Obituaries from THE HAMMOND DAILY STAR, August 2003; Hammond, Tangipahoa Parish, LA. Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Don Johnson, Sep, 2003 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ August 01, 2003 * Frances Ippolito Bentivegna, 93, Tickfaw * Robert J. Granat Jr., 39, Metairie * Tory Kevin McKinney, 36, Hammond * Amelia Tanguis Vessier, 89, Ponchatoula FRANCES IPPOLITO BENTIVEGNA TICKFAW - Frances Ippolito Bentivegna, 93, died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond. ROBERT J. GRANAT JR. METAIRIE - A memorial service for Robert J. Granat Jr., 39, will be held Sunday. He died Sunday, July 20, 2003, in Metairie. He was a native of Metairie and worked in construction. He is survived by one son, Robert J. Granat III; one daughter, Erica Granat; his parents, Robert Granat Sr. and Carol H. Granat; and two brothers, Brett and Joshua Granat. Visitation will be at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, Sunday from 1 p.m. until the service at 2. TORY KEVIN MCKINNEY Tory Kevin McKinney, 36, died Thursday, July 31, 2003, in Port Allen. He was a native of Hammond. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond. AMELIE TANGUIS VESSIER PONCHATOULA - Amelie Tanguis Vessier, 89, died Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at her home. She was a native of Lutcher. She is survived by one daughter, Patricia Imbraguglio of Ponchatoula; and one brother, Louis C. Tanguis Jr. of LaPlace. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jules J. Vessier; one son, Thad J. Vessier; one sister, Marjorie Tanguis; and her parents, Louis Sr. and Eugenia Dupepe Tanguis. Visitation will be Saturday at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, from 8:30 to 10:45 a.m. A Mass will begin at 11 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ponchatoula. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery, Metairie. August 03, 2003 * Frances Ippolito Bentivegna, 93, Tickfaw * John Friley Guice, 85, Sicily Island * Donald "Don" Sidney Harper, 84, Hammond * Dorothy M. Himes, 78, Amite * Tory Kevin McKinney, 36, Hammond * Audrey Stafford, 83, Hammond FRANCES IPPOLITO BENTIVEGNA TICKFAW - Frances Ippolito Bentivegna, 93, died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, in Hammond. She was a native and resident of Tickfaw. Survivors include her son, Bennie Bentivegna, Tickfaw; her daughter, Nina Mertz, Denham Springs; 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Santo Bentivegna, her son, Peter J. Bentivegna, her daughter, Nora Bentivegna Parrino, her grandson, Nicholas Parrino, her brother, Lawrence Ippolito, and her sisters, Josephine Ippolito Cacioppa, Pearl Ippolito Accardo and Mary Ippolito Caminita preceded her in death. Visitation will be today from 6 to 10 p.m. at Harry McKneely Funeral Home in Hammond with a rosary at 7 p.m. The religious service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Pompeii Church in Tickfaw. Burial will be in the Tickfaw Cemetery. JOHN FRILEY GUICE SICILY ISLAND - John Friley Guice, 85, died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, at his daughter's Ponchatoula home following a lengthy illness. He was a resident of Sicily Island, a farmer, a retired merchant, a retired school bus driver and a member of Pine Hill Baptist Church. Survivors include his son, Keith Guice, Monroe; his daughter, Debbie Longman, Ponchatoula; his sister, Muriel Guice Wells, Sicily Island; his brothers, Herd Guice, Denham Springs, and Loma D. Guice, Sicily Island; five grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian Wells Guice, his sister, Elois Guice Monroe and his brothers, Woodie and Lester Langston Guice. The funeral service will be held at Pine Hill Baptist Church on Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Clois Cole and the Rev. Dennis Hensley conducting the service. Burial will be in the New Pine Hill Cemetery under the direction of Community Memorial Funeral Home in Winnsboro. DONALD "DON" SIDNEY HARPER Donald "Don" Sidney Harper, 84, died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, at his Hammond home. He was a native of Port Arthur, Texas, and was a U.S. Navy pilot serving in World War II and the Korean War. He was a former track coach, dean of men and dean of student life at Southeastern Louisiana University. After winning the golden glove twice during his high school boxing career, he earned a scholarship at the University of Southwestern in Lafayette where he won a place in the university's Hall of Fame. He received his masters degree at Louisiana State University and did further study at the University of Mississippi. Survivors include his wife, Jessie McClelland Harper, Hammond; his daughters, Patricia Harper Williams, Baton Rouge, and Debra Ann Harper Hebert, Brazil; his sisters, Gloria Harper Harrison, Dallas, and Janet Harper Rachdorf, New Hampshire; his brother, John Robert Harper, Florida; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His daughter, Cheryll Harper Fruge, and his brother, Walter Leon Harper, preceded him in death. Visitation will be today at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, from 10 a.m. until the religious service at 1:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. W.A. Harrison will conduct the service. Burial will be in Greenlawn Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to North Oaks Hospice or the Southeastern Development Foundation, 500 W. University Ave., Hammond. DOROTHY M. HIMES AMITE - Dorothy M. Himes, 78, died Thursday, July 31, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center. Survivors include her sons, Nathaniel Himes Jr., San Antonio, Texas, Earl Himes, Amite, and Carl Himes, Los Angeles; her daughters, Alice Watson Himes, Amite, and Carolyn Himes Gibson, New Orleans; her sister, Yvonne Coleman, Amite; her brother, Xavier Smith, Jr.; 35 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her husband, Nathaniel Himes Sr., her son, Elliott Himes, and her brothers, Earl, Glen and Clarence Smith, all preceded her in death. Visitation will be today at Grants Chapel AME from 4 p.m. until the religious service at 7 p.m. with dismissal at 10 a.m. Monday. The Rev. Alexander Giles will conduct the service. Burial will be in Butler Cemetery, Amite. Richardson Funeral Home, Amite, is in charge of the arrangements. TORY KEVIN MCKINNEY Tory Kevin McKinney, 36, died Thursday, July 31, 2003, in Port Allen. He was a native and resident of Hammond. Survivors include his daughter, Christian Brooke McKinney, Albany; his parents, Jean Raye Catoire McKinney and Jerry Dale McKinney, Hammond; his sister, Melissa M. Pizzalato, Robert; his brothers, Jeffrey Dale McKinney, Ponchatoula, and Eugene Hoover, Lutcher; and his grandmother, Margarel Dekerlegand, Hammond. His grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Catoire and George T. McKinney, preceded him in death. Visitation will be Monday at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, from 10 a.m. until the religious service at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. John Restrepo will conduct the service. Burial will be in Lanier Cemetery. AUDREY STAFFORD Audrey Stafford, 83, died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, at Belle Maison Nursing Home in Ponchatoula. She was a native and resident of Hammond and a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Survivors include her son, Jim Alexander, Amite; her daughter, Glenda "Susie" Robertson, Tickfaw; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Archie Alexander, her second husband, Glenn Stafford, her brother, Woody Brown, and her sister, Betty Carrier. Visitation will be Monday at Geisler Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, from 9 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Johnson Cemetery, Hammond. August 04, 2003 * Robert Shelton Hill ROBERT SHELTON HILL KENTWOOD - Robert Shelton Hill, 61, died today, Aug. 4, 2003, at Hood Memorial Hospital. A native of Kentwood, he is survived by four sons, Eddie W. Hill and Ronald Hill, both of Kansas, Ronnie Hill of Tennessee, and Llewellyn Hill of Albama; two daughters, Ramonia Butler of Mount Hermon, and Tanya Forrest of New Orleans; six sisters, Rosa Matthews, Janie Harris, Cora Buckley, Emma Wilson, all of Kentwood, Claretta Ellis of Baton Rouge, and Yvonne Craig of New Orleans; his mother, Henrietta Hill of Kentwood; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His father, John W. Hill preceded him