Skip to main content

User account menu

  • Log in
Shopping cart 0
Cart

Search

Search
Home Newton County Appeal
  • Post
    • Post Dashboard
    • Leaderboard
    • Payment Settings
  • Home
    • Contact Us!
    • FAQ
    • Monthly Website Statistics
    • Our History
    • Our Staff
    • Privacy Policy
    • Rack Locations
  • Most Read
    • Most Read This Week
    • Most Read This Month
    • Most Read This Year
    • Most Read All Time
  • Most Recent
  • More News
    • Crime
    • Decatur
    • Features
    • Newton
    • Newton County
    • Politics
    • Public Records
    • Submit News
    • Documents
    • Videos
  • E-Edition
    • Archives
  • Opinion
    • Submit a Letter
    • Columns
    • Comments
    • Editorials
    • Letters
    • Polls
  • Sports
    • UHS 'Jackets
    • ECCC Warriors
    • NCA Generals
    • NCHS Cougars
    • Newton Tigers
    • Lake Hornets
  • Advertising
    • Ad Rates
    • Health Today
    • Profile 2020
    • Here's My Card
    • Place a Classified Ad
    • Place a Legal Ad
  • Calendar
  • Comics/Games
    • Cartoons
    • Crossword
    • Sudoku
  • Obituaries
    • Submit an Obituary
  • Social
    • Submit a Wedding
    • Anniversaries/Births
    • Schools
    • Engagements/Weddings
    • Submit an Anniversary
    • Submit a Birth
    • Submit an Engagement
    • Submit School News
  • Subscribe
  • State
    • Most Read - Statewide

Domain menu for Newtoncountyappeal (main)

  • Post
    • Post Dashboard
    • Leaderboard
    • Payment Settings
  • Home
    • Contact Us!
    • FAQ
    • Monthly Website Statistics
    • Our History
    • Our Staff
    • Privacy Policy
    • Rack Locations
  • Most Read
  • Most Recent
  • More News
    • Crime
    • Decatur
    • Features
    • Newton
    • Newton County
    • Politics
    • Public Records
    • Submit News
    • Documents
    • Videos
  • E-Edition
    • Archives
  • Opinion
    • Submit a Letter
    • Columns
    • Comments
    • Editorials
    • Letters
    • Polls
  • Sports
    • UHS 'Jackets
    • ECCC Warriors
    • NCA Generals
    • NCHS Cougars
    • Newton Tigers
    • Lake Hornets
  • Advertising
    • Ad Rates
    • Health Today
    • Profile 2020
    • Here's My Card
    • Place a Classified Ad
    • Place a Legal Ad
  • Calendar
  • Comics/Games
  • Obituaries
  • Social
    • Submit a Wedding
    • Anniversaries/Births
    • Schools
    • Engagements/Weddings
    • Submit an Anniversary
    • Submit a Birth
    • Submit an Engagement
    • Submit School News
  • Subscribe
  • State

DeLois Freeman Killen

READ MORE > 14,908 Reads
On Tue, 03/31/2020 - 3:20 PM

DeLois Freeman Killen died peacefully at home Sunday, March 22, 2020. She was born on January 26, 1934 as the third of six daughters of the late Auston and Alma Freeman and lived her entire life in Newton County, Mississippi except for the early years of her marriage when her husband’s military service led her to San Antonio, TX and Biloxi, MS.

DeLois was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.  Her full-time job was taking care of her family by cooking unbelievable feasts (always with a caramel cake),  giving advice, helping do whatever was necessary, growing flowers and vegetables, and canning everything in sight.  She managed to raise five kids, ten grandkids, and twelve greats, while still holding down a full-time job outside of the home most of the time.  Until July 1, 2018, she dispatched the graveyard shift at Union Police Department five nights per week, so that she still had time to do her real jobs during the day.  Prior to then, she worked in Food Services at Laird Hospital and for many, many years at Midland Shirt Company. She graduated from Sebastopol High School and married her high school sweetheart, Grady (Bud) Killen.  Their first four children were born while Grady was in the Air Force, with the last born the year after they moved to Union. At the age of 27, she had five kids, (eight and under), a full-time job, and a huge garden. When she had time for herself, we will never know. 

