Please pray for a former student, Kimberly Newell Landry.  She has a tumor on her thyroid and will have surgery Wednesday at Baton Rouge General.  Her mother requested your prayers.

Mrs. Avis Sullivan will be in Hood Memorial for three or four days to get some antibiotics.  Pray for her and her family.

The Williams brothers, Jacob and Jesse, have both become fathers again.  Last week, Jacob and Kelsey had a daughter, Chloe, to join their son, Noah.  This morning, Jesse and Jamie have a son, Emmett Reece, to join daughter, Joanna.  Pray for these families as they grow.

Ben L. Spears
Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home

Ben L. Spears, 78, a resident of Osyka, died June 16, 2012 at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center following a lengthy illness.

He was born July 4, 1933 in Osyka, MS.  He was the son of Fred A. and Eunice Cutrer Spears.  He was a member of Line Creek Baptist Church.

Mr. Spears graduated from Osyka High School where he enjoyed playing basketball.  He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War.  Ben enjoyed beagles and field trials of all types.  He was self-employed in the air conditioning and heating industry for many years before he achieved his dream of developing his own line of dog food and forming Comet Pet Foods.

Dogs were not the only animal he enjoyed.  Across the years he had a collection of exotic animals which included but was not limited to “fainting goats”, buffalos, Alpaca, a camel, sheep, donkeys and many more.  His family never knew what would be in that cattle trailer when he pulled back in after a trip. He was also known for narration in church services.  He narrated Christmas cantatas, Easter cantatas, and many others.  His contribution to live nativity scenes at Osyka Baptist Church are a legend.  He loved people, especially children, and he loved to joke and talk. One of his favorite things to do was to cook, and was especially proud of his chicken pie and dressing.

He is preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Elizabeth Carrol Spears; three brothers, Talmadge, Roderick and Jimmy Spears and two sisters, Addie Lee Feigler and Louise Brown.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Spears of Osyka; three sons and daughters-in-law, Freddie and Janet Spears of Brandon, Damon and Liz Spears of McComb and Bentley and Holly Spears of Osyka; one brother, Charles Spears of Osyka; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Ruby and Tuffy Chambers and Helen and Millard Smith of Osyka and Margie and Jim Daniels of Denham Springs; three grandchildren, Justin Spears and wife, Rose, Cody Spears and Morgan Neil and husband, Landon; four great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Haven Spears, Cam Spears and Kinley Neil and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation continues Monday at Line Creek Baptist Church from 12noon until services at 2PM with Rev. Ken Irvin officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Freddie Spears, Damon Spears, Bentley Spears, Justin Spears, Cody Spears and Terry Holloway.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Harry Frye for his many years of dedicated care to Mr. Spears.

Memorials may be sent to Line Creek Baptist Church, 78698 Hwy. 1053, Kentwood, LA 70444.

Share condolences at Hartman-Sharkeyfuneralhome.com

Earl Joseph Basso
(July 23, 1942 – June 18, 2012)

A resident of Independence, he died at 2:30 a.m. on Monday, June 18, 2012 in Independence. He was born July 23, 1942 in Independence and was 69 years of age. Survived by his wife, Emily Bennett Basso, Independence, daughter, Jodie Basso Hutchinson and husband Sherman Hutchinson, Albany, 2 sons, Benny Basso and wife, Regina Crotwell Basso, Kentwood and Michael Basso and wife, Joan Babin Basso, Geismar, sister, Mary Basso Covington and husband, Michael Covington, Maurepas, brother, Lionel Joseph Basso, Independence, 9 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by, daughter, Judy Lynn Basso, father, Rudolph Basso, Sr., mother, Frances Donagricha Basso Richardson, brother, Rudolph Basso, Jr. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20, 2012. Services conducted by Rev. Bobby Joe Carroll. Interment Colonial Mausoleum, Independence, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Mr. Burnell Simpson is home and recovering nicely at home.  Continue to keep him in your prayers.

Mrs. Mary Alice Blackwell is in the thoughts of many people for Kentwood.  She is loved by many who wish the family, as well as “Miss” Mary Alice, to know prayers are being offered for them, but at the same time, people are trying to respect the family’s privacy.  (These thoughts were passed on from ladies in her class at Sunday School this morning.)