in death. Visitation will be Monday at Richardson Funeral Home, Amite, from 5 to 9 p.m. The Rev. Lawrence Morris will conduct the funeral Tuesday at Big Creek AME Church, Kentwood, followed by burial at the church cemetery. August 06, 2003 * Neil Bell, 87, Kentwood * Will Brown Jr., 67, Folsom * Minnie Guzzardo Garafola, 93, Independence * Myrle Effie Purvis Hull, 80, Tickfaw NEIL BELL KENTWOOD - Neil "Pete" Bell, 87, died at Southwest Regional Medical Center in McComb, Miss., Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003. A native of Castor, he became a resident of Kentwood when he traveled there with the Civilian Conservation Corps to build a camp in 1935. He worked as an insurance agent and was a member of Kentwood United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Frances Tidwell; and one sister, Daisy Jones of Ringgold. Visitation will be today at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. until the Rev. Percy Frazier conducts the funeral at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood. WILL BROWN JR. FOLSOM - Will Brown Jr., 67, a native of Covington, died Thursday, July 31, 2003. He is survived by three sons, Elvin Brown of Folsom, Archie Brown Sr. of Madisonville and Dennis Brown of Covington; three daughters, Loretta Brown of Springfield, Edith Carol Brown of San Diego, and Cernie Brown of Milwaukee; one brother, Matthew Brown of Covington; one sister, Pearlie Brown of Milwaukee; 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The Rev. Eddie Braziel will conduct a memorial service tonight at 6 at Richardson Funeral Home, Hammond. MINNIE GUZZARDO GARAFOLA INDEPENDENCE - Minnie Guzzardo Garafola, 93, died Monday, Aug. 4, 2003, at Hammond Nursing Home. A New Orleans native, she was a housewife and a member of St. Joseph's Society. Survivors include her son, Sam C. Garafola of Independence; two brothers, George and Buster Guzzardo, both of Independence; and six grandchildren, six great- grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her husband, Charles S. Garafola; one daughter, Lena G. Peco; one son, John V. Garafola; her parents, John and Lena Sampere Guzzardo; three sisters, Camella Guzzardo, Josephine Francimore and Mary Vilardo; and two brothers, Joe and Pete Guzzardo, all preceded her in death. The funeral was today at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, Independence. Burial was in Colonial Mausoleum, Independence. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, was in charge. MYRLE EFFIE PURVIS HULL TICKFAW - Myrle Effie Purvis Hull, 80, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003, in Independence. She was a native of Independence. Survivors include one daughter, Dorothy Purvis Knutson of Independence; three sons, Ronald Hull of Tickfaw, Burtis Ray Hull of Natalbany and Darrell Hull of Independence; one brother, Houston "Peck" Purvis of Independence; one sister, Irma Jean Purvis McDonald of Tickfaw; 22 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 35 great- grandchildren. Her husband, Douglas Hull; an infant daughter; one sister, Irma Barber; four brothers, Jessi, Richard, Carter and Willie Purvis; one grandchild and one great-grandchild; preceded her in death. Visitation will be today from 6 to 10 p.m. at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, and Thursday from 8 a.m. until the funeral at 1 p.m. The Rev Johnny Stewart will officiate. Burial will be in Robertson Cemetery. August 07, 2003 * Terril Samuel Byers, 73, Bedico * Wendi Williams Hils, 42, Ponchatoula * Robin Lane Hutson, 66, Ponchatoula * Augustine Marshall, 88, Kentwood * Oscar Vernon Miller Jr., 51, Amite * Alice Marie Morgan, 52, Hammond * Johnny Spears, 54, Independence * Dennis Wayne Travis, 17, Woodstock, Ga. TERRIL SAMUEL BYERS BEDICO - Terril Samuel Byers, 73, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. A native of Bedico, he was a retired employee of Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Osborne Byers of Bedico; one daughter, Angela Byers Riley of Bedico; one son, Gregory Byers of Ponchatoula; one sister, Lavonia "Vonnie" Desselle Byers of Baton Rouge; and three grandchildren. His parents, Lawrence and Mary Jane Jenkins Byers; and one son, Glenn G. Byers, preceded him in death. Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 10 at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, and Friday from 8 a.m. until the funeral at 11. Burial will be at Morse Cemetery, Bedico. WENDI WILLIAMS HILS PONCHATOULA - Wendi Williams Hils, 42, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond She was a native of Ponchatoula. She is survived by her husband, Ronnie Hils of Ponchatoula; two daughters, Jennie and Erynn Hils, both of Ponchatoula; her mother, Helen B. Underwood of Baton Rouge; and one sister, Jaimie Smith of Baton Rouge. She was preceded in death by one sister, Summer Anne Williams. Visitation will be tonight at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, from 6 to 10 and Friday from 8 until 9:30 a.m. The Rev. Jimmy Wall will conduct the funeral at 10 at Westside Baptist Church, Ponchatoula. Burial will be follow in Wetmore Cemetery. ROBIN LANE HUTSON PONCHATOULA - Robin Lane Hutson, 66, died Friday, July 11, 2003, at his home. He was a native of Johnston Station, Miss. Survivors include one son, T.J. Hutson of Silverdale, Wash.; two daughters, Lisa Lane Hutson of Las Vegas and Rhonda Jane Hutson of Waitpark, Minn.; one brother, Donald Hutson of Albany; and three grandchildren. His parents, T.J. and Ola Mae Brown Hutson; and one brother, James Hutson, preceded him in death. The Rev. Louis Husser will conduct a graveside service Friday at 2 p.m. at Johnston Station Cemetery, Johnston Station, Miss. Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. AUGUSTINE MARSHALL KENTWOOD - Augustine Marshall, 88, died Monday, Aug. 4, 2003, at Mercy Hospital, New Orleans. She was a native of Tangipahoa. She is survived by one daughter, Delores Conrad of New Orleans; two sons, Robert Marshall of Washington, D.C., and Harold E. Marshall of Hyattville, Md.; three sisters, Helen Gray, Inez Potter and Evelyn Turner, all of New Orleans; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Saturday at Quinn's Chapel AME Church, Tangipahoa, from 8:30 a.m. until the funeral at 10. Burial will be in Tangipahoa Cemetery. N.A. James Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. OSCAR VERNON MILLER JR. AMITE - Oscar Vernon Miller Jr., 51, died Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003, at the Medical Center of Louisiana. He is survived by three sons, Shannon Cage, Oscar Miller III and Rodney Miller, all of Amite; four sisters, Bertha Robertson of Amite, Mary Louise Crook of Hammond, Sharon Zanders of El Paso, Texas, and Linda Williams of Independence; seven brothers, Bobby Ray, Kenneth Wayne and Timothy Miller, all of Hammond, Sammy Lee Miller of Velma, David Lee Miller of New Orleans, Tommy Christopher Miller of Independence and Mark Anthony Miller of Velma; his mother, Odistine Miller of Amite; his father, Oscar Miller Sr. of Amite; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Willie Miller Sr., Bertha Miller, Bessie Williams Chester and Hollis Chester. Visitation will be Friday at Richardson Funeral Home, Amite, from 5 to 9 p.m. The funeral will be Saturday at noon at Bickham Chapel AME Church, Velma. The Rev. Earnest Peters will officiate, and burial will follow at Butler Cemetery, Amite. ALICE MARIE MORGAN Alice Marie Morgan, 52, died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003. A native of Independence, she was a food service worker. She is survived by her husband, Maurice Morgan of New Orleans; one daughter, Carolyn Gorman of Hammond; one sister, Eula Davis of Chicago; and two grandchildren. Her parents, a son and a grandchild preceded her in death. Visitation will be today at Richardson's Funeral Home, Hammond, from 5 to 9 p.m. The Rev. Larry Cross will conduct the funeral Friday at St. Paul Baptist Church, Hammond, at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Hammond. JOHNNY SPEARS INDEPENDENCE - Johnny Spears, 54, died Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003, at Tulane Medical Center, New Orleans. He is survived by his father, Earnest Labee; his mother, Bernell Spears Labee; five sisters, Debra Spears, Gwen Jackson, Jacqueline Turner, Cheryl Harrison and Brenda Dryer; and five brothers, Charles, Kenneth, Mark, Ronald and Darryl Spears. Visitation will be Friday at N.A. James Funeral Home, Hammond, from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be Saturday at noon at Martin Chapel AME Church, Independence. Burial will follow at Holly Gardens Cemetery, Hammond. DENNIS WAYNE TRAVIS WOODSTOCK, Ga. - Dennis Wayne Travis, 17, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003, in Atlanta. He was a native of Houma, a student and a member of Glade Road Baptist Church, Ackworth, Ga. Survivors include his mother, Judy Hill Travis of Woodstock; his father, Norman Wayne Travis of Ackworth; one sister, Beverlee Kathrina Woods of Mabelton, Ga.; one brother, Stephen Fred Dillon of Tylertown, Miss.; grandmothers, Katherine Jones of McComb, Miss., and Pearl Travis Dykes of Tangipahoa; and his step-grandfather, Coy Dykes of Tangipahoa. His grandfathers, William Hill Jr. and Dennis Travis; and great-grandparents, Garth and Vera McDavit, preceded him in death. Visitation will be Friday at Chesbrough Baptist Church, Chesbrough, at 9 a.m. The Rev. John David Stewart will conduct the funeral at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Tangipahoa Cemetery. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, is in charge. August 08, 2003 * Doris Jean Hooks Bankston, 73, Baton Rouge * Ophelia Lewis Bovia, 75, Maurepas * Paul David Creekbaum, 68, Youngston, Ohio * Fannie Cyprian, 78, Hammond * Sharon Noto Hammons, 42, Roseland * Lola Louis, 53, Hammond * J. Warren Martin, 83, Hammond * James P. Newman, Indian Mound, Tenn. DORIS JEAN HOOKS BANKSTON BATON ROUGE - Doris Jean Hooks Bankston, 73, died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2003. A native of Lumberton, Texas, she was a longtime employee of Gerry Lane Chevrolet of Baton Rouge. She is survived by one daughter, Sandra B. Chiquelin of Baton Rouge; one son, Benny R. Bankston Jr. of Denham Springs; one sister, Shirley Itson of Baton Rouge; one brother, Lamar Hooks of Crosby, Texas; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Benny R. Bankston Sr.; her parents, Charles Stewart and Alma Griffith Hooks; one sister, Earlyne Busby; and three brothers, M.P., W.S. and C.M. Hooks. Visitation will be Saturday at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond from 8:30 a.m. until the Rev. Billie Kennedy conducts the funeral at 10:30. Burial will be in Bankston Cemetery, 4th Ward. OPHELIA LEWIS BOVIA MAUREPAS - Ophelia Lewis Bovia, 75, died of a stroke, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2003, at Metropolitan Hospice in New Orleans East. Born in Maurepas, she was a longtime resident of Chalmette before returning to Maurepas. Survivors include her husband, Kelly Bovia Sr. of Maurepas; one daughter, Laura Wood of Violet; one son, Kelly Bovia Jr. of Meraux; one brother, Lee Lewis of Thibodaux; three sisters, Mary Simpson of Frost, Lorena Lebourgeois of Maurepas and Virginia Jones of Ponchatoula; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Armentine and Joseph Lewis; one daughter, Brenda Bovia Therio; and one brother, Joseph Lewis. Visitation will be tonight at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, from 6 to 9. The funeral will be Saturday at St. Stevens Catholic Church, White Hall, at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Maurepas Cemetery. PAUL DAVID CREEKBAUM YOUNGSTON, Ohio - Paul David Creekbaum, 68, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003, in Boardman, Ohio. He was a Louisiana native. He is survived by two daughters, Cathy C. Babst of Las Vegas and Debra C. Hill of Denham Springs; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Willie Agnes Little Creekbaum; his parents, Cornell and Albania Dunn Creekbaum; and one brother, Kenneth Creekbaum. Visitation will be Saturday at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, from 11 a.m. until the funeral at 2 p.m. The Rev. Billie Kennedy will conduct the service, and burial will be in Parklawn Mausoleum. FANNIE CYPRIAN Fannie Cyprian, 78, died Thursday, July 31, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. She was a native of Independence. Survivors include six daughters, Alene Fleming, Diane Cyprian and Sharon Cyprian, all of Hammond; Laverne Cyprian of Atlanta, Robin Martinez of Mira Loma, Calif., and Joyce Cyprian of Fontana, Calif.; two sons, Willie and Charles Cyprian, both of Hammond; four sisters, Carie Carter and Mae Ella, Nita and Nancy Lee Cyprian, all of Hammond; 29 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Josie Lee Cyprian. Visitation will be Sunday at Richardson's Funeral Home, Hammond, from 6 to 8 p.m. Herbert Wagner, pastor of Greater Love COGIC in Hammond, will conduct the funeral Monday at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Hammond, at noon. Burial will follow in Holly Gardens Cemetery, Hammond. SHARON NOTO HAMMONS ROSELAND - Sharon Noto Hammons, 42, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at Louisiana Heart Hospital, Lacombe. She was a native of Roseland and a housewife. Survivors include her husband, Donald Hammons Sr. of Roseland; two daughters, Donna Sha and Samantha Hammons, both of Roseland; two stepsons, Don Hammons Jr. of Amite and Joseph Hammons of Arcola; her father, Tony L. Noto Sr. of Independence; her stepmother, Pearl H. Noto of Independence; one sister, Loretta Noto Patti of Hammond; three brothers, Tony L. Noto Jr. of Amite, Victor Olin Noto of Independence and Michael Noto of Baptist; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Janette Holmes Noto Breaud; her stepfather, Bobby Breaud; and one sister, Lorraine Noto. Visitation will be tonight at First Baptist Church, Roseland, from 6 p.m. until the funeral Saturday at 10 a.m. The Rev. Gary Weiborg will officiate. Burial will be in Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, is in charge. LOLA LOUIS Lola Louis, 53, a native of Macon, Miss., died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, as the result of a car accident. Survivors include one daughter, Sharon Louis of Hammond; two sisters, Betty and Alice Louis, both of Hammond; two brothers, Charlie Louis of Hammond and Henry Louis of Madisonville; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, John Louis. Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 9 at Richardson Funeral Home, Hammond. The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at First Bethel Methodist Church, Hammond. Burial will be in Holly Gardens Cemetery, Hammond. J. WARREN MARTIN J. Warren Martin, 83, died Monday, Aug. 4, 2003. A native of Greensburg, he was self-employed and a veteran. He was a member of Greater St. James AME Church of Hammond and a member of the American Legion Post 515 of Hammond. Survivors are his wife, Gladys Martin of Hammond; two stepsisters, Harriet Ricks of Baton Rouge and Lillie B. Perry of Amite. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary B. Martin and four sisters. Visitation will be Saturday at Greater St. James AME Church, Hammond, from 10:30 a.m. until the Rev. Mack Hurst conducts the funeral at 11:30. Burial will be in Butler's Cemetery, Amite. Richardson Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. JAMES P. NEWMAN INDIAN MOUND, Tenn. - A memorial service for James P. "Jimmy" Newman, 40, will be Saturday, Aug. 16 at 2 p.m. at Jerusalem Baptist Church. A U.S. Army Green Beret, he died July 19, 2003, as the result of an automobile accident. His parents are Sandra Shaffer Newman Soape of Ponchatoula and Glen Newman of Pineville. He is also survived by his wife, Regina; five children and one grandchild. He served his country in every country in the U.S. Central Command's area of operations including Somalia, Desert Storm and Afghanistan where he earned a Bronze Star. He earned a Bronze Star with valor for serving in Iraq. August 10, 2003 * Sandra Lee Burchfield, 61, Ridgeland, Miss. * Fannie Cyprian, 78, Hammond * Jonathan James Joffray, 43, Hammond * Ellen V. Lipscomb, 85, Baton Rouge * Billy Joe Phillips, 66, Hammond * Juanita A. Robinson, 75, Hammond SANDRA LEE BURCHFIELD RIDGELAND, Miss. - Sandra Lee Burchfield, 61, died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2003, at her home. She was a retired employee of Jr. Food Mart Inc. where she worked for 25 years. She is survived by her parents, James and Pauline Smith of Belle Chasse; a son, Richard Burchfield of Pearl, Miss.; a daughter, Dana LeCoq of San Antonio; a sister, Jimmie Gail Cherry of Detroit; and one grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dan Burchfield. A graveside service will be today at 2 p.m. in the Springfield Cemetery. Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond is in charge. FANNIE CYPRIAN Loranger native Fannie Cyprian, 78, died Thursday, July 31, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. She lived in Los Angeles for 30 years. She is survived by six daughters, Alene Fleming, Diane Cyprian and Sharon Cyprian, all of Hammond, Laverne White of Atlanta, Robin Martinez of Mira Loma, Calif., and Joyce Cyprian of Fontana, Calif.; two sons, Willie and Charles Cyprian, both of Hammond; two stepdaughters, Joyce Scott of Hammond and Annette Anderson of Englewood, Calif.; four sisters, Carrie Carter and Mae Ella, Nita and Nancy Lee Cyprian, all of Hammond; three brothers, Lonnie Adams and Henry and Clayton Cyprian, all of Hammond; 29 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. One daughter, Josie Lee Cyprian, and one grandchild preceded her in death. Visitation will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Richardson's Funeral Home, Hammond. The funeral will be Monday at noon at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Hammond. Herbert Wagner, pastor of Greater Love COGIC in Hammond, will officiate. Burial will be in Holly Gardens Cemetery, Hammond. JONATHAN JAMES JOFFRAY Jonathan "Jon" James Joffray, 43, died Friday, Aug. 8, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. He was a native of Belleville, Ill., and was an employee with Corr-Tech in Gonzales. He is survived by his father and stepmother, Oscar and Corrine Joffray of Belleville; his mother, Audrey Stammer Joffray, and a brother, both of Belleville; a wife, Susan Reid Joffray; a daughter Sydney Michelle Joffray, both of Hammond; two stepdaughters, Nadine Robin of Covington and Nicole Wall of Kenner. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Oscar and Sophie Adrin Joffray; and his maternal grandparents, William and Florence Kraus Stammer. Visitation will be today at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home from 6 until 10 p.m. and Monday from 8 a.m. until the funeral at 10. Burial will follow in Rose Memorial Cemetery. Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. ELLEN V. LIPSCOMB BATON ROUGE - Ellen V. "Lo" Lipscomb, 85, died Friday, Aug. 8, 2003, at Flannery Oaks Nursing Home in Baton Rouge. She is survived by two daughters, Marie Hemphill of Prairieville and Susan Murphy of Ocean Springs, Miss.; a son, Michael Wayne Lipscomb of Brandon, Miss; a sister, Dauphine Wascom; two brothers, Lee and Frank Gomez; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Landry J. Lipscomb; and her son, Landry J. Lipscomb Jr. Visitation will be today at Welsh Funeral Home, from 5 to 9 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. until the funeral at 11, the Rev. Louis Boyd officiating. A graveside service will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Hammond at 2 p.m. Welsh Funeral Home in Baton Rouge is in charge. BILLY JOE PHILLIPS Billy Joe Phillips, 66, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2003, at his home. He was a native of Scott County, Tenn. He is survived by his wife, Rosalie Arnone Phillips of Hammond; a brother, Bobby Jean Phillips of Satsuma; six sisters, Inez Phillips Lloyd, Ledora Phillips Murray and Pauline Phillips McDonald, all of Hammond, Virginia Phillips Hedstrom of Wisconsin, Frances Phillips Brown of Georgia and Joan Phillips of Portland. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Bertha Lay Phillips; three brothers, Paul, Claude and Donald Phillips. A memorial service was held Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to North Oaks Hospice, P.O. Box 2668, Hammond 70404. Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, was in charge. JUANITA A. ROBINSON Juanita A. Robinson, 75, died Friday, Aug. 8, 2003, at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans. A native of New Orleans, she worked as a retail sales clerk. She is survived by a son, William F. Robinson Jr. of Hammond; two sisters, Gloria Costanza of Springfield and Barbara Swan of Hammond; a brother, Ralph E. Adams of Greensburg; and a grandson. She was preceded in death by her brother, Irvin P. Adams. Visitation will be Tuesday at Day's Methodist Church in Greensburg from 9 a.m. until the funeral at 1 p.m. The Rev. Larry Robertson and the Rev. Daniel Flanagan will conduct the service, and burial will be in Day's Cemetery in Greensburg. McKneely Funeral Home in Amite is in charge. August 11, 2003 * Thomas Theoplis Cooper, 73, Shasta Lake, Calif. THOMAS THEOPLIS COOPER SHASTA LAKE, Calif. - Thomas Theoplis "Tommie" Cooper, 73, died Friday, Aug. 1, 2003, at his home. Born in Loranger, he moved to Shasta County, Calif., in 1979 from Redondo Beach, Calif. He was a machinist mate master chief in the U.S. Navy, a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, a supervisor for Parks and Recreation in Redondo Beach, owner and operator of Cooper's Day Care in Shasta Lake and a member of Shasta Lake Senior Citizens. Survivors include his wife, Freda; one son, Michael of Redding, Calif.; four daughters, Karen Coker of Shasta Lake, Debbie Webb of Borger, Texas, and Sharon Schneider and Paula Howard, both of Redding; two brothers, Robert of Hammond and T.H. of Loranger; 10 children and three great-grandchildren. The Rev. Dennis Benfield officiated the funeral Friday at McDonald's Chapel in Redding. Burial followed in Redding Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice, 1522 Market St., Redding, CA 96001. August 12, 2003 * Margaret R. Anderson, 89, Slidell * John N. Guzzardo, 83, Amite * Eleanor C. Joiner, 94, Hammond * Melba Robertson Landry, 74, Ponchatoula * Peggy Drude Staton, 68, Denham Springs MARGARET R. ANDERSON SLIDELL - Albany native Margaret R. Anderson, 89, died Monday, Aug. 11, 2003, at Slidell Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Geisler Funeral Home, Albany. JOHN N. GUZZARDO AMITE - U.S. Army World War II veteran John N. Guzzardo, 83, died Sunday, Aug. 10, 2003, at his home. A native of Amite, he was a grocery store owner. Survivors include two sons, Nick J. Guzzardo and Charles "Mose" Guzzardo; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence Myers Guzzardo; his parents, Nicholas Nick Guzzardo and Angela Catalanotto Guzzardo; and seven brothers and sisters, Josephine G. Misita, Joseph Nick "Joe" Guzzardo, Tony Nick Guzzardo, George Nick Guzzardo, Jack N. "Jake" Guzzardo, Virginia Guzzardo LaBarbera and Sam Nick Guzzardo. Visitation will be tonight at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 to 9 and Tuesday from 8 a.m. until the funeral at 10:30. The Rev. Jack Nutter will officiate. Burial will be in Amite Cemetery. ELEANOR C. JOINER Eleanor C. "Pete" Joiner, 94, died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2003, at Landmark Nursing Home, Hammond. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she was a longtime resident of Tickfaw. She worked at Citizens National Bank for more than 34 years and was a member of Nesom Methodist Church, Tickfaw. She is survived by four step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bert. She donated her body to Tulane University which will be cremated after a two-year period. Her ashes will be interred at Greenlawn Cemetery. Contributions in Joiner's memory may be made to Nesom Methodist Church, Tickfaw. MELBA ROBERTSON LANDRY PONCHATOULA - Melba Robertson Landry, 74, died Monday, Aug. 11, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. She is survived by her daughter, Antoinette LeBlanc of Ponchatoula; two sons, Nolan Landry Jr. and Robert Landry, both of Ponchatoula; three sisters, Elester Joiner of Ponchatoula, Audry Smaltz of Metairie and Jo Ann Lynch of Gretna; one brother, Jaired Robertson Jr. of Pass Christian, Miss.; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nolan Landry Sr.; a son, Jared Paul Landry; her parents, Jaried R. And Esther Raiford Robertson; and one great-grandchild. Visitation will be today at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, from 6 to 10 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. until the funeral at 10. Burial will be in Sand Hill Cemetery. PEGGY DRUDE STATON DENHAM SPRINGS - The Rev. Christopher J. Roussell conducted a private memorial service at Seale Funeral Home in Denham Springs for Peggy Drude Staton, 68, who died Monday, Aug. 11, 2003, at Our Lady of The Lake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge. A native of Ponchatoula, she was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denham Springs. Survivors include her husband, Charles B. Staton of Denham Springs; two sons, Gary Pedeaux of Athens, Ga., and Matthew Pedeaux of Baton Rouge; a stepson, Troy Staton of Michigan; one sister, Frances Culbreath of Ponchatoula; two brothers, Kenneth Drude of Baton Rouge and Glenn Drude of Ponchatoula; three grandchildren, one great-grandchild and four step-grandchildren. Her parents, Charles Yokum and Virginia Spottswood Drude; a stepdaughter, Kimmie Staton Capello; a brother, Edwin Drude; and one sister, Charlotte Wainwright; preceded her in death. