Longtime residents of Amite, Louisiana passed away together Thursday afternoon April 3, 2025.
Priscilla was born April 25, 1958 and Marc was born December 10, 1950. They were married on November 17, 1980 and spent over 44 years by each other’s side. Diana, as she was known to her family, loved baking cookies, Christmas candy each year and other delicious sweets. She would often enter her treats in the Tangipahoa Parish Fair and won first place on several occasions, including most recently for a pumpkin roll cake. Diana always enjoyed painting and making crafts. Marc was a carpenter that had worked on countless buildings and homes in Amite and the nearby areas. He loved to play the guitar and had written and recorded several songs. Marc had an interest in HAM radios and had some at his home. Together they enjoyed fishing in Manchac and other local areas and they loved to spoil their grandchildren and spend time with their family. They had a special place in their heart for their pet dogs “Sweetie” and “Diamond” and also their pet cat “Exxon,” which was rescued from a nearby gas station. The loving couple will be forever missed by all that knew them.
Survived by:
Son and Daughter in law: Marc Joseph and Mabel Brocato of Baytown, TX
Grandsons: Archer Joseph Brocato and Logan Blade Brocato
Priscilla Diana’s family:
3 Brothers and Sisters in law: Jerry and Gayle Garcia of Philadelphia, MS,
Randall and Suzonne Garcia of Mt. Hermon,
Raymond and Stacey Garcia of Magnolia, MS
Marc’s family:
2 Brothers: Michael Brocato,
Joseph Brocato
Also survived by numerous beloved nieces, nephews and their families, other family members and many dear friends
The couple was preceded in death by Diana’s mother Wivel Mae Dedon Garcia, father Roberto Garcia, Marc’s parents Dr. Joseph and Eunice Brocato and other family members.
Visitation will be at Mount Hermon Pentecostal Church (37300 Sunny Hill Road, Mt. Hermon, LA) on Wednesday April 9th from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. A funeral service will be held in the church at 2:00 pm Wednesday with Rev. Randall Garcia, Rev. Leon Hickman and Rev. Billy Trusley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers: Marc J. Brocato, Michael Brocato, Rodney Garcia, Russell Garcia, Randall Garcia, Raymond Garcia, Jr., Joseluis Castelan
Today, let’s pray for more reading of the Bible., both for ourselves and for others. You can follow the plan I suggest daily, one that your Christian literature suggests, or any other of the many plans wonderful plans available. A plan is not totally necessary, but it does lead to more consistent reading and to covering all of the Bible.
Daily Bible Reading
April 9
Genesis 25-26
Annie Armstrong Offering for North American Missions
You can give today, or any other day of the year, to support mission efforts across North America. Yes, North America needs people to share the gospel so that others right here will be saved. We are far from being a nation that is 100% Christian.
Praying for Others
Robert Wilson had surgery and may possibly be allowed to return home today.
Dorothy Wall has an additional break, an ankle, to deal with now. Please pray for her improvement.
Jacob and Mattie Daniels have a new baby this week. She is Claire Elisabeth who was born yesterday at 3:48 P.M. She weighed six pounds, nine ounces and was 19.5 inches long. Owen is Claire’s big brother.
Please pray for those listed here and others who are on your personal list.
Read for Additional Information – Trust in Crisis – Matthew 8:23-24.
Thank-you for reading TPL today.
Hopefully, it will serve as an encouragement to you.
Prayer Focus: Today, let’s pray we will stay faithful to what we learned earlier in our lives.
Daily Bible Reading: Genesiss 22-24 (I’m thankful for the progress we are making this year.)
Obituary
Jonathan Kyle Schroeder, Sr.
