Hernando Day News

6 days ago

Jennifer Mason Obituary

obituary

6 days ago

David Stone Obituary

David Clay Stone, 73, of Hernando, Mississippi, passed away on April 3, 2026. David fought hard against a recent cancer diagnosis, showing perseverance and strength. He was born to the late Louise Haynes Collins and the late Bonnie Clay Stone on August 28, 1952, in Louisville, Kentucky.During his life, David worked many jobs within the car industry including insurance adjuster, car inspector, fleet manager, and body shop manager. He enjoyed caring for his beloved dogs, riding motorcycles, and tinkering with cars. He was a Navy veteran, serving his country proudly. Since his retirement, he enjoyed spending his days outdoors, taking pride in his yard and visiting with neighbors.David is survived by his wife of 28 years, Martha Stone, daughter Priscilla Knapp (Melvin), stepson Scott A. Haley (Beth), stepdaughter Melissa Thompson (Matt), grandchildren Katie Knapp Mugler (Matt) and Coy Knapp, step grandchildren Bowen Haley (Avery), Emma Claire Haley, Olivia Haley, and Haley Thompson. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Debra Hooper.A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to the Building and Grounds Fund at Longview Point Baptist Church (1100 McIngvale Road Hernando, MS 38632) or the City of Hernando Animal Shelter (1203 Nesbit Drive, Nesbit, MS 38651)

6 days ago

Ann Cody Obituary

Ann Cody, a devoted wife, mother, and woman of quiet grace, passed away surrounded by the love she so freely gave throughout her life. For over 50 beautiful years of marriage, she shared an unbreakable bond with her husband, Steve—a partnership rooted in faith, laughter, and deep admiration.Ann was the embodiment of a virtuous woman, often lovingly described by Steve as a “Proverbs 31 woman.” In moments of playful teasing, he would occasionally tell her she had been “demoted to Proverbs 30,” to which she would always respond with her unmistakable, joyful laugh—a sound that will forever echo in the hearts of those who knew her.Her life was a reflection of simple joys and genuine passions. Ann had a deep love for animals, especially horses—most notably Arabians, whose beauty and spirit she admired. She also found delight in birds, with a special fondness for hummingbirds, symbols of lightness and wonder that mirrored her own gentle nature.Dogs held a particularly special place in Ann’s heart. She was especially passionate about Japanese Akitas and Australian Blue Heelers, dedicating years of her life to breeding and raising them with excellence and care. Her commitment and knowledge earned her recognition as one of the top Akita breeders for nearly a decade. Though she was once invited to speak at a major dog show, she humbly declined, as she preferred a quiet life away from the spotlight.Ann’s warmth extended beyond her passions into the way she loved others. She had a unique and playful spirit—teaching her children how to catch lizards with a gentle, mesmerizing motion of her fingers, all while laughing as the tiny creature nibbled at her hand. These small, tender moments captured the essence of who she was: patient, joyful, and full of life.She greeted everyone with the same heartfelt phrase: “Hey sweetie,” making each person feel seen, welcomed, and loved. It was not just a greeting—it was an extension of her heart.Above all, Ann’s life was grounded in her faith. One of her most cherished scriptures was Ephesians 2:8–9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This verse was not only something she believed—it was something she lived.Ann leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humility, laughter, and unwavering love. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in every gentle greeting, every quiet act of care, and every moment of joy shared in her memory.Her life was a gift—and all who knew her were better because of it.

