Category: Death Notice(s)

Monday Afternoon

Momma Dot

My mother had two wisdom teeth removed this morning.  All went well.  Momma is at home in Roseland.

Retia Dukes

< the ICU again. >
Mom is not doing well. Seeing her this morning brought back a flood of memories from when she was in a coma in the University Hospital ICU. She is that critical. Technically more critical than then.

Her condition from mid-week this past week to Saturday morning to what happened last night has only worsened. Her blood pressure is very low, and her heart is working very hard to keep blood flowing. The doctors believe she is now septic (infection all through her blood), and it is also possible that she passed a blood clot into her lung.

Whatever the cause was of Mom’s sudden decline last night, her blood is as a result very acidotic. The high level of acid has caused her kidneys and liver to begin to shut down. Along with the other medication she is on to help with her various issues, the critical care doctor is now saying that the only hope she has to have a chance to see if the infections that are plaguing her will clear is to go on dialysis. It is simply to try to help clear her blood and help her kidneys function again.

There is a chance she can rebound and fight back against her serious infections. That chance will depend upon how her kidneys respond to the treatment. In the meantime, pray not only for that to work, but also for her heart to hold up to the extra load required right now.

Dad and I and Dad’s brother are here. Erik will be here soon, as will a few other family members. We can’t thank you enough for your continued prayers and support.
-jason

Maggie Lee Henson

Dear Friends-
We are headed home. Maggie Lee’s miracle did not arrive in the way we would’ve wanted but through her organ donation, she gets to be the miracle for two other children which is incredible.
We will have visitation for her on Wednesday Night at Rose Neath on Marshall Street in Shreveport from 5-7 p.m.
Maggie Lee’s Celebration of Life will be Thursday, August 6th at 1pm at First Baptist Church, Shreveport. We will have a private graveside service for family afterwards.

Monday

“Pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message,

to speak the mystery of the Messiah …

so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak.”

~Colossians 4:3-4, HCSB~

Elizabeth H. Cooper

Elizabeth received an injury for a ball a couple months ago.  She looks great and will be able to return to teaching this month.  Thank God for the progress she has made.

Rusty Benoit

Rusty has a thickening of the heart wall and will be having additional tests soon.   Please add Rusty, Jana, and their family to your prayer list.

Dot Smith

Pray for my mother as she has oral surgery this morning in Hammond.

Several people will be having check-ups for various problems tomorrow.  Among these are Jared Prescott, Mason Carter, and Faye Price.  Please remember them in your prayers.

Don Denton

Sunday, August 2, 2009 10:36 PM, CDT

Here we are at the first of August.  And now it has been almost 8 weeks since Don has been in a hospital.  This is such a good thing!  Thank you God.

This September will be one year since Don got ill.  Life has changed in so many ways.  And we are so praying that Don will continue to get well.  We are beginning to do some things we have not done in almost a year.  WE had supper at the park tonight and then watched the sunset.

We will see Don’s doctor for a follow up in St. Louis this week.  She will be key to getting us to Mayo sooner.  Hopefully we will know something soon.

Joshua will start school the 17th of the month.  He is excited.  We would love to be back from Mayo by then.  It does not look like we will even get there before then, unless something changes.

We had a surprise visit from my brother Steve and his wife Lynn.  Not completely a surprise….we spoke a few days ahead.  I loved every minute of our time together.  Joshua just loves his uncle Steve and aunt Lynn.  He has a special bond with them.  They have been here several times this year to see Don and help out.  Steve worked on both the cars while he was here and helped so much.

My other brother said that we should not drive our car to Mayo.  It has allot of miles on it and needs even more work to it.  He may be the “over protective brother”.  Actually having my brothers support means so much to us during this time.  It is precious to me.

I have yet to make a “lemonaide stand” this summer.  I have good intensions.  I am going to make that happen before school starts or do my best.

I am tired.  Life is so busy.  I need to find work soon.  Please pray for us as we try to make decisions for our future.  We keep talking about having to sell our house.  We will be making a decision soon.  Pray that we will have wisdom and discernment.

We are so grateful to you our friends and family.

– Pray for Don that he continues to get better.
– Pray that we will get an appointment at Mayo soon.
– Pray that we will have wisdom and discernment regarding our future.
– Pray that Joshua will transition to pre-school easily.

