Prayer Focus for the Day

The rain is almost over for the night and the temperatures will drop for the next few nights. I’m thankful the weather changes all during the year and that God uses the weather as one way to show us His faithfulness. Thank Him for that today.

Obituaries

Donald “Buck” Addison

June 3, 1934 – November 16, 2024

Donald “Buck” Addison, 90, of Sweetwater, gained his heavenly wings on Saturday, November 16, 2024, peacefully surrounded by his loving family. 

Buck was born on June 3, 1934 to Floyd and Gladys Chambers Addison. A graduate of Independence High School, where he excelled as both a baseball and football, demonstrating the determination and spirit that defined his life.

He served his country with honor in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed overseas in Stuttgart, Germany. After his active duty, Buck continued to protect and serve through the Army Reserves.

Following his military career, Buck spent majority of his career being a long distance truck driver, spending countless hours on the road to provide for his family. At home, his time was dedicated to his true passions—teaching his children and grandchildren how to work on tractors, play baseball, and embrace life’s lessons with humor and resilience. Whether hunting, fishing, or sharing playful banter with Betty, Buck cherished the simple joys of life surrounded by the people he loved most.

Buck is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Gladys Chambers Addison; his brothers, Lloyd Addison, PI Addison, Tom Addison, and Darryl Addison.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Betty Wood Addison; his children, Moody Addison (Ann), Wanda Miley (Wendell), and Byron Addison (Shanda); his grandchildren, Aaron Miley (Jennifer), Russ Addison (Suzzette), Wade Miley (Katy), Chas Addison, Cody Addison (Jacey), and Daniel Addison; and his greatest pride and joy, his great-grandchildren, Jeb Miley, Emma Addison, Ellie K Addison, Adley Miley, Trace “Gibby” Miley, and the soon-to-be-born Gracie Addison.

To know Buck was to love Buck. A man with a heart as big as his smile, Buck was truly one of a kind. His quick wit, sense of humor, and unwavering integrity left an unforgettable impression on all who met him. Whether it was his extraordinary athleticism, his knack for farming and fixing anything, or his boundless love for his family, Buck lived life with a greatness that inspired everyone around him.

To his grandsons, he was a superhero, teaching them how to work the land, throw a perfect curveball, and live with purpose and pride. He wore many titles throughout his life—son, husband, uncle, and dad—but none as dear to him as “Pawpaw.”

Buck had a unique gift for bringing joy to every room and leaving every person better for knowing him. His legacy of love, strength, and laughter will continue to live on through his family, who honor his memory by carrying forward his values and sharing his stories.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers and hospice nurses who brought comfort to Buck in his final days, as well as the friends and family who supported him with love and care. Above all, we thank our mighty God for blessing him with 90 incredible years of his presence in our lives.

Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5:00PM until 8:00PM on Friday and at Oak Grove Church of Christ, Independence, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Services conducted by Bro. Dale Ziebarth. Interment Loranger Cemetery, Loranger, LA.

He was a man we’ll never forget and a Pawpaw we’ll always treasure. His legacy will not be measured by years but by the love and laughter he brought to all who knew him. Thank you, Buck, for showing us what it truly means to live and love.

“Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Lord.” – Matthew 25:23
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” -2 Timothy 4:7

Horace Lysander Ensign, Sr.

July 6, 1932 – November 15, 2024

Horace L. Ensign, Sr. , a longtime resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. 

Born on July 6, 1932 in Roseland, LA. He was 92 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Dorchelle Ensign; sons, Greg Ensign, Kevin Ensign, and Tim Ensign and wife, Teresa; Numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Theresa Myrl Ensign; parents, Edwin and Mae Ensign; son, Horace L. Ensign, Jr.; brothers, J.D. Ensign and Edwin Ensign, Jr.; sisters, Claribel Strode and Ruby Sands.

Horace proudly served his country as a 20-year Air Force Veteran. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, always willing to lend a helping hand when he could.

