“. . . . and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

Genesis 22:18

Prayer Focus

There are many deaths in our community. Please pray for the families.

Deaths

Pam Cook Forrest

April 9, 1956 – December 10, 2023

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Sunday, December 10th, 2023 at Richard Murphy Hospice House in Hammond, LA. She was born April 9, 1956 in Tylertown, MS and was 67 years of age.

Pam was a co-owner with her husband Craig and his sister Kathy Dale of Forrest Hill Dairy for 34 years from 1984 to until 2018. While living the life of a dairy farmer’s wife, she also worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years. In her high school years, she played basketball for Mt. Hermon High School and was a four-time All-District standout and a two-time All-State performer who led Mt. Hermon to the 1974 Class C title. She was the team’s MVP for three straight years, an all-district MVP for two years, and the state’s Class C MVP in 1974. She had the highest free-throw percentage, most steals and most rebounds for Mt. Hermon and was the leading scorer in school history. She participated in the first LHSAA Girls’ Basketball All-Star Game and was named the first Miss Basketball in Louisiana in 1974. She was inducted into the LHSAA Hall of Fame in 2007. She was the first woman to receive an athletic scholarship to LSU, where she played for one semester. She then followed her high school coach by transferring to Southeastern Louisiana University where she helped them win an AIAW Division II national championship. Pam was selected as LAIAW MVP three years in a row, was a college All-American two years in a row and played in the first All-America game for women. She was inducted into the SLU Hall of Fame in 1998, and her jersey hangs in the SLU University Center. She became the third women’s basketball player in SLU history to have her jersey retired (2012). In the first ever women’s professional basketball draft, Pam was picked by the Milwaukee Does, but requested to be traded to the New Orleans Jazz. Pam was also an active member of the Positive Role Models Involved in the Development of Excellence dedicated to the SLU Women’s Basketball Team for 15 years. Other passions included annual trips with Craig and friends to the Tennessee Smoky Mountains and attending the Women’s College Final Four tournaments every year. Pam loved her family dearly and enjoyed following her son and daughter throughout their athletic careers and filming every ball game they played. She adored and spoiled her four grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, Trent Forrest and wife, Macy; daughter, Traci Forrest Jennings and husband, Ryan; grandchildren, Connor and Kale Forrest and Parker and Peyton Jennings; mother, Elaine Cook; sister, Tam Brooks and husband Luke; brother, Brad Cook and wife Leslie; brother, Randy Cook and wife Dawn; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman “Craig” Forrest; father, W.C. Cook; and sister-in-law, Kathy Dale Forrest.

There will be a celebration of life for family and friends on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at Spring Creek Baptist Church from 9:00 AM until religious services at 12:00 PM. Services will be conducted by Dr. Danny Smith and interment will follow at Spring Creek Cemetery. Pallbearers are Chuck Wilkes, Al Branch, Jr., Kenneth Ray Gill, Robin Burch, Mitch Small, and JoJo Norris.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Neurological Medical Rehabilitation Center in Baton Rouge, the Richard Murphy Hospice House in Hammond, and McKneely Funeral Home of Amite and Kentwood. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Richard Murphy Hospice House (www.richardmurphyhospice.com) or the SLU Lady Lions PRIDE program, (SLU Women’s Basketball PRIDE, SLU Box 10309, Hammond, LA 70402).

Condolences may be left in Pam’s online memorial at http://www.mckneelys.com. 

