Author: Anna Lee

Sunday

CaringBridge

J. T. Strickland

August 2, 1927 – December 18, 2010

A resident of Kentwood, he died at 6:50 p.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at Regency Hospital of Covington. He was born August 2, 1927 and was 83 years of age.

McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Georgia Pace Ransom
(December 28, 1941 – December 17, 2010)

Georgia Pace Ransom was born December 28, 1941 and passed away at 2:13 p.m., Friday, December 17, 2010 at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. She was 68, a native of Armstrong, TX and a resident of Independence.

Ms. Georgia is survived by 2 sons, Thomas Ransom, Sr. and wife April, Independence and Robert Lee Duke and companion Elaine Miller, Kentwood; 2 daughters, Pamela K. Duke, Baton Rouge and April Case and husband Charles David, Sr., Independence; 11 grandchildren, Angel Ransom, Thomas Ransom, Jr. Isabel Ransom, Johnathan Mixon, Sarah Mixon, Jordan Mellinger, Daniel Broussard, Heather Case, Kevin Case, Lisa Case and Charles Case, Jr.; brother, Lester Pace, Brownsville, TX; also numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceded in death by her parents, Grover F. and Ordith Prat Pace; grandson, Jared Ransom.

A Memorial Service will be held later this week at the Church of Latter Day Saints, Amite. Times will be posted when available.

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

TRUTH in the desert

Laila* lies motionless in the sweltering heat of a remote medical clinic poised at the edge of the Sahara Desert. Black flies swarm the young mother’s face, feasting on the yellow infection that oozes from her eyes. An IV impales one of her arms; the other drapes limply over her swollen belly.

Six-and-a-half months pregnant, Laila is suffering from a severe case of measles. Though she is likely to recover, the disease is a virtual death sentence for her baby.

She finds healing and spiritual comfort through a team of Southern Baptist medical workers called TRUTH — Trailblazers Reaching the Unreached Through Healthcare. They’re tasked with sharing Christ in an Islamic country so hostile to the Gospel that its name can’t be printed without risking the team’s safety.

Dr. Chuck Castle* leads the TRUTH team. He and his wife, Debbie,* pioneer a medical ministry supported by the IMB. On an average day Chuck will see patients with anything from headaches to terminal cancer. Vital sets of IV equipment cost about $300.

As a doctor, Chuck admits it would be easy to lose himself in the town’s medical needs and neglect the real reason he came to North Africa. But he wants his patients to know their need for spiritual healing is just as important as their need for physical healing. He makes it a priority to share that message.

Your gifts to the Lottie Moon offering are providing more than medical equipment. They’re providing a chance for eternal healing in North Africa.

*Names changed

IMB

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8757&LanguageID=1709

Jesus is the reason for the season!  Don’t leave Him out!

Anna Lee

Saturday

Signs of life

The world Deaf* population is estimated at 33.5 million. The IMB has 45 missionaries appointed to work with the Deaf; 11 are actually Deaf themselves. Through their gifts to the Lottie Moon offering, Southern Baptists are bringing the message of hope in a language this population can finally understand.

Workers with the Deaf, like Vesta Sauter, are finding that technology is key to spreading the Gospel. Sign language is the heart language of culturally Deaf people. It is not a written language that can be typed in an e-mail.

Video phones, webcams and digital video cameras are important tools because they allow for signed conversations. For example, an $80 webcam of good quality allows IMB Deaf personnel to communicate in ways that seem natural for them and those they are trying to reach. It also gives Christians more opportunities to communicate Gospel messages in ways other Deaf will understand.

A $200 digital video camera allows the Deaf and workers with them to record messages that can be sent through the Internet. Bible stories can be recorded and shared with Deaf nationals. The video cameras are also vital to language learning. Missionaries studying the national sign language can record lessons from instructors and interview Deaf nationals.

With your gifts to Lottie Moon, Christian workers will have the technology they need to best reach the Deaf community with the signs for eternal life.

*Deaf refers to a community of deaf people who share a unique culture and language.