Estate Planning Trends: Rethinking Legacy and Charitable Giving

Next time you meet with your estate planning attorney, it may be a good idea to check in on your long-term plans and ask yourself questions you might not yet have considered. Some planners, for example, report that more and more clients are reconsidering an automatic estate distribution to heirs. Instead, their clients are evaluating what type of legacies make the most sense and working hard to prepare children and grandchildren to receive that wealth. Times are changing, and regular, careful estate plan reviews with your advisors are more important than ever. Here are three interesting emerging themes: They don’t need it—or want it. Sometimes it makes good financial sense for heirs to disclaim inheritances from their parents. This Wall Street Journal article (subscription required) is instructive, noting that heirs can sometimes benefit from refusing an inheritance, allowing assets—especially tax-heavy ones like traditional IRAs—to pass to contingent beneficiaries in a more tax-efficient way. Legal disclaimers provide post-death flexibility for families to adjust estate plans in response to current circumstances, though they must be executed carefully to comply with strict rules. Strategic giving leads to local giving. High net worth donors are becoming more intentional and strategic in their charitable giving, focusing on outcomes, alignment with personal values, and long-term impact rather than making purely reactive or broad-based donations. Alongside these changes is a growing preference for supporting local organizations, as donors increasingly want to see the direct effects of their contributions within their own communities. Hands-on local involvement and proactive planning go hand in hand. Donors using donor-advised funds are particularly locally focused, as evidenced by volunteering statistics. These donors are significantly more likely to volunteer their time—especially within their own communities—demonstrating deeper, hands-on engagement with the organizations they support. This combination of higher volunteerism and frequent giving suggests that donor-advised fund donors are not only more active philanthropically but also more personally connected to local causes and community impact. To learn how these trends might apply to your situation, please reach out to The Community Foundation! Our team is happy to work with you and your advisors to structure a charitable giving plan—including a donor-advised fund, cause-specific fund, legacy fund, and more—that meets your overall financial and estate planning goals while also ensuring that your wealth can help improve the quality of life in our region for years to come. The team at the Community Foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

Community Foundation Launches Spring Philanthropy Initiative

It’s hard to believe that spring is in full swing and 2026 is approaching the midway mark! This month, we’re taking a step back to reflect on a simple but powerful idea: what does philanthropy really mean—and how can you discover the causes that matter most to you, especially right here in our own community? You’ll find practical guidance for shaping your giving, along with ideas to help you take the next step in your charitable journey, wherever you may be. Rethinking legacy: Balancing gifts to heirs with the community’s future Estate planning is about more than deciding who receives what. The Community Foundation is happy to share trends in the ways donors are thinking carefully about inheritances, family needs, and opportunities to leave a meaningful charitable legacy that supports our community for years to come. What type of donor are you—scattered, results-focused, just getting started, or deep into it already? There’s no single “right” type of donor. Everyone is different, whether you already have a fund at The Community Foundation or are considering starting one. Whatever your “type,” our team can work with you at every stage to organize your giving, explore causes you care about, and shape a plan that fits your goals. Step by step, it starts with “love of humanity” Philanthropy may sound like a big word, but its meaning is beautifully simple. The team at The Community Foundation loves reflecting on philanthropy as a “love of humanity,” especially as we help you move into action with a few important first steps. Discover what happens when we meet for the first time to explore your charitable priorities and the impact you envision. The team at the Community Foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.

