Month: July 2011

The monthly meeting at the cabin will not happen this Thursday because of responsibilities and sickness.  On top of everything else, I have been sick for two days.

Momma was better today and was moved back to room 4103 (telemetry).  We are so thankful for her progress and the visits and prayers of so many of you.  God has been faithful!

Joseph Harlan Simpson

(July 29, 1925 – July 19, 2011)

In accordance with Joe’ wishes, a private service was held for him at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 followed by a short service at Amite Cemetery in Amite, LA.

Joe began working for Western Union at the age of 16. He enlisted in the US Navy Seebees and served in World War II. When he returned, he attended LSU, graduating in 1950. He taught school for a few years and then returned to work for Western Union in Hammond. While working there, he studied law as an apprentice with a local attorney.

He practiced law in Amite for 50 years. He was a loving husband, a devoted father, an extraordinary grandfather, a friend to many, and a great lover of animals.

He is survived and will be missed by his wife of 62 years, Leah Beth Houeye Simpson; three children and four grandchildren; son, Hugh Alan Simpson and his wife Kay Lewis Simpson and their sons Bradley Lewis Simpson and Brian Joseph Simpson, daughter Debra Lea Simpson Potts and her husband Michael Allan Pots and their sons Casey Allan Potts and Alex Michael Potts and son William Paul Simpson & companion Betty Ballow; one sister, Geraldine Simpson Alford; nephews and nieces, Bruce E. Simpson, Lorraine Alford Mabus, Michael M. Alford, Brett D. Simpson and Duvoix A. Alford; great nephew and nieces, Jimmy Mabus, John Mabus, Judge Alford, Jessica Simpson Christy, Stephanie Simpson, Walter Simpson and Ellen Simpson Burford; and faithful caretakers, Navarrow Hart and Vera Bean.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Paul Simpson and Jessie Lee Smith Simpson, by his twin brother, Walter Howell Simpson and by his twin grandsons, Joseph Lee Potts and Michael Allan Potts, Jr.

He has requested that any gifts or donations in his honor or memory be made to the Hammond Animal Shelter or any SPCA facility or other humane shelters of animals.

I’ve been away from my computer since Saturday morning.  A lot has happened.  I’ll fill you in on some of it.

Boyd, Jennie, Mallory, Miles, Madison, and Mason Hatchel arrived safely in New Orleans at 1:30 Sunday morning.  They have moved into the Dr. J.D. Gray missionary home on the campus of NOBTS.  They are getting settled in and adjusting to a seven hour time difference.  Boyd will see a neurologist Wednesday to follow his recent health problem.  Keep them in your prayer while they are busy here for their stateside assignment.

Momma, Dot Smith, spent her nineteenth day in ICU at North Oaks today.  She has improved and had the chest tube and neck line removed yesterday and today.  Her A-fib was better this afternoon.  Plans are to move her to telemetry tomorrow.

Jimmy Schwartz is much better and was moved from ICU to room 4017 today.  What a change a few days has made in his life!

Mrs. Kathryn Kuss is still in  room 4010 at North Oaks.  Continue to pray for her.

Tristan Gill is home from the hospital.  Pray for him as her continues to improve.

My uncle, Fred Widas of Roseland, passed away just after midnight Sunday morning. His wake was tonight.  Visitation and funeral services will be in the morning at FBC, Amite.  He was a very kind and gentle man who lived a wonderful Christian life as a witness to all.

