Chapter Celestial Kappa Sigma
Brothers
Bell Toll in respect for our Passed Brothers
Charles Henry Hollingsworth
Died:05/28/2016 Initiation Date:05/08/1977 Initiation Number:#0658 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Charles Henry “Chuck” Hollingsworth, age 60, of Manassas, Virginia passed away suddenly on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at the Novant Prince William Medical Center.
He was born on March 1, 1956 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the son of the late Walter D. Hollingsworth and Betty (Moss) Hollingsworth. He was a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army. He was a member of the Sudley United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Yong Suk Hollingsworth; mother, Betty M. Hollingsworth of Collins, Mississippi; step-daughter, Mia Gieselman and husband Scott of Weston, Massachusetts; brother, David Hollingsworth of Collins, Mississippi; step-grandchild, Conor H. Gieselman.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00pm Friday, June 3, 2016 at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, Virginia. Funeral Services will be 11:00am Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Sudley United Methodist Church, 5308 Sudley Road, Manassas, Virginia. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Sudley United Methodist Church, Haiti Mission, 5308 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA 20109.
Duane Forrest Hurt
Died:12/31/2008 Initiation Date:04/27/1966 Initiation Number:#0403 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Dr. Duane F. Hurt, 61, passed away Wednesday, December 31, 2008, at University Medical Center in Jackson, MS.
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Hurt was born Friday, August 15, 1947. He worked as an oral surgeon.
Visitation will be held Sunday, January 4, 2009, from 12 pm to 1:30 pm in the parlor of Freeman Funeral Home, Waynesboro, MS. Memorial service will be held 2 pm Sunday at First Baptist Church, Waynesboro, MS with Dr. Steve Smith officiating.
He is preceded in death by mother, Elizabeth Cain Hurt and father, Dr. William C. Hurt.
Dr. Hurt is survived by his wife, Sandie Hurt, Greenwood, MS; two sons, Major Nathan C. Hurt, Franfurt, Germany and Captain Matthew Hurt, Olathe, KS; stepson, Guy Sharp, Greenwood, MS; three brothers, William R. Hurt, Houston, TX, John N. Hurt, Round Rock, TX, and Stephen M. Hurt, LaRue, TX; and two grandchildren, Jonathan Hurt, Frankfurt, Germany and Julia Sharp, Greenwood, MS.
Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro, MS is in charge of arrangements.
William Cotter “Billy” Jackson
Died:04/06/2019 Initiation Date:02/10/1957 Initiation Number:#0181 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Mr. William Cotter “Billy” Jackson, age 81, of Barnesville, GA, passed away Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Harborview Nursing Home in Thomaston, GA.
Mr. Jackson was born on Friday, December 24, 1937 in Atlanta, son of the late Dr. James Holland Jackson, Sr. and the late Louise Lovejoy Jackson. He attended Gordon Military College, Emory at Oxford and was a graduate of Emory University. Mr. Jackson retired from the Trust Company of Georgia where he worked as an internal auditor for many years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served as a hospital corpsman while in Japan. Mr. Jackson was an Episcopalian.
Survivors include his sister, Nancy Jackson Thomas of Barnesville; nephews and their spouses, Ed & Debbie Thilenius of Flowery Branch, GA., Rob & Michele Thilenius of Gainesville, and Jackson & Shelley Thilenius of Long Beach, CA.; niece and her husband, Elizabeth & John Graham of Fort Thomas, KY; several great nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Eileen Jackson; and his beloved dog, Anna. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Holland Jackson Jr.
A graveside service for Mr. William Cotter “Billy” Jackson will be at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 9, 2019 in Greenwood Cemetery with Reverend Cyndi McDonald officiating.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Dolly Goodpuppy or the First United Methodist Church in memory of Mr. Jackson.
To sign the online registry or to send a condolence online, please do so at www.williams-westburyfuneralhome.com
Williams-Westbury Funeral Home, 526 College Drive, Barnesville, is serving the Jackson family.
Thomas Randall “Randy” Jamison
Died:12/24/2017 Initiation Date:02/09/1975 Initiation Number:#0614 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Randy Jamison, 61, Hattiesburg, MS. He died Sunday, December 24, 2017 at Wesley Medical Center. Interment will be in Highland Cemetery. Services will be held at 2:30 PM Thursday at The Barn at Bridlewood, Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Mr. Jamison was owner of Woodstone Monument Company and a member of the Baptist faith. He was a graduate of Callaway High School in Jackson, MS where he was a stand out baseball pitcher, attended U.S.M. on a baseball scholarship-pitcher for 4 years. After graduation, he served as House Father for Kappa Sigma Fraternity for 10 years where he was known as Coach and served as mentor to many young men.
