Category: Death Notice(s)

Mrs. Annie B. Harrell is continuing to recover from surgery and praying for a good report in a few weeks.  She’s “out-and-about” only if necessary.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Maggie Lee Henson

Friday, July 24, 2009 9:55 AM, CDT

Maggie Lee had a few challenges last night and early morning.  The rising ICP required more frequent doses of the 3% saline.  Things are under control right now and we are thankful for a new day and new mercies.

Maggie Lee is wearing a beautiful gown this morning, mostly yellow with lots of flowers.  Her name is monogrammed on the front of it as well.  The Burgess’ just stopped by on their way through town and dropped off cards from ML’s classmates and a Build A Bear named “Dr. Maggie”, who is wearing scrubs and holding an X-Ray.  It’s the envy of everyone on the floor.

Friday, July 24, 2009 2:56 PM, CDT

MLH’s IcP dipping to low 20’s this afternoon. I feel like a weather man. Thx for prayers and all of the sweet cards, gifts for jack, cute monogrammed pillow case, blankie and gown and special card from my Woodlawn Prayer Warriors.
We appreciate, as always, the fervant nature of your prayers as well as peoples’ homes, snacks,meals and inspirational stories.

Two student resort missionaries remain ‘critical’ in Montana after car crash

By Mickey Noah

(L-R) Brothers Dan, Ryan and Jeremy Vangsnes are three of the four NAMB “Innovator” student resort missionaries involved in the Montana car accident on July 21. (family photo)

BILLINGS, Mont. (BP) – Two “Innovator” resort missionaries remain in critical condition in ICU at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings three days after their SUV flipped and rolled over several times, injuring them and two companions. A dozen of their fellow student missionaries are already using the tragedy to share Christ with tourists at nearby Yellowstone National Park.

North American Mission Board resort missionary Brad Lartigue – a local, full-time resort missionary for NAMB and the four students’ supervisor – said that 21-year-old Jeremy Vangsnes is the still the most critically injured of the four. Vangsnes underwent a procedure on Thursday to relieve pressure on his brain and reduce swelling, Lartigue said.

Lartigue said the driver of the Jeep Cherokee, 21-year-old Scott Minear of Marietta, Ga., also remains in critical condition but an MRI on Thursday revealed no significant spinal or neck damage. Conscious, Minear, a University of Georgia junior, had a “halo” attached to restrict head movement.

Jeremy Vangsnes’ two brothers – 23-year-old Dan and 19-year-old Ryan – were also in the SUV at the time of the accident. The three brothers, residents of Spartanburg, S.C., were on a 350-mile side trip from Yellowstone Park to Glacier Park for a family reunion. Minear was along for the drive. Prior to moving to Spartanburg, the Vangsnes family lived in North Dakota.

“Dan has had three surgeries since the accident but suffered no significant head injuries,” said Lartigue. “Dan is talkative and lucid – he knows what happened.” Requiring only stitches, Ryan was treated and released from Deaconess Hospital in Bozeman, Mont.

Lartigue said both the Minear and Vangsnes families immediately flew to Montana and are “strong Christian families who are holding up well.”

The Vangsnes brothers were nominated as Innovator missionaries by NAMB, while Minear’s appointment came through the Georgia Baptist Campus Ministries.

Lartigue said the Vangsnes brothers and Minear were four of 17 Innovator missionaries who arrived at Yellowstone Park on Memorial Day Weekend to minister to resort visitors for 10 weeks. They were slated to return home on Aug. 3.

“The other kids are doing fine. . . I’m trying to reassure them,” said Lartigue, who admits his own emotions have been on a rollercoaster ride since the accident. “I’m strong in my faith and I know God’s in control. But at times over the last few days, I have been overwhelmed,” said Lartigue, a NAMB Week of Prayer missionary in 2008.

Lartigue said Southern Baptist Convention CEO Morris Chapman made a surprise visit to the Billings hospital yesterday. Coincidentally vacationing at a summer mountain home nearby, Chapman said he learned of the accident via his Blackberry and the SBC.net website.

Dennis Culbreth, senior assistant to NAMB president Geoff Hammond, immediately flew to Montana after word of the accident.

“The Montana Baptist Convention is doing a great job of making every effort to help these two families,” Culbreth said. “The spirits of the two families are good. They’re praying for a miracle for Jeremy.”

The brothers’ parents, Mark and Kathy Vangsnes, are members of First Baptist Church, Spartanburg, S.C. Minear’s parents, Frank and Tammy Minear, are members of Crosspointe Community Church, a SBC church in Roswell, Ga.

“I told the parents that the entire NAMB family and Southern Baptists everywhere are praying for their sons,” said Culbreth.