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 8738 Quarters Lake, Suite 12, Baton Rouge 70809 or a charity of one's choice. Seale Funeral Home, Denham Springs, is in charge. August 13, 2003 * Margaret Resetar Anderson, 89, Slidell * James Flanagan, 54, Madisonville * Deyonne Hagans, 49, Hammond * Eula Finch Ory, 100, Ponchatoula * Myrtle W. Passman, 83, Montpelier MARGARET RESETAR ANDERSON SLIDELL - Margaret Resetar Anderson, 89, died Monday, Aug. 11, 2003, at Slidell Memorial Hospital. She was a native of Albany. She is survived by one son, Douglas Anderson of Slidell; one daughter, Marilyn Romero of Walnut, Calif.; one brother, Edward Resetar Sr. of Denham Springs; one sister, Elizabeth Prokop of Albany; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph and Albert Resetar. Visitation will be today at St. Margaret Catholic Church, Albany, from 4 p.m. until the Rev. Leo Guillot conducts the funeral at 5. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Geisler Funeral Home, Albany, is in charge. JAMES FLANAGAN MADISONVILLE - James "Jimmie" Flanagan, 54, died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2003, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital, Covington. He was a native of Hammond. He was survived by one sister, Jo Ann Beyl of Ponchatoula; and one brother, Alvin Flanagan of Hammond. He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald Flanagan, and his parents. N.A. James Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. DEYONNE HAGANS Deyonne Hagans, 49, died Sunday, Aug. 10, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond She is survived by her father, Daniel Cade; two daughters, Yelonda Jackson and Danielle Hagans; one son, Derrick Hagans; one sister, Billie Carter; three brothers, Jerry Peters, Kenneth Ray Cade and Steve Meadows; and four grandchildren. The Rev. Morris Payne will conduct the funeral today at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Hammond, at 8 p.m. Dismissal will be Thursday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Warren Cemetery, Independence. N.A. James Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. EULA FINCH ORY PONCHATOULA - Eula Finch Ory, 100, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond. MYRTLE W. PASSMAN MONTPELIER - Myrtle W. Passman, 83, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, at Hood Memorial Hospital, Amite. She was a native of Livingston and former owner of Passman's Nursery of Baton Rouge. She is survived by one son, Dudley C. Passman of Metairie; two sisters, Annie W. Hoosier of Montpelier and Fay Bishop of Hammond; one brother, Leroy Willie of Baton Rouge; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wiley D. Passman. Visitation will be Thursday at Montpelier Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until the Rev. John Gibson conducts the funeral at noon. Burial will be in Montpelier Cemetery, Montpelier. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, is in charge. August 14, 2003 * Thomas Knight, 62, Tickfaw * Eula Finch Ory, 100, Ponchatoula * James Martin Perkins Sr., 52, Tickfaw * Dorothy Thomas, 68, Norfolk, Va. THOMAS KNIGHT TICKFAW - Arrangements are incomplete for Thomas Knight, 62, who died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003, at his home. Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. EULA FINCH ORY PONCHATOULA - Mount Herman native Eula Finch Ory, 100, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. Survivors include two sons, Horace A. Ory Jr. of Poulsbo, Wash., and John Leo Ory of Ponchatoula; one sister, Edna Adams of Kentwood; four grandchildren and one great- grandchild. Her husband, Horace Anthony Ory; one son, Thomas William Ory; one daughter, Leah Ann Ory; four sisters, Emma Brumfield, Lona Finch, Lila Finch and Martha Keith; and five brothers, Joe, Bill, John, Monroe and Luther Finch, all preceded him in death. Visitation will be Friday at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, from 8:30 a.m. until the funeral at 10. Burial will be in Ponchatoula Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to North Oaks Hospice, P.O. Box 2668, Hammond 70404. JAMES MARTIN PERKINS SR. TICKFAW - Retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Martin Perkins Sr., 52, died Monday, Aug. 11, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. A native of Amite, he is survived by his wife, Margaret Perkins; his mother, Margie Perkins; nine daughters, Mary James Perkins Moore, Melanie Carr, Charity Perkins, Niya Foster, Myrtis Buckhalter, Sherry Carr Coleman, Christine Carr Butler, Linda Perkins and Henretta Johnson; five sons, James M. Perkins Jr., Terance Perkins, James Holden Sr., Darrian Buckhalter and Lenroy Johnson; four sisters, Sophia Higgenbotham, Sharon Johnson, Susan Daniels and Sandra Williams; five brothers, Charles Perkins, Robert Perkins, Melvin Perkins, Jake Perkins and Lawrence Callahan; and 23 grandchildren. His father, Jake Perkins Sr.; and a brother, Orrenthius T. Perkins. Visitation will be Friday at N.A. James Funeral Home, Hammond, from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be Saturday at Butler's AME Zion Church, Amite, at 1 p.m. Finn Brumfield, pastor of New Hope COGIC, Tangipahoa, will conduct the service, and burial will follow at Butler's Cemetery, Amite. DOROTHY THOMAS NORFOLK, Va. - Burial for Houltonville native, Dorothy Thomas, 68, was Wednesday at Houltonville Cemetery. She died Monday, Aug. 4, 2003, in Hammond. She was preceded in death by her parents. Richardson Funeral home, Hammond, was in charge. August 15, 2003 * Joseph Baker Sr., 86, Amite. * Paul Joseph Barze Jr., 69, Madisonville. * U.S. Army 2nd ACR Specialist Levi B. Kinchen, 21, Albany * Thomas Knight, 62, Tickfaw. * Edward E. McClendon, 84, Franklinton. * Bertha Silvan, 54, Covington. JOSEPH BAKER SR. AMITE -Joseph "Brother" Baker Sr., 86, died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. He was a native of St. Helena Parish. He is survived by three sons, Joseph D. Baker Jr. of New Orleans, James "Bull" Baker of Independence, and Robert T. Baker of Amite; eight daughters, Clara M. Wilson of Tangipahoa, Josephine B. Lee of Baton Rouge, Mary B. Smith of Amite, Gloria B. Page of Montpelier, Shirley B. Smith of Amite, Katie B. Smith of Baker, Brenda B. Jones of Hammond, and Marilyn C. Baker of Amite; one sisters, Mary R. Baker of New Orleans; 42 grandchildren and 59 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth Foster Baker and Solomon Baker; his wife, Edna C. Baker; one son, John Nathan Baker; his brother, John N. Baker; and one sister, Queen Ester Baker Montgomery. Visitation will be Sunday at Richardson Funeral Home, Amite, from 4 to 6 p.m. W.K. Gordon will conduct the funeral at 7 p.m. at Gordon-Richardson Temple of Deliverance, Amite. Dismissal will be Monday at Morris Chapel Church, Amite, at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Baker Cemetery, Amite. PAUL JOSEPH BARZE JR. MADISONVILLE - Paul Joseph Barze Jr., 69, died Sunday, Aug. 10, 2003, at Community Care Hospital, New Orleans. He is survived by his former wife, Irene Barze; mother, Mamie Barze; two daughters, Melanie B. Woods and Sabrina Primes; one sisters, Louise Thompson; and 13 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Joseph Barze Sr.; and his sister, Elvina Sheridan. Visitation will be Saturday at Hopewell Baptist Church, Madisonville, from 9 a.m. until the funeral at 11. The Rev. Mallary Callahan will officiate. Burial will be in Madisonville Cemetery. N.A. James Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. LEVI B. KINCHEN ALBANY - U.S. Army 2nd ACR Specialist Levi B. Kinchen, 21, died Sunday, Aug. 10, 2003, in Bagdad, Iraq. