Willie May Smith July 20, 1949 - January 6, 2026 76 years of age Ms. Willie May Smith, 76, was born on July 20, 1949 to Judge Rancifer & Maggie Lee Brown in Raymond, MS. Ms. Willie May Smith transitioned on January 6, 2026 at her residence in Jackson, MS. Service Arrangements: Public Visitation: January 16, 2026, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Westhaven Funeral Home, 3850 Robinson Road, Jackson Funeral Service: January 17, 2026, 11:00 AM, Rose Hill M.B. Church, 9542 MS- Hwy 22, Bolton I

Larry Chatmon, Jr. March 5, 1948 - January 3, 2026 77 years of age Larry Chatmon Jr. was born in Bolton, MS, to the late Larry Chatmon Sr. and Henrietta Chatmon on March 5, 1948. He peacefully departed this life on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at his home in Bolton, MS. He accepted Christ at an early age and was a long-standing member of Chapel Hill M.B. Church. He began his education in the Chapel Hill and Sumner Hill communities and completed high school at Hinds Agricultural

Special to The Bolton News Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson will present a special evening of music on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Beulah Memorial Baptist Church, located at 1400 Highway 22 in Bolton’s Brownsville community. The performance begins at 6 p.m. and is open to the public, welcoming residents, visitors, and music enthusiasts from across the region to enjoy an intimate and engaging musical experience. While Commissioner Gipson is widely known

Dearine "Doe" Dillard May 22, 1958 - December 21, 2025 67 Years of Age Dearine Wilson Dillard, daughter of the late Elester Buckley, Sr. and the late Olivia Wilson Buckley was born on May 22, 1958 in Bolton, MS. She departed her life on December 21, 2025. She was affectionately known as ‘Doe’ by close family and friends. Dearine was a member of Apostolic Restoration Ministry where she was baptized in the name of Jesus on August 18, 2024 and received the Holy Spirit on Decembe

Special to The Bolton News The Town of Bolton lost one of its most cherished leaders and community pillars on December 25, 2025, with the passing of Alderwoman Helen R. Harris Curry. A trailblazer in every sense, Alderwoman Curry was the first African American woman to serve on the Bolton Board of Aldermen, dedicating over 50 years of her life to public service and leaving a legacy that will endure for generations. Helen Curry’s leadership was defined by wisdom, humility, and

Dr. James Watson, State Veterinarian, issues a certificate of veterinary inspection to Santa Claus, permitting his reindeer to enter and exit the state of Mississippi on Christmas Eve, December 24. T he Mississippi Board of Animal Health (MBAH) has approved a certificate of veterinary inspection for Santa Claus of the North Pole, authorizing his famous reindeer to enter Mississippi on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, for a holiday delivery run.   “I am happy to announce that

By: Kelley Williams, Chair Bigger Pie Forum Cliff Notes began as short plot summaries of classic novels and stories. Now they are cribs about complex topics and spin. Corps Speak is the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) clever spin that evades responsibility for higher and longer Mississippi River floods (a complex topic). This story began when Congress put the Corps in charge of flood control (1928 Flood Control Act) to prevent another 1927 flood disaster. The Corps develop

By: Kelley Williams, Chair Bigger Pie Forum   Hans Einstein   Not Albert, his son Hans. As far as we know, Albert was right about his General Theory of Relativity and other natural laws. Hans was not as famous as his father. But he was the world expert on river sediments. He advised the Corps of Engineers (Corps) on the design of the Old River Control Complex (ORCC) in the 1950s. He thought the Corps would take his advice. He was wrong. The Corps built the ORCC to keep the Mi

Ray Heard April 7, 1929 - December 2, 2025 96 Years of Age Mr. Ray Heard, age 96, went to heaven on December 2. 2025.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Frankie Ruth Aldridge Heard.  Together they spent most of their lives serving their community, family, and even strangers who became friends. Mr. Heard was born in Phoenix, MS, later moving to Oil City and graduating from Anding High School in Bentonia.  He attended Mississippi College where he was a pitcher o

Special to The Bolton News The Annie Thompson Jeffers Library in Bolton brought neighbors together on December 2 for its annual holiday cookie swap, turning a quiet Tuesday afternoon into a warm celebration of community spirit. Guests arrived with plates of homemade cookies, each one representing a family tradition or a favorite seasonal recipe. The library’s meeting space quickly filled with the scent of sugar, spice and fresh-baked treats, creating an atmosphere that felt b

