Alabama Memorials -- January 2008

Today, the family of Tequilla Adams remembered her birthday, which was Jan. 31, 1999. 

She would have turned 10 years old today but died Oct. 8, 2006, at age 7.

Jon Warren Lamey of Tibbie died Jan. 3, 2009. The 22-year-old worked as an operator for Ciba Corp. in McIntosh, Ala. 

Lauren Leigh Hill

Lauren Leigh Hill was among young adults who passed away during fall 2008. 

Mourning the death of the 21-year-old Biloxi resident were parents Frank W. and Holly Graham, brother Graham Scott Brandon, and her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Graham.  

Lauren died Oct. 27 and was laid to rest Oct. 29 following a Mass of Chrisian Burial at Nativity B.V.M. Internment was at Southern Memorial Park.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Avenue in Biloxi conducted services. 

Teen, 1-year-old die in separate accidents

A teenager and toddler died within a week of each other in South Alabama during mid-November.

The 17-year-old had been involved in a police chase and vehicle crash in west Mobile on Nov. 11. A 15-year-old was critically injured, and two teens injured in the wreck of the Mustang convertible. 

Mobile police identified Richard Hamilton, 18, and Jacob Cartee, 19, as passengers in the vehicle but did not name the other juveniles. 

Prichard police said a 1-year-old girl was struck by a Nissan Armada while crossing the parking lot at Anton Square Apartments on Anton Street in Prichard. She was headed to a nearby playground.

The 16-year-old driver of a SUV that struck the child transported her to University of South Alabama Medical Center, where she died of her injuries Nov. 8, 20008.

Savaan Senice Smith, Lacey LeAnn Williams

Savaan Shenice Smith, who passed away Dec. 5, 2008, was a joy to her family during her four months of life. 

Funeral arrangements for the Biloxi resident were handled by Marshall Funeral Home. 

Lacey LeAnn Williams, 18, left behind many friends and family when she died Dec. 9 in Brooklyn. 

Services, arranged by Moore Funeral Home, were held at Clear Creek Methodist Church.  

Shakeylia Marie Anderson

UPDATE: June 21, 2009

In our comment section, Sandra Anderson, mother of Sha'keylia, disputes reports by officials that the man -- Leslie Galloway -- accused of causing her daughter's death was a boyfriend.

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UPDATE: Feb. 1, 2009

Sha'keylia turned 18 years old Jan. 30, 2009. Recently her family, particularly her mother, promised to celebrate her daughter's birthday just as Sha'keylia had planned. The teenager was born in 1991.

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GULFPORT -- Family, friends and the South Mississippi community were shocked by the brutal death of 17-year-old Shakeylia Anderson on Dec. 5.

Hunters discovered Anderson's nude body Dec. 6 in woods near Mississippi 15. Law officials said she had been repeatedly raped, run over by a vehicle several times, and her body set on fire. The officials suspected her former boyfriend, Leslie Galloway III of Moss Point.

Shakeylia was a senior at Harrison Central High, where she had been a member of the school's Reserve Office Training Corps (ROTC).

Billey Joe Johnson Jr.

                                                         April 25, 1991 -- Dec. 8, 2008

Though numerous teen deaths saddened families and communities in South Mississippi during 2008, no other brought as much attention and controversy as that that followed the death of Billey Joe Johnson Jr.

A standout football player at George County High School, Johnson died during the early morning hours of Dec. 8 after he was stopped by a Lucedale police officer. It was that very police presence without any corroborating evidence of the death and the initial investigation of the scene that caused the teenager's family to question the circumstances of his sudden and shocking death.

They asked for an independent  investigation by the NAACP, which has been led by President Curley Clark of the Moss Point - Jackson County Chapter, and state chapter vice president.

Media reports said the Benndale resident died from a shotgun blast to the head after he was pulled over on Mississippi 26 for running a stop sign and red light, according to Police Chief Garry Welford. The death made national headlines because of Johnson's outstanding athletic achievements. 

According to www.sunherald.com, Johnson's parents -- Billey Joe Sr. and Annette -- were upset that they were notified of their son's death after his football coach Al Jones was called to the scene to identify the body. The family also was not allowed to view the 17-year-old's remains at the scene during the initial investigation that took place over several hours and well into the afternoon of Dec. 8. 

To avoid a conflict of interest and the appearance of impropriety, Chief Welford called in the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the state Bureau of Investigation and the District Attornery's Office of Jackson and George Counties  to investigate the death. 

