Terrell Tyrone Chiplin and LaBrone Chiplin, both of Vicksburg; her parents, Thomas J. Sr. and Corrie Lee Chiplin of Vicksburg; six brothers, Bobby Chiplin, Ricky Chiplin, Charles Anthony Chiplin, Thomas Chiplin Jr., Derrick Chiplin and Calvin Bailey, all of Vicksburg; three sisters, Denise Chambers, June M. Thomas and Tangie Chiplin, all of Vicksburg; five grandchildren; and aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives, including Frances Jackson and Erica Harris of Vicksburg.