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced with Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond. THOMAS KNIGHT TICKFAW - Thomas Knight, 62, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003, at his home. A native of Tickfaw, he was the owner of Knight Bait Shop. He is survived by three daughters, Loretta K. Shultz, Loraine K. Dennis and Tammy K. Childress, all of Tickfaw; one son, Michael Knight of Tickfaw; two brothers, J.W. Knight of Ponchatoula, and Dennis Knight of Kenner; three sisters, Dorothy Gerhold of New Orleans, Darlene Anthony and Pauline Armour, both of Tickfaw; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Gebbia Knight; parents, Warren and Edith Anthony Knight; foster mother, Mamie Anthony; one daughter, Edith Knight; two brothers, Richard and Dan Knight; and one sister, Dora McCain. Visitation will be today at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, from 6 to 10 p.m. The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. followed by burial in Tickfaw Catholic Cemetery. EDWARD E. MCCLENDON FRANKLINTON - Edward E. "John" McClendon, 84, died Thursday at Heritage Manor Nursing Home. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and served as a member of the crew on the USS Southerland. He was also a member of Faith Tabernacle Pentecostal Church. He is survived by three sons, Archie McClendon of Mount Hermon, Eugene McClendon and Johnny McClendon, both of Thomas; four daughters, Diane Morris of Franklinton, Geraldine Ledet of Thomas, Ruby Darcey of Independence, and Jackie Stone of Picayune, Miss.; two sisters, Ellen Browning of Baton Rouge, and Lenora Frazier of Kentwood; 25 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons, Michael McClendon and Ronnie Bateman; his parents, Edward and Serine McClendon; and one brother, Ramsey McClendon; and one sister Louise Varnado. Visitation will be today at Crain Funeral Home, Franklinton, from 5 to 10 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. until the funeral at 3 p.m. The Rev. Gary Sumrall and the Rev. Jerry Cox will officiate. Burial will follow in the Faith Tabernacle Pentecostal Church Cemetery. BERTHA SILVAN COVINGTON - Bertha Silvan, 54, died Sunday, Aug. 10, 2003, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital, Covington. She was a native of Okly, Miss. She is survived by three step-daughters, Rhonda Silvan and Terrance McGee, both of Covington, and Soncherie Silvan of Clinton, Connecticut; two sons, Lamel Silvan and Jermaine Silvan, both of Covington; two step-son, Melvin Silvan Jr., Clinton, Maryland, and Lawrence Tally of Covington; two sisters, Diane Overton and Joyce Williams, both of Los Angeles, Calif.; two brothers, Clarence Overton Jr. and Terry Overton of Covington; and 13 grandchildren. Visitation will be Saturday at Bethel Reform Methodist Church from 10 until the Rev. Wesley Cyprian conducts the funeral at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Wilson Cemetery. Richardson Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. August 17, 2003 * Cynthia Pecoraro Bowlin * Audrey Perry Brown * Albert M "Bo" Brunner * Peter J. "Pete" Giaranto Sr. * Rev. Otis H. "Paw-Paw Otis" Hope * Levi B. Kinchen * Joseph Walter Fischer CYNTHIA PECORARO BOWLIN WALTON, Ky. - Cynthis Pecoraro Bowlin, 39, died Wednesday, August 13, 2003 at University Hospital in Cincinnati. Bowlin, a hairstylist with Illusions in Crestview Hills, Ky., was a native of Hammond. She was a member of New Betha Baptist Church of Verona, Ky., Walton- Verona PTSA and loved gardening, shopping, boating, family and home. She is survived by her husband, Kerry S. Bowlin of Walton; three daughters, Jessica Morse of Walton and Brittany and Bailey Bowlin of Walton; two sons, Ricky Morse of Hammond and Brandon Bowlin of Walton; two sisters, Tracy Johnson of Baton Rouge and Lisa Pecoraro of Hammond; one brother, Anthony Pecoraro of Hammond; parents Anthony C. Pecoraro and Jeanie Domingus of Hammond; and one grandchild. Visiitaion was held Saturday at Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home, Florence, Ky. Services will be conducted today at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Walton. Burial will be in New Bethel Cemetery, Verona. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Barrett Center for Breast Cancer Prevention, Treatment and REsarch, 234 Goodman Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45267. AUDREY PERRY BROWN NEW ORLEANS - Audrey Perry Brown, 87, died Wednesday, August 13, 2003 at her home. She was a native of Amite. She is survived by two sons, Raymond Brown Sr. and Eugene Brown of Amite; one daughter, Margie Brown Joseph of New Orleans; one stepdaughter, Louise Kincy of Chicago; 18 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cora Patrick and Grafton Perry. Visitation will be today from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at St. Joseph Outreach Baptist Church, New Orleans. Services conducted by Dr. Francis Williams will be Monday at 1:30 p.m. at Butler Chapel AME Zion Church, Amite. Burial will be in Butler Cemetery, Amite. ALBERT M. "BO" BRUNNER BATON ROUGE - Albert M. "Bo" Brunner, 76, died Wednesday, August 13, 2003. A World War II U.S. Navy veteran, he was a native of Quincy, Ill., and a former resident of Ponchatoula. He retired from Chevron Oil Company with 33 years of service. He is survived by his wife, Hellen Callihan Brunner of Baton Rouge; four sisters, Lucille Minton of Denham Springs, Francis Gilbert of Omaha, Neb., Ann Temple of Ponchatoula and Betty Vining of Bedico; two brothers, Charles L. Brunner of Brusly and William Jr. Brunner of Houston. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Emma Brunner; one brother, Tommy Brunner; and two sisters, Sybil Bardwell and Jeanette Stanga. Graveside services were held Saturday at Ponchatoula Memorial Mausoleum with Steve Varnado and Robert Callihan presiding. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association. PETER J. "PETE" GIARANTO SR. BATON ROUGE - Peter J. Giaranto Sr., 82, died Friday, August 15, 2003 at Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Mid City. He was a native of Tickfaw and a World War II veteran. He was a member of St. Louis King of France Catholic Church, Baton Rouge and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is survived by one daughter, Pat. G. Thomas of Baton Rouge; one son, P.J. Giaranto Jr. of Baton Rouge; one sister, Catherine Biamonte; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann Giaranto. Vitiation will be noon today at Hollabuagh Spindle Funeral Home, Baton Rouge followed 2 p.m. services conducted by Rev. Gerald LeFebvre at the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Resthaven Graddens of Memory Mausoleum, Baton Rogue. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made of the Grief Recovery Center of Baton Rouge. Live plants would be welcomed. REV. OTIS H. HOPE "Paw-Paw Otis" KENTWOOD - The Rev. Otis H. Hope, 72, died Friday, August 15, 2003. A native and resident of Kentwood, he was a retired Baptist minister and a retiree of the state Department of Agriculture. He was also a U.S. Army veteran and served in the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Avis O. Hope of Kentwood; five sons, Ray Hope of Maryland, Ricky Hope of Denham Springs, Ronnie Hope of Baton Rouge, Rocky Hope of Prairieville and Reggie Hope of Florida; three sisters, Margaret, Dot and Bill; two brothers, Alva and Donald; 19 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Maggie Hope; and two brothers, Kenneth and Nolan. Visitation will be today at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Monday at East Fork Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 9 a.m. until services begin at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Hope-Oliver Cemetery, Kentwood. LEVI B. KINCHEN BAGHDAD, Iraq - Army Spc. Levi B. Kinchen, 21, died August 9, 2003. He was a native of Albany. He joined the U.S. Army in August 2000, completing basic training in Fort Sill, Okla., followed by an 18-month tour in Germany and a a six- month peace mission in Kosovo before shipping out to Baghdad. He was a 2000 graduate of Albany High School. He is survived by his parents, Carter and Barbara Monistere Kinchen of Albany, one brother, Carter Kinchen Jr. of Albany, one sister, Connie K. Arceneaux of Springfield; maternal grandmother Lucille D. Monistere of Hammond; and three nephews. He was preceded in by his brother, Arn Kinchen; three grandparents, Anthony J. Monistere and Henry V. and Cora Kinchen; and uncle Glenn Monistere. Visitation will be Tuesday at Harry McKneely and Son Funeral Home, Hammond, from 5 p.. until 10 