Welford initially said he could not tell if Johnson shot himself or if the shotgun went off accidentally, as reported by www.wlox.com and the Press-Register at www.gulflive.com. The officer at the scene said he was about to call in the traffic violations when he heard a shot and breaking glass and then saw Johnson on the ground next to the open door of his truck.  The officer said the gun was lying atop Johnson's body.

Rumors abounded after the teenager's death before District Attorney Tony Lawrence called for calm and assured the public and Johnson's family that his untimely passing would be thoroughly investigated, as reported by regional media. Lawrence met personally with Johnson's family before a public funeral service and later private burial at Fairley Creek Cemetery in Blackcreek. 

Days after the teenager's death, media reports said that Johnson had been identified as the suspect in an attempted break-in at the home of his former girlfriend.  Reportedly, the student and her mother were on their way to Lucedale's police station to file charges against Johnson at the time his death was called into law enforcement. 

Clark and attorney Jerome Carter of Mobile had an independent autopsy performed on the 17-year-old running back before an estimated 600 to 800 students and residents attended his funeral services Dec. 20 at George County Middle School gymnasium. Carter said the autopsy was inconclusive because part of Johnson's head and face were still with the state medical examiners office. 

Neither Clark nor Carter believe Johnson committed suicide, and Clark has said the only other possibilities for the death are accidential shooting and homicide. They cited statements from family and friends that the student athlete had too much to live for to kill himself. 

Johnson was well-liked and admired by his coaches, students, teachers and community leaders. He was known for his leadership, Christian life, and football skills.

During his junior year he completed 1,529 yards and 24 touchdowns for the Rebels team, and had gained about 4,000 yards total during his football years. He was being recruited by colleges including Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Louisiana State, and Oregon. 

James Mack Allen

James Mack Allen, 17, died Christmas Day in Gulfport. 

He was preceded in death by grandfather Mack Patterson, grandmother Liz Allen Moss, uncle Anthony C. Allen and mother Jennifer K. Allen. 

Allen's father, Michael S. Allen of Biloxi, and brother Stanley Stewart of Dallas, Texas, are his surviving relatives. 

Graveside services were held at Biloxi National Cemetery. 

Riemann Family Funeral Home in Gulfport handled services. 

Cameron Emanuel King

The parents of Cameron Emanuel King said their son would have been pleased with the donation of his organs to help provide life to other children. Cameron died Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, in Alabama. 

Hartwell Christian Mortuary in Gulfport conducted services. 

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Graveside services were held at Finley Cemetery for infant Olivia Mae Favre, who died Nov. 28, 2008, in Gulfport. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home arranged services that included a visitation before the early afternoon burial. 

Accused killer of Hudson family appears in court

The man accused of killing three relatives of singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, including her 7-year-old nephew, was indicted Tuesday, Dec. 30, in a Chicago courtroom. 

Julia and Jennifer Hudson with their mother  Darnell Donerson,

 and Jennifer's nephew,  Julian.

William Balfour is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of Julian King, son of Hudson's sister Julia, her mother Darnell Donerson and brother Jason Hudson. He has pleaded not quilty.  (Information may be found at the Associated Press)

Balfour is the estranged husband of Julia Hudson and the stepfather of Julian, whose body was found in a sports utility vehicle three days after his grandmother and uncle were discovered in Donerson's home Oct. 24. 

The killings shocked the nation, and was one of the leading stories about children's death during 2008. A number of other deaths shocked America, including the story of 3-year-old Caylee Anthony, who had been missing since June and whose remains were identified Dec. 11, her birthday.  

Dustin D. Simoneaux, Keahn L. Hill

Dustin Dewayne Simoneaux died Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008. The 21-year-old, known as "Duddy," was a resident of Saucier.  

A visitation was held Oct. 29 and a Celebration of Life service was conducted Oct. 30 in the chapel of Rieman Family Funeral Home on Three Rivers Road in Gulfport. Burial was at Saucier Cemetery. 

Riemann also conducted funeral services for 2-year-old Keahn L. Hill, who died Oct. 21, 2008.  

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While MemoriesAlways was on hiatus the mother of Dustin Simoneaux made a special request to add her son to the list of children and young adults featured on this memorial blog. 

We were happy to oblige and regret that his name was not added sooner. 

Memories Always includes young people from birth to 25 years old who have passed away within the last two years, or earlier if their deaths made significant news headlines or had a profound affect on the local community and region.  

Hiatus ...

Memories Always has been on hiatus for just over two months because of production problems and business reorganization. 

We apologize for any inconvenience. 

Updates are being made as soon as possible. 

Thank you for your support of and interest in remembering our youth and their families of South Mississippi.