More and more friends are developing Covid-19. Wear your masks! This health concern doesn’t have to spread like it has lately.
Thankfulness, Day 5 – My Husband
I’m thankful for my husband of 53 years! The year 2020 brought us much more time alone together than we would have thought possible, but it has certainly given us some quality time! It’s so nice to says we enjoy our days and always find reasons to laugh. He cares for older people, children, and all those in the middle. He is fun, compassionate, caring, hardworking, and thoughtful. God lives in his heart and can be seen in his actions. I’m so very thankful he is in my life and blessed to have had so many years together.
Shane Keith Ratliff went to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 31, 2020, at the age of 40. He was born on Sunday, September 7, 1980 in Hammond, Louisiana. Shane always wore a smile on his face and never met a stranger. He volunteered at both Eighth Ward Volunteer Fire Department and Kentwood Volunteer Fire Department. He assisted helping the community with the Ponchatoula Lions Club. Anyone who knew him could always count on Shane to lend a helping hand.
Shane is survived by his father, Paul Pittman and wife Sandy Pittman; his mother Cheryl Ratliff; twin brother Wayne Ratliff and wife Catherine; his brother Christopher Ratliff and wife Brittany; his sister Brittany Morse and husband Corey; his brother Paul Pittman, Jr. and wife Tiffany; his sister Shannon Pittman; his grandmother, Jackie Genco; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Shane is preceded in death by his grandparents Joseph Ratliff, and William and Elaine Pittman.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Harry McKneely and Son Funeral Home in Ponchatoula, 100 W Magnolia Street, Ponchatoula, Louisiana 70454, on Friday, November 6, 2020 beginning at 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM. The visitation will continue on Saturday, November 7, 2020, beginning at 9:00 AM until the funeral service begins at 11:00 AM.
Interment will be lead by Chaplain Wayne Ratliff at Sand Hill Cemetery, Ponchatoula, Louisiana.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like everyone to please consider monetary donations to help with funeral expenses. All donations can be made directly to Harry McKneely and Son Funeral Home.
Face masks are now mandatory to attend any visitation or service at the funeral home. Thank you for your cooperation.
Today, I’m thankful for my family heritage. It is similar to the heritage of many of you. My family had strong connections with other members, mostly from this general area. They worked hard and provided the necessities of life. They lived by strong Christian faith and encouraged us to do well in school, continuing our education after high school even thought that was not possible for them. They taught the value of work, daily living skills, a sense of values, a love for our country, its beauty, and its history. They also taught us to care about and help others. I had a good life based on a solid foundation.
Resa Gail Birch
August 06, 1964 – November 01, 2020
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy, Live by Faith” – Rebabe
Resa Gail Birch, a resident of Clinton, LA departed for her heavenly home on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at the Baton Rouge General Butterfly Hospice. She was born August 6, 1964 in Kentwood, LA. She had a love for life and cherished her two children, Joshua and Allie, family and friends. She loved working in her yard and the planting of plants. She loved going to Joshua’s and Allie’s ball games, the beach, traveling with family and friends on vacations, and a love for photography that she shared with many. She had a beautiful voice from a young age and was a member of SWMJC Stage Band as a vocalist for 2 years and sang many specials in church. She was a graduate from Valley Forge Academy. She continued her education at Southwest Mississippi Junior College in Summit, MS with a Business Associate Degree and then graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA with a BS degree in Business Administration. She then went back to Southwest and received a degree in Nursing as a Registered Nurse. Resa worked as a nurse at a couple of State Hospital facilities in Jackson, LA where she retired from. She continued working part time for several years at St. Helena Parish Hospital until February 2020. After 8 years of battling cancer strong and hard, she gained her angel wings. Those who knew Resa would comment how she always had a smile on her face, her faith and how she was an inspiration to all. Resa was an incredible mother to her two children that she loved with all of her heart and an incredible daughter, sister, and friend to many. She is survived by her children, Joshua Keith DeLee and wife, Madison, and Allie DeLee; mother, Nancy Gray Birch; 2 sisters, Julia Birch Travis and Michelle Birch Fitzgerald and husband, Justin; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Julius Ladell Birch; grandparents, Henry and Mabel Birch and James and Nettie Gray; mother-in-law, Alice DeLee; and brother-in-law, Keith DeLee. Visitation will be at New Zion Baptist Church, 3841 Hwy 38W, Kentwood, LA from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Thursday, November 5, 2020 with Kaleb Schmidt and Ted Sine officiating. Interment will follow at Clear Creek Methodist Cemetery, 17887 Hwy 432, Clinton, LA. Pallbearers will be Sutton Travis, Garrett Fitzgerald, Cliff Elkins, Keith Elkins, Dillon Elkins, and Tyler Towles. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
A service of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 12:00 noon in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille, honoring the life of Bernice Menard Collins, 95, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice with family at her side. The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille’s DOWNTOWN location on Wednesday, November 4 from 9:00 AM until time of service.