Diane

Retia Dukes

Sunday, August 2, 2009 11:45 PM, EDT

Keeping you informed and asking for your prayers – Mom has had another tough go the last two days. After a tumultuous Saturday, Dad and Erik and Mom’s sister were hoping to awaken this Sunday morning to find Mom doing much better. She was not. In fact , tonight, after Dad had left the hospital to go to his room to rest for the night, the nurses called him back to the hospital due the worsening of Mom’s condition. Even with the help of oxygen, they were only able to get her SATs up to a little over 80.

Still not a lot of information, yet. We just wanted to communicate it with you to ask you all to be praying. They are going to transfer Mom out of the 5th floor Long-Term-Acute-Care hospital she is in now and move her downstairs to the ICU. We will keep you posted of any new developments.

Thanks so much for your prayers.
-jason

Mrs. Lula Mae Needham Will

(February 25, 1925 – August 2, 2009)

Mrs. Lula Mae Needham Will was born February 25, 1925 and passed away at 6:43 p.m., Sunday, August 2, 2009 at the St. Helena Parish Hospital, Greensburg. She was 84, a native and resident of Kentwood.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N and Hwy 16W behind Mr. Tom’s Express Car Wash & Bond Eye Clinic

I hope you have had this sorrow in your life.

KneEmail

Repentance

WHEN BABIES ARE born prematurely, one of the most common critical problems is with their underdeveloped lungs…

In September 1996, the New England Journal of Medicine reported the results of a pilot study that offered hopeful treatment. The treatment is surprising. In the study, doctors filled the lungs of critically ill premature babies with liquid — an oxygen-rich liquid. Through this liquid the babies actually “breathe.”

Normally, when fluid fills the lungs, people drown. But this special oxygen-filled fluid actually saves lives.

In a similar way, there is a sorrow that kills and another sort of sorrow that brings life.  Sorrow because there are consequences for my sin drowns my spirit and brings death;godly sorrow that produces repentance brings life.

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation,

not to be regretted;

but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

2 Cor. 7:10

Posted by Mike Benson

Thank-you for praying today.  Your prayers mean so much to so many!

Anna Lee

Sunday Evening

From Rev. Milton Kliesch

My son whitney’s vehicle ran over a road-side bomb in Iraq. He and his crew are okay. He is being checked for head damage from the blow. I am thankful for the new troop carriers built to withstand the roadside bombs. This is his third IED.


Chapmans

Thanks, Lord, for the sounds of the night. It looks like it’s going to be a quiet one. The doctors are slowly relaxing some of Emma’s aggresive procedures (took her cath out, allowing her to be off her bipap–oxygen–an hour at a time, allowing her to sit up in a chair, switched her morphine to a less stronger pain killer). She just this second figured out a way to lay on her side to sleep! Go, my Butterbean!

Krisa was able to spend several hours up here in PICU with Emma. It was good for both of them!

Momma loves being out of the ICU, even if that means painful days of therapy are around the corner. She looked so much better today! Pray for her pain tolerance as therapy begins.

Dad is still about 99% disoriented, confused, and hallucinating. But he’s safe and being taken care of! They’ve done more tests to try to determine what’s causing this. His sister, my Aunt Nan, has been such a blessing to us. She’s hardly left his side. Pray for his mental and emotional well-being. But also join us in praising God for how he’s taken care of us and walked us through all of this. We have the absolutely best friends and church family in the world! “Oh God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You…”


Maggie Lee Henson

At 6:30 pm tonight, our precious Maggie Lee was carried into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  For these last three weeks, she fought for her life courageously, with the skillful help of the medical staff at Batson Children’s Hospital here in Jackson.  She was blessed to have thousands of people praying and pulling for her.  We celebrate her eternal life in the presence of her Creator tonight.

We gathered around Maggie Lee with this beautiful prayer from the Book of Common Prayer:

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your
servant Maggie Lee. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of
your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your
own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy,
into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the
glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

May her soul and the souls of all the departed, through the
mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

We will be posting plans for her Celebration of Life in Shreveport, LA as details are completed.  Thank you for your constant love and support.

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

Please check out the beautiful pictures and Maggie Lee and then thank God for the precious life he gave the Hensons.  God has got her safely in his arms now.

Sunday

“I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;

incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.”

~Psalm 17:6~

Chapmans

Deloy faced the night with peace of God and comfort of friends.  You may send cards in care of this address.

c/o Amite Baptist Church

7100 Amite Church Road

Denham Springs, LA 70726

Maggie Lee Henson

Saturday, August 1, 2009 7:51 PM, CDT

Hey friends-
Another difficult day for MLH. She continues to struggle with blood pressure stability.

