Obituary

Lavada Bennett Cutrer

December 30, 1935 – September 22, 2025

A resident of Roseland, LA, passed away on Monday, September 22, 2025 at her home. She was born December 30, 1935 in Amite, LA and was 89 years of age. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Tinker Cutrer; 5 sons, Ray Cutrer (Debbie), Newton Cutrer, Woody Cutrer (Cindy), Bill Cuter (Angie), and Timothy J. Cutrer; 1 sister, Mary Zeffer Thames; 18 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Joe Cutrer, Jr.; son, Lester Eugene Cuter; daughter, Vera King; and granddaughter, Brandi Cutrer. Visitation at First Pentecostal Church of Roseland from 6:00PM until 9:00PM on Tuesday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. Services conducted by Rev. David Cutrer, Rev. Jesse Cutrer, and Rev. Bobby Graham. Interment Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Obituary

Willie Monroe Hebert, Sr.

January 18, 1940 — September 20, 2025

DeRidder, Louisiana

Willie Monroe Hebert Sr., a beloved father and treasured friend, joined his Lord and Savior on September 20, 2025, at the age of 85. Born in New Orleans, LA, on January 18, 1940, Willie lived a life full of adventure and laughter, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished by all who knew him.

Willie made his mark as a hardworking pipe liner, a proud member of Local 692. He often spoke fondly of his years on the pipeline before retiring, and he also ventured into owning a glass company and an auto body repair shop later in life. His varied career paths reflected his industrious spirit and knack for creativity.

Willie’s heart was always drawn to the great outdoors, especially to his cherished home at Toledo Bend Lake. Whether he was fishing or enjoying time spent woodworking, Willie found joy in the simple pleasures of life. Known for his mischievous personality and infectious smile, he brought laughter and happiness to his family and friends.

He is survived by his children: Gayle Byrd and Gary of Dry Creek, LA; Willie Monroe Hebert Jr. and Greta of Moreauville, LA; Barry Lynn Hebert and Betty of DeRidder, LA; Tina Maddox and Howard of Grant, LA, and Royce Allen Hebert and Kayla of Austin, TX; sister, Gertrude Hebert Vercher of Alexandria, LA; brother, Joseph Horace Hebert (J.H.) of Newark, MO; sixteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Willie was preceded in death by his father, Horace Hebert; mother, Gertrude Reeves Hebert Doran; wife, Fran Hebert; grandson, Gary Marshall Byrd II; sisters, Lillie Hebert DeLee, Wanda Hebert Welch Crabtree; brothers, J.D. Hebert, Walter Morris Hebert, Billy James Hebert, Sr.

A graveside service will be held at Arcola Roseland Cemetery on September 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM, where family and friends will gather to celebrate Willie’s life and legacy. He will be interred at Arcola Roseland Cemetery, 63409 Hill St, Roseland, LA, where his memory will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of those who loved him.

Willie’s warmth and humor will be sorely missed, but his spirit will live on in the stories we share and the love he freely gave.

(Willie was married to my cousin, Fran Widas, who passed away last November.)

Read the Bible Today

• September 23
• Psalm 58-65

Pine Ridge Bible Study

We will meet Wednesday at noon and be studying chapter four.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

‘Confident in Christ’

“”Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to…..”

Hebrews 10:26-39

Today, let’s pray for others. You can pray for a number of people who have various needs. If possible use those needs to guide you as you pray and minister to others today.

Anna Lee

Here are awake and thinking ahead to this day the Lord as given us. I thank Him for bringing us to this day and all it holds for us today. I also thank Him for giving me a good weekend.

Verse of the Day

Read the Bible in 2025

• September 22
• Psalm 51-57

Special Thought for Today

“Blessed are the people of whom this is true; blessed are the people whose God is the Lord.”

Psalm 144:15

No New Obituaries Posted for Our Area

Pine Ridge Bible Study

We will be studying chapter 4 Wednesday.

Operation Christmas Child

At FBC, Kentwood, we are currently collecting postage for shipping our boxes and making plans to pack our boxes for the year.

Georgia Barnette Offering – Week Four

Goodwood Community Church

Week 4

This week, let’s invest in some of the homebound people in our community. Choose some you know or get brave and meet new-to-you homebound residents in our area.

Please continue to pray for your church and the outreach from your church. Do your part to expand this ministry. You can make it a special private ministry. Do this and be blesssed!

Anna Lee

Good morning on this Lord’s Day! Thank God for waking you up this morning. Ask Him what he has for you to do today.