He was an avid supporter of U.S.M. Athletics-member of the Eagle Club. He was a collector of rocks and arrowheads since childhood and loved his motorcycles and the freedom that riding gave him.
He loved designing and creating monuments for families in the Hattiesburg area. He loved life and story telling. He was preceded in death by his father, Bobby Jamison; one brother, Bob Jamison, Jr. and one nephew, Robert Jamison.
He is survived by his wife, Beth Mayo Jamison of Hattiesburg; mother, Frances Jamison of Broken Arrow, OK; two sons, Eric Jamison of Hattiesbsurg and Scott Jamison (Matti) of Alexandria, VA; one sister, Pamela Whitson (Doug) of Broken Arrow, OK; one grandson, Thomas Jamison; one nephew, John Randall Jamison; two nieces, Hope and Paige Whitson.
John Gregory “Greg” Kassel
Died:08/01/2014 Initiation Date:02/21/1982 Initiation Number:#0748 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
John Gregory Kassel, age 53, was a lifelong resident of the Jackson/Madison area. Greg loved to create, as evidenced by his degree from USM in theatrical set design. He was a master carpenter and spent a lot of time working and playing at the Madison County timber frame barn, which he skillfully crafted. He enjoyed making personal and heartfelt gifts for others on his scroll saw.
His free time was always focused on completing one project or another, usually for others. He founded the beloved "Flipper Bowl" for his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was an avid Southern Miss football fan. In 2008, he obtained his pilot's license, and used his plane for business and pleasure. Like other aspects of his life, he frequently used it to help others. Greg never knew how to do anything halfway. He was a successful businessman/owner of Kassel Tile, Inc., and always treated his employees like family. He was a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Kappa Sigma Fraternity at USM and the Aircraft Owners Pilot Association.
Greg was first and foremost a devoted family man. You would always hear him talking about his four children and his grandson, and he took great pride in them all. He will be fondly remembered for his great sense of humor. One of his greatest gifts was his ability to make people laugh. He will be missed by those here whose lives he touched, but he has been welcomed and celebrated by those who awaited him in heaven.
Greg is survived by his children, Jessica Rae Kassel, Brett Kassel, Katy Kassel and Scotty Kassel and their mother, Cristy Rae Kassel; father, John Kassel, grandson, Maddox Hudson Kassel; sisters, Karen Gordon Kassel, Carolyn Kassel Lyon and Gail Marie Kassel Walter; brother, David Kassel; 7 nieces and 6 nephews.
He is preceded in death by his mother, JoAnn Kassel and sister, Cynthia Kassel.
Visitation is Sunday August 3, 2014 at Natchez Trace Funeral Home in Madison from 2:00pm until 5:00pm. A service celebrating his life will be 11:00am Monday in the funeral home chapel with interment to follow in Natchez Trace Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials should be made to the Red Cross or the Madison County Emergency Management Agency.
Arthur Francis Kersh
Died:07/15/2024 Initiation Date:05/16/1958 Initiation Number:#0214 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Arthur Francis Kersh passed away peacefully on July 15, 2024. Arthur Francis was born at the old Methodist Hospital in Hattiesburg on April 23,1936. He graduated from Hattiesburg High in 1954 and subsequently joined the US Marine Corps. During his time in the Marines he trained at Paris Island, Camp Lejeune and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. The years of intense training and discipline made a lasting impression on the rest of his life. After the Marine Corps he received a Bachelor of Science in Business from Mississippi Southern College where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Upon graduation he moved to New Orleans where he met and married the love of his life, Elaine Leah Schmalz. In 1971 they relocated to Hattiesburg where he received a Masters in Accounting and practiced as a self-employed CPA for many years. Arthur Francis was an active member of the Lion's Club, St John Lutheran Church, and the Marine Corps League.
He is preceded in death by his parents Wesley Irving and Meta Kersh and brother Wesley.
He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Elaine Schmalz Kersh, daughters Dr. Jane Kersh (Tommy Breland), Julie Appel (Eddie), grand daughters Emma Kivlighn-Fuqua (Jordan), Morgan Abell (Tyler), Melanie Appel, and Madeline King (William), and grandsons Ben Breland (Kelli) and Jon Breland (Whitney). Arthur Francis is also survived by his sisters Susan Kersh Morgan, Kitty Kersh Sheffield (Sanford), and brother Joe Kersh (Barbara).
The family would like to thank the Veteran's Home in Collins, MS for their loving care over the past two years.
