I trust you had a great day yesterday as you celebrated the Lord’s Day. Today, we welcome a new day. I wonder what great things He has planned for us.
Today’s Scripture
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech
but with actions and in truth.
— 1 John 3:18, NIV
Read the Bible in 2026
- May 18
- Numbers 11-13
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s pray for each other as we begin another week. Monday’s can be hard in the real world. Let’s pray this Monday will be a wonderful day for each other.
Obituary
David was told Marty Guy passed away. That is not listed as an obituary yet.
I will share this obituary with a Roseland/Amite connection.
Charles Estus Gatewood
February 19, 1936 – May 12, 2026
Charles Estus Gatewood died May 12, 2026 at home at the age of 90.
He was born in Bay St. Louis, MS on February 19, 1936 to Charles and Jessie Necaise Baynes.
After their deaths, he was adopted at age 6 by Aubrey and Mable Forbes Gatewood.
He was raised in Roseland and attended Amite High School where he met the love of his life, Barbara Spring. He excelled in football. As a senior, he was the Amite Warrior’s candidate for all-state honors with 146 carries for 955 yards and scored 58 points. Described as one of the mighty mites of the prep gridiron, he was 5’8” tall and weighed 155 lbs.
After high school in 1955, he and his best friend, HC Callahan enlisted in the United States Air Force. He excelled in every job he was assigned. His evaluations showed exceptional knowledge of processes, attention to detail, his insistence on maintaining the highest degree of professionalism in any area of assignments were some of his strengths. He had a “can do better” attitude in every task he was confronted with. Some of his strongest assets were the use of sound judgment, his loyalty, keen sense of responsibility and his selfless devotion to duty.
He married his high school sweetheart on May 18, 1957. The Air Force took them to Salina, Kansas where Kelley was born, Fairbanks, Alaska where Jeff and Barry were born, then Roswell, New Mexico, Fort Worth, Texas and finally Biloxi, Mississippi.
After 23 years of active duty, including a tour of duty in Vietnam, he retired to Walker, LA. He started his next job as maintenance supervisor to the then Doctor’s hospital and later Parkland Hospital.
Livingston Activity Center was his passion for the next 18 years. It was more than a job. He made a difference in their lives and they in his. “Mr. Chuck” was truly loved. He cared about them and treated them with respect.
His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a joy to him. He loved to spend time doing things with them. “Pops” was always up for fun. He set a good example of how to be a grandfather.
Everyone who met or knew him enjoyed his good-natured, easy-going attitude. He was industrious and if something needed fixing, he would set about doing it. One of his famous sayings when faced with a challenge was “Oh, that’s easy.” He was a joyous soul who was always lighthearted, but a little mischievous. He will be truly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Jessie Baynes, Aubrey and Mable Gatewood; sisters, Theda Baynes Lake, Essie Baynes Bourgeois; brother, Garland Baynes; grandson, Jeremy Gatewood and great-grandson Reilly Berger.
He is survived by his spouse of 69 years, Barbara Yvonne Spring Gatewood; children, Kelley Mitchell (Alan), Jeffrey Gatewood (Phyllis), Barry Gatewood (Tina); grandchildren, Jenny Mitchell Pastore, Ashley Mitchell Pittman (Alex); great-grandchildren, Caleb Gatewood (Katie), Lola Pastore, Frankie Pastore, Quinn Pittman, Colton Tate, Aiden Berger; and a host of family and friends.
Special thanks to the ladies of Healing Waters Sitter Services, LLC.; Sonja Foster, Balivia Willis, Peggy Howard and Kim Adams. You were such an inspiration of care, love and encouragement to Dad, Mom and us. I truly felt he was in great hands. Your reliance on your faith in Jesus to guide his care brought great comfort to me. I could tell he felt your love. Tammy Davis from At Home Care, LLC started just in time. You were a great asset in Dad’s last weeks and I know Mom will continue to need your loving care.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at McKneely Funeral Home in Amite, LA from 10:00 to 11:00. Service to follow by his friend and “preacher” Mark Dunn then Military Burial at Spring Cemetery in Amite.
(I remember the Gatewood name, but not any particular individuals from my childhood. Charles Gatewood was a person my parents would have known.)
Special Prayer Request
Mrs. Barbara Hurchingson requested prayer for a great, granddaughter from the Simmons portion of her family. The child broke her hand playing softball. While having the break checked, testing showed another possible concern in that hand. Surgery, this morning, will give the doctors more information and a plan for treatment of the fracture. Please join in the praying for tis child.
Baptist Press
Choose what interests you to read this morning.
Coming Soon – VBS
Vacation Bible Schools will be held all across our communities in the coming summer months. The first one is usually at FBC, Kentwood which will be June 1-5 this year from 8:30 – 11:30 each day. Registration has begun online. If you need additional information, please contact the church office (229-8111).
The theme verse for the Lifeway VBS is “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” — Matthew 4:19 (NLT). That sounds like a lot of fun. Please encourage the children of your family to attend at least one VBS this summer.
What service can you be to others today?
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 
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