April 20, 1990 – April 4, 2025
A resident of Loranger, LA, passed away on Friday, April 4, 2025 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He was born April 20, 1990 in Hammond, LA and was 34 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Loretta Schroeder; children, James, Kayden, Alexis, Maliyah, Camryn, and Jonathan, Jr.; parents, Jerald and Melanie Schroeder; siblings, Haley Schroeder, Tori Sanchez (Joey), and Hannah Schroeder (Josh); nieces and nephews, Abbie, Serinady, Skylar, Sydney, Wyatt, John, Remi, Zachary, Alaina, Aria, and Evan; grandparents, Catherine “Cathy” Poolson, Joseph F. Schroeder (Delores); great-grandparents, Albert “Leo” Perilloux and Connie Perilloux; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Preceded in death by his biological father, James Barber; grandfather, David “Hound” Adams, Jr.; and grandmother, Virginia Monnerjahn. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6:00PM until 9:00PM on Wednesday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Services conducted by Rev. Trent Campbell and Rev. Ronald Peevy. Interment Lanier Cemetery, Loranger, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Annie Armstrong Quote
“Dear Brother,
“I wish with this letter I might send you a large palm-leaf and a very attractive pitcher of iced lemonade, for I think if you had these, you might have more patience to consider the numerous items which I will now have to present to you, but as these comforts, or rather necessities during this intensely hot weather, cannot be sent through the mail, I will have to ask that you either provide them for yourself or — consent to be a martyr.”
Read the Rest of This Story
‘Suffering in This World ConnectsUs to Jesus’ (2 Co. 4:8-10)
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but . . . .
Continue reading this passage.
Special Prayers Appreciated Today
Robert and Ora Lee Wilson
Chuck and Dorothy Wall
Bro. Joe and Barbara Baugh
Bro. Darryl and Laurie Miller
OCC – Fabric Cutting
If you are able to help. Mrs. Barbara Hutchinson would appreciate you helping cut fabric for the tote bags that will go in each of the 450 shoeboxes we will be packing this year. Willing hands and hearts are appreciated. Talk with her or with me if you are interesting. Thanks!
Do something special for others today. YOU will be blessed!
If some aspects of life have been stressful lately, let’s focus some prayer time on taking that stress away. You may not solve the issue today, but accept it as a problem that needs to be resolved, but don’t let that issue rule and ruin you life today.
Daily Reading of the Bible
April 7
Genesis 19-21
Annie Armstrong Quote
Read More of the Scripture and Consider Your Life….
‘Forgive Others — Even if They Haven’t Asked’ (Lk. 23:33-34)
Thankfulness
Today, let’s thank someone for something from church yesterday whether you attended in person or even if you watched online. Think about an instrumentalist, a soloist, a teacher, a nursery worker, the janitor, the message, a kitchen worker, a greeter, etc. Saying thank-you reminds you of the day and what was encouraging to you. Being appreciated encourages them as they prepare to do something similar in the future.
Homebound
Think of one or two people who are not able to get out and about. Show them appreciation in a way you are comfortable with. That might be a visit, a card, a telephone card, some fruit, homemade soup, a trip to a restaurant, a ride through the countryside with an cola and a bag of chips, etc.
Your Prayer List
Check your list to make sure you have included these people:
Andy and Betty Taylor
Bobby and Betty Simpson
Bobby Raborn
Mary Varnado
Keith Allen
Dorothy Wall (Hood Memorial for now)
Etc.
Thank you for including TPL in your morning today.
That was all I managed to save. I will redo a portion of what I wrote earlier.
Prayer Focus
I pray for people as the storms come through their area. I pray for them to be wise in the decisions they make today.
Daily Bible Reading
Genesis 16-18
Annie Armstrong Quote
“The future lies all before us…shall it only be a slight advance upon what we usually do?Ought it not to abound, a leap forward, to altitudes of endeavor and success undreamed of before?”
A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at Ponchatoula Community Center in Ponchatoula, LA. She was born February 6, 1954 in Virginia Beach, Virginia and was 71 years of age. Our Mom had a smile that lit up a room. She had a great sense of humor. She always tried to see the joy in life. She had a love of fashion and all things beautiful. She loved her plants and gardening, especially her roses. The greatest thing Mom would want to be remembered for was a deep love of God. She would want everyone to know the love of Jesus and accept him as their Savior. We are so blessed to have the joy of knowing our mom is resting in the presence of her heavenly father. Mom, you will be greatly missed, We love you. She is survived by her daughter, Amber Barr and husband, Keith; son, James Rowland and wife, April; grandchildren, Breanna Barr Noto and husband, Lafton, Madison Barr, Jayla Rowland, Jalianna Rowland, Jayden Rowland, Jaisleigh Rowland, and SaKylie; great-grandchildren, Lewis Noto and Cannon Noto. Preceded in death by her husband, James Rowland; father, Elius Guillory; mother, Wanda Guillory; brother, Donald Guillory. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Today, let’s pray for the families with deaths and the communities with damage from the most recent tornadoes. We should be able to relate to tornado damage better after the recent tornado in East Fork.
