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.

Lee Brooks Akers

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Lee Brooks Akers died Thursday, April 19, 2007, at his home. He was 87.

Born in Vicksburg, Mr. Akers retired as a major from the U.S. Armed Forces. He owned and operated a restaurant in Manning, S.C., before moving to Clearwater in 1990.

He is survived by his wife, Nita Faye Maples of Clearwater; a daughter, Terri LaCoste of Dunedin, Fla.; three sisters, Edna Robilotta and Florence Velchoff, both of Clearwater, and Loretta Sanderford of Vicksburg; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A private service will be held later.

Bessie Merel Tucker Browning

Mrs. Bessie Merel Tucker Browning, 95, passed away in Vicksburg on Thursday evening, May 10, 2007, surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Browning was born on Nov. 16, 1911 to Clarence McConnell and Sarah Rebecca Moring Tucker in Magnolia, Ala. On July 8, 1933, she married George Lockhart Browning. They moved to Meridian in 1936, where he opened his radio business. Mrs. Browning was a longtime member of James Memorial Presbyterian Church and actively assisted in the business while being a homemaker and volunteering for church and community activities. She moved to Vicksburg in 1999.

Mrs. Browning was preceded in death by her husband and an infant daughter, Phyllis Rebecca; her parents, &#8220Jenks” and &#8220Sallie” Tucker; sisters, Mary Alice Osburn, Alba Fitzhugh, Perks Porter, Ora Dell Tucker and Lillian Baskin; and her son-in-law, Col. Donald L. Keeler.

She is survived by daughters, Sarah Keeler of Melbourne, Fla., and Georgia Turnage and son-in-law, Gerald Turnage of Vicksburg; granddaughters, Sandra Butler and her husband, David, Elizabeth Toole and her husband, Bill, Phyllis Turnage and Suzanne Means and her husband, Johnny; great-grandsons, Christopher Butler and his wife, Lou Ann, Kyle Butler, Kale Butler and his wife, Adrianne, Phillip Toole and Samuel Toole.

Services are scheduled at Stephens Funeral Home in Meridian on Monday, May 14, 2007, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Robert Horel officiating.

Visitation is set for 1 p.m. at the funeral home with burial in Magnolia Cemetery.

The family sincerely appreciates the wonderful care given to Mrs. Browning by Dr. Daniel Edney and the staffs at River Region Medical Center, Promise Hospital, Patient Choice Hospice and Belmont Place.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your church or favorite charity.

Martha Fernstrom

Martha Fernstrom of Vicksburg died Saturday, May 12, 2007, at her home. She was 82.

She was the owner and operator of Red Barn Fix It Shop on Washington Street since 1968.

Arrangements will be under the direction of Frank J. Fisher Funeral Home.

Lena Mae Tolliver

Lena Mae Tolliver died Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. She was 55.

Mrs. Tolliver was a member of Travelers Rest Baptist Church and an employee of Wal-Mart SuperCenter in Vicksburg.

She was preceded in death by her father, Peter Smith Sr.; her maternal grandparents, Martin and Frances Gilchrist; and her paternal grandparents, Calvin and Mary Smith.

She is survived by her husband, David L. Tolliver Sr., of Vicksburg; two sons, Lt. David Tolliver Jr., of Naples, Italy, and Stephen L. Tolliver of Vicksburg; a daughter, Jennifer L. Tolliver of New Orleans; her mother, Pearl E. Smith of Vicksburg; three sisters, Pearl Nelson of Vicksburg, Mary Washington of Texas, Patricia Benson of Alabama; two brothers, Peter Smith Jr., of Florida and Ken Jolly of Vicksburg; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends, including godchildren.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Travelers Rest Baptist Church with the Rev. Thomas Bernard officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be at Lakeview Memorial Funeral Home from 1 to 7 p.m. Monday.