Echoing Lartigue, Culbreth said he visited with the other Innovator student missionaries at West Yellowstone Park. “They’re in good spirits and praying for a miracle for Jeremy.”

Culbreth said the dozen remaining Innovator student missionaries crafted posters on Thursday night with photos of Jeremy, Scott and Dan, and displayed them at Yellowstone, asking passersby to pray for their three friends.

“When tourists would come by and ask questions,” Culbreth said, “the students would use the accident to remind people that ‘you don’t know how long you have or what’s coming down the road. Do you know Christ?’”

Innovator missionaries are self funded student missionaries – assigned by NAMB or a state Baptist Campus Ministry – who are involved in resort ministry at various tourist venues throughout the United States.

Willard Lynn Crowe
(August 18, 1952 – July 24, 2009)

Died at 6:29 a.m. on Friday, July 24, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was a native of Magnolia, MS and a resident of Independence, LA. Age 56 years. Visitation at Wilmer Missionary Baptist Church, Wilmer, from 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Sunday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Jason Skipper. Interment Wilmer Cemetery, Wilmer, LA. He is survived by his 2 daughters, Michelle Howes and her husband, Keith, Ponchatoula and Monica Crowe, Hammond; a son, Kevin Lynn Crowe, Sr. and his wife, Michelle, Loranger; 4 grandchildren, Brittany and Katie Howes, and Kevin, Jr. and Megan Crowe; 2 sisters, Paula Crowe, Amite and Cindy Crowe, Amite; 4 brothers, Gordon Crowe, Jr., Hammond, Lanny Crowe, Amite, Darrell Crowe, Loranger and Gayland Crowe, Kentwood; numerous nieces and nephews including a very special nephew, Brayden Lee, Amite. He was preceded in death by parents, Gordon Martin Crowe, Sr. and Joyce Cutrer Crowe.

I forgot to mention Mrs. Hellen Morris this morning.  She fell at the front of the auditorium just before church yesterday morning.  She’s sore, but reported no broken bones.

Beth Graham Lee shared this information about a mission trip to Mexico from FBC, Amite. It’s time to pray for those going and the lives they will touch.

We have a group leaving this Saturday, July 25th @ 4am going to Mexico for a mission trip. This Wed we are to get specific needs to pray about and there will be a daily prayer meeting each morning @ 7:30 in the sanctuary while they are gone. We will also get more specific prayer request each morning from the evening before as they call the church office.

Bennie Gaylon Simmons
(February 1, 1941 – July 18, 2009)

Bennie Gaylon Simmons a loving father, grandfather and friend was born February 1, 1941 and passed away at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 18, 2009 at Ochsner Hospital, Elmwood, Harahan, LA. Bennie was 68, and a native and resident of Line Creek, LA. He was retired from the Tangipahoa Parish Government as Road Superintendent after 23 years, a member of Springview Country Club and a Dairy Farmer all of his life.

Visitation will be held at the Line Creek Baptist Church, Kentwood, on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. until Religious Services at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Merlin McCon and Rev. Ken Irvin officiating. Interment at the Line Creek Cemetery.

Bennie is survived by 2 sons, Bennie Scott Simmons and wife, Debbie, and William Brent Simmons, and wife, Beth, both of Kentwood; a brother, I. W. Simmons, Jr. and wife, Peggy, Kentwood; special friend and fiancé Mary Wilkinson, Loranger; 7 grandchildren, Christie Taylor and husband, David , Crystal Morgan and husband, Heath, Renee’ Simmons, Laken Simmons, Alex Leon Simmons, Steven Scott Simmons, & Koley Scott Simmons; 4 great grandchildren, Emilee Taylor, Lauren Taylor, Taylor Morgan & Nicholis Scott Major Simmons; nephews, I.W. Simmons, III, H. Wayne Simmons and wife, Lisa, and Jeffrey Wendell Simmons and wife, Ginger; great nephews, Kevin Simmons and Jeff Simmons; great nieces, Kristin Simmons and Chelsea Simmons, 2 step-children, Julie Peek and husband Brandon, Loranger and Beth Ensign and husband Edwin, Loranger; 4 step-grandchildren, Jacie Stogner, John Stogner, Eddie Ensign & Maddie Ensign.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Iley W. & Bennie Mae Swearingen Simmons and a sister, Joyce Yvonne Simmons.

Pallbearers will be David Taylor, Heath Morgan, Wesley Travis, Alex Simons, Steven Simmons, Koley Simmons, Kynan Carlin, Nelson Lea, Pearce Miller, Mason Simmons, Sam L. Cutrer, H. Wayne Simmons, Wendell Simmons, & Wilkie Simmons.