Levade Spears Ballard
(July 11, 1909 – June 17, 2012)

“If you become angry,

do not let your anger lead you into sin …”

~Ephesians 4:26a TEV~

Yesterday, we delivered the Hatchels’ vehicle to Humboldt, TN and came back home.  It was a good trip, but we were tired when we got home.  It was such a blessing to meet Ron, the man who provides a vehicle for a number of missionaries to use.  He pointed out the vehicles for four missionary families to use in the near future.  I always teach boys and girls that missionaries can serve through many careers such as nurse, teacher, photographer, bookkeeper, pharmacist, etc.  God can use used care salesmen too! Ron has been on nine volunteer mission trips.  Then, he found a way to minister to missionaries through his business.  What a blesses it was to sit and talk with him.  I was so blessed by him.

Jason and Ellen vande Vuss will be going on a volunteer mission trip in a week and will be gone about three weeks.  Pray for those Jason and Ellen will encounter.  Pray for the children who will be staying with family here during the time.

David Allen was not admitted to the hospital yesterday.  He managed to work half a day, even with a kidney stone.  Pray for David to have a better day today.

You may remember the Mississippi church bus wreck that eventually took the life of Maggie Lee Henson.  Her parents have just published a book you may be interested in.  If you are interested in seeing the book cover and reading some comments about the book, please go to http://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Good-Jinny-John-Henson/dp/1573126306

I’ve been reading from the site.  This is an awesome book!  The family certainly let God lead them through the days after the accident.  I’ve been in love with them and their faith since the wreck.  You will be so inspired as you too read from this site and from the book.  Maggie Lee, your young life has touched many people and caused them to smile through their tears.  Thank-you, Henson family, for sharing your life and faith with us!

Another one of my classmates passed away.  This one I haven’t seen or heard from in all the years since graduation.

Patricia Currier Barrilleaux
(September 5, 1948 – June 14, 2012)

Patricia Currier Barrilleaux, age 64, died Thursday morning, June 14, 2012. “Pat” was born on September 5, 1948 in Amite, LA to the late Charlie Sam and Dorothy Walker Currier. She was a dedicated spouse, mother, and grandmother. She was married to Vernon E. Barrilleaux for 44 years and together they had 3 children, Shannon Stevens and husband, Troy, Douglas Barrilleaux and wife, Tracy and Rebecca Edwards and husband, Peyton. Pat and Vernon raised their children in Thibodaux, LA then moved to Birmingham, AL when Pat was working for Bellsouth/AT&T. Later, they moved to Loranger, LA where she retired. Pat has 9 grandchildren, Lillian Stevens and Tyler Kendrick, Santo and Emily Stevens, Jackson, Nathan, Abigail and Jacob Barrilleaux, and Zachary and Nathan Edwards. She has 1 great grandchild, Evynn Kendrick. Her siblings are, Stanley Currier and wife, Shelia, Sherry Guillot and husband, Michael, Paula Cleland and husband, Carl, Robbie Orsi and husband, Ron, Chris Blunck and husband, Carl, and Cindy Alston and husband, Sam. It would be impossible for me to celebrate my mother’s life without celebrating her faith. She trusted in His “plan” for her life. When she was diagnosed with cancer, she would say, “This is not my plan, but His plan.” Mom taught us to ground ourselves by trusting in the Lord, to let him lead us in all that we do. She challenged us frequently to re-think, re-look and re-consider using a Godly view. This is how we would like you to remember her and her life: Live lovingly and peacefully knowing that God has a plan for your life. Our family would like to extend our deepest thanks to all our friends and family who supported us on this journey. We love you and we thank you for all that you have done. Visitation will be held on Sunday evening at McKneely Funeral Home, 110 E. Factory St., Amite, LA 70422, from 6 pm until 9 pm and on Monday at St. Helena Catholic Church,112 South First St., Amite, LA, from 8 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 9 am. Service conducted by Fr. Mark Beard. Interment will follow in St. Dominic Cemetery, 55720 Hwy 445, Husser, LA 70442. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

We don’t know what God has in store for us today, but make the best of whatever happens today!

Anna Lee