The good news? Her cholesterol accodently got checked last night and that is good news:). Honestly, our precious girl is still in very critical condition and could use your prayers.
God is so good to surround us with so many of your prayers and concerns.
Graciously yours
Jin

Sunday, August 2, 2009 2:35 AM, CDT

Aug. 2
Sun am
Shift change- John is in the hospital chair-bed and I am not, yet my thoughts remain in room #7.
Friday Night instead of the surprise 40th Birthday Party I had planned for John, we were here at Batson Hospital celebrating Maggie Lee’s move to her own room in the pccu.
Life is so bizarre that way.
Like her twin cousin, Madeline, I, too want to think that this has all been some crazy dream. In my dreams, now, are the only time when I hear her booming voice and see her laugh, dance, dream or fly.
For now, we wait. And pray. And trust in God’s very rich love for us and her.
-jin

Dukes

Saturday, August 1, 2009 8:56 PM, EDT

Low on salt

My mom always has been considered encouraging and she has always changed an encounter or relationship with whomever she is connected to.  She seasons, she preserves, she protects, she changes (as in melting ice), and she balances all those she has touched.

Today she was low on salt, salt is what keeps the fluid balanced in our body.  It allows water to be held or released in our body.  I did not do well on renal in med school, more than half the class failed that area, but i do remember that brother.

Today my mom had a day like last wednesday week.  This means wednesday before last if you are not from Ms.  She appeared to be seizing, to be lethargic,  not responding to questions.  Her sodium was low and a CT scan showed a fluid shift in her brain, and they have given her a concentrated sodium drip.  Much like she gave all she touched. She is as much of a changing force as concentrated salt.  May God himself protect her and provide healing for her and balance of her electrolytes.

She has 3 more weeks of antibiotics.  Then hopefully we will be able to get the skull cap on and potentially a wound flap for the decubitus.

My awesome writer brother, whose book should be out in september, scanned out some snf’s in the orlando area.  One is close to mom and dad’s home and dad’s work and the BIRC gave them a huge recommendation, and jase agreed that it is awesome.  I am sure he will write in his post next week about with descriptive terms and flowery words, so i won’t steal his Thunder.

Dad is doing well and is holding out hope and positivity through this horrendous journey of realistic feeling and humanistic thought.  Did Jason just channel me? Whoa.  Anyway I digress.

Despite mom’s tough day I am glad to spend time with her and bring her sister to see her this weekend.   My family came with me as well, which I know dad has enjoyed.

Please keep praying for us. For peace that passes understanding, for patience to wait on our unimaginable heavenly Father, and for positive hope to endure this journey that has been brought upon us by the world of havoc.

I would echo my dad’s words that we have a loving and merciful God who is not surprised by anything and will calm the storm or carry us through this storm and the ones to come.  Praise the King!!

Thanks for journeying with us and continuing to lift us up to Him.  erik.

//
Wall, Mrs. Paula Jean Shaw
Graveside service at the Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, at 2 p.m.

David Welch

A resident of Baton Rouge and a native of Mendenhall, Miss., he died Friday, July 31,
2009. Visitation at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., on Monday, Aug. 3,
from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation resumes on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. until religious
services at noon in the funeral home chapel. Services will be conducted by the Rev.
Don Perkins and assisted by the Rev. Don Hoy. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial
Park. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II; worked at Ethyl Corp. for 20 years;
and retired from Carville where he was chief orthotist. He was employed at National
Hansen Disease Center at Oschner Hospital. He is survived by two children, Gwen
Starks and husband Roger Starks, and Kathryn Hatcher; three grandchildren, Janece
Collins and husband Troy Collins, Rachel Hatcher and Jonathan Starks; and a sister,
Patsy Dreher. Preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Ann Welch; wife, Wincie Mae
Pippin Welch; parents, Ernest Welch and Louvenia Welch; brother, Lonnie Welch;
sisters, Bobbie Sanchez and Johnnie Bennett. Pallbearers will be Troy Collins, Andy
Dreher, Dickie Sanchez, David Jewell, Ronald Pippin, Delmar Gene Pippin, Richard
Sanchez and Scott Rankin. He will be dearly missed by many friends, patients and
loved ones.