DeLois was a member of First Baptist Church of Union and loved to enjoy television gospel singing programs to help her feel ready to “Rest High Up On That Mountain” which she requested to be sung at her funeral. In her constant “advice to her family—given freely whether you wanted it or not”, she would always direct you to what the Bible said you should do and to “judge not lest ye also be judged”.  This weekend she told us that she and the Lord were right and that she had reflected about the wrongs she regretted and had received forgiveness. She knew her time was near.  Although we will miss her, we are comforted by the knowledge that her soul is safe with Jesus. 

DeLois is survived by her children, Sandra Dolan of Union, Charlie Killen and wife, Barbara, of Brandon, Linda Gressett and husband, Ricky, of Brandon and Debbie Halford and husband, Bill, of Meadville; grandchildren, Kris Dolan and wife, Amanda, of Union, Gary Dolan and wife, Bethany, of Union, Dea Dolan Hill and husband, Heath, of Steens, Amy Smith and husband, Scott, of Union, Jana Hebert and husband, Michael, of Baton Rouge, LA, Claire Shirley and husband, Matthew, of Baton Rouge, LA, Zachary Gressett of Brandon, Cole Gressett and wife, Claire, of Hattiesburg, Morgan Poore and husband, Dain, of Meadville and Will Halford of Meadville.  Her great-grandchildren are Lacey Dolan, Lane Dolan, Hayley Stephens, Mackenzie Dolan, Hayden Dolan, Katelyn Hill, Jordan Smith, Ava Claire Smith, Tyler Smith, Cecelia Hebert, Sam Hebert and Clark Shirley. She is survived by her sisters, Janis Watts of Union and Kate Thomas of Union; sister-in-law, Sarah Jo Killens of Union and Nell Killens of Sebastopol; and brothers-in-law, John Watts of Union and Fred Cliburn of Brandon.  She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their families who were always welcome at her holiday feasts.

DeLois was predeceased by her husband, Grady (Bud) Killen; her parents, her son, Martin DeWayne Killen; her sisters, Mae Sistrunk, Austine Cliburn and Bobbie Bearden; and a special friend, James (Sonny) Loper. 

In light of the current world problems, the family had a private family viewing at Milling Funeral Home in Union, Mississippi with a limited attendance graveside service at Union Memorial Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.  The service was conducted by her “nephew” Rev. Ricky Rogers.  Pallbearers were her grandchildren.  Honorary pallbearers were her great-grandchildren and Chief Billy Pat Walker and members of the Union Police Department. Your prayers for the family are appreciated at this time.  Any memorials may be sent to the charity of your choice or the Union City Cemetery Fund, 404 Bank Street, Union, MS 39365.

Paid Obituary

‹ PreviousNext ›

Most Recent

Most Read News Article

  • Week
  • Month
  • Year
  • All Time

Updated: Bill that would prevent those born as males from competing in women's sports is headed to House floor for vote

A bill that would protect biological female student athletes from having to compete against those… READ MORE

Newton cruises to championship game
Mississippi Covid-19 Update : March 04, 2021
Union Community News | Mississippi movies: an authentic filming location
Mississippi Covid-19 Update : March 01, 2021
Why teachers in Mississippi work second jobs to get by

CORRECTED: School board waits to hear about extending COVID-19 leave

Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the Newton County Board of… READ MORE

Union Community News: Reconnections: Journey of a contemporary Mississippi author
Decatur Community News: The multitude of His mercies
Marshall Ramsey: Teacher Pay
Union Community News: Mississippi, the home of a classic film
Opinion: Debtors’ prisons alive and well in Mississippi

Deputy shot at in Newton County

Update: A previous version of this story indicated a deputy sustained a gunshot wound. Sheriff… READ MORE