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. until services conducted by Brother Mark Leto Sr. begin at 10 a.m. at the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery, Albany. JOSEPH WALTER FISCHER PONCHATOULA - Retired Army Master Sgt. Joseph Walter Fischer, 64, died Friday, August 15, 2003 at his home. A native of Ponchatoula, he was a former employee of Constar Packagin, CKS Packaging and Grafco Packaging of Atlanta. During his military career, Fisher was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, rifle expert and awarded the Good Conduct Medal five times. He is survived by his wife, Josephine "Toni-Jo" Inzinna Fischer of Ponchatoula, two sons, Joseph P. Fischer of Michigan and George G. Fischer of Ponchatoula; two daughters, Denese L. Carithers of Georgia and Coit McDonald of Natalbany; three sisters, Ruby Hill of Ponchatoula, Bobby Fletcher of Ponchatoula and Mary Morgan of Kentwood; six granchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents Irene Young and George Fischer Jr.; and three brothers, Roy, George and Gene Fischer. Visitation will be today at Harry McKneely and Son Funeral Home, Ponchatoula from 1 p.m. until services begin at 3 p.m. at the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Port Hudson National Cemetery, Zachary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to North Oaks Hospice, P.O. Box 2668, Hammond, LA 70404. August 18, 2003 * Veda Baham Brading VEDA BAHAM BRADING MARRERO - Services were Sunday, Aug. 17, 2003, for Uneedus native and former sales clerk, Veda Baham Brading, 81, who died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, at Wynhoven Health Care Center in Marrero. She is survived by her daughter, Sophie Nadine Delatte of Marrero; a son, Elmer "Butch" Brading of Marrero; one sister, Viola O'Berry of Pearl River; one brother, Bennie J. Baham of Loranger; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Her sister, Virena Tycer; and three brothers, Dennie Baham, Velma Warren and Erlis Anthony, all preceded her in death. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, was in charge. August 19, 2003 * Percy Griffin Sr. PERCY GRIFFIN SR. AMITE - Roseland native Percy Griffin Sr., 81, died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. He was a landscaper. He is survived by his wife, Mary Pendleton Griffin; six daughters, Margaret Briggs, Alesa Williams, Fara McCoy, Cora Scott, Laura Neal and Stephanie Griffin; seven sons, Eddie, Percy Jr., Anthony, Mose, Alphonsa and John Griffin; 42 grandchildren, 64 great- grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Griffin; one daughter, Rosemary Griffin; his parents and two sisters. Visitation will be today at Angelic Funeral Home, Hammond, from 3 to 6 p.m. The Rev. John Mabry will conduct the funeral at 7. Dismissal will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Mt. Canaan Cemetery, Roseland. August 20, 2003 * Eddie Anthony, 71, St. Bernard * Leto Palumbo Eldredge, 88, McComb, Miss. * Sarah Zito Gonzales, 72, Manchac * Dillon Cole Lauricella, 2, Independence * Jeward Christopher Miller, 34, Ponchatoula * Helen Hayden Pecora, 87, Amite * David Llewellyn Pugh, 36, Norco * Lillian Richardson Watts, 80, Independence EDDIE ANTHONY ST. BERNARD - Retired Kaiser Aluminum worker Eddie Anthony, 71, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2003, at Chalmette Medical Center. A native of Amite, he was a member of Chalmette Lion's Club. Survivors include one daughter, Emma Lou Bardwell of Bridge City; one sister, Betty Anthony McCrory of Ponchatoula; and one brother, Allen Anthony of Ponchatoula. His parents, Jake and Evy Neal Anthony; and one son, Henry Anthony, preceded him in death. Visitation will be Thursday at Geisler Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, from 6 to 10 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. until the funeral at 10. Burial will follow in Briar Patch Cemetery, Loranger. LETO PALUMBO ELDRIDGE MCCOMB, Miss. - Leto Dunaway Palumbo Eldridge, 88, died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2003, at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center, McComb. A Walthall County and Enon Community native, she was a homemaker and a member of the Catholic faith. Survivors include two sons, Charles Thomas Palumbo of Hammond and Lewis Anthony Palumbo of Virginia; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Her parents, Parham Albert Dunaway and Annis Ola Burnett Dunaway; her first husband, Charles L. Palumbo; her second husband, Frank Eldridge Sr.; two sisters, Ouida Dunaway Brister and Toye Lee Dunaway Beard; and one brother, Wilburn Dunaway, preceded her in death. Burial was Tuesday at Hollywood Cemetery, Miss. Catchings Funeral Home, McComb, was in charge. SARAH ZITO GONZALES MANCHAC - New Orleans native Sarah Zito Gonzales, 72, died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, at her home. She was a housewife. Survivors include her husband, Bernard "Bennie" Gonzales of Manchac; one son, Frank Gonzales of Independence; one brother, Phillip Zito of Kenner; and one half- brother, Charlie Robin of New Orleans. Visitation will be Friday at Manchac Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until a memorial service at 11. The Rev. Jim Nettles will conduct the service, and burial will be in Sand Hill Cemetery. Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. DILLON COLE LAURICELLA INDEPENDENCE - Burial was Tuesday at Antioch Cemetery in Tickfaw for Dillon Cole Lauricella, 2, a native of Hammond, who died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, Miss. Survivors include his mother, Miranda Lauricella of Independence; his father, Salvador Lauricella III of Independence; a brother, Austin Lauricella of Independence; one sister, Alexis Wagner of Long Beach, Miss.; his grandparents, J.B. and Diane Davis of Independence, Joe and Donna Havis of Carlton, Ga., Matthew and Geri Ciesiensky of Gulfport and Salvador Lauricella Jr. of Independence; his great-grandparents, Bobby and Maudie Carroll of Independence, Jesse and Shirley Brecheen of Kontz, Texas, and Vivian Morgan of Gulfport. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, was in charge. JEWARD CHRISTOPHER MILLER PONCHATOULA - Jeward Christopher Miller, 34, died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. Survivors include his mother, Pearl M. Hughes of Ponchatoula; six children, Quantisha, Cory, Renard, Jeward Jr., Jeward III and Darryl, all of Ponchatoula; two sisters, Laura McGee of Ponchatoula and Lanell Mitchell of Hammond; seven brothers, Carl, David, Patrick, Glen, Charleston, Cortez and Johnny, all of Ponchatoula; and his fiance, Kimlyn Chester of Ponchatoula. Visitation will be Friday at MJR Friendly Service Funeral Home, Denham Springs, from 2 to 8 p.m. The Rev. Morris Payne will conduct the funeral Saturday at the Ponchatoula Community Center at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Sweet Home Cemetery, Albany. HELEN HAYDEN PECORA AMITE - Burial was today at Colonial Mausoleum in Independence for Helen Hayden Pecora, 87, who died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2003, at Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington. A native of Independence, she was the former owner of Pecora's Cleaners. Survivors include a daughter, Amber P. Dees of Amite; two grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. Her husband, Louis C. "Rex" Pecora, preceded her in death. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, was in charge. DAVID LLEWELLYN PUGH NORCO - The funeral and burial for David Llewellyn Pugh, 36, was held earlier today. Pugh died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2003, at his home. He was a native of New Iberia. Survivors include his wife, Catherine Burr Pugh of Norco; two sons, David Bradley and Connor; two daughters, Cyndi and Destiny; his parents, Jessie and Jeanne "Johnnie" Richardson Pugh of Baton Rouge; and one brother, Chris Pugh of South Carolina. His maternal grandparents, Llewellyn and Frances Harris Richardson; and his paternal grandparents, Jessie and Effie Dumas Pugh, preceded him in death. Burial was held in Carter Cemetery, and Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Ponchatoula was in charge. LILLIAN RICHARDSON WATTS INDEPENDENCE - Lillian Richardson Watts, 80, died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. She was a native of Independence. Survivors include, two daughters, Darlene Watts Gay of Hammond and Joyce Watts Thomas of Tickfaw; one son, Willie Thurmon Watts of Independence; three sisters, Alyne Fletcher of McComb, Miss., Carlene Wallace of Livingston and Faye LeCompte of Independence; three brothers, Floyd Richardson and Lonnie Ray Richardson, both of Independence, and Edgar Richardson of Livingston; nine grandchildren and nine great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Willie Richardson; two mothers, Willie Mae Davidson Richardson and Bertie Blount Richardson; her husband, Warren H. Watts; one daughter, Phyllis Elizabeth Watts; one son, Warren Thomas Watts; and two brothers, Elbert Richardson and Carl "Bo" Richardson. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 10 p.m. at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, and Thursday at Little River Pentecostal Church, Tickfaw, from 8 a.m. until the Rev. Jay McIntosh and the Rev. James DeGeorge conduct the funeral at 10. Burial will be in Zion Hill Cemetery. August 21, 2003 * Eddie Anthony, 71, St. Bernard * William Joseph Douglas Friar, 61, Booneville, Miss. * Glenis Landrew, 76, Amite * Jeward Christopher Miller, 34, Ponchatoula * Gertrude L. Plunkett, 97, Alexandria * Jessie Showers, 61, Independence * Velma Lucille Roberts Watson, 80, Hammond * Dorothy Martin Youngblood, 83, Head of Island EDDIE ANTHONY ST. BERNARD - Eddie Anthony, 71, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2003, at Chalmette Medical Center. A native of Amite, he was a member of Chalmette Lion's Club and a retired Kaiser Aluminum worker. He is survived by one daughter, Emma Lou Bardwell of Bridge City; one sister, Betty Anthony McCrory of Ponchatoula; and one brother, Allen Anthony of Ponchatoula. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Evy Neal Anthony; and one son, Henry Anthony. Visitation will be today at Geisler Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, from 6 to 10 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. until the funeral at 10. Burial will follow in Briar Patch Cemetery, Loranger. WILLIAM JOSEPH DOUGLAS FRIAR BOONEVILLE, Miss. - William Joseph Douglas "MacArthur" Friar, 61, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at his home. He was a longtime resident of Hammond. He is survived by his wife, Janet H. Friar; two daughters Lisa Fryar Elam of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Machelle McGaha of Corinth, Miss.; three sons, Reginald Fryar and MacArthur Fryar Jr., both of Booneville, and Avery Fryar of Ponchatoula; his mother, Belle Gora of Booneville, Miss.; five sisters, Julie M. Rambo of Detroit, Mary L. and Shirley Friar, both of Booneville, Evelyn Friar of Baton Rouge and Janet Chandler of Los Angeles; seven brothers, Eugene Friar of Huntsville, Ala., John, Willie, William, Robert and Freddie Friar, all of Booneville, and Larry Friar of Dyersburg, Tenn.; and 11 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Friar; and one sister, Mary Ann Ponder. Burial was Aug. 10 at Wolf Creek Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Booneville, Miss. Springfield Chapel Funeral Home, Corinth, Miss., was in charge. GLENIS LANDREW AMITE - Glenis Landrew, 76, died Friday, Aug. 15, 2003, at her home. She was a native of Tallahassee, Fla. She is survived by two sons, Calvin Landrew of Detroit and Robert Landrew of Amite; three daughters, Jerry Dean Harrell and Nadine Landrew, both of Amite, and Patricia Bowman of Detroit; three sisters, Josephine Williams of Highland Park, Mich., and Betty Thompson and Beulah Edwards, both of Detroit; three brothers, Willie and Fred Thompson, both of Detroit, and Leonard Thompson of Greensburg; 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Emmitt Thompson Sr. and Mary Thompson; her husband, Charlie Landrew; two brothers, Emmitt Thompson Jr. and Charles Thompson; and one sister, Frances Jones. Visitation will be Friday at Richardson Funeral Home, Amite, from 5 to 9 p.m. The Rev. Dorothy Kemp and the Rev. Calvin Landrew will conduct the funeral Saturday at Greater Community COGIC, Amite, at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Gordon Richardson Church Cemetery, Amite. JEWARD CHRISTOPHER MILLER PONCHATOULA - Visitation for Jeward Christopher "Ninety-Nine" Miller will be Friday at MJR Friendly Service Funeral Home in Denham Springs from 2 to 8 p.m. Miller, 34, died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. He is survived by his mother, Pearl M. Hughes of Ponchatoula; six children, Quantisha, Cory, Renard, Jeward Jr., Jeward III and Darryl, all of Ponchatoula; two sisters, Laura McGee of Ponchatoula and Lanell Mitchell of Hammond; seven brothers, Carl, David, Patrick, Glen, Charleston, Cortez and Johnny, all of Ponchatoula; and his fiance, Kimlyn Chester of Ponchatoula. The Rev. Morris Payne will conduct the funeral Saturday at The Ponchatoula Community Center at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Sweet Home Cemetery, Albany. GERTRUDE L. PLUNKETT ALEXANDRIA - Gertrude L. Plunkett, 97, died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003, at Regency House. She was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Hammond. She is survived by one brother, George Stafford Lawrence of Alexandria; and one sister, Julia Lawrence of Alexandria. She was preceded in death by her husband, Philip Plumkett; and one daughter, Mary Ann Plunkett. Services will be Friday at St. Rita Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Ronald Hope will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. in Rose Memorial Cemetery, Hammond. John Kramer & Son will direct the services. JESSIE SHOWERS INDEPENDENCE - Jessie Showers, 61, died Friday, Aug. 15, 2003, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. She was a native of Monticello, Miss. She is survived by her husband, Barbara Showers of Independence; two daughters, Patra Rankins and Sandra Burton Williams, both of Hammond; two sons, Jessie Showers Jr. of Belville, Ill., and Alfred Showers Sr. of Natalbany; seven sisters, Annie McNichols, Annie Mae Bell, Georgia Richardson, Flora J. Henry and Earline Garner Showers, all of Hammond, Lula Bell Smith of Springfield and Eula Mae Maye of Monticello, Miss.; one brother, Alrvester Showers of Albany; six stepchildren, 19 grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. Visitation will be Friday at Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, Hammond, from 4 p.m. until the Rev. Samuel Brown conducts the funeral at 7. Burial will be at Holly Garden Cemetery. Richardson Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. VELMA LUCILLE ROBERTS WATSON Velma Lucille Roberts Watson, 80, died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003. She was a native of New Orleans and a beautician. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Bird" Watson; one brother, Lawrence Roberts; her father, Peter Roberts; and her mother, Corrine Brightwell. Visitation will be Friday at Richardson Funeral home, Hammond, from 6 to 9 p.m. The Rev. Warren Richards will conduct the funeral Saturday at 10 a.m. at Galilee Baptist Church, Springfield. Burial will be in Galilee Cemetery. Richardson Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. DOROTHY MARTIN YOUNGBLOOD HEAD OF ISLAND - Homemaker Dorothy Martin Youngblood, 83, died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003, at her home. She was a native of Head of Island. She is survived by 11 daughters, Dora Harris, Elnora Quiet, Margie Hawkins, Georgonia Jackson and Toni Jackson, all of Baton Rouge, Barbara Thomas and Helen Raven, both of Head of Island, Lillie Davis of Killian, Daisy Norman of Springfield, and Jessie Hart and Betty Hart, both of Albany; five sons, Lester Youngblood Jr., Elgene Youngblood and James Youngblood, all of Head of Island, and John and Henry Youngblood, both of Baton Rouge; one sister, Ruth Hampton of Baton Rouge; 55 grandchildren, 91 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Youngblood Sr.; her parents, Lee and Louise Martin; one son, one daughter, five grandchildren, five sisters and four brothers. Visitation will be Friday at Second Zion Baptist Church, Head of Island, from 6 to 9 p.m. The funeral will be Saturday at noon, followed by burial in Goodwill Cemetery. Lawson-Rollins Purple Shield Funeral Home, Gonzales, is in charge. August 22, 2003 * Cynthia Pecoraro Bowlin, 39, Walton, Ky. * John Lancaster Gaunt, 59, West Chester, Pa. * Ruth Gooch Gaston, 87, Hattiesburg, Miss. * Jessie Showers, 61, Independence * Velma Lucille Roberts Watson, 80, Hammond CYNTHIA