Hardship

DIANA ROSS MCCAIN wrote an insightful article entitled, “The Hardships of Worship…”

In it she described what it was like to worship in a Connecticut church meetinghouse some two-hundred plus years ago. She observed:

“There was no fireplace, no stove, no significant heat source of any kind. Half-frozen men, women, and children, bundled up in their heaviest garments, hunched into themselves to conserve precious body heat and peered through clouds of condensation formed by their breath. In the pulpit the minister himself might be preaching clad in a greatcoat and mittens. At times it got so cold the Lord’s Supper froze… Comfort was not a primary consideration of those who constructed early Connecticut meetinghouses. Here one came every Sunday to attend to the serious business of hearing the word of God and how it might be applied to daily life. And that solemn duty was to be carried out no matter what weather it pleased the Almighty to provide.”

Wouldn’t it be interesting to some day note the following add in the local newspaper…, “Come worship with us. Our building is cold in the winter; hot in the summer. We use neither heat nor air conditioning. Our pews are not padded. We meet not for physical comfort, but spiritual worship. You are cordially invited.”

Now, what was it your were saying about the thermostat…? (Mike Benson)

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).

Posted by Mike Benson

David and I have worshiped in a Roma (Gypsy) church in Romania where it was so cold there were icicles on the inside of the windows and one man fed the heater pieces of wood all during the two hour service.  We kept coats and gloves on the entire time.  I can’t say it was the most comfortable service I was ever in, but it taught me a lesson about how much people sometimes endure just to worship each week.

Today, I hope you worship in God’s house, comfortable or not!

Anna Lee

Saturday Afternoon

Chapman Update

Quincy – “Settled a bit”

Ann – Neck fractures worse than first thought; Blood in lungs; Lots of pain

Krisa – Much better; Not released yet

Emma – Lungs 2/3 full of “trauma junk”; Requires help breathing

Chelsea – Being discharged today

Deloy – Got much needed sleep last night

Please continue to pray for all these people and those caring for them in any way.

Tracy Ivy Williams
(December 14, 1958 – August 1, 2009)

Tracy Ivy Williams
Tracy Ivy Williams, 50, a lifelong resident of the Bolivar community, was born December 14, 1958 and passed away on August 1, 2009.Tracy was strong in his faith as a Christian. One of his favorite verses was Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” He attended New Beginnings Baptist Church and he was an ordained deacon and served as a Sunday School Superintendant for many years. Tracy’s faith in the Lord never waivered and he was an inspiration to everyone who knew him.

He worked for the Dept. of Social Services and retired after 27 years as a supervisor. Tracy was a graduate of Chesbrough High School and Southeastern Louisiana University. He was also an enthusiastic LSU Tiger fan and he enjoyed making gifts for family and friends in his woodworking shop.

Tracy is survived by four siblings: Trudy Blades and her husband Dickie Roy, Kentwood; Kenny Williams and his wife Jackie, Kentwood; Sharon Walker and her husband Lemmie, Baton Rouge; and Linda Edwards and her husband Tommy, Baton Rouge; two nieces; Donielle Edwards, Baton Rouge; Michelle Ribera and husband Chris, Baton Rouge; three nephews; Jimmy Ray Jones and fiancée Whitney Gill, Kentwood; Jason Edwards, Outer Banks, North Carolina; Brandt Edwards and wife Suzie, Baton Rouge; his great nieces and nephews, Elise and Christopher Ribera, Dylan and Madison Griggs, and Blake Edwards will miss their uncle Tracy. Also close friend Julie Alley.

Tracy was preceded in death by his parents Henry L. and Lucille Lewis Williams of Bolivar; his grandparents, Ivy and Lexie Crawford Lewis of Bolivar; E.A. and Dollie Martin Williams of Anacoco, La; and great niece Ainsley Marie Edwards.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Ray Jones, Brandt Edwards, Jason Edwards, Mack Brown, Troy Dale Ricks, Jeff Waskom, Chris Ribera, and Hilton Miller. Honorary Pallbearers will be Roy Lewis, J.C. Ricks, Gary Dees, and Dale Bond.

The family appreciates the many visits, phone calls, cards, and prayers of family and friends who brightened Tracy’s days during his last lengthy hospitalization. The family also wishes to thank Dr. Peter Monteyne and the entire staff of Promise Hospital in Gonzales.