Today’s Verse

Nancy Gray Birch

August 1, 1937 – September 19, 2025

Nancy Gray Birch, a lifelong resident of Kentwood, departed for her heavenly home on Friday, September 19, 2025 at a residence in Tangipahoa Parish at 88 years of age. Nancy started working as a lab technician at Pike Hospital in Kentwood. Then She continued her career as a lab technician with the State of Louisiana in Jackson, LA and then went to work at Lallie Kemp Hospital as a lab technician and retired at the age of 60 years of age. She was married to her husband, Ladell for 63 years and had 3 daughters. She is survived by her 2 daughters, Julia B. Travis and Michelle Fitzgerald and husband, Justin; seven grandchildren, Jansen Fitz and husband, Cragg, Garrett Fitzgerald and wife, Rachel, Brennan Lee and husband, Ethan, Sutton Travis and wife, Stephanie, Cullyn  Travis Breland, Joshua DeLee and wife, Madison, and Allee DeLee  Munn and husband, Paden; great grandchildren, Kenlea Wilkinson, Case and Kit Lee, Lola, Lyla, and Stoney Fitzgerald, Wes and Lennon Fitz, Sadie, Sage, Slade, and Sofia Travis, Beau and Eliza Breland, and  Annie Kate and Wills DeLee; one sister, Peggy Varnado and husband, Jimmie; and her loving, caring care giver, Peggy Tate.  She is preceded in death by her daughter, Resa Birch; husband, Ladell Birch; parents, James and Nettie Gray; brothers, James H. Gray, Huey P. Gray, and Leahman Gray; and a sister, Antoinette Willson. Pallbearers will be Garrett Fitzgerald, Sutton Travis, Joshua DeLee, Paden Munn, Cragg Fitz, Paul Willson, Baxter Birch, Jeff Birch, and Phil Gray. Visitation at New Zion Baptist Church from 9:30AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Services conducted by Bro. Larry Blades. Interment New Zion Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Read the Bible in 2025

• September 21
• Psalm 46-50

Additional Bible Reading for Today

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

— Matthew 5:3

This passage explains that being “poor in spirit” is a blessing from God, not just a state of sadness, but rather an acknowledgement of one’s deep spiritual need for Him and a blessed place of dependence on Him, for which they receive the kingdom of heaven.  (Easy English Bible)

Sunday School Lesson Today

The lesson for today focuses on Numbers 13.

Be an Encourager Today.

Encouraging others comes in many forms. Choose what works best for you.

Anna Lee

Read the Bible in 2025

• September 20
• Psalm 40-45

Today’s Bible Verse

Georgia Barnette Offering

This offering is for ministry in Louisiana. All funds are used here in our own state – Collected here and spent here!

English as a Second Language (ESL)

According to Shannon Brown, “ESL is an opportunity to do missions without leaving home.” English as a Second Language (ESL) training is a Compassion Ministry of Louisiana Baptists, and Shannon is the statewide coordinator.

Shannon’s passion for cross-cultural missions began at the University of New Orleans, where she joined the Baptist Student Union’s outreach to international students. Her experience of opening her family home created natural opportunities to demonstrate Christian love across cultural boundaries.

Extending Christian hospitality while meeting tangible needs for people from other countries shaped Shannon’s mission journey. Her heart now is to establish church-based ESL ministries that intentionally share and demonstrate the gospel of Jesus Christ while helping people learn to speak English. In ESL classes, participants learn how to build relationships with people in their community and create lasting connections. Classes also provide a natural setting for sharing the gospel. 

Support from the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering allows Shannon to train and assist local churches in reaching multi-ethnic communities for Christ.

Watch the video on this link.

https://georgiabarnette.org/prayer-emphasis/Week-3/

Ways You Can Pray for this offering:

• For wisdom as Shannon leads Louisiana Baptist churches to reach people from diverse backgrounds.
• For Shannon to have continued opportunities to serve in cross-cultural ministry.
• For the seeds planted in ESL classes to bear fruit.
• For Louisiana churches to give generously to the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering to support Compassion Ministries like ESL that reach international students and others from diverse backgrounds.

Local Southern Baptist churches have special envelopes for this offering. You can also write Georgia Barnette on a regular envelope before placing your offering in a offeratory plate.

Spiritual Warfare

‘God Is a Refuge, a Shield, and a Source of Hope!

 13  With my lips I declare

all the rules of your mouth.

 14  In the way of your testimonies I delight

as much as in all riches.

 15  I will meditate on your precepts

and fix my eyes on your ways.

Ps. 119:113-115

Today is a day for preparation of things you need to do before the Lord’s Day. Accomplishments today can help make tomorrow run more smoothly.