Frederick J. Widas, Jr.
(January 12, 1920 – July 17, 2011)

A resident of Roseland, LA, died at 1:52 a.m. on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at his home. He was born January 12, 1920 in Foxworth, MS and was 91 years of age. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Amite, and a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday and at First Baptist Church, Amite, from 9 a.m. until Religious Services at 11 a.m .Tuesday. Services conducted by Rev. Mike Foster. Interment Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Roseland, LA. Survived by 2 daughters, Naomi E. Widas, Roseland, and Frances E. Widas Hebert and her husband, Willie M. Hebert, Sr., Baton Rouge, son, Frederick E. “Rick” Widas, Sr.,and his wife, Linda, Roseland, 5 grandchildren, Frederick E. Widas, Jr., OH, Kevin E. Widas, CA, Kimberly Widas Douglas, TX, Lee A. Widas, Roseland, and Clayton E. Widas, Roseland, 6 great-grandchildren, and a brother, Karl Frederick Widas, Sr., Slidell. Preceded in death by wife, Elizabeth “Bettye” D. Widas, parents, Frederick J. Widas, Sr. and, Anna Jane Boyd Widas, 2 sisters, Lois Widas Bennett and Anna Lucille Widas Whittington, and a brother, Charles Edward Widas.

John “Brad” Pike
(March 4, 1953 – July 15, 2011)

A resident of Wilmer, he died at 12:31 p.m. on Friday, July 15, 2011 at East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie. He was born March 4, 1953 in Magnolia, MS and was 58 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Songy Pike, Kentwood; son, John Eli Pike, Kentwood; step-son, Todd Sigrist; 2 step-daughters, Ashley Cheramie and husband, James and Tara Spears and husband, Trent; 3 sisters, Debbie A. Pike, Troup, TX, Marty P. Fleming and husband, Hugh, New Orleans and Eileen Pike, Prairieville; 20 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 4 nieces and 8 nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, John Irven Pike and Edris Lauree Clark Pike. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and spending time with Collin Blaise Sanders “Pike”. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5 p.m .until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of your choice.

Roscoe Benjamin Fussell
(December 16, 1915 – July 16, 2011)

Jadon’s Story: Boston dates and getting stronger

Posted: 14 Jul 2011 08:38 PM PDT We finally got our dates for Boston. My mommy and I will be leaving July 31. I will be admitted for a 48 hour EEG on August 1. I will have my PET scan done August 2nd. Then I will be released August 3rd and I will come home August 4th. My daddy is going to stay home with my brother this time. So it will just be me and mom but we will be fine. Boston has become our 2nd home so we know how to stay safe. Other than that I continue to make progress everyday it seems like. I’ve always been able to get into the crawling position with assistants. Well just look at my picture. I’m doing it all by myself. No rice and no one making me. Wow this is huge progress for me. God is truly awesome.

Mrs. Kathryn Kuss is in room 4010 at North Oaks.  Pray for her and for her family.

Jimmy Schwartz was admitted to North Oaks today and just moved to ICU room 3006. Pray for Jimmy, his family, and the medical staff caring for him.

Momma is still in ICU, room 3008.  Pray for us as we continue to help care for her.

My uncle, Fred Widas of Roseland, is very ill.  Please pray for his children and grandchildren.

Betty Lou Clark Allen

(March 11, 1949 – July 13, 2011)

Helen Slade Willims
(January 24, 1938 – July 15, 2011)

Helen Slade Williams was born January 24, 1938 and passed away at 8:40 a.m., Friday, July 15, 2011 at Specialty LTCH Hospital-Hammond. She was 73 and a resident of Roseland.

Mrs. Helen is survived by 2 daughters, Kathy H. Tullos, Amite & Shirley Hammond, Spencer, NY; son, Patrick Henry Fields and wife Vicky, Roseland; 4 sisters, Irma Easley and husband David, Wilmer, Gerri Ann Stout and husband Daniel, Roseland, Linda Richardson Ball and husband Richard, Ponchatoula, Elagha Corbin, Roseland; 2 brothers, Carl Slade, Alabama, Charles “Butch” Slade and wife Nancy, Amite; 12 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by her parents, Luther & Irma Black Slade; husband, Floyd Williams; 3 sons, Alfred Henry Fields, III, Jessie James Hammond, Larry Wayne Hammond; 2 daughters, Marylin Faye Hammond, Karen Sue Hammond; 2 brothers, Ronald Wayne Slade, David Crockett Slade.

Memorial Services will be held at a later date.

An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.