Tuesday Afternoon

Jimmie Clayton Battles
(February 17, 1932 – June 17, 2008)

Jimmie Clayton Battles, 76, of Amite, LA., died Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at his home at 5:00AM. Jimmie was born on February 17, 1932 in Amite. Surviving are his high school sweetheart and wife of 56 years, Eva Juanita Graves Battles, Amite, a daughter, Caroline Battles, Bastrop, LA., Kathi Battles Moreland, Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, and Robin Battles Gray and husband Mark, Hammond; a sister, Mary Retha Davis, Amite, and 4 grandsons, John Mark Gray, Michael Clayton Gray, Daniel Moreland, and Clint Sharp. Jimmie is preceded in death by his parents Nathan and Lucille Bennett Battles, 2 brothers, Melvin Battles, Sr., and Clifford Battles, and 2 sisters Clara Bennett and Margie Drude. Jimmie was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict, Second Infantry Division, Second to None, 23rd Infantry Medical Company attachment, serving as a medic. He was a local building contractor for 48 years. His favorite past-time was fishing and hunting with his children and grandchildren. He was proud of his daughters and their many accomplishments, and of his grandchildren. Friends and family will be received Thursday, June 19, 2008, at First Baptist Church, Amite, from 9 AM until the Religious Services at 12 NOON at the First Baptist Church. Interment in Battles Cemetery, Hwy. 1046, Amite, LA. McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite in charge of arrangements. An on-line guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

Mrs. Mildred Brooks Easley
(August 6, 1921 – June 16, 2008)

Mrs. Mildred Evelyn Brooks Easley, 86, passed away at her home Tuesday, June 17, 2008 after a brief illness. Mrs. Easley was preceded in death by her husband, Fleet J. Easley during his second term as Mayor of Amite City. Mrs. Mildred Easley served as interim mayor after Mr. Fleet’s death in 1984. Mr. and Mrs. Easley were preceded in death by their only child, Evelyn Kathleen Easley in 1968 as the result of a car accident. Mrs. Easley was born in Chesbrough on August 6, 1921 to parents George Albert and Bettie Hart Brooks. She grew up in Tangipahoa, graduated from Kentwood High School and Soule’ Business College in New Orleans. Mrs. Easley served in the United States Navy during World War II, stationed in Pensacola and Whiting Field. Following the war, she worked at Gullett Cotton Gin in Amite City where she met and married Fleet, also a Gullett employee. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Amite. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Easley was preceded in death by three sisters Anna Laura Reed, Beverly LeTard, Helen Sue Gates and brother Richard Brooks. She is survived by two sisters Miss Dorothy Brooks of Kentwood, Mrs. Catherine Lou Brooks Wright of Amite and Fort Walton Beach, Florida and brother George Albert Brooks, Jr. of LaMarque, Texas. Visitation will be at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, Wednesday, June 18, 2008 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Thursday, June 19, 2008 from 8:00 AM until Religious Services at 10:30 AM in the Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be conducted by Dr. Tom Higginbotham. Interment in the Amite Mulberry Cemetery. An on-line guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com. The funeral home is located at I-55 North and Hwy 16 West next to Coggins-Gentry Ford.