Death of Harvey Mercer, Richland Parish, LA
Submitted by Betty Jean Weems Neathery,August 2005
Article from MONROE MORNING WORLD, 02 November 1964, Page 1 





**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************
 
 

"Death Claims Man Injured in Bus Crash"

A 22 year old Mangham resident, Harvey Mercer, died Sunday afternoon 
after being injured in a traffic accident Saturday morning when a car
in which he was a passenger collided with a Negro school bus at South
Second Street and Texas Avenue.

Mercer had been listed as in an extremely critical condition late
Saturday at St. Francis Hospital.  Parish coroner Dr. J. W. Cummins
said death was from head and chest injuries and a broken right leg.

DRIVER BETTER

Late Sunday hospital officials reported the driver of the car, Woody
K. Godwin of 1403 Woodland Street, West Monroe in serious condition 
but progressing satisfactorily after suffering a broken leg and 
multiple abrasions.

Police said the accident happened when the school bus, moving east on
Texas Avenue apparently failed to stop at a stop sign and collided
with the car going south on South Second Street.  Investigating
officers said that the impact of the collision caused the bus to 
topple over onto the car.  No charges were filed, however, pending
investigation since the bus was part of a motorcade returning from
a football game with a police escort.  Police said the bus, driven by
Genva Thompson, 38-year-old Negro of 113 Wood Street, was owned by
the Monroe City School system.

Several of the Negro students aboard the bus were treated for slight
cuts and bruises early Saturday at St. Francis Hospital and released.

Funeral for Mr. Mercer will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Lone
Cherry Baptist Church near Mangham with the Revs. W. O. Busby and
Paul Brooks officiating.  Burial will be at Lone Cherry Cemetery by
Mulhearn Funeral Home of Winnsboro.

Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Mercer of Mangham;
five brothers, Stanley Mercer, Jerry Mercer, Sidney Mercer, Kenny
Mercer, and Tommy Mercer, all of Mangham; eight sisters, Mrs. Ken 
McKay of Archibald, Mrs. Billy Ray Jones and Mrs. Dee Faircloth, both
of Monroe, Jewel Mercer, Judy Mercer, Trudy Mercer, Wanda Mercer and
Deborah Mercer, all of Mangham; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and
Mrs. John Mercer Sr. of Mangham; and his maternal grandmother, Mrs.
Sam Weems of Delhi.

**Submitter's Notes: Harvey Mercer was born 23 July 1942 in Mangham,
Richland Parish, LA, the fourth child, second son of Willie Marshall
"Cooter" Mercer and Audie Lee Weems Mercer.  He died in Monroe,
Ouachita Parish, LA on 01 November 1964.