FRIDAY

. . . . being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

Read the Bible

  • Job 7: 6-10
  • Job 8: 9
  • Isaiah 40: 6-8
  • “Considering life’s brevity, I value most . . . .”

Obituaries

Meredith “Ann” Viana Courtney

July 28, 1938 – December 4, 2023

Meredith “Ann” Viana Courtney, 85, of Amite passed away peacefully surrounded by her beloved family at North Oaks Medical Center on Monday, December 4, 2023. She was born July 28, 1938, in New Orleans. Her life touched everyone she encountered, and she left a legacy that will live in our hearts forever.

She came into the world as a miracle baby weighing 2 pounds and 11 ounces and spent her early life in Aruba. Her family moved back to the states for the birth of her brother. She attended Ursuline Academy, graduated high school from Ridgewood Preparatory School in 1956, and attended Dominican College before beginning her family. She married Kenneth Wayne Courtney on August 16, 1958 and moved to Amite where they made their life together. They were blessed with five children. She was a cherished wife, mother, and grandmother who set an extraordinary example and taught many lessons. She embodied gentleness, kindness, humility, compassion, generosity, patience, and loyalty. She had a deep faith in the Catholic Church, her joy emanated from within, and her love for her family was unwavering.

She was a member of St. Helena Catholic Church, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and served on the church bereavement committee. She was a founding member of the Oak Forest Academy Teacher Parent Club and the Booster Club and spent countless hours volunteering in many roles to ensure their success. She enjoyed cooking, baking, playing cards and pokeno with her friends, and cheering on the LSU Tigers. She welcomed everyone into her home with a hug and a smile and was happiest when surrounded by her family, who affectionately called her “The Queen of Hillsdale.”

She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Kenneth Courtney; her 5 children, Suzanne Courtney, Sherri Oliver and husband Stevie, Tobey Courtney, Toni Riley and husband Chris, and Kenneth Courtney, Jr. and wife Melissa; 10 grandchildren, Courtney Putnam and husband Alan, Brett Ruffino and wife Michele, Carrie Smith, Brandi Ray and husband Ashton, Brittany Holland and husband Drew, Ken Courtney III and wife Courtney, Lindsey Misita and husband Drew, Brianna Riley, Adam Courtney, and Laney Courtney; 14 great-grandchildren, Andrew Smith, Morgan Ruffino, Addison Smith, Wyatt Putnam, Eli Ray, Cooper Ruffino, Avery Smith, Brock Putnam, Cohen Ray, Landry Holland, Oliver Ray, Miles Misita, Rafe Holland, and Meredith Misita; honorary granddaughters Crystal Alexander and Whitney Guitrau; nephew JJ Viana and numerous other nieces, nephews and Godchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Manuel Viana and Meredith Ann Daigle Viana, brother Glenn Viana, grandson Blayne Courtney, son-in-law Rick Bogdal (Suzanne), and daughter-in-law, Doris Owen (Tobey).

Visitation will take place Sunday, December 10, 2023, at McKneely Funeral Home from 5:00p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and will continue Monday, December 11, 2023, at St. Helena Catholic Church Hall with the recitation of the rosary at 9:30 a.m., visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., and a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Helena Catholic Church at noon celebrated by Father Miles Walsh. Burial will follow at Courtney Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Brett Ruffino, Ken Courtney III, Adam Courtney, Alan Putnam, Ashton Ray, Drew Holland, and Drew Misita.

The family would like to thank her caregivers Jessie McClain and Lois Bell, Dr. Ray, and the doctors and staff at North Oaks for their exceptional and compassionate care.

If preferred to flowers, donations in her honor may be made to St. Helena Catholic Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Clyde Donald Dykes

January 27, 1956 – December 6, 2023

A resident of Osyka, MS, passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at Hospice of Baton Rouge in Baton Rouge, LA. He was born January 27, 1956 in Magnolia, MS and was 67 years of age. He is survived by his son, Wesley Dykes and wife, Tiffany; daughter, Jessica Dykes and Clayton Thornton; 4 grandchildren, Kaleb Dykes, Kaitlynn Dykes, Alayna Thornton, and Dakota Thornton; brothers, Walter Dykes and wife, Kathy, Raymond Dykes, and Mark Dykes and wife, Charlene; sisters, Betty Woodard, Elizabeth Hernandez and husband, Rudy, Denell Gill, and Kimberly Kelp. Preceded in death by his father, Clyde Dykes; mother, Nellie Perryman; brother, Sheldon Dykes; infant son, Baby Dykes. Memorial Services will be scheduled at a later date. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s focus our prayers on keeping the right focus for the holiday season! Christmas is about JESUS!

Don’t Forget

WHO – Ladies, young to not so young, like me

WHAT – Lottie Moon Luncheon

WHEN – Saturday at 10 A.M.

WHERE – Spring Creek Baptist Church

WHY – Ladies gathering to focus on international missions

I hope to see you and yours there.

Have a wonderful day! Try to get some of the “real meaning of Christmas, in your life today!

Anna Lee