Visitation will be at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., Sunday, August 2, 2009 and on Monday August 3, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. until Religious Services at 10:00 a.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tommy Varnado, Dr. Danny Smith, Bro. Johnny Smith, and Bro. Willard Carnegie, officiating. Interment at Bolivar Baptist Church Cemetery, Bolivar, LA

An on-line Guestbook and to view a Video Tribute is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55N and Hwy. 16W behind Mr. Tom’s Express Car Wash and Bond Eye Clinic.

Saturday

“Your true life is not made up of the things you own,

no matter how rich you may be.”

~Luke 12:15 TEV~


Chapman Progress and Prayer Needs

Emma – Ability and desire to eat, lungs, skull fracture

Ann – Waiting for custom brace, sitting up with halo, shoulder

Krisa – Home today using a walker

Quincy – Disoriented

Deloy – Got to sleep in a hospital guest room last night thanks to a friend staying with Emma

Dukes

Another Week

In a couple of days this experience will be four months old.  If I had looked at this ahead of time, I would not have thought we could make it four months. However, with the help of a loving, gracious God who has made himself known to us in some unique ways, the love of a family that has been the mainstay of our support, and the support and prayer of thousands of friends, we are here and looking ahead to whatever the future holds.

This week has been, well, a week. I was able to make a visit home to Orlando for some meetings. All went well. When I went through the security at the airport, all the metal in my elbow and legs did not even cause a stir in the machine. It was as quiet as a mouse in both New Orleans and in Orlando. Thanks to all of you for your prayers. It was great to see some good friends I have not seen since the accident and to get some things accomplishe

d that have been pending for a while.

When I left here Tuesday, I felt Retia was making some wonderful improvements. We had gotten her off some of the medicine that seemed to cause her confusion. However, when I got back, I realized that she had not made as much progress as I thought. We will likely have to return her to both the medications because of other problems that hinder her therapy and her recovery.

In addition, I also discovered today that she has two new infections. The doctor (logically) will not operate on her head as long as she has any infection.  As you know, we have been battling infections for months. I am not sure what these are or how they will affect her, but I do know that they will hinder the surgery to protect the bedsore and the surgery to replace the skull cap. We are probably looking at least at three more weeks before getting a date for the surgery. That means at least another month or more in New Orleans.

As you might guess, that is a big disappointment. We were looking forward to getting home in a couple of weeks or so.

I do not blame God for this situation. I believe it is the consequence of a broken world in which a person made a wrong choice or maybe several. We have been caught up in those consequences.

I believe God can overcome these infections in an instant. I also believe he can bring Retia back to her full health in every respect in an instant.

But I also realize he may not. And I pray my trust in him will not wax or wane based on the perceptions I have of his choice.

I believe he has given us the wonderful privilege of prayer. Through this wonderful gift we have the right granted by him to ask him anything our heart desires. But while we have the freedom to ask what we will, I do not believe he has given any of us tools to manipulate him into doing what we ask him to do.

Every once in a while I hear someone say, “Prayer is powerful.” I do not believe that. I believe it is God who is powerful. Prayer is communication. We talk to him and express the desires of our heart. He already knows both what we desire and what we need. He acts in power to work out his purpose and bring glory to himself. That is the right thing to do.

He is busy working out his purpose, and as he works it out, he will do what is right for him and what brings him glory. If it is right for him, it must be right for us. We do not always understand his choices or his actions, but we can trust him to take care of us in every way.

I do trust him. I trust Retia to him. I will continue to pray for her healing, and I am grateful that there are many of you who will do the same. Pray for whatever you desire for her. But pray as though it were Jesus praying. If we seek to have the mind of Christ in our praying, we will be closer to praying for the will of the Father to be done. As Kingdom citizens we want his will to be done on earth just like it is done in heaven.

We can make outrageous requests of him knowing that he, in his outrageous love, will give us what is best for him and us.

I told someone in the early weeks of this experience that we do not know how this will come out. I still do not know. But as it was then, it is now. He will walk with us through all of it. We can still trust him whether he chooses to still the storm or take us through the waves.

Join us both in lifting Retia up to him and in trusting him to be God.

blessings
jdukes

Maggie Lee Henson

Friday, July 31, 2009 7:32 PM, CDT

Glad to be in our own room. Dr.s think lung may be source of temperature. Not sure about that.
Blood pressure hanging in there.
Thx or praying.
love
jin

Saturday, August 1, 2009 12:41 AM, CDT

It is about time for me to switch out with Jinny.  Maggie Lee is resting comfortably in her new room, not having much acitivity with her BP and having her temperature down with the help of the cooling blanket (I’m thinking of taking one of those home with me, by the way).