IMB

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8754&LanguageID=1709

Friday Evening

Carlene Travis Brownell

(March 17, 1941 – December 16, 2010)

“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”

Carlene Travis Brownell went to be with the Lord on December 16, 2010 at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, LA. She was born on March 17, 1941 in Gillsburg, MS. She worked for many years at Movie Star Sewing Factory. She is survived by two daughters, Wanda Comeaux and her husband, Donald of Maurice, LA and Brandi Brownell of Plaquemine, LA, one sister, Mary Rose Mahaffey and her husband, Roy of Gillsburg, MS, 2 sisters-in-law, Joann Travis and Ann Travis, 5 grandchildren, Robert Phelps, Donald Comeaux, Taylor Forrest, Madison Smith, and Chloe Smith, and one great-granddaughter, Gillian Newman, a number of nieces and nephews and her beloved pet, Bingo. Preceded in death by her parents, Felder and Beulah Mae Travis, 3 brothers, her twin Carl, Irvin, and W. B. Travis, and 2 infant brothers and nephew, Wayne Mahaffey. Pallbearers will be Jerry Varnado, Tommy Mahaffey, John “Boo” Arabie, D. J. Cullen, Donald “Mozart” Comeaux, and Brent Travis. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday, and from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Monday. Religious Services at New Zion Baptist Church, Kentwood, at 2 p.m. Monday, December 20, 2010. Services conducted by Rev. Richard Sandberg. Interment New Zion Cemetery. Kentwood, LA.

Friday Afternoon

From Charlene Blades

Please pray for my grandson Trea Smith (2 years old), he fell in the tub last night. He knocked two teeth loose. After a all night trip to the ER, he is on his way to a childrens dentist in covington. I pray he will be okay and that the dentist will be able to save his teeth.

Gladys Young Frazier Lindsey
(December 18, 1918 – December 16, 2010)

Born December 18, 1918, passed away leaving her love ones on December 16, 2010 at the age of 91 at St. Helena Parish Hospital. She is survived by 4 daughters, Zula Hobgood of Ethel, LA, Murline Welch of Greensburg, LA, Joyce Strahan of Hammond, LA, and Deloris Schroeder of Livingston, 2 sons, R. J. Frazier of Mt. Hermon, LA and Jimmy Lindsey of Springfield, LA, 22 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 33 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Mamie and Richard Young, 2 husbands, Percy Frazier and Clyde Lindsey, a son-in-law, A.E. “Buddy” Hobgood, and granddaughter Ruby Hobgood Fletcher, 3 sisters and 5 brothers. The family would like to express a special appreciation to Dr. A. J. Varnado and the staff of St. Helena Parish Hospital and Nursing Home. Visitation at New Zion Baptist Church, Kentwood, after 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 19, 2010 until religious services at 11 a.m. Monday, December 20, 2010. Services conducted by Rev. Joe Day. Interment New Zion Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Friday Addition

Inflatable ministry

The IMB has had ongoing work in Zambia for many years. But as missionary Kevin Rodgers explored and surveyed the area around two important rivers, he found pockets of unreached people in areas that were very hard to get to.

At first he focused on going to the people he could reach by truck. He also hiked into remote areas and worked for a few days at a time. However, with so many people who had never heard of Christ, Kevin began to pray for an easier way to reach these remote areas.

The more he prayed and surveyed the area, the more he realized that a boat would provide the best way to minister to the people who lived in the remote areas on the rivers. With a boat, he believed he could effectively begin witnessing and planting churches.

In 2007, his prayers were answered through generous gifts to Lottie Moon. For $4,000 Kevin purchased a Quicksilver inflatable boat with a 15hp Mercury outboard motor. The boat is small enough to maneuver tight spots on the river, durable enough to survive sharp rocks, crocodile teeth and hippo bites, and portable enough to fit in the back of his truck.

Ministry along the rivers has exploded. With the boat, Kevin can accomplish in one day what took several days before. In 2007, two churches existed along the river. By the end of 2009, 12 churches were meeting! How many more boats will it take to reach the remote areas where people have never heard?

Are you willing to give so missionaries like Kevin can bring the Good News by boat, by air, by truck—whatever it takes?

IMB

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8756&LanguageID=1709

Friday

‎”For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.”

~Isaiah 9:6~

Pray for Mrs. Katherine Sanders.  She is scheduled to come home today.

From Judy Fowler

Frances (Gay) is in Lakeview Hospital, Mandeville. She has a blood clot in her leg. Will be in for 2 to 5 days. I am going down today. I will keep you updated.

Pray for my momma. Dot Smith, today as she sees the cardiologist as a follow-up to some tests.

THE FAMILY RESEMBLANCE

The following ideas about science were gleaned from essays, exams, and classroom discussions.  Most were from 5th and 6th graders.

*  Q:  What is one horsepower?
A:  One horsepower is the amount of energy it takes to drag a horse 500 feet in one second.

*  The law of gravity says no fair jumping up without coming back down.

