Prayer Focus

Let’s continue to pray for the fire situation in Los Angeles. We spoke with a lady yesterday whose daughter’s family was on lockdown in Los Angeles. That is the third family that I personally know of in the midst of all the firse. Imagine how many families have lost their home, how many are losing their home right now, and how many might lose their homes today, tomorrow, the next day, etc. Pray for families in all stages of facing the loss of their homes, jobs, schools, friends. etc. Pray that those who lost their lives were Christians and those facing losing their lives are Christians or realizing their need for Christ if they are not already Christians.

Obituary

Sarah Frances Anderson

September 18, 1929 – January 9, 2025

Sarah Frances Anderson, 95, of Amite, departed this life peacefully on January 9 at her home after a brief illness. She was born to Sarah (nee’ Simmons) and Newton Snell in Jackson, Mississippi, on September 18, 1929, and grew up on the family farm near Mt. Hermon, Louisiana.

After graduating valedictorian of her 1946 Mt. Hermon High School class, Frances studied at both SLU and LSU to obtain B.S. and M.Ed. degrees. In 1948, she was selected as SLU homecoming queen. While at SLU, Frances met Stanley, a fellow student, as she was playing the piano in the SLU social room. After three months, the couple married, resulting in a union that lasted over 60 years. After college, she taught Home Economics and Biology, but soon became an almost full-time homemaker, raising their four children and helping Stanley in the family business.

After Stanley finished his Physics studies, he became a successful road and bridge contractor. Yet, his first job was building Hammond’s Zemurray Memorial Park in 1951. Stanley was a WWII Marine vet who flew in dive bombers as a gunner-navigator in the Asia-Pacific Theater, suffering injuries when his plane went down in the Pacific Ocean.

Through the years, in addition to teaching, Frances worked part time for the News Digest Newspaper, as reference librarian and media person at the Amite Public Library, and co-owned and operated the Strawberry Tree Craft Shop in Hammond. Frances also served on the Rosenblum Mental Health Clinic Board of Directors for many years. Her social memberships reflected her hobbies—the Amite Art Club, Stem and Stamen Garden Club, and the Brown Bag Luncheon Group.

With cherished roots in Methodism, Frances was a thoughtful person of deep ecumenical faith, admiring goodness and beauty, especially nature’s displays and designs. In midlife, she became a parishioner of St. Helena Catholic Church; she was also a professed member of the Dominican laity (O.P., Southern Province). Her faith involved much volunteer work and numerous ministries.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Sarah and Newton Snell; husband, Edwin Stanley Anderson; daughter, Rebecca Ann Desmond; sister, Nancy Ann Lagarde; son-in-law, Buddy Bel; and daughter-in-law, Nadine Anderson.

Survivors include her children, Claire Anderson Bel, Edwin Stanley “Andy” Anderson, Jr., and James Patrick Anderson; son-in-law, Tim Desmond, M.D.; granddaughters Angie Anderson Danielson (J.R.); Megan Bel Miller (Joel), Erin Anderson Newman (Craig), Hannah Anderson, and Molly Bel; great-grandchildren Abigail Holmes, Savannah Danielson, Luke Danielson, Amelia Danielson, Anderson Newman, Anna Newman, Parker Miller, and Caroline Miller; great-great-grandson, Roman Danielson; nieces and nephew, Janet Anderson, Ted Anderson, and Katie Lagarde; and numerous other family members and friends.

A graveside service will be held at Mt. Hermon Cemetery on Tuesday, January 14 at noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Full of Grace, P.O. Box 1647, Amite, LA 70422. Mass intentions appreciated through St. Helena Church, Amite, LA 70422.

Read the Bible Today

Mark 3-4

I’m up-todate on reading these Scriptures, are you? If not, work on catching up before you get too far behind.

Sunday School

Spend some time today in studying your Sunday School lesson if you have not already done so. Check on members of your class who have not been in attendance lately. Check on those you know who have been absent.

Preparation for Sunday

Do what you can today to make tomorrow less stressful. Today is a good day to do some food preparations for tomorrow. Clothing too! How about a little work cleaning the house too?

Thankfulness

What are you thankful for today?

Health?

Loved ones?

Another birthday?

Groceries in the pantry?

Vehicle that gets you where you are going?

Etc.

Don’t tell me. Thank God!

Busy Schedule?

Check yesterday’s post for some possible events you want to be involved with.

Prayer Concerns

A number of people have been hospitalized due to illness or surgery. Pray for those you know of. Keep your personal prayer list updated.

Be a Blessing

Offer a ride

Pay for a lunch

Take a few minutes to talk with someone

Prepare and share a food that goes a long ways

Call or visit those in the hospital

Etc.

Do your part to make the weekend good for you or someone else.

Anna Lee