Entombment will be in Calvary Mausoleum.
Reverend Bert Langley of Lafayette will conduct the funeral services. The Eulogist will be Mitzi Menard, niece, and a passage of scripture will be read by Kelsey Collins Byrd, granddaughter. Celebratory music will be provided by son-in-law, Del Morgan, singing “How Great Thou Art” and granddaughter, Rachel Morgan Im, singing an original song entitled, “Parting Blessing.”
Left to cherish her memory includes her two sons, Floyd Wayne Collins and Douglas George Collins and his wife, Cathy; one daughter Connie Collins Morgan and her husband Del; one sister, Geraldine (Jean) Menard Dunand; seven grandchildren: Rachel M. Im, Michael Morgan, Danielle M. Bowser, Lana M. Mendoza, Taylor Collins, Kelsey C. Byrd, and Lindsey Collins; and seven great grandchildren, Tommy, Kayla, and Chelsea Morgan, Grace, Joanna, and Nathon Mendoza, and Jayne Morgan Bowser.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Duma and Marie Landry Menard; husband, George Floyd Collins; two sisters, Lucille M. Ducharme and Verna Mae Menard; and nine brothers, Willis (Fatty), Bienvenue (Bob), Overton (Pye), Robley (Bris), Ernest (Pete), John, Lee (Neg), Henry (Bud), and Curley (Noonie) Menard.
Although our mother has entered the heavenly realm and is finally home, her life story of resilience is woven into the fabric of our lives. For most of her years, mom was busy raising children and volunteering at church. In her late fifties, she faced unexpected adversity with quiet but steely determination when circumstances caused her to reenter the work force as a sales clerk for Abdalla’s, a popular retail clothing store in Lafayette. Her unwavering persistence to provide for her family not only modeled her tenacious work ethic, but taught us the importance of perseverance. It was her devotion to God that yielded a spirit of fierce determination in the midst of adversity. Her life was a living example of her favorite Bible verse, Philippians 4:13 ─ “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Mom was happiest when she was at home surrounded by her family. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. In the last days of her life, when the challenges of progressive dementia slowly overcame her, it was like losing mom in slow motion. Yet her faith in God never wavered. It produced a life of such profound resilience that in her absence, we continue to marvel at what God has done.
Pallbearers will be Floyd Wayne Collins, Douglas George Collins, Gerald Dunand, Overton (Jimmy) Menard, Ronald Glenn Menard, and Michael James Pothier. Honorary Pallbearers will be Taylor Collins and Michael Morgan.
A heartfelt appreciation is extended by the Collins family to the nursing staff at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph for the care they extended to our mother. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bernice Collins’ name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
Pray for our country and its leadership, whether your chosen candidates won or lost in Tuesday’s elections. Praying after an election is as important as praying before the election.
Today, I am thankful for the many ways God allows us to express love for others and the way others express love for us. Sometimes it is through an abundance of verbal expressions and sometimes it comes silently through actions. They can mean the same thing! However you express love, do so frequently. You’ll be blessed!
Tonight, at 7 P.M. central time, Franklin Graham will lead our country in a season of pray. Join him at that time and/or use the time to have private prayer in your home.
Fall weather beings sniffles, coughs, colds, flu, and this year it can even bring Covid-19. Be careful. We hear of sickness daily. Do your best to stay healthy and not to pass on anything you may have.
Due to sickness, online church services are now the only option in some of our area churches. Thankfully, many churches have that option. Others, have found ways to worship from their parking lots, etc. Just don’t leave worship out!
Today, I am thankful for peace in my world. To appreciate peace in our daily lives, all we have to do is think of troubled days, situations, and people. To have a day of peace is so calming. May we all strive to have peace in our little part of the world!
Collection of Shoeboxes begins two weeks from today. If you are packing individually, get those boxes packed and turned in to the church office. Be sure to give your name and church information. You can pay shipping on your boxes online at Samaritan’s Purse.
I thought this verse was appropriate for today because of the many trials facing friends at this time.
Wanda Miller shared this request concerning her mother:
Please pray for my Mom, Doris Young. She is in room 4002 in North Oaks. She has been dealing with A-fib and other problems.She would greatly appreciate bring lifted up in prayer.
Today, I want to start with God, the One who created our world and then placed us here. He watches over us daily and guides us in all we do. He is our Savior and has a wonderful plan for us eternally.
I hope you remembered to change your clocks back one hour. If not, now is a good time to do so.
Churches, clubs, schools, and individuals have two more weeks to pack shoeboxes. Collection will begin November 16th. You can go to the following site to learn where and when you can “drop-off” your shoeboxes. Special precautions will be taken at all sites to prevent the spread of Covid.
