Michael Thomas Preslar, 50, of Henderson passed away peacefully at his home in Henderson on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2025, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Shackelford Funeral Directors – East Main Chapel with Adam Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Chester County Memory Gardens. The family received friends at East Main 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday.
He was born Jan. 14, 1974, in Jackson, to Junior Flatt and Faye Preslar. He grew up in the Mt. Gilead Community of McNairy County. He helped work on the Clyde Tull farms as a young man. He graduated in 1992 from McNairy Central High School in Selmer. After graduation, he trained in Auto Diesel Mechanics in Nashville. He worked briefly at City of Selmer Water Department. He worked at International Paper in Jackson, which later was called Durobag and is now Novolex, for over 25 years where he was Supervisor until his death. He married Sara Beth Thomas on Nov. 25, 2017. They made their home in Henderson.
His hobbies were grilling and smoking food, which he did for big family gatherings, too, doing home repairs, going to county music concerts and rodeos, raising a big garden every year and spending time with his son tending to their small chicken farm where they also raised ducks and rabbits.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Sara Beth; a son, Ethan Wayne Pickens; and the family’s beloved Shih Tzu, Daisy May.
Mr. R C Hopper, 84, of Henderson passed away Tuesday morning at his home in Henderson. Funeral services were 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, at Shackelford Funeral Directors - Crook Avenue Chapel with Shane Connor officiating. Burial followed in Chester County Memorial Gardens. The family received friends at Crook Avenue Chapel from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. service time Thursday.
He was born in Henderson on May 5, 1940, son of the late Luther Cornelius and Pauline Young Hopper. He married Linda Russell on Dec. 28, 1968 and had just celebrated 56 years of marriage.
He worked at General Electric for 29 years, retiring in 2002. He had also worked at Chickasaw State Park in the Forestry Department for 11 years. He was a member of Sanford Hill Baptist Church where he sang in the choir, generally served wherever he was needed and was a Lifetime Deacon. He was a loving husband and father who enjoyed woodworking as a hobby.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Hopper; a daughter, Jennifer (Tim) Hansen of Cedar Grove; one grandson, Jesse Hawn; three brothers, Wayfford Hopper of Jacks Creek, Rocky (Carol) Hopper of Enville and Jimmy Hopper of Henderson; four sisters, Bessie (Richard) Stanfill of Scotts Hill, Linda Chandler of Finger, Betty (Ray) Besmire of McKenzie and Silvia (Roy) Mooney of Covington, TN.
He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers, William, Tom, Eugene, Timmy and Charles Ray Hopper.
Brian Keith Ragan, 37 years, 3 months, and 20 days, passed away Jan. 10, 2025 in Selmer.
Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, and from 1 p.m. until funeral service at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Selmer with Bobby Capps and Randy Isbell officiating.
Burial followed in the Indian Creek Cemetery at Ramer. Shackelford Funeral Directors is honored to serve the family.
He was born on Sept. 21, 1987, in Jackson to Phillip Ragan and Sharon Jane Skelton Ragan.
He was a vibrant soul whose joyful spirit touched the hearts of everyone around him. He found immense pleasure in golfing, hunting and singing, but nothing brought him as much happiness as playing with his beloved children.
His generous and friendly nature endeared him to many, leaving lasting impressions that will not be forgotten.
As we mourn his passing on, we also remember and honor the countless moments of joy he shared with those he loved. His legacy of kindness and love will forever resonate in our hearts.
He is survived by his wife, Tessa Ragan of Reagan; children, Abigail Moore, Jaxon Ragan, Samuel Ragan and Rylee Ragan; parents, Phillip and Sharon Ragan of Chewalla; grandparents, Gail Skelton of Corinth, Miss., and Perry Baldwin of Chewalla; brothers, Daniel (Fiancé Jennifer Perrigo) Ragan of Bethel Springs and Stephen (Grace) Ragan of Mooreville, Miss.; niece, Mary Cooper Ragan; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by grandparents, Mary Faye Ragan Baldwin, Bobby Gene Ragan, Michael Skelton and Robert Skelton.
Kenny “Boudreaux” Hanson, 76, departed this life on Jan. 7, 2025, in Jackson.
There will be a memorial service at All Saints Anglican Church in Jackson at a later date. Shackelford Funeral Directors in Selmer is honored to serve the family.
He was born on July 20, 1948, in Baton Rouge, La., the cherished son of the late Henry Murph and Gertrude Thornton Hanson.
On Feb. 23, 1990, he was united in marriage with Sarah Phillip, creating a loving partnership that he deeply valued. He dedicated over 30 years of his life to the Baton Rouge Police Department where he proudly served and retired as a captain. In 2001, he relocated to Tennessee and in 2003 began a fulfilling role at Farmers Co-op in Selmer where he worked diligently for a decade. His life on the farm brought him joy, as he spent his time working with horses and engaging in various farm activities. He was also active in local Saddle Clubs in Chester, McNairy, and Hardin Counties.
He was known not only for his work but also for his passion for photography, capturing the beauty around him. His spirit was further enriched by his involvement with All Saints Anglican Church in Jackson. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.
He leaves behind a loving family, including his wife, Sarah Hanson of Henderson; two daughters, Katie (Brian) Hanson-Dorr of Sturgis, Miss., and Tegan (Stuart Nolan) Hanson of Covington, La.; a son, Ethan Phillip Hanson of Henderson; one grandson, Ezra Titus Clemens IV of Covington, La.; and a wide circle of extended family and friends who will remember him fondly.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Cameron Cayce Hanson; and one brother, Henry Murph Hanson Jr.
Lisa Jeanine Seratt Hames, 61, of Finger passed away Jan. 12, 2025, peacefully at her home.
Funeral services were 11 a.m. Wednesday at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue with Ken Frye, Glenn Harris and Jordan Hames officiating. Burial followed at Cave Springs Cemetery. The family received friends at Crook Avenue from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday.
She was born Oct. 18, 1963, the daughter of the late James Sylvester and Willie Daye Lowe Seratt. She grew up in Henderson and was a 1981 graduate of Chester County High School. She also later took some courses at U.T. Selmer Campus and D.A.Y. Cosmetology School in Jackson.
She married Landon Hames June 26, 1982, and they had two sons together, Justin and Jordan.
She worked for the Chester County School System for 13 years as a teacher’s aide, assisting with Special Education Program and the Computer Lab. She also spent several years as a personal caregiver.
She was a member of the Faith Fellowship Church. She loved spending time with her family and sharing holiday time with them. She especially loved spending time with her granddaughters.
She enjoyed playing cards, raising flowers and going to the beach. She was an animal lover who had kept many pets over the years and leaves behind her Chocolate Lab “Case.”
She is survived by two sons, Justin Hames of Finger and Jordan (Megan) Hames of Henderson; two grandchildren, Kyleigh Ogden and Hope Hames; a sister, Joyce (Russell) Clayton of Finger; two brothers, Dennis (Cheryl) Seratt of Jackson and Anthony (Gail) Seratt of Finger; and a best friend, Jackie Thomas of Henderson.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a nephew, Jamie Seratt.