*  When people run around and around in circles we say they are crazy.  When planets do it we say they are orbiting.

*  South America has cold summers and hot winters, but somehow they still manage.

*  Most books now say our sun is a star.  But it still knows how to change back into a sun in the daytime.

*  Water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees.  There are 180 degrees between freezing and boiling because there are 180 degrees between north and south.

*  Vacuums are nothings.  We only mention them to let them know we know they’re there.

*  Some oxygen molecules help fires burn while others help make water, so sometimes it’s brother against brother.

*  Some people can tell what time it is by looking at the sun.  But I have never been able to make out the numbers.

*  We say the cause of perfume disappearing is evaporation.  Evaporation gets blamed for a lot of things people forget to put the top on.

*  To most people solutions mean finding the answers.  But to chemists solutions are things that are still all mixed up.

*  I am not sure how clouds get formed.  But the clouds know how to do it, and that is the important thing.

*  Water vapor gets together in a cloud.  When it is big enough to be called a drop, it does.

*  Isotherms and isobars are even more important than their names sound.

*  It is so hot in some places that the people there have to live in other places.

*  Genetics explain why you look like your father and if you don’t why you should.

Oh, the wisdom of children!  I especially like that last one.  I would say that, in a similar way, the Bible explains why those of you who are Christians look like your Father, and if you don’t why you should!

That’s our goal, isn’t it?  To learn to love as He first loved us.  To have the kind of patience that He has shown with us through the years.  To grow in the wisdom to make right choices, as He is perfectly wise.  To be holy, just as He is holy.

“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48).

Here’s a personal question to cause you some reflection:  When people look at you, do they see the family resemblance?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Rita Garon Ricks

(June 16, 1924 – December 16, 2010)

A resident of Roseland, she died at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at Tangi Pines Nursing Center in Amite. She was born June 16, 1924 in Independence and was 86 years of age. She is survived by her son, Arthur Ricks, Jr. and his wife, Madeline, Roseland; sister, Bertha Folisso, Hammond; brother, Brownie Garon, Independence; 8 grandchildren including Carrie Ricks, Joshua Ricks, Matt Huckabee, Robert Dyson and Gary Dyson; 6 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Ricks; daughter, Carol Ricks; father, Leon Garon; mother, Beatrice Garon. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2010. Interment Mixon Cemetery, Tangipahoa.

Have a blessed day!
Anna Lee

Thursday

“Do no fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

~Isaiah 41:10, NASB~

Please pray for Betty Allen.  She is hospitalized in Amite.

CaringBridge: Callie Cole

Blessings for Bangladesh

The Galvins* work in South Asia with the unreached of Bangladesh. Many of the people there have never heard of Jesus. The Galvins are grateful for your gifts to Lottie Moon, which make it possible for them to reach the lost tribal people of Bangladesh:

• $0.50 will buy a songbook of indigenous hymns.
• $1 will provide a meal for one person attending a leadership meeting. Since these are rural farmers, if they don’t work, many don’t have money to eat.
• $1 will buy a complete Bible for a new believer. • $10 will cover the costs of a team taking the JESUS film to remote villages. LMCO gifts from last year bought a portable projector and generator for showing the film.
• $25 helps to cover the monthly travel expenses of trainers as they travel to give Bibles and leadership training to new church leaders.
• $30 will send one village pastor to a week-long training event with seminary-educated and field-experienced instructors.
• $50 will fill a tank of gas, enabling missionaries to travel to leadership trainings in district towns and to remote areas to share the Gospel.
• $50 will cover one month’s tuition for one of the tribal team’s children to attend a local, national school, providing a beacon of hope to their Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist classmates lost in darkness.

Will you continue to give so that more people in Bangladesh can hear the Good News?

*Name changed

IMB

http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8752&LanguageID=1709

Darell Ray “Pete” Harper

January 19, 1951 – December 13, 2010

Darell Ray Harper, 59, of Ladson, entered into eternal rest on Monday evening, December 13, 2010 at his residence. The relatives and friends of Mr. Darell “Pete” Ray Harper are invited to attend his Celebration of Life Service, 2:00 PM Saturday, December 18, 2010 at the James A. McAlister Chapel, 1620 Savannah Highway. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until the time of service. Burial will be in Arcola-Roseland Cemetery in Arcola, LA at a later date. Mr. Harper was born on Friday, January 19, 1951 in Hammond Louisiana, to Vera Maxine Primes Harper and the late Walter Green Harper. He served in the National Guard from 1969 to 1973, after graduating from Amite High School. He was employed with Godwin Pumps in North Charleston for the past 13 years.

