The Prayer Link

A resident of Kentwood, LA , died at 6:25PM on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 19, 1937 in Greenlaw, LA and was 74 years of age. Pete was a member of Spring Creek Baptist Church since October 26, 1952. He retired a successful dairy farmer from 1959 to 2002. He was in the armed forces from 1956 to 1959. He loved fishing and had a heart of gold. He loved his children and grandchildren very much. The greatest Dad ever! He is survived by a very special person in his life, Nelda Allen, Kentwood, 2 daughters, Dee Johnson, Inverness, FL and Julie Williams and her husband, David, Gillsburg, MS, 5 grandchildren, Nikki Swearingen, Livingston, Dalton Bridges, Gillsburg, MS, Katelyn Bridges, Gillsburg, MS, Maddox Williams, Gillsburg, MS, and Rowdy Pete Williams, Gillsburg, MS, a great-granddaughter, Jayden Swearingen Livingston, special niece, Linda Hurst and her husband, Ken, Green Valley, AZ, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son, Barry Swearingen, parents Velo and Tincie Strickland Swearingen, brother, Jerry Swearingen, grandparents, Luther and Pearlie Strickland and Fate and Vesta Swearingen. Pallbearers will be Dallas Strickland, Jr., Steve Strickland, Ray Gill, Benji Morgan, William Lawson and Mark Lawson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., Tuesday, May 8, 2012, and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2012. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith & Rev. Percy Frazier. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Jo Ann Clark Watson was born December 21, 1929 and passed away at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Promise Hospital of Baton Rouge. She was 82, a native of Gulfport, MS and resident of Amite.

Ms. Jo Ann was a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1947. Attended Amite High School and SLU where she was a member of the Kappa Rho Sorority. She retired from the Tangipahoa Parish School Board as their purchasing agent. Member, Secretary & Board of Director of Tangipahoa Parish Teacher Credit Union and also served as Secretary for the Florida Parishes Skeet and Conservation Association.

She is survived by 2 daughters, Melanie Jo Watson Jackson and husband Carle, Melissa Ann Watson Russell and husband Mike; son, James P. “Jay” Watson, Jr. and wife Holly; 4 grandchildren, Wynne Watson Klima and husband Peter, Whitney Watson, James P. Watson, III, Brandon Clark Alessi and wife Rachael; 3 great granddaughters, Adelea Mae Adams, Gracie Roussel and Flora Mae Alessi.

Preceded in death by her husband, James Perkins Watson; parents, Joseph Wyatt and Grace Slade Clark.

Visitation at First United Methodist Church, Amite, on Saturday, May 5, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. until Celebration of Life Services at 4:00 p.m. with Rev. Jason Harris officiating. Interment in Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA.

Family request memorial donations be made to First United Methodist Church, 800 N. Duncan Ave., Amite, LA 70422

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

McKneely and Vaughn Funeral Home is located at I-55(Exit#46) and Hwy. 16W. next to Hood Chevrolet and behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash, Bond Eye Clinic & Holiday Inn Express.