He was a kind and caring man who accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. 
Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Services conducted by Bro. Mike Starkey. Interment Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Patricia Daigle “Patsy” Terrell

June 30, 1941 – November 16, 2024

A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at The Lodge at Tangi Pines in Amite, LA. She was born June 30, 1941 in Breaux Bridge, LA and was 83 years of age. She is survived by her husband, Paul W. Terrell; 3 children, Lori Stillwell (Adam), John Terrell (Keenan), and Madeline Ricks (Bennie); 6 grandchildren, Mallori Stillwell, Carrie Ricks, Joshua Ricks, Walter Forsythe, Marian Forsythe, and Kolbe Forsythe; sister-in-law, Pam Daigle. Preceded in death by her father, Paul Daigle; mother, Edith Daigle; brother, Alfred Daigle; and family friend, Rickey Lapine, Sr. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 8:30AM until 10:30AM with Funeral Mass at St. Helena Catholic Church at 11:00AM on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Services conducted by Fr. Reuben Dykes. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Pearline Tarver Smith

January 20, 1928 – November 17, 2024

“Forever and evermore”, surrounded by her only granddaughter, Rachel, and oldest great-grandson, Owen, Pearline Smith peacefully went into the arms of Jesus on Sunday morning, November 17, 2024. Pearline grew up in the town of Kentwood and spent most of her 96 years there. She spent her youth being a wife and a mother and later decided after her kids were grown to become a nurse. She completed the program and began working at Hood’s Hospital at the age of 49. Her favorite shift was 2-10pm so that she would have time to help her daughter with her small children and house chores during the day. She retired at the age of 69. She was a hard worker by nature, always giving her all in whatever it would be. She always put others first. Her smile was contagious and could light up a room. She loved to laugh. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her world. She is survived by her granddaughter, Rachel Fedele Spitale and husband, Matt Spitale; 8 great-grandchildren, Owen, Isabella, Noah, Alyssa, Lyla, Joni Claire, Bear, and Gatlin Spitale. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvie Smith; son, George Bryant; James Tarver whom she raised as a son; daughter, Bernice Fedele and husband, Dominick; grandson, Don Fedele; parents, Marcus Zeno and Minerva Cummins Tarver; 9 siblings, Louella Morgan, Christine Brooks, Ida Mae Rhodus, Glady Simmons, Leon “TJ” Tarver, Percy Tarver, Curtis Tarver, Clarence Tarver and George Tarver. The family would like to thank Ponchatoula Community Care and Passages Hospice for all of their care and love shown to their “Pearl” in her elder years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 10:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Services conducted by Rev. David Cutrer. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Prayer Focus for Today

Today, let’s pray for all the drop-off locations and all the churches involved in the collection of shoeboxes that will be delivered in the coming year. FBC, Kentwood collected 906 shoeboxes yesterday. That was our big day for the week! We will collect seven more days and make two deliveries to the next site where the boxes will be packed in big trailers for the next leg of their journey. Today, our collection time is 2-4 P.M. Our time varies to make it easy for all the area churches to drop-off their boxes.

Special thanks to the churches and individuals who helped in any way to get the boxes packed and delivered to us. We had some new churches to make their delivery to us yesterday. In talking to them, I learned how interested the people are in the shoeboxes and expect them to continue next year with even more shoeboxes. Some churches faithfully come the first Monday to leave their boxes. They increase their number a little each year. May God richly bless the churches and the individual members who pack the boxes.

Read the Bible Today

• November 19
• Ezekiel 18:1-19:14
• Psalm 125:1-5
• Proverbs 47:25-27
• James 1:1-21

Thankfulness – Day 19

Yesterday, I met another reader of TPL who recognized my name when I introduced myself to her. There are still many I do not know, but I appreciate each one of you and hope to meet you one day. Thanks each one of you who reads TPL. I hope it is beneficial to you and helps you with your prayer journey.

Anna Lee