It is nice to be in a room(thanks, Dr. Christ–yes, that’s her name), though we are still in PCCU and still needing constant attention and monitoring.  Maggie Lee is as frail as before moving in here and still in need of constant prayer.

I’m so thankful for the nursing staff here.  Jinny mentioned the way nurses Lindsey and Stacy stepped in to set up the room with cards and pictures, going beyond the call of duty.  They also wore Concierge hats when they helped us find a good local restaraunt for dinner tonight.  And then tonight, when I stepped out to get a cup of coffee, I returned to find my chair/bed pulled out with covers drawn back and a peppermint on my pillow. Thanks, nurse Kim! What love and care they give not only to patients but to their parents as well.

We are finding more conduits of God’s love each day.

Lord, may You bless Maggie Lee with Your healing touch as she rests tonight.  May she know of Your amazing love for her, especially as provided by loving nurses, doctors and through the prayers of Your people.  Amen.

I think I missed posting this obituary.  Sorry.  My life has been very busy this summer!
Cleon Thomas Hutchinson, Jr.
(October 31, 1933 – July 28, 2009)
U.S. Veteran Died on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at his residence in Greensburg, LA. He was a native and resident of Greensburg, LA. Age 75 years. He was a U. S. Army Veteran of Korean Conflict and received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from Southeastern Louisiana University. Visitation at Greensburg United Methodist Church, Greensburg, from 1 p.m. on Thursday until religious services at 4 p.m. Thursday. Services conducted by Rev. LaMarylis Cotten and Rev. Kevin Smith. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg. Survived by sister, Doris H. Travis and her husband, Billy, nephew, Terry Travis and his wife, Dell, nieces, Betty T. Day and her husband, Lynn, Marilyn T. Taylor and her husband, Randy, great-nieces and great-nephews, Melissa Day, Travis Day and his wife, Grace, Brantley Taylor and his wife, Brandi, Ryan Travis and his wife, Beth, Anna T. Bullinger and her husband, Trey, Courtney D. Passman and her husband, Michael, Brent Travis and his wife, Holly, Angela Kimball and her husband, Paul, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, Blase River Taylor, Emma Day, Bella Taylor, George Taylor Bullinger, Michael Charles Passman II, John Travis Day, Sean Capella, Reagan Kimball. Preceded in death by parents, Cleon T. Hutchinson, Sr. and Mattie Smith Hutchinson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Greensburg United Methodist Church. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Please continue to pray for the Welch families.

KneEmail

Conductor

PEOPLE OFTEN PAY high prices because of one man in the concert: the conductor…

He enters to the applause of the audience. A hundred instruments are poised by a hundred tense musicians. Each player is prepared to make a special kind of musical response to his beat; each section will produce melodic lines and rhythmic patterns different from the others. It is the conductor who will weave all the differences together and insure that the orchestra keeps faith with thecomposer’s intentions. He will establish a standard tempo and a standard volume. He will bring out the solo parts, insuring that the orchestra colors the background in just the right musical hues so that the soloist reaches the anticipated excellence. Without the conductor, the finest musicians and the most expensive instruments produce only inartistic chaos.

Like the orchestra, a family needs someone to set the tempo. When the tempo has been set and the soloist steps into the spotlight, the conductor gives him opportunity to perform; so does the father. Without an effective father, a family struggles (Gordon McDonald).

“Every day Mordecai walked in front of the harem

to learn how Esther was and how she fared”

(Esther 2:11).

“Now Esther had not made known her people,

as Mordecai had charged her;

for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him”

(Esther 2:20).

Posted by Mike Benson
Have a wonderful Saturday.  Take time to pray for the needs listed here today.  Thank God for all His blessings in these situations and many others.
Anna Lee

Friday Addition

Paula Splane called and asked if  you could put the following on prayer link.  An 85-year old man, David Welch, was riding his lawnmower from Paula’s mother’s house back to his house when he was hit by E.H. Welch who was pulling his horse trailer.  Mr. David Welch was killed instantly.  Paula requested prayer for both families.
Thanks – JAN (Hammons)

Maggie Lee Henson

Friday, July 31, 2009 8:36 AM, CDT

Well, we’re movin’ on up,
To the East Side…
To a DE-lux apartment in the SKI-I-I…

The nurses are moving MLH from Kiosk #23 to ROOM #7. Thank you for your goodness, God!

