Friday

I’m sorry you haven’t heard from me for a couple of days.  A backhoe took me out of service for a while.  Thankfully, I’m back!

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;

My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

~Psalm 18:2~

Today is World Cancer Day!  Please pray for a cure.

CaringBridge

• http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/micah_tolleson

Mrs. Mildred Birch’s surgery went well.  She has some stents and a balloon.  The doctor said it was a blessing she had this warning before a major heart attack.  “Miss” Mildred should be home by now and able to drive tomorrow.  What a blessing this family has received.

Cheryl Hughes Green said her lab reports went well.  The tumors in her arm were all fatty tissues.  Join Cheryl in thanking God.

Jadon’s Story

• So my seizures are a little better. I’m still having alot but they are better. I was having them all day long. Now I’m only having them when I go to sleep and wake up. I had one bad cluster of 30 this morning but the other clusters were only about 12. I had a few single spasms here and there but overall they are better. I’m estimating about 70. I was having over 100 in Boston. We still have to increase the medicine two more times. So maybe this medicine will work. We will continue to pray that it will be our miracle drug. I am totally off my clobazam and I can’t tell you how excited I am. I am not tired all the time. I am napping just like a normal 1 year old now. I have never done this. I have always slept like an infant. Now I’m taking only two naps a day. I’m also more vocal and I’m moving around more. I just wish we could have stopped that clobazam earlier. I will keep you updated. Please continue to pray for me. I love you, Jadon

• My seizures continue to get better. They are still not controlled but they are better. I’m only having them when I go to sleep, when I wake up, and then just a few here and there. I’m also sleeping much better. In fact, last night I only woke up 1 time. I had 15 spasms and then went right back to sleep. They is a significant decrease at night. I’m also still only taking two naps a day. I sleep about 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. This makes us so happy 🙂 We will increase the banzel again tonight. Please continue to pray for improvement. Your prayers are working. We are praying that once I get on the full dose we will have control of these spasms. Thanks for caring and praying, Jadon

Willie Mae Graves (March 10, 1922 – October 14, 2010) A resident of Greensburg, LA, died on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at St. Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg, LA. She was born March 10, 1922 in Amite, LA and was 88 years of age. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and from 10 a.m. until religious services at 12 noon Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Mark Robinson. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. Survived by 2 daughters, Linda Graves Cutrer, Amite, and Catherine G. Courtney, Bossier City, son, Charles Wayne Graves, Amite, 10 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, Preceded in death by, husband, Charles W. Graves, parents, Marley and Arry Mapes Pittman, granddaughter, Donna Lynn Courtney Tilli, 2 sisters, and 3 brothers.

Emma Thompson Phillips (May 10, 1923 – October 14, 2010)

A resident of Independence, LA, died at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at Landmark Nursing Home in Hammond, LA. She was born May 10, 1923 in Hillsdale, LA and was 87 years of age. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. on Saturday until religious services at 12 Noon Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Brady Whiddon. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. Survived by daughter, Camille P. Russell, Independence, sister, Eula Mae T. LaPorte, Port Vincent, 4 grandchildren, Brandon C. Hammons, Scotch D. Phillips, Kendall P. Woods, and Hagan T. Hammons, 9 great-grandchildren, Cannan Hammons, Banner Hammons, Gyvan Hammons, Taylor Phillips, McKenna Phillips, Ella Rose Phillips, Hudson Woods, Hayden Woods, and William Woods. Preceded in death by husband, Haynie H. Phillips, son, Howell H. Phillips, parents, Johnny R. Thompson and, Katie Hardy Thompson, brother, Alvin C. Thompson, and sister, Loneta T. Binder.

