Category: Death Notice(s)

Don’t hoard treasure down here

where it gets eaten by moths

and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars.

Stockpile treasure in heaven,

where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars.

It’s obvious, isn’t it?

The place where your treasure is,

is the place you will most want to be,

and end up being.

~Matthew 6:19-21 MSG~

Sherry Simpson requested prayer.  She will be having surgery in Nashville on October 20th to correct surgery she had in Covington April 22nd.

Dylan Ray Elliott
(June 22, 1999 – October 6, 2011)

Dylan Ray Elliott was born June 22, 1999 and passed away at 7:05 a.m., Thursday, October 6, 2011 at his residence. He was 12, a native of Hammond and a resident of Independence.

Dylan is survived by his parents, Ray J. & Gay Lynn Elliott, III, Independence; step-brother, Tobey Williams, Independence; paternal grandparents, Wayne & Lou Ballard, Ponchatoula, Wilford Lee and Florence Anthony, Kentwood, Ray J. and Barbara Elliott, Jr., Cumming, GA; great- grandparent, Allie Dragg, Ponchatoula; numerous extended family members.

Preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Arthur David and Icie Elizabeth Bissell; great grandparents, Leona Prine & Bull & Barbara Anthony.

Visitation at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday, October 10, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until Celebration of Life Services in the Funeral Home Chapel at 1:00 p.m. with Bro. Bobby Carroll officiating. Interment in Briar Patch Cemetery, Loranger.

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

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

Two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, my old friend?”

The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars.”

“That’s a lot of money.”

“But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand free and clear.”

“Sounds like you’ve been blessed….”

“You don’t understand!” he interrupted. “Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million.”

Now he was really confused. “Then, why do you look so glum?”

“This week… nothing!”

That’s the trouble with receiving something on a regular basis. Even if it is a gift, we eventually come to expect it. Someone once suggested to me a way to test someone’s character. Give him (or her) $5 a day for a month. Then stop, and see what his reaction is. The natural tendency is that if we receive a gift long enough, we come to view it as an entitlement. We feel hurt, even angry, if we don’t receive it any longer.

It’s the same way with the blessings God gives us every day. I don’t deserve the comfortable home I live in, the beautiful scenery around me, the clean water that I drink. But after receiving these gifts (and a multitude of others) for years, I sometimes fail to be grateful. I’ve come to expect these good things. And when one of them is removed for a short while (like the water being cut off), I get upset.

Make an effort today to recognize the blessings you’ve come to take for granted. Focus on what you have rather than on what you don’t have, and see if it doesn’t improve your attitude.

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Counting my blessings today,

Anna Lee

What a beautiful morning!

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,

the author and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy set before him endured the cross,

scorning its shame,

and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

~Hebrews 12:2 NIV~

From Melissa Johnson

Please remember Brooke and Kayla in your prayers. Their grandfather James Herman Johnson died last night.

Faith When the Rains Begin

A newcomer to Seattle arrives on a rainy day. She gets up the next day and it’s raining. It also rains the day after that, and the day after that. She goes out to lunch and sees a young kid and, out of despair, asks, “Hey, kid, does it ever stop raining around here?” The kid says, “How should I know? I’m only 6.”

Residents of Seattle don’t tan — they rust!

I hear it only rains twice a year in Seattle — August through April and May through July.

Q: What do you call two straight days of rain in Seattle?
A: A weekend.

Q: What does daylight-saving time mean in Seattle?
A: An extra hour of rain.

Seattle may have a reputation for having a lot of rain, but it’s impossible to think about much rain without Noah and the flood coming to mind. The story of Noah is well-known, even among children, and its lessons are deep. Through this brief narrative, we are reminded of all of the essential elements of our relationship with God: God’s hatred of sin and the assurance of His judgment, God’s grace in providing a way of salvation, and Noah’s faith which led him to obey God completely.