The family would like to thank the Doctors & Staff of Ochsner Foundation and North Oak Medical Center who provided such excellent care and to the Tangipahoa Parish Government.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Line Creek Baptist Church, 78659 Hwy 1053, Kentwood, LA 70444

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

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

Jenny Stegall

Please continue to pray for Jennie Stegall and her family.

Maggie Lee Henson

Saturday, July 18, 2009 12:07 PM, CDT

Pressure is still under control for the most part and we are not seeing any high spikes.  The reality of the duration of this phase, though, is on our hearts and minds as we approach day 7 tomorrow.

Another discussion of CT scan with the doctor was a reminder of the severity of injury and the difficult challenges ahead.  I hear all of this but also keep remembering the thousands of prayers, some of which are represented in the guestbook of this site.  I read them to get encourageme

Died on Friday, July 17, 2009 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, LA. He was a native of Independence, LA and a resident of Baton Rouge, LA. Age 56 years. He was a U.S.M.C. veteran. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10 a.m. on Monday until religious services at 12 Noon Monday. Services conducted by Bro. Dale Ziebarth. Interment Ford Cemetery, Independence, LA. Survived by wife, Marjorie Blue Ford, Baton Rouge, 6 sons, Ronnie Ford, Jr., McComb, MS, Racey Ford, Baton Rouge, Jason Ford, Baton Rouge, Christopher Ford, Baton Rouge, Corey Ford, Baton Rouge, Dusty Ford, Baton Rouge, 1 daughter, Winter Ford, Walker, 12 grandchildren, Haley and Ronnie, III, Racey, Jr., Eric, Victoria, Trenton, Hunter, Hayden, Corey, Jr., Damien, Hayden, Madilynn, sister, Trudy Darlene Armfield, Magnolia, MS, brother, Wayne Ford, Houston, TX, parents, Wallace J. Ford, Jr., Gilbert, Leona Jones Crow, Magnolia, MS, numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by 2 sons, Eric and Adam Ford, daughter, Angel Ford, 3 infant children, sister, Tracey Lynnette Ford. Pallbearers will be sons and grandsons.

Baptist Press article about Maggie Lee Henson

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30898

Pray for Mrs. Barbara Erwin as she has hip trouble.  Pray she has not damaged her replacement hip requiring more hip surgery.

Eltie Clyde Wright

(June 18, 1941 – July 16, 2009)

Died at 4:10 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at Tangi-Pines Nursing Center in Amite. He was a native of New Orleans, LA and a resident of Amite, LA. Age 68 years. He was a member and of House on the Rock Church in Amite. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 12 Noon until religious services at 3:00PM Saturday. Services conducted by Pastor Jeff McKneely. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. He is survived by 2 daughters, Anita Schexnayder and her husband, Wayne, Westwego, and Charlene Domingue, Slidell; son, Paul Wright, Metairie; grandchildren, Joshua and Rebekah Schexnayder, Adrian, Cameron and Arthur, IV, Domingue; uncle, James Miller, Tickfaw. He is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Bertaut Wright; brother, Billy Wright; parents, Eltie Clyde Wright, Sr. and Mildred Anita Miller Wright.

Maggie Lee Hinson had a difficult night.  CAT scan shows swelling and hemorrhage, but the pressure is better.  Please keep praying for this young lady.

Pray for Wayne Addison.  He’s having surgery because of diabetes.

Pray for Mrs. Nadine Council as she begins rehab.

Benjamin Franklin Allen

(October 26, 1931 – July 15, 2009)

Died at 6:47PM on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was a native of Loranger, LA and a resident of Amite, LA. Age 77 years. He retired as a driver for Greyhound with over 30 years of service and was a U.S.A.F. veteran of Korea. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. on Friday until religious services at 11 a.m. Friday. Services conducted by Rev. Marshall Wallace. Interment Briar Patch Cemetery, Loranger, LA. Survived by daughter, Joan Brumfield, Meadville, MS, son, Michael Allen, Amite, 2 sisters, Mary Jane King, Amite, Lerlene Holden, Amite. Preceded in death by, wife, Doris U. Allen, 3 brothers.

Janet Newcomb Loyd

(Died July 15, 2009)

Died on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at her residence in Greensburg. She was a native of Independence, LA. Age 63 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Saturday. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg. She is survived by her 2 brothers, Billy Ed Kilcrease, Ark. and Billy Jean Newcomb, Concord, NC; numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Teddy Loyd; mother, Nola K. Newcomb; father, John Cass Newcomb; 3 brothers, J. V. Newcomb, Toddy Newcomb and Aubry Ray Newcomb.