Services will be held on August 10 at St John Lutheran church in Hattiesburg, MS. Visitation will be at 11:00 with services following at 11:30. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St John Lutheran Church 2001 Hardy Street; Hattiesburg, MS 39401.
Paul Richard Lambert
Died:07/23/2012 Initiation Date:02/14/1971 Initiation Number:#0542 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Mr. Paul Richard "Rick" Lambert, 60, of Gulfport, Mississippi, passed away on Monday, July 23, 2012 after a brief illness. Services will be held at 4:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 5007 Lawson Avenue, Gulfport, with visitation from 2:00 p.m. until time of service, on Thursday, July 26, 2012. Burial will be held at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport immediately following the service.
He was preceded in death by his father, Buford Gibson Lambert of Hattiesburg, and his stepson, Wesley Symmes McCabe of Gulfport.
He is survived by his wife, Candice Symmes Lambert; three daughters, Elizabeth Lambert Garner, Emily Lambert Harden (Ted), and Erin Lambert Dornan (Patrick); two stepchildren, Brandy McCabe Hyde (Eric) and Tim McCabe; five grandchildren, Emily Garner, Laney Harden, Wesley Hyde, Elsie Hyde, and Jeffrey Hyde; his mother, Virgia Colville Lambert of Hattiesburg; two brothers, LeWayne Lambert of Huntsville, Alabama, and Terry Lambert of Hattiesburg; one sister, Glenda Lambert MacMullin of Arlington, Virginia; nine nieces and nephews; and many close friends he considered family.
Mr. Lambert was born on May 21, 1952. He was a graduate of Hattiesburg High School, where he lettered in track, basketball, and football. His classmates elected him class favorite, class president, and Mr. Hattiesburg High in 1970. He graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor of arts in political science. While at Southern Miss, he was a member of the Honors College and Kappa Sigma Fraternity, serving as chapter president.
Mr. Lambert graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law and set up his law practice in his beloved city of Hattiesburg. He represented his city for three terms as Hattiesburg's District 45 state senator in the Mississippi State Senate. While there, Mr. Lambert served as Chairman of the Senate Finance, Judiciary and Municipalities Committees. He also served on the Senate Public Utilities Committee his entire tenure in the Senate and served as Vice-Chairman for four years. He was also appointed City Attorney for the City of Hattiesburg for seven years.
In addition to Atmos Energy Corporation, Mr. Lambert was general counsel to the Mississippi Rural Independent Telephone Companies and legal counsel to the President of The University of Southern Mississippi. In June 2012, Mr. Lambert was appointed by Governor Phil Bryant to the Judicial Appointment Advisory Committee to represent the Second Supreme Court District.
Mr. Lambert was a faithful member of Broad Street United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, where he was a Sunday school teacher and lay leader. He was a charter member of Heritage United Methodist Church. Since residing in Gulfport, he has been a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport.
At his death and for many years preceding, Mr. Lambert resided in Gulfport, Mississippi, yet still maintained his law practice in Hattiesburg. The community, his friends, and his family will deeply mourn the passing of this faithful servant.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the dedication and support of Mr. Lambert's medical team, Dr. Paul Mace of Garden Park Hospital, Dr. Allison Wall of Memorial Hospital, and the nurses and medical staff at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Trinity United Methodist Church of Gulfport, 5007 Lawson Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39507.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Gulfport assisted the family with arrangements. Tributes may be shared with the family and the guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com.
William David Lee
Died:02/22/2006 Initiation Date:10/17/1965 Initiation Number:#0374 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Richard Jean “Dick” Linden
Died:06/13/2023 Initiation Date:05/29/1956 Initiation Number:#0170 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Richard Jean Linden, 86, of St. Joseph, MI and Chattanooga, TN, passed away at Corewell Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph on Tuesday – June 13, 2023. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home – 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI.
Richard was born on September 23, 1936 in Chicago, IL. On August 8, 1964 in Newton, IL he married Sharon Elaine Earnest. She survives and resides in St. Joseph, MI. Also surviving are two children – Richard Scott (Monica) Ingram of West Monroe, LA and Sharon (David) Marchman of Monroe, LA; and three grandchildren – Mary Elizabeth, Zachary and Michael; members of his wife’s family—Joann and Doug Wood, Bob Peach, and nephews Matt and Mitch Wood and their families.