Flush water systems to reduce lead levels
Man shot while driving on 489
Two in custody after chase
Newton County removed from mask order
Sales tax holiday set for this weekend

Deputy shot at in Newton County

Update: A previous version of this story indicated a deputy sustained a gunshot wound. Sheriff… READ MORE

Flush water systems to reduce lead levels
Man shot while driving on 489
Two in custody after chase
Newton County removed from mask order
Sales tax holiday set for this weekend

Newton County Appeal e-Edition Button

Sign Up for Notifications of Local Breaking News

Start E-mail NotificationsStop E-mail NotificationsStart Mobile NotificationsStop Mobile Notifications

Obituaries

Obituaries: Betty Smith Kilpatrick

Ms. Betty Smith Kilpatrick, age 78, of Duffee passed away on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021.

Obituaries: Margaret Graham Evans
Obituaries: Charles Hamil
Obituaries: Felicia Annette Henderson
Obituaries: Douglas Russell
Obituaries: Francis Embrey

Opinion

Getting the Message: Acts 4:23-31

This passage begins with Peter and John giving a report to the church of what the chief priests and… READ MORE

Decatur Community News: Convinced, committed and compelled
Union Community News | Mississippi movies: an authentic filming location
OLD SPORTS DUDE: The most important answers to questions
Our Opinion: The risk of $15 minimum wage
Charles Dunagin: New angle to familiar story

weddings-birthdays

Celebrations: Vance, May to wed on Jan. 16

Mrs. Terri Weed Vaughn is pleased to announce the upcoming wedding of her daughter, Alaina Paige… READ MORE

Celebrations: Yarbrough-Smith marry
Brand, Sellars to wed July 17
Hollingsworth, Ellis to wed June 27
Brock, Vincent to Wed June 6
Brand, Donegan to Wed May 23

Social

East Central expands its live streaming of sports, events

East Central Community College recently launched a website that will make getting to see live… READ MORE

EDUCATION: Newton County resident graduates from Fort Lewis College
Club News: February Liberty Community Club meeting
‘The Grimm World’ to brighten Roxy Theatre this weekend
Two teachers receive Golden Apples
ECCC: Chaney named to hall of fame

Sports

East Central expands its live streaming of sports, events

East Central Community College recently launched a website that will make getting to see live… READ MORE

Ole Miss shoots — literally — for state’s first Division I team national crown
ECCC: Chaney named to hall of fame
Jackson bound
MAIS CLASS 2A STATE TOURNAMENT: Generals’ season comes to end in state tourney
SOFTBALL: Union off to fast start in young 2021 season

COMPANY COMMUNITY ADVERTISE E-EDITIONS MORE NEWS
Contact Community Calendar Subscribe Magazine E-Edition Cartoons
FAQ/Help Obituaries Ad Rates Newspaper Archive Columns
Our History Engagements/Weddings Ad Staff Newspaper E-Edition  
Our Staff Most Read My Account Special Section Editorials
Statewide Most Recent Features    

Click on the city name to visit its website.

ACKERMAN  •  CARROLLTON  •  CHARLESTON  •  CLARKSDALE  •  COLUMBIA  •  DUMAS(Ark.)  •  EUPORA  •  FOREST  • 

FRANKLINTON(La.)  • GREENVILLE  •  GREENWOOD  •  GRENADA  •  HATTIESBURG  •  JACKSON  •  KOSCIUSKO  •  INDIANOLA  • 

LOUISVILLE  • MAGEE  • MENDENHALL  •  McCOMB  •  NEWTON  •  PETAL  •  QUITMAN  •  SENATOBIA  •  TALLULAH(La.)  •  WINONA  •  YAZOO CITY


Copyright 2021 - The Newton County Appeal | Privacy Statement | Help | Terms of Service

The Newton County Appeal - 105 Main St. P.O. Box 287 - Union, MS 39365 - (601) 774-9433

124 N. Main St. P.O. Box 37 Newton, MS 39345 - (601) 683-7810

Emmerich Newspapers proud to serve your local communities.

Thank you for visiting our website.