Darell is survived by his companion and special friend, Gail Millikan of N. Charleston, SC; Mother, Maxine Harper of Roseland, LA; son, Brian Harper of Hanahan, SC; three daughters, Carolina Harper of Hanahan, SC, Kim Parent and husband David of Hammond, LA, and Gwen Pedelahore and husband Kenny of Livingston, LA; two step granddaughters, Amanda and Rebecca Parent of Hammond, LA; sister, Keri Wickham and husband David of Amite, LA; brother Walter “Bo” Harper and wife Linda of Amite, LA. He is also survived by three nephews, Justin Barrilleaux and his wife Amanda of Holden, LA, Blake Barrilleaux and his wife Traci of Columbia, SC, Kevin Harper of Amite, LA, and many extended family. The family would like to give a special thanks to Ricky Baxley, employees of Godwin Pumps, and Piedmont Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation, 1411 K Street, NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005, (800) 673-1290 or (202) 347-9675. Mr. Harper’s guest book may be signed at Jamesamcalister.com. Arrangements are by the JAMES A. MCALISTER FUNERAL HOME, (843) 766-1365

Please pray for the family as they face their grief and the distance from home.

Share Group Meeting @ the cabin @ 6;30 tonight!  Ya’ll come.

Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Wednesday Afternoon

Services for my dad will be Thursday night from 5 to 9 at Mckneely Vaughn Funeral Home.. And Friday at 11 in the chapel at the funeral home. Burial will be at Greensburg Cementary. Cannot say thank you enough for the comments about my dad. Love all of you!

Sheriff Eugene Holland

(October 13, 1934 – December 14, 2010)

Sheriff Eugene Holland was born October 13, 1934 and passed away at 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at St. Helena Parish Hospital, Greensburg, surrounded by his loving family. He was 76, a native of Independence, LA and a lifelong resident of Greensburg.

Eugene is survived by his children, Denise and spouse Stormy Lee, Hammond, Chris and spouse Amy Holland, Kentwood, Toni Holland Fitzgerald and companion Jason Kirkland, Greensburg, and Daniel Holland, Amite. The pride and joys of his life, his grandchildren, Rainey & Jacob Lee, Hammond, Shane, Whitney and Kaysey Holland, Kentwood, Morgan and Bubba Creel and Dixie Fitzgerald, Greensburg. Two sisters and brother in law, Kelly and Annette Storey, Walker and Jewel Hanley, Denham Springs and numerous nieces , nephews, friends and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene & Susie Barber Holland, his children’s mother, Betty Holland and numerous brothers and sisters.

“Sheriff” was a friend to all that knew him. He was a proud member of Independence High School Class of 1953. He served on the Greensburg Town Council, St. Helena Parish Constable, District 3, member of the St. Helena Parish School Board and was Sheriff of St. Helena Parish for 12 years. He was also a logging contractor and cattleman before becoming Sheriff.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Thursday, December 16, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Friday, December 17, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. A.W. O’Quinn officiating.

Interment in Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, LA

Sheriff Holland will always be remembered for his wealth of wisdom, keen sense of humor and his kind heart to all who he met.

An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55N (Exit 46) and Hwy 16W next to Hood Automotive and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic and Holiday Inn.

Wednesday Addition

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Impact on AIDS

Troy Lewis has seen death. He’s also seen lives transformed physically and spiritually in Zambia as an IMB missionary. Troy and his wife, Tracey, were appointed to Zambia with their two boys in 2001.

Troy’s primary focus involves ministering to those impacted by the AIDS crisis. More than 5,500 people die every day from this disease in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Every day people in Zambia are hearing about Jesus Christ, as well—people like Collins. A former street kid, Collins once huffed “petro” and lived in a graveyard. Through local believers and Southern Baptist initiatives, such as True Love Waits, Collins gave his life to Christ. He turned away from a worldly lifestyle that leads many young people to become infected with AIDS.

“I just want to say to Southern Baptists ‘thank you’ for your giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering,” Troy says. It costs Troy about $120 a day to live and minister in Zambia. “Every life that is touched, every life that is saved, every orphan child that is educated is because of the people back home who are giving through this offering.”

How many days will you support a missionary like Troy who is making a difference for this earth and for eternity?

Posted by the IMB at http://www.imb.org/main/give/lmw/Story.asp?StoryID=8755&LanguageID=1709

The monthly meeting at the cabin will be tomorrow at 6:30.  Please feel free to join us.