When I arrived, the nurses had already moved her decorations-cards, Miracles Happen window Cling and MLH and ICP signs over here. I cry at sweet commercials, so, you know I was sobbing. Thank you, God for the monumental tiny blessings along the way.

I love you.

Huey Elizabeth East Waller
(January 17, 1928 – July 31, 2009)

Huey Elizabeth East Waller

She lived her life to do for others and enjoyed cooking and caring for her family. She passed away at 6:25 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was a native of Pine Ridge, LA and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 81 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 8 a.m. on Monday until religious services at 2 p.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Kevin Smith, Elder Joe Nettles, and Elder Heath Williams. Interment Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA. She is survived by her husband, Ripley Waller, Tangipahoa; daughter, Paulette Nettles and husband, James, Vidalia, GA; 2 sons, Floyd Waller and his wife, Charlene, Kentwood, and Mark Waller and his wife, Susan, Amite; 8 grandchildren, Elizabeth Nettles, Jason Waller, Joseph Nettles, Stacy Waller Guillory, Sharon Nettles Williams, Angela Nettles Atkinson, Alexander Waller and Maxwell Waller; 14 great-grandchildren; and her long time friend, Mrs. Floal Simmons, Independence. She was preceded in death by 2 grandsons, Ryan Kent Waller and Zachary Roth Waller; 5 sisters, Jessie Travis, Leo Ensign, Margie Peavey, Willye East, and Jeanne Morgan; 2 brothers, Lidge East and John East; parents, Floyd and Betty East.

Friday – Obituary

Mrs. Paula Jean Shaw Wall
(October 26, 1927 – July 30, 2009)

Mrs. Paula Jean Shaw Wall

Mrs. Paula Jean Shaw Wall a loving mother, grandmother & great-grandmother was born on October 26, 1927 and passed away at 10:28 a.m., Thursday, July 30, 2009 at her residence. She was 81, a native of McComb, MS and a resident of Kentwood. Mrs. Paula Jean was bookkeeper for the Kentwood Livestock Sales for many years.

Mrs. Paula Jean is survived by a daughter, Margaret Susan Wall; 3 sons, Wilton J. “Jimmy” Wall, Sr. and wife, Suzanne, Winston G. “Gene” Wall and wife, Belen, & Michael A. “Mike” Wall all of Kentwood; 8 grandchildren, Wilton J. Wall, Jr., William J. Wall, Byron J. Statham, Aaron P. Statham, Michael S. Wall, Rachel B. Wall, Ashley N. Wall & Jared T. Wilson; 6 great-grandchildren, Alex Wall, Josie Allen, Adrian Wall, Alison Statham, Seth Brown, & Julian Brown.

Preceded in death by her parents, Pete J. & Cordelia Brown Shaw; husband, Archie Wall; & sister, Margaret B. Boudreaux.

A Graveside Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, August 2, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood with Rev. Joey Miller officiating. Interment in the Woodland Cemetery

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Hood Home Health Services, 409-A NW Central Ave., Amite, LA or North Oaks Hospice 15790 Paul Vega MD Dr., Hammond La

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Sunday

“Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!

Declare His deeds among the people.”

~Psalm 9:11~

Pray for Micah and Sarabeth Simpson.

We go take Micah Friday morning for his appointment in New Orleans at Children’s Hospital.

Tomorrow we take Sarabeth to get her hearing checked out and Thursday, we go get her eyes checked out.

Thanks,
Marty & Gretchen

Please continue to pray for Jenny Stegall and her family.  Also, please continue to pray for Chuck Pittman and his family.

Maggie Lee Henson

Sunday, July 26, 2009 6:12 AM, CDT

Long night. Ml needed her 3 per cent about every hour-hour and a half last night and her blood pressure wasn’t as strong as the day before, unfortunate

ly.
Thx for the prayers. I know God hears and answers. Please do not be discouraged.
Love u!

Sunday, July 26, 2009 9:15 AM, CDT

I’m back at the bedside this morning, feeling the rollercoast

er again as Maggie Lee is still fighting the pressure (high 30’s).  She is currently maxed out on the sodium due to the high amounts needed through the night/early morning.  We were making a step forward yesterday and are in that “two steps back” right now.  I am confident of another step forward soon.  And I’m comforted to know that people will be gathering in churches today, saying Maggie Lee’s name and needs in their prayers. Today at 10:20 am marks two weeks of this fight.