Richard was an educator, teaching and being part of the administration in the Bremen School District in Tinley Park, IL. He received his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS where he participated in track. At Tinley Park High School, he was a track coach and loved working with kids. Richard and his wife were world travelers, having traveled all seven continents. Photography was also a hobby with memorable photos of travel experiences while trekking the routes of ancient peoples, visiting significant and holy sites, observing the wildlife on African safaris, and meeting the locals in their homes and markets. Richard was a bicycle enthusiast including bicycling the Natchez Trace and multiple long-distance rides, loved sailing his boat Patterns on Lake Michigan and was an avid lifelong Chicago Cub fan celebrating the World Series win! He enjoyed his life and was always ready for the next adventure.
Memorial services will be held in the future to honor his memory. Those wishing to make a monetary donation in Richard’s memory may do so to the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2001 Niles Avenue, St. Joseph. MI 49085 or to a favorite charity. Friends may leave a message of condolence at www.starks-menchinger.com
Mark Leonard Lowrey
Died:12/24/2023 Initiation Date:03/22/1964 Initiation Number:#0346 Chapter:Epsilon Nu School:USM
Obituary:
Mark Leonard Lowrey, Jr. was called home by his Savior early morning on December 24, 2023. He was 78 years old. He spent the final week of his life at home with his family. Just like his father, who also died Christmas Eve morning, Mark’s final evening was spent with his family by his side as they enjoyed an early Christmas dinner.
Mark was born in 1945 to Mark Leonard Lowrey and Emelie Roberta Olson of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He was older brother to Bill, Emelie (Parker), Erik, and Perrin. After graduating from Hattiesburg High School, he received a B.S. in business and marketing at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) (1967). He served one tour with the U.S. Army in Vietnam before returning home to enroll at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. He graduated with a Master of Divinity and a Master of Christian Education (1971). While earning these degrees, Mark worked in Hattiesburg in campus ministry (Westminster Fellowship) alongside his wife, Priscilla (a former InterVarsity Fellowship campus staff member). In 1978 he was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
Called to work full time in university student ministry, Mark founded Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) with the help of a few young men also involved in campus ministry. This grew from the early seeds in Mississippi and surrounding states (Coordinator 1977-83) to a nation-wide ministry of the PCA (National Coordinator 1983-1996). He spent the early years building the ministry, traveling extensively to support and train the campus ministers in their ministries, famously taking notes on napkins to capture ideas and illustrate vision. Every night he was away, he called Priscilla so they could talk over the day’s family affairs.
After 25 years at the helm of RUF, Mark joined Great Commission Publications, the official publishing house of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). Under his leadership as Director of Publications (1996-2020), the K-12 Sunday School curriculum was rewritten, including the “Show Me Jesus” curriculum. Mark carried GCP as Interim Executive Director (2020-2021) through the COVID-19 crisis, an event which closed many small publishing houses, and then as Executive Director (2021-2023). Through his tireless advocacy, GCP weathered the COVID-19 storm with minimal employee layoffs and slow return to profitability. GCP publishes the Trinity Hymnal.
Mark was interested and involved in civic pursuits. The son of the editor of the Hattiesburg American, Mark spent his first early-morning hours each day reading the news. One of his greatest interests was global, national, and local news. Mark’s love language was sharing articles of interest with family and friends. He enjoyed tracking the development of his local area and his hometown, and he always knew what changes were happening and why. In college he spent a summer in Washington, D.C. as an intern clerk in Congress. He was president of the student body the year USM was de-segregated; he and other student council members symbolically walked alongside the first African American students during their first days of class. As an adult, Mark voted in all local, state, and national elections. Whenever possible, he attended information sessions provided by local politicians and engaged the representatives in conversation afterwards. Believing in the power and responsibility to vote and simply be present, as a minister in the PCA, he also attended every General Assembly, except his final (50th) GA, and was involved in Presbytery (Mississippi Valley) as much as possible by distance. Although a great talker, Mark was wise with his words. He rarely shared his positional opinions publicly and believed that older leaders should allow each generation to grapple with key questions against scripture and their own consciences.
Mark loved those around him and strived to make their lives better in large and small ways. Although not a coffee drinker, he brought his wife coffee in bed every morning (and even baked fresh muffins for her early on!). Sometimes to their chagrin, Mark would answer a call from his children (and son-in-law) at any moment. Combining two loves – family and finding a deal – Mark constantly sought out opportunities and gifts for his family and those around him.
Mark is survived by his wife, Priscilla and his two children, Leonard and Elizabeth (and Matthew). Services will be held on January 6 at 2:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church (1438 Sheridan Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324) and on January 13 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, MS. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting Great Commission Publications, Reformed University Fellowship, or Westminster Presbyterian Church (Atlanta, GA – PCA).