Don’t forget that FBC, Kentwood will have online worship only for the next two weeks. Services will be available at 10:30 and 6 P.M. tomorrow on FB and YouTube.
Rev. Darryl Miller, pastor of FBC, Kentwood, posted this update.
Good morning. The Deacon Council of FBC Kentwood, after prayerful consideration, has by majority vote made the decision to go back to online services only for 14 days from last Sunday. This decision was reached in light of the fact that we have had multiple positive Covid tests this week from people that have been attending our services. None of these people appear at this time to have life threatening symptoms and our prayer is that they all make a speedy recovery. We value the health of our congregation and pray that no one else gets infected with this illness. Our plan at this time is to be back in church on Nov.11th. Please join us on Facebook Live or on our YouTube channel at 10:30 this morning and at 6pm this evening.
I think the last sentence refers to Sunday and Wednesday services.
Request from Brenda Russell of Chesbrough:
Requesting pray for Jeana Lee-Newton again. She was taken to emergency room at oschners yesterday with pain in her stomach. She has infection and two abcess. She’s having surgery this morning so please pray for her. Thanks to all in advance.
Today, we will focus our prayers on FBC, Kentwood and on Jeana.
so most people will stop showing their love for each other.”
~Matthew 24:12 (NCV)~
Read the Bible in 2020 – October 28
Jeremiah 51:54-52:34 Titus 3:1-15 Psalm 100:1-5 Proverbs 26:18-19
Today, let’s pray for the individuals running for president and vice-president. It’s important to pray for the winners and the losers! May both the winners and losers do so with grace and dignity. The goal is to be able to work with each other.
Many local pharmacies have seasonal injections. David and I both had reactions yesterday, but it was still the right thing to do, just not very pleasant. We were surprised. because we don’t usually have any problems. Maybe, we were just more run-down than usual.
don’t spend your time worrying about things down here.”
~Colossians 3:2 (TLB)~
Bro. Darryl and “Miss” Laurie are doing okay on quarantine. Her current symptoms are similar to flu. Keep them in your prayers.
Bro. Ronnie Nielson also has Covid. He tested positive Saturday. Keep him and his family in your daily prayers.
From what I have read, Covid is on-the-increase again. Be aware. Stay prepared.
Pray for others in our community who are fighting and recovering from the virus.
Mary Ann Cupit Burnett
May 26, 1963 – October 24, 2020
A resident of Greensburg, LA, passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at her home. She was born May 26, 1963 in Baton Rouge, LA and was 57 years of age. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Jeffrey “Jeff” Dean Burnett, Sr.; daughter, Kayla Elise Burnett Bennett (31) and husband, Steven; sons, Jeffrey “Dean” Burnette (25), Tristian Conner Burnett (22), Noah James Burnett (19), Gabriel Joseph Burnett (15), Aaron Blake Burnett (14); adopted son, Cauy Christopher Phillips (21); grandson, Bronson Bennett (10); parents, John Ellis Cupit, Jr. and Genie Vashti Wicker Cupit; brothers, John “Johnny” Ellis Cupit, IV and wife, Elizabeth Ann “Beth” Cupit, and James “Frank” Cupit and wife, Terry Ann Magliolo Cupit; nieces and nephews, Nichole “Nikki” Brittany Cupit, John “Ellis” Cupit, V, Felicia Ann Cupit Flotte, Joshua Paul Cupit, Sarah Elizabeth Cupit Vince. Preceded in death by father-in-law and mother-in-law, James Franklin Burnett, Jr. and Lemearl Abbott Burnett; grandmothers, Mary Cupit Scybist and Mary Francis Humphreys. Visitation at First Baptist Church of Greensburg from 4:00PM until 9:00PM on Tuesday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. Interment Resthaven Gardens of Memory, Baton Rouge, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Read the Bible in 2020 – October 27
Jeremiah 51:1-53 Titus 2:1-15 Psalm 99:1-9 Proverbs 26:17
As I previously told you, our boxes are packed and crated for 2020.
I’ve been collecting some items to send as filler at the processing center in Dallas.
I’ve also begun collecting and organizing items for next year.
Please keep your eyes open for school supplies that are discounted. Share your information with me and I will pass it on. I am especially interested in spiral notebooks, pencil sharpeners, pens, large erasers, and scissors.
Today’s Prayer Focus
Let’s pray for our new Supreme Court Justice, Amy Coney Barnett. It is likely she will serve many years. Let’s pray for her and her family as they have “entered the spotlight”. As I watched her being questioned by the judiciary committee, I realized how much I don’t like that kind of pressure. Ask God to help her to remain steadfast.
Thanks for “putting feet to your prayers”! That’s a phrase I learned as a child. It means to do something as you see a need.
The Prayer Link 
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