Special to The Bolton News The Mississippi Outreach Foundation, Inc. is extending an open invitation to its 32nd Annual 90-Above Senior Citizens Basket Giveaway, a longstanding tradition dedicated to honoring some of the community’s most treasured residents. The event will be held Saturday, December 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Mt. Olive M.B. Church Family Life Center, located at 6449 W. Northside Drive in Bolton. For more than three decades, the foundation has gath

Special to The Bolton News Bolton is preparing for a heartwarming celebration of the Christmas season on December 21, offering the community two meaningful opportunities to come together. The afternoon will begin at 3:30 PM at Bolton Baptist Church, where participants will gather before heading out for house-to-house Christmas caroling. This tradition has long been cherished in small towns, and organizers hope to revive the joy of sharing music, encouraging words, and holiday

A stage photo of a large group of women and girls dressed in colorful traditional attire, posing together in front of a backdrop that reads “Jackson Rajat Jayanti Mahotsav.” This image shows cultural richness, youth involvement, and unity. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Jackson, Mississippi, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a three-day Rajat Jayanti Mahotsav filled with devotion, culture, and community spirit. The milestone marked a quarter century of spiritual guid

Thelma Louise Thompson August 11, 1947 - November 22, 2025 78 years of age Ms. Thelma Louise Thompson was born on August 11, 1947 to the late Ms. Ida Mae Hill and the late Mr. Jessie James Thompson in Edwards, Hinds County, Mississippi.  She departed this life on Saturday, November 22, 2025.    Visitation & Service Information: Visitation Friday, November 28, 2025 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM Bolton Funeral Home 205 Bolton Brownsville Road, Bolton, MS Funeral Service Saturday, Novembe

Ms. Ceolia Graves March 7, 1940 - November 19, 2025 85 Years of Age Ms. Ceolia Graves passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at home in Clinton, Mississippi. She was born on March 7, 1940 in Bolton, Mississippi to the late Cleveland "Buddy" Graves and the late Sarah Howard Graves. Services: Viewing: Friday, November 28, 2025/ 1:00 - 6:00 pm Bolton Funeral Home 205 Bolton Brownsville Rd, Bolton, MS Visitation With Family: Friday, November 28, 2025/ 5:00 - 6

by Tyler Teresa, Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration     Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010 and has been officially cosponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) since 2011. It is an important part of the busiest shopping season for small businesses.  Last Small Business Saturday in 2024, the reported projected spending in the United States from those who shopped small on Small Business Saturday was around  $22

By: Kelley Williams, Chair Bigger Pie Forum   Backwater flooding happens when the Mississippi River is higher (about 43’ at Vicksburg) than the Yazoo River and blocks its discharge.  It takes less rain to raise and keep the Mississippi above 43’ than it used to. ( See More Flood for Less Rain .) So backwater flooding and batture flooding inside the levees are more frequent and longer — over three times longer since 2015.  Why? What happened to cause a step change in flooding

At last check, there have been 60 fire deaths statewide in 2025. Cooking or the misuse of cooking equipment led to four of those deaths. “Many people have family and friends over for the holiday. Don’t let distractions put you and your guests in danger. Make your home safer by installing multiple smoke alarms. If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short amount of time, turn off the stove,” said State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. Use these safety

Special to The Bolton News The Bolton community is gearing up for one of the sweetest events of the season: the Annual Bolton Cookie Swap, set for Monday, December 2, at 1:15 p.m. at the Annie T. Jeffers Library in Bolton, Mississippi. This beloved tradition invites residents of all ages to come together to celebrate the holiday season with delicious homemade cookies, friendly conversation, and the joy of giving and sharing. Participants are asked to bring one or two dozen of

Special to The Bolton News Bolton-Edwards Elementary/Middle School will welcome parents and guardians to its upcoming Parent-Teacher Conference on Wednesday, November 12, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This annual event is an important opportunity for families to connect with teachers, celebrate student achievements, and gain a deeper understanding of each child’s progress. During the conference, parents can meet with teachers across all grade levels to discuss academic performa