Tax Season Lessons: Community Foundation Shares Donor Best Practices

If you’re like many donors, the weeks leading up to tax deadlines tend to bring charitable giving into sharper focus. You may have finalized contributions, gathered documentation, or had conversations with your CPA about how your philanthropy fits into your overall financial plan. After the deadline has passed, it’s tempting to move on and not revisit these decisions until later in the year. But the weeks immediately following filing your tax return are actually one of the best times to take a step back and reflect—while the details are still fresh. This is especially important in 2026 because so many tax laws have changed. If you experienced any surprises this tax season, that’s especially worth discussing. Often, small adjustments made early in the year—rather than in December—can lead to better outcomes both financially and philanthropically. Here are common regrets and how the Community Foundation can help for the 2026 tax year and beyond. Giving cash instead of appreciated assets Many donors regret using cash or credit cards to make large donations instead of gifting appreciated assets (such as stocks, mutual funds, or real estate) held for more than one year. The regret: Selling assets to donate the cash results in paying capital gains tax on the profit. The better move: By donating the asset directly to your fund at the Community Foundation or to another qualified charity, you may be able to avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation and deduct the full fair market value if you itemize. Missing out on “bunching” to surpass the standard deduction The standard deduction was increased under the 2017 changes to the tax laws and has stayed high ever since. This can cause missed opportunities for charitable deductions. The regret: Spreading donations evenly across the years and not exceeding the standard deduction threshold. The better move: “Bunching” multiple years of donations into a single tax year by using a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation to exceed the standard deduction and claim a tax deduction for that year. Pro tip: Planning around tax rules is especially important for 2026 and future tax years because not only is the standard deduction still high, but also charitable deductions are now subject to a 0.5% “floor” and a 35% cap. Be sure to talk with your tax advisors early in the year to structure a plan that will work best for you. Lack of proper documentation Sadly, many donors fail to keep adequate records, leading to potential deductions being disallowed by the IRS. The mistake: Failing to get written acknowledgment from the charity for donations over $250, or not having a bank record for smaller cash gifts. The problem: Without documentation, even genuine donations can be disallowed upon audit. Honorable mentions Beyond the “big three,” donors also report regrets such as: –Overlooking IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs). Taxpayers 70½ or older forget they can directly donate to charity from their IRAs, which can help satisfy RMD obligations without increasing their taxable income. (Note that changes may be coming that could allow you to use QCDs to fund your donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation. Currently, QCDs can fund other types of funds at the Community Foundation, but not donor-advised funds.) –Donating to non-qualified entities. Giving to organizations that are not 501(c)(3) nonprofits, meaning that these donations are not tax-deductible. Working with the experienced team at the Community Foundation can help you avoid this pitfall. –Overvaluing non-cash donations. Inflating the value of donated goods (such as clothing or used cars) rather than using their fair market value (thrift store value). This could come back to bite you in an audit! Hoping to avoid tax season remorse next year? Please reach out to the team at the Community Foundation. We want to be your first call on all matters of charitable giving. Whether you established a fund at the Community Foundation years ago, recently became a fund holder, or are considering doing so this year, we are here for you!

Community Foundation Offers Due Diligence Support for Charitable Donors

Many people want to be thoughtful in their charitable giving, but that doesn’t always make the process easy. In fact, one of the most common challenges donors face is simply feeling confident in their decisions. With so many worthy organizations, urgent needs, and compelling opportunities, it can be difficult to know where to start—or how to know if you’re making the biggest possible impact. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether you’re giving to the “right” organizations, you are not alone. This is where the Community Foundation can help. One of the most valuable roles the Community Foundation plays is serving as a trusted, knowledgeable partner in your philanthropy. Our team works closely with nonprofit organizations across the region and maintains a deep understanding of the issues shaping our community. This allows us to provide more than just options—we can offer context. For example, if you’re interested in supporting a particular cause, we can share insight into how that issue is affecting our Community right now, which organizations are actively addressing it, and where additional support could make a meaningful difference. In addition to offering perspective, the Community Foundation can also assist with due diligence. While many organizations are doing excellent work, it’s natural to want reassurance that your gifts are being used effectively and in alignment with your intentions. Our team can help review organizations’ missions, programs, and governance practices, and provide guidance based on our experience working with nonprofits of all sizes and focus areas. This can be especially helpful if you are considering supporting an organization that is new to you or responding to a timely or urgent need. For many donors, this combination of insight and due diligence leads to greater confidence—not just in individual gifts, but in their overall approach to philanthropy. Just as importantly, working with the Community Foundation can help you step back and think more strategically about your giving. Rather than approaching each donation as a separate decision, you may find it helpful to consider how your gifts fit together over time. Are there certain causes you’d like to prioritize? Would you like to balance immediate needs with long-term impact? Are there opportunities to involve your family in the process? These are the types of conversations the Community Foundation is here to support. Whether you prefer to remain hands-on in selecting organizations or would like help narrowing your focus, our team can tailor our approach to fit your preferences and goals. The result is not a rigid plan, but a more confident and informed path forward. Philanthropy is personal, and there is no single “right” way to give. But having a trusted partner can make the process feel more manageable—and more meaningful. The Community Foundation is honored to work alongside you, helping ensure that your generosity is guided by both your values and a clear understanding of how to make the greatest impact.