Mary Jane Cuti Dickson
(July 25, 1918 – October 13, 2010)

Mary Jane Cuti Dickson or “Maddie”as she was lovingly known by family and friends, passed away on October 13, 2010. Born July 25, 1918, she lived a full life, always happily caring and giving to her family and friends. She worked for many years at Lallie Kemp Hospital from where she eventually retired. However, her favorite job was caring for her family. She was always in the kitchen cooking, ready for whomever stopped by. Mangia! was one of her favorite phrases. She used food as her personal way to show her love. Mary’s final days ended at the Richard Murphy Hospice House with her family by her side.A lifelong resident of Independence, LA, Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Lyle Dickson, her father and mother, Sam and Annie Cuti; brother, Vincent Cuti; sister, Josephine Cuti Alfano; brother Victor Cuti. She is survived by her two sons, Salvador Dickson and Michael Dickson, both of Independence; five grandchildren, Karl Dickson of Severn, MD; Shawn Dickson of Hammond, LA; Missy Dickson Miller of Albany, LA; Michael Dickson of Independence, LA; and Kristine Dickson of Baton Rouge, LA; as well as eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. Funeral arrangements have been made through McKneely Funeral Home in Amite, LA. Services will be held at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church on Friday, October 15, 2010. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 to11:30, followed by the Mass. Burial services will follow at Colonial Cemetery.

Ionia Hill (April 9, 1921 – October 13, 2010) Ionia Lucy Kirkland Griffin Hill, born April 09, 1921 near Headland, AL died early Wednesday morning, October 13, 2010 at St. Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg, LA. She was the daughter of Paten and Mellie Brown Kirkland. Ms Ionia married the love of her life, Joseph David Griffin July 01, 1945. They made their home in Jackson, LA where they raised their three children; Polly, Wade and Joe Jr. Her husband, Joe died at the age of 54, and Ionia married Herman Coyt Hill; a preacher from Carthage MS.; who also preceded her in death. Visitation will be at The Lord’s Church, Kentwood, Saturday from 8 a.m. with a service at 10 a.m. Following, there will be visitation and a funeral service at the First Baptist Church in Jackson, LA from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m, Saturday. Services will be conducted by Rev. Don Meadows and Rev. Joe Nesom. Internment will be at the Jackson Cemetery. She is survived by her children Polly Griffin Bridges of Kentwood, LA. Wade Griffin and wife, Debby, of Baytown, TX; Joe Griffin Jr. and wife, Kathey, of Jackson, LA. Grandchildren are Joseph W. Bridges and wife, Jennifer; Mitchel A. Bridges and wife, Donde, of Kentwood. Step grandchildren Mark Stites and wife, Devon of Houston, TX; Penny Stites Morrison and husband, Earl of Dear Park, TX; Joseph Russell and wife Danielle of St. Francisville, LA and Johnny Russell and wife, Becky of St. Francisville, LA. Great grandchildren are Will, Matt, Rebecca. Ashton and Kirkland Bridges; all of Kentwood Lauren, Jonathan and Owen Stites of Houston, TX and Mallory, Mackenzie and Max Morrison of Dear Park, TX, Emily and Mallarie Russell. She was preceded in death by sisters Julia Whitlock and Juanita Dean, brothers Odell, Crawford, Alvis, Horace, Eudolph and Quincey Kirkland. She was an active member of The Lord’s Church, 1936 Hwy. 440, Kentwood, LA 70444 and a longtime former member of the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 155, Jackson, LA 70748. Memorials may be given to either of the above churches or to the Christian ministry of your choice. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. Starret Dewaine Cleveland (October 20, 1952 – October 12, 2010) A resident of Greensburg, he died on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 in Hammond. He was born October 20, 1952 in Amite and was 57 years of age. Rev. Cleveland was a pastor at churches in Mississippi and Louisiana. He is survived by his wife, Iris Strahan Cleveland, Greensburg; daughter, Diedra Cleveland Chavers and her husband, Chris, Albany; son, David Cleveland and his wife, Monette, Albany; Pop had 4 grandchildren, Meredith, Micah, Asher, and Sophia. Also survived by a sister, Phyllis “Dell” Gatewood, 2 brothers, Ira Cleveland, Jr. and his wife, Carol Ann, and Mike Pierce, 2 half-sisters, Susie Capdeboscq and Kay Cleveland. He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Passman Pierce and father, Ira Cleveland, Sr. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Wednesday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Thursday. Services conducted by Rev. David Fortenberry. Interment Friendship Cemetery, Amite, LA. Memorial contributions may be made to youth or children’s funds at Red Bluff Baptist Church, Greensburg, or Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, Amite. Have a great evening! Anna Lee