Lillian Orgeron Gaubert

December 6, 1923 – December 8, 2023

A resident of Ponchatoula, LA, passed away on Friday, December 8, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving family in Ponchatoula, LA. She was born December 6, 1923 in Gretna, LA and was 100 years of age. She is survived by her daughter, Mildred Gaubert; 4 sons, Roy J. Gaubert, Jr., James Gaubert, Lionel Gaubert, and Melvin Gaubert, Sr.; 11 grandchildren, Warren, Anthony, Roddy, Heidi, Heddi, Jennifer, Bridgett, Aaron, Melvin, Ryan, Danielle; 15 great-grandchildren, Timothy, Kenneth, Seth, Thomas, Brittany, Aaron, Jr., Tabby, Leslie, Hannaha, Austin, Meghan, Abagail, Luke, Kyra, Melvin, Jr., and Lexi; 10 great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Roy Gaubert, Sr.; son, Daniel Gaubert; grandson, Anthony Gaubert; parents, Joseph and Gladys Rogers Orgeron; 2 brothers, Ernest and Andrew Orgeron. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 8:00AM until 10:15AM on Saturday, December 16, 2023. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30AM at St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite. Services conducted by Fr. Miles Walsh. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. Pallbearers will be Seth Gaubert, Thomas Gaubert, Roddy Gaubert, Warren Gaubert, Melvin Gaubert, Jr., and Cody Wilkerson. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Gildra Mixon

December 10, 1940 – December 12, 2023

A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. She was born December 10, 1940 in Hammond, LA and was 83 years of age. She was retired from Lallie Kemp Medical Center. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and beloved fur babies. She is survived by her daughters, Jill Mixon (William), Jackie Bertone (Phillip Bertone), and Suzanne Coates (Jack Stilley); son, Stewart Wesley Mixon (Jamie Mixon); 23 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sister, Vesta Stewart; numerous nieces and nephews; Pets, Gus, Sweet Pea and numerous cats. Preceded in death by her mother, Era Page Starkey; father, Ehlert Starkey; son, Jerry Paul Coates; husband, Stewart Mixon; sisters, Dale Covington and Melba Carrier. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Friday, December 15, 2023. Services conducted by Neil Barberio. Interment Hennesey Cemetery, Amite, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Lynette Templet Costanza

Dec 12, 2023 Updated 17 hrs ago

Lynette Costanza (nee Templet), 71, passed away peacefully on Saturday the 9th of December 2023. She was surrounded by the people that loved her. Lynette was born on the 11th of November 1952, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Lynette attended Redemptorist High School, and Louisiana State University. She is preceded in death by her loving parents Vernon and Sarah Templet.

Lynette retired from her career with the State of Louisiana as a Child Protection Agent, where she was a supervisor and dedicated to protecting children’s rights. She was involved in her local Catholic Church in Amite, LA, where she volunteered and was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Through her career and volunteer work, she strived to embrace the principles of faith, justice and the equality and advancement of human dignity for all.

She loved to travel and explore new places with her friend, Ms. Teri Bass. They traveled to many places in the States and abroad. Visiting Ireland and another trip off the coast of Canada where they enjoyed whale-watching was a particular highlight of her many travels and adventures.

She was artistic and made stained glass, painted on glass, and was a talented jewelry designer.

Lynette was a loving Mother and Grandmother, she adored her family and was happiest when reading books, gardening, listening to music and being with her family.

Lynette is survived by her husband Salvador “Sonny” Costanza, as well as her three children and their families; Jessica and Islay; Candice and Wade, Caden and Leighton; Caleb and Kelly and Dallas.

Family and friends will be received at St. Helena Catholic Church, 120 S. First St., Amite, Louisiana 70422 on Friday, December 15, 2023 from 8:00 am until 10:15 am.

A Funeral Service will be held at St. Helena Catholic Church, 120 S. First St., Amite, Louisiana 70422 on Friday at 10:30 am.

Interment will follow at Amite Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Amite, Louisiana.

An on-line guest book is available at www.harrymckneely.com.

Lynette is the sweet lady who came to Kentwood with my sister to help will OCC.

Read the Bible

Week 47: Self Righteousness
Deuteronomy 8:11 – 9:6
“I would define self-righteousness as . . . .”

Lottie Moon

American missionary who served in China.

The yearly international offering was named for her because she constantly wrote to the International Mission Board about the shortage of money for missionaries and their projects. She was a small woman who basically starved so she could feed others. She died on a ship in Japan on December 24th as she was. traveling back to the US.

PRAYER MEETING

6 P.M. tonight at FBC, Kentwood

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Mary Fay Williams will be bringing her concert choir from OFA to sing at our church tomorrow night. I hope you will be able to attend too.

Remember, Jesus is the reason for this holiday season, not a bearded man in a red suit!

Anna Lee