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)

May your faith sustain you when the rains begin!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
White House Church of Christ
White House, Tennessee

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

“And this I pray,

that your love may abound still more and more

in knowledge and all discernment.”

~Philippians 1:9~

Dennis Travis is now out of ICU and in a regular room.  I know the family is most appreciative of your prayers.

Caring Bridge: Larkin Dorris

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/larkindorris

Charles B.W. Palmer, II
(June 10, 1928 – September 20, 2011)

1st Lieutenant Charles B.W. Palmer, II a loving husband, father and brother went peacefully in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday, the 20th day of September, 2011 at the St Tammany Parish Hospital having reached the age of 83 on June 10, 2011. He was born on Amite, LA to Major Charles B.W. Palmer and Maud Ellis Palmer and both of his parents preceded him in death.

He went to grammar school in La Lima Honduras and in Amite, LA, attended high school in Amite, the teacher’s training school at Southeastern LA College and Sewanee Military Academy. He then earned an LLB law degree from LSU Law School.

Charles B. W. then enlisted in the Air Force where he served with honor for four years during which he married his surviving devoted wife and welcomed his beloved son to their home. After this, he returned to live in Amite, LA and practiced law for over fifty years.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Rina Marshall Palmer, Amite; son, Charles B.W. Palmer, III, Amite; 2 brother, Robert E. Palmer, Ponchatoula and Everard Digby Palmer and wife Lois, Fernwood, MS; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Lieutenant Palmer was a devout communicant at the Church of the Incarnation of the Episcopal Diocese of Easter LA to which Church gifts in Memory of Charles B.W. Palmer are requested by the family.

Visitation at the Church of the Incarnation Episcopal Church of Amite on Thursday, September 22, 2011 from 12:00 Noon until Celebration of Life Services at 2:00 p.m. at the Church. Interment in the Ellis Cemetery, Amite. An on-line guestbook is available atwww.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

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

Thought for the Day: Rules for Stray Cats (and Sin)

The following is a list of STRICT UNBENDING RULES for dealing with stray cats:

1. Stray cats will not be fed.

2. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food.

3. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food moistened with a little milk.

4. Stray cats will not be fed anything except dry cat food moistened with warm milk, yummy treats and leftover fish scraps.

5. Stray cats will not be encouraged to make this house their permanent residence.

6. Stray cats will not be petted, played with or picked up and cuddled unnecessarily.

7. Stray cats that are petted, played with, picked up and cuddled will absolutely not be given a name.

8. Stray cats with or without a name will not be allowed inside the house at any time.

9. Stray cats will not be allowed inside the house except at certain times.

10. Stray cats will not be allowed inside the house except on days ending in “y.”

11. Stray cats allowed inside will not be permitted to jump up on or sharpen their claws on the furniture.

12. Stray cats will not be permitted to jump up on, or sharpen claws on the really good furniture.

13. Stray cats will be permitted on all furniture but must sharpen their claws on the new $114.99 sisal-rope cat-scratching post with three perches.

It’s a humorous progression, but it reminds me of what happens spiritually (which is not at all humorous). We don’t want to sin, so we establish boundaries. “I’m not going to go here, look there, think about that.” But, before long, we’ve crossed the line. We think, “That’s all right. I still haven’t done anything wrong. I’ll just re-establish my boundaries and not be quite so strict.” And slowly but surely, sin works its way further and further into our lives until we find that we’re no longer in control of the situation.

“But each one is tempted

when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

Then, when desire has conceived,

it gives birth to sin;

and sin, when it is full-grown,

brings forth death.”

~James 1:14-15~

Father, far too often I have allowed sin to slowly work its way into my life. I didn’t want it to. I didn’t mean for it to happen. But it did, and I’m sorry. Please help me to keep my eyes focused on you as I strive to keep it from happening again. Give me strength as I resolve not to allow impure thoughts and motives to find a home in my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

A pray you recognize the blessings of this day.

Anna Lee