Public Notices 08-20-26

August 17, 2026

NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
TOWN OF MEADVILLE, MISSISSIPPI
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town 
of Meadville, Mississippi, have adopted a Resolution declaring their 
intention to levy a Three Percent (3%) tax upon the gross proceeds from 
room rentals of hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts located within the 
corporate limits of the Town of Meadville, Mississippi, excluding room 
rentals for periods of thirty (30) consecutive days or more, and have 
called a special election upon the question of whether such tax shall be 
imposed. "Hotel," "motel," or "bed and breakfast" means any 
establishment engaged in the business of furnishing or providing rooms 
intended or designed for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes to 
transient guests, where the establishment consists of six (6) or more 
guest rooms.
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen recognize that Meadville and Franklin 
County offer unique recreational opportunities, community events, and 
attractions that contribute to the local economy and community spirit. 
Revenue generated by the proposed tax would be used to promote tourism 
and support parks and recreational opportunities that benefit residents 
and visitors alike, strengthen local businesses, encourage continued 
investment in the community, and enhance the quality of life enjoyed by 
the citizens of the Town of Meadville.
The special election shall be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the 
regular polling place within the Town of Meadville, Mississippi, being 
Meadville Town Hall, during the hours prescribed by law, being 7:00 A.M. 
until 7:00 P.M.
At such election, the following question shall be submitted to the 
qualified electors of the Town of Meadville:
SPECIAL ELECTION FOR OR AGAINST A LODGING TAX
FOR PURPOSES OF TOURISM AND RECREATION
Shall the Town of Meadville, Mississippi, levy a Three Percent (3%) tax 
upon the gross proceeds from room rentals of hotels, motels and bed and 
breakfasts located within the Town of Meadville, Mississippi, excluding 
room rentals for periods of third (30) consecutive days or more, with 
the proceeds of such tax to be used to promote tourism and parks and 
recreation within the Town?
____ FOR THE TAX
____ AGAINST THE TAX
If sixty percent (60%) or more of the qualified electors voting in the 
election vote in favor of the levy of the tax, the tax shall become 
effective on January 1, 2027.
This Notice of Special Election is published pursuant to Section 3 of 
the Senate Bill No. 2262, 2026 Regular Session, Laws of the State of 
Mississippi.
WITNESS MY HAND AND OFFICIAL SEAL of the Town of Meadville, Mississippi, 
this the 9th day of June, 2026.
TOWN OF MEADVILLE, MISSISSIPPI
/s/ Leslie Thompson
LESLIE THOMPSON
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF
MEADVILLE, MISSISSIPPI
(Seal)
Publish: July 30, Aug. 6, Aug. 13 & Aug. 20, 2026
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI
IN THE MATTER OF THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT AND ESTATE OF MARCUS LEE 
COTHREN, DECEASED
CAUSE #2026-54(WS)
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
WHEREAS, on the 27th day of July, 2026, in Cause No.: 2026-54, Letters 
Testamentary in the Estate of MARCUS LEE COTHREN, Deceased, were granted 
and issued out of the Chancery Court of Franklin County, Mississippi, to 
the undersigned as Executor;
NOW, THEREFORE, all persons having claims against the estate of said 
Decedent are hereby noticed and required to have the same probated, 
registered and allowed by the Clerk of the Chancery Court of Franklin 
County, Mississippi, within ninety (90) days after the date of the first 
publication of this notice, and all claims not so probated, registered 
and allowed within ninety (90) days will be forever barred.
WITNESS my signature on this the 27th day of July, 2026
/s/ Paul C. Cothren
PAUL C. COTHREN
Executor of the Estate of MARCUS LEE COTHREN, Deceased
/s/ Lucien C. Gwin, III
Lucien C. Gwin, III
MS Bar No.: 5087
Gwin, Punches & Kelley, LLP
P.O. Box 1344
Natchez, MS 39121
Telephone: (601) 446-6621
Publish: Aug. 13, Aug. 20 & Aug. 27, 2026
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF 
JON JOSEPH RATCLIFF, DECEASED
CAUSE NO. 26-0049-DKH
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Letters of Administration having been granted and issued upon the Estate 
of Jon Joseph Ratcliff, Deceased, on the 15th day of May, 2026. This is 
to give notice to all persons having claims against said estate to 
probate and register same with the Chancery Clerk of Franklin County, 
Mississippi, within ninety (90) days from the first publication date of 
this Notice to Creditors. A failure to do so within said time will 
forever bar the same.
This 3rd day of August, 2026.
Jill Jordan Gilbert
JILL JORDAN GILBERT, Administratrix
RONALD L. WHITTINGTON
WHITTINGTON LAW FIRM, PC
Post Office drawer 1919
McComb, MS 39649-1919
O. 601-684-8888
F. 601-684-9709
MSB #7173
Publish: Aug. 13, Aug. 20 & Aug. 27, 2026
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI
IN THE MATTER OF THE DETERMINATION OF HEIRSHIP OF SYLVIA NELL BRADFORD 
MOORE, DECEASED
MERCEDES WASHINGTON, CASSANDRA WASHINGTON, ROBERT WASHINGTON, AND 
DONOVAN DESHAWN MOORE, PLAINTIFFS 
CAUSE NO. 19-2026-pr-056-WS 
SUMMONS
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
TO: The Unknown Heirs at Law of Sylvia Nell Bradford Moore, Deceased, or 
Other Unknown Interested Parties
You have been made a Defendant in the Complaint for Determination of 
Heirship by Plaintiffs seeking a Determination of Heirship of Sylvia 
Nell Bradford Moore, deceased. 
You are summoned to appear and defend against said complaint filed 
against you in this action at 10:30 A.M. on the 6th day of October, 
2026, in the courtroom of the Franklin County Courthouse at Meadville, 
Mississippi, and in case of your failure to appear and defend, a 
judgment will be entered against you for the money or other things 
demanded in complaint.
You are not required to file an answer or other pleading but you may do 
so if you desire.
Issued under my hand and seal of this Court, this 6th day of August, 
2026.
JILL GILBERT,
FRANKLIN COUNTY CHANCERY CLERK
BY: Tayler Smith
DEPUTY CLERK
MORGAN HALFORD POORE
HALFORD LAW FIRM
85 Main Street West
Post Office Box 650
Meadville, Mississippi 39653
Telephone: (601) 384-2100
MSB#104670
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFFS
Publish: Aug. 13, Aug. 20 & Aug. 27, 2026