Funeral services for Mr. Lavelle Nations were conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, 2023, at Saulters Moore Funeral Home with interment following in the W.W. Scarborough Family Cemetery in Silver Creek. Bro. Lynn Nations officiated.  Mr. Nations, age 76, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at Merit Health Wesley Medical Center in Hattiesburg.  Saulters Moore Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.

The family received friends Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Saulters Moore Funeral Home.

Mr. Nations was carried to his final rest by pallbearers Clayton Holmes, James Ray Cliburn, Roger Ross, Corey Nations, Delay Blair and James Nations.

Ray Lavelle Nations was born on May 3, 1947, in Monticello, to Homer and Alma King Na-tions.  A graduate of New Hebron High School, Lavelle played football for the Golden Bears. 

After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he honorably served his country and fought in the Vietnam War. 

During his enlistment, Lavelle received several citations, commendations and medals for his service and valor, including The National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the Presidential Unit Citation.  Lavelle worked for many years as a Tool Pusher for Poole and afterwards worked as a heavy equipment operator and truck driver. 

His sons relate that in addition to hunting, their father enjoyed camping at Paul B. Johnson State Park and fishing in the Pearl River.  Mr. Nations was of the Baptist faith.

Mr. Nations is preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Alma Nations, his daughter, Tracy Rayelle Nations; sisters, Jean Nations, Sherry Nations and his brothers, Pat Nations and Ronnie Nations.

His memory will forever be cherished by his two sons, Joey (Tina) Nations of St. Francisville, Louisiana, Michael R. (Cheyenne) Nations of New Hebron; two brothers, Lynn Nations of Philadelphia, Terry Nations of Prentiss; six grandchildren Ethan Nations, Rayelle Nations, Joseph Nations, Joshua Nations and seven great-grandchildren.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com