Examples: Studying your lesson. (Scripture focus posted yesterday)

Selecting clothing and being sure everything is ready for wearing

Preliminary planning/preparation for some food items

Preparation for guests you might have

Fall Food Round-up for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home

Thank you for you donations of items needed or a check to purchase some items as the need for them arises. (For your information: Each cottage prepares their own food in that cottage. It’s like in our own homes, not like a cafeteria style setting.) This is more helpful to the residents who call the LBCH home.

Another option that is becoming popular is to provide gift cards for eating out or pick-up. We’ll talk about that more at another time. If you would like to know more ask me or call the children’s home.

Operation Christmas Child

We are collecting funds for postage. This includes shipping fees, a Bible in the language of each child, a booklet that is similar to a Sunday School book that introduces the child to Jesus and gives them an option to continue learning what the Bible says, etc. The cost is very economical – $10.00 per shoebox!

During October, there will be training for drop-off location leaders and packing of shoeboxes in many churches. November 17-24 will be the days for dropping your completed shoeboxes off to a designated location. FBC, Kentwood serves in this capacity. Whatever site you use, go to the Samaritan’s Purse webpage and then Operation Christmas child. You will find the hours these official sites are available.

Use your personal prayer list for praying today. Have a wonderful day!

Anna Lee

Baptist Press

FIRST-PERSON: Separating fact from conspiracy in Kirk assassination

https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/first-person-separating-fact-from-conspiracy-in-kirk-assassination/

Your Fantastic Friday awaits you. What will you do with this day God is giving us?

Today’s Scripture Verse

Reading the Bible in 2025

• September 19
• Psalm 36-39

Prayer Focus

Please pray for our nation to stand strong for the values God would have us live for and thank God for our forefathers and their strong belief in God and ideals for our nation.

Sunday School Lesson

• September 21
• “The Land”
• Numbers 13:17-31

Senior Adult Lunch Yesterday

We enjoyed our lunch yesterday at Middendorf’s. There were 32 FBC, Kentwood senior adults present for the meal. What a blessing on a beautiful day!

Two-Rivers Associational Senior Adult Revival

Early October

1st day – Meeting at Spring Creek

Assisted by Kentwood

I’ll share more information next week.

‘Idolatry, Power, Money, and Satan’

 ²³ And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 

²⁴ For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of ^[a]Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 

²⁵ He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 

²⁶ Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 

²⁷ So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and ^[b]her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”

Acts 19:23-27, New King James Bible

Please continue to pray for Ruby Schwartz. She is experiencing a lot of pain following the additional surgery she had.

Anna Lee

Verse of the Day

Prayer Focus

Today, let’s pray for Ruby Schwartz. She probably was already on your prayer list due to recent surgery. She required surgery yesterday to remove some infection. That’s now done. She will be at home again in a few days. Pray for her as she continues to progress.

Reading the Bible in 2025

• September 18
• Psalm 32-38

Obituary

Patricia Ann Thomas

September 15, 1949 – September 16, 2025

A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. She was born September 15, 1949 in Osyka, MS and was 76 years of age. She is survived by her son, Robert Marc Huber (Melissa Cuti); daughter, Lori Burch (Jamie); grandchildren, Amber Huber, Kelsey Travis (Landon), Kylee Burch, Ethan Burch, Cooper Burch, and Grace Arnone; great-grandchildren, Ember Huber, Bentley Travis, and Ryleigh Travis; brother, Dennis McElveen (Rosalee); niece and nephew, Elizabeth and Mathew McElveen. Preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Elsie McElveen; and uncle, Eddie Varnado. Visitation at East Fork Baptist Church from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Services conducted by Bro. Donnie Easley. Interment at East Fork Cemetery, East Fork, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Baptist Press

Today, we have a news article concerning See You at the Pole which will be celebrating it’s 35th anniversary and adding some new components. Read about this wonderful opportunity for our students each year.

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Today’s Quote, Author Unknown

“If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.”

Personal Prayer List

Today is a good day to update your Prayer List or to create one if you have not already started one.

Devotional Thought from Charles Spurgeon

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

— Galatians 5:25

It is important to have both a life of faith and a walk of faith!

In closing, let your light shine by reaching out to OTHERS in a way that suits you best.

Anna Lee

Today’s Bible Verse

“God made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens. When he speaks in the…”

Jeremiah 10:12-13

Prayer Focus

We had a number of deaths in our area last week. Please pray for the families as they continue to live without their loved ones.

Baptist Press

baptistpress.com

Obituaries

No new obituaries today!