John

Sunday, July 26, 2009 5:32 PM, CDT

Do not be afraid, only believe- mark 5:36
ML’s vent was poked down 2 more points today which means she is that much less dependent upon it.

Please pray as always for that icp to come down from her head. Please keep the prayers coming. MLH

Monday, July 27, 2009 1:41 AM, CDT

I just arrived at the hospital and switched out with Jinny’s mom, aka “Mimi”.  Maggie Lee is doing much better than yesterday, with ICP currently at 29 and CPP at 74.

I’m praying that this is that step forward again and that we will gain further ground toward getting past all of this swelling.

God, may Maggie Lee’s swelling break tonight and go the other direction for a while, for good actually.  May You touch her brain with your divine healing power and mercy.  All of this in name of the one who walked this earth distributing freely such power, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

–John

PS:  For those interested in all things lizard, Jack named his gecko “Leo.”  As in Maggie Leo.

Monday, July 27, 2009 2:14 AM, CDT

Corrie Cross from KTBS Shreveport did a story on Maggie Lee last night’s 6 and 10 news.  You can find it here. (http://www.ktbs.com/news/praying-for-a-miracle1)

James Earlo “Jimmy” Levatino, Sr.

(August 24, 1949 – July 26, 2009)

U.S. Veteran Passed away at 12:30 a.m. on July 26, 2009 peacefully in his sleep at Harvest Manor in Denham Springs, LA at the age of 59 years. He was a native of Amite, LA, a former resident of Baton Rouge, LA and a current resident of Mobile, AL. He was a U.S.A.F. veteran of Vietnam and later retired from Dillard’s Department Store where he worked as a Visual Merchandiser. Jimmy was a kind, considerate, caring, gentle man and will be greatly missed by his family and many, many friends. He is survived by his son, James E. “Jimmy” Levatino, Jr.; parents, Joseph Earlo and Irma Ruth Bennett Levatino; 2 brothers, Jerry L. Levatino and his wife, Lynda, and Kenneth W. “Kenny” Levatino; granddaughter, Kaylee Nicole Levatino Battaglia; 2 nieces, Jenny Marie Levatino and Leanna Grace Levatino; 2 nephews, Steven Paul Levatino and Nathan Joseph Levatino. Preceded in death by his grandparents, Sam and Idell Levatino and E.H. and Mattie Dillon Bennett. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 8 a..m. on Tuesday until religious services at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Interment Pine Hill Cemetery, Arcola, LA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Life Source Hospice, 3049 S. Sherwood Forrest Blvd., Suite 100, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.

KneEmail

Tools

tool belt.jpgTHE CARPENTER’S TOOLS had a meeting…

Brother Hammer served as the chairman. The other members of the tool belt inform him that he must leave, because he was too noisy. But brother Hammer said, “If I have to leave this carpenter’s shop, then brother Gimlet must go too. He’s insignificant and makes a very small impression.” (A gimlet is a small tool with a screw point, grooved shank, and a cross handle for boring holes).

Little brother Gimlet arose and said, “All right, but brother Screwdriver must go also. You have to turn him around and around to get anywhere with him.”

Brother Screwdriver turned to the other tools in the belt and said, “If you wish, I will go, but brother Plane must leave too. All of his work is on the surface; there’s no depth to what he does.”

To this brother Plane leveled his terse reply, “Well, then, brother Saw will have to depart too. The changes he proposes always cut too deep.”

Brother Saw complained, saying, “Brother Ruler will have to withdraw if I leave, for he’s always measuring other folks as though he were the only one who is right.”

Brother Ruler then surveyed the group and said, “Brother Sandpaper doesn’t belong here either. He’s rougher than he ought to be, and is always rubbing people the wrong way.”

In the midst of the discussion, the Carpenter of Nazareth walked in. He had come to perform his day’s work. He put on His tool belt and went to the workbench to make a pulpit. He employed the ruler, the saw, the plane, the hammer, the gimlet, the screwdriver, the sandpaper, and all the other tools. When the day’s work was over, the pulpit was finished, and the carpenter went home. All the accusations against each of these tools were absolutely true, yet the carpenter used every one of them. No matter which tool He use, no other tool coul have done the work better.

We are all “tools”” in Jesus’ tool box. Each of us has a purpose, ability, and a task to perform.

“For we are God’s fellow workers…”

( 1 Corinthians 3:9a; cf. 12:12ff).

Posted by Mike Benson at April 6, 2009

Have a great day!

Anna Lee