Prayer Needs
Please pray for Chuck and Dorothy Wall and Robert and Ora LeeWilson.
Daily Bible Reading Passage
April 4
Genesis 8-11
Sunday School Lesson
Sunday, May 6
“Our Defense”
I Peter 3:13-22
You are invited to FBC, Kentwood to try some of our Sunday School classes and to select the one that suits you the best.
The group will meet at 12:00 next Wednesday for lunch.
Operation Christmas Child
Drop-off Location for our area in 2025 – FBC, Kentwood
We were again approved as the drop-off site for our general geographic area.
The times we will be open each day was also determined. I’ll post that closer to those dates in November.
Annie Armstrong Quote
“The future lies all before us… shall it only be a slight advance upon what we usually do? Ought it not to abound, a leap forward, to altitudes of endeavor and success undreamed of before?”
Read the Rest of the Story
“When Jesus heard (the Roman officer say that Jesusn’t need to go to the servant to heal him), he was amazed. Turning to those who were following….”
Matthew 8:10-13
When you prepare for today’s prayer time, focus your prayers on those listed in your personal prayer book.
Thanks for reading, praying, and sharing TPL today.
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at The Lodge at Tangi Pines in Amite, LA. She was born October 1, 1934 in Franklinton, LA and was 90 years of age. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Wava Hill; grandchildren, Robin Phelps, Wendy Neu, and Jody Varnado (Nikki); great-grandchildren, Joshua Neu, Heather White, Cody Phelps, Robert Neu, James Neu, and Matthew Varnado. Preceded in death by her husband, Wilmer F. Rushing; sons, Daniel “Pee Wee” Hill and Danny Hill; mother, Effie Toney Seals; father, Carry Seals; brothers, Bud Seals and Smiley Monroe Seals; great-grandson, Tyler Phelps. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Friday, April 4, 2025. Interment Corkern Cemetery, Franklinton, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Rehabilitation
We know people who have been hospitalized for surgery, broken bones , or for long periods of time often need the services of those who are specialized in rehabilitatiion. Please pray for these two Kentwood residents who are in receiving rehabilitation services at this time.
Dorothy Wall
David Sellers
Two Friends from FBC, Amite
Johnny Belgard – hospitalized with pneumonia
Gradon Clemons – hospitalized with a blood clot in his arm
As we approach Easter, let’s remember the reason for this holiday. It is a remembrance and a memorial service for Jesus who was resurrected from the dead after being crucified and who lives today in heaven where He is preparing a place for us in one day. The choice is our’s. I choose to live forever in Heaven with Heaven with Jesus! If you haven’t made that choice, today is a good day to do so. You will be eternally thankful for making that decision.
Daily Bible Readings
In three months plus one day we read the entire New Testament. Today we begin the Old Testament.
April 2
Genesis 1-3
Obituary
Julia Ann Shaw Smith
September 3, 1946 – March 25, 2025
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at her home. She was born September 3, 1946 in Greenlaw, LA and was 78 years of age. She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Ann Smith Sassone and husband, Chris; brother, Ronald E. Shaw and wife, Rose; granddaughter, Chandler Sassone Ferguson and husband, Shaw. Preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth LaRue Smith; son, Greg LaRue Smith; parents, Richard E. “Pete” Shaw and Jimmie Aline Pate Shaw; brother, William “Billy” Shaw. Graveside Services will be held at Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA at 11:00 AM Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Services conducted by Rev. Darryl Miller. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Louisiana Baptist Message
(This is the monthly, Louisiana version, of the Baptist Message.)
The Prayer Link 
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