Closing Scripture

Matthew 20:13

In the parable, the landowner pays all workers, regardless of the hours they worked, the same wage, which prompts the resentment of the early-hired workers. The landowner’s response emphasizes his right to be generous and that he has not wronged the first workers, as they received the payment they had agreed upon. 

Thank-you for reading today’s post. Be kind to others today and every day!

Anna Lee

Today, let’s focus on praying for making good decisions as individuals, families, organizations, communities, and nations.

Today’s Bible Verse

Read the Bible in 2025

• September 16
• Psalm 21-25

No New Obituaries Posted This Morning

Same Wonderful Story

Quote by Charles Spurgeon

“Rely implicitly upon the old, old gospel. You need no other nets when you fish for men; those your Master has given you are strong enough to hold the little…”

The message hasn’t changed!

This hymn come to mind – “Tell me the Story of Jesus” by Fanny Crosby

I hope this image, quote, and hymn inspire you today.

Set a Goal/Step into ActionToday

Pray first. Then set a goal for this day that will make today better for someone.

Examples:

• Call a friend who might need a prayer of a simple task done.
• Take a food, store-bought rf fresh from your kitchen, to someone who is homebound.
• Offer a ride and some company to someone going to the doctor.
• Pick up some limbs or trash that has blown into a yard.
• Bake a food and deliver it “straight out of the oven”.
• Take a friend to get a haircut.
• Put some new light bulbs in the house and/or on the porch of an older person’s home.
• Sweep of some porches and leave a cutting growing in a jar of water for the kitchen window.
• Water some plants in a yard or on a porch.

It’s the thought, time, and effort, not the price tag from the store that counts!

Enjoy the smiles you will be rewarded with. Pray first that God will lead you to the people and projects that will be most meaningful.

Anna Lee

Monday Morning

What a great day to begin with praying to God and ministering to others!

Verse of the Day

Live each day of your life doing your best to learn more and do more.

Associational WMU Meeting Saturday

We had a good increase in attendance. The meeting went well. We learned about the “new” Camp Living Waters and it’s availability to us. I must say I think the ladies left the meeting with some new ideas about missions that our churches can work into our focus and our plans.

Sunday School

It’s great to have a good group to teach and ladies who ask questions about what they studied. They have knowledge from many years that they can share. How special it is to teach them! I hope you have a Sunday School class and individuals who are always anxious to review a topic they are familiar with and/or learn about a new topic.

Read the Bible in 2025

• September 15
• Psalms 17-20
• Progress so far: We have read all the New Testament and are working our way through the Old Testament. Currently, we are reading and learning from Psalms.
• I hope you are reading along with us. I know of some people who are. We will accomplish our 2025 goal in a few months!
• Before long, it will be time to select a plan for 2026 and read the Bible again in the coming year.
• I trust that some of you will join us next year and read the Bible again. I’ve started to use a different Bible each time I read by this method. It encourages me to not miss a single chapter.

No New Obituaries Today

It’s never too late to send cards, call, visit, etc. those who have had recent needs.

Georgia Barnette Offering

This offering covers many different ministries throughout Louisiana. This is our time to focus on them. It’s never too late to give!

Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home Fall Food Round-Up

A truck will be at FBC this morning to collect of gifts to cover their food needs for the next year. If you have not turned in a donation or if you want to give again before next September, you can mail your donation to them in Monroe or you can give to them through your local church. The church will forward your check for you. It’s never too late to give.

Children’s Ministry & Youth Ministry

There is always so much going on with opportunities for children and youth. I trust you are encouraging your children and youth to grow through Sunday School, music, missions, outreach, etc. If you need additional information, you can call the church office.

“Manna”

This is a food ministry to meet community needs, especially to older and homebound individuals. They are seeking additional people to volunteer to cook or to deliver meals. Contact the church office.

Homebound Ministry

We also have a revitalization of the homebound ministry in our church. You can turn in the names of homebound individuals and/or volunteer to be a part of a team to minister to them all throughout the year. Contact the church office to learn more.

Operation Christmas Child

We will soon be moving into the packing phase of this ministry. We are also working toward paying shipping on the many boxes we have packed. OCC works in such a great volume that the additional needs are very economical. Trust me, as a mother who has paid to ship boxes to family serving overseas, the shipping for OCC shoeboxes is very economical!

Pine Ridge Bible Study

Wednesday, we will be studying about Lot’s wife. I hope to see you at noon. If you have any questions, contact Kathy Wales or I will pass on a message for you.

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Additional Scripture

A Thought from Charles Spurgeon

They will have no fear of bad news;
    their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Psalms 112:7 NIV

In Closing….

I hope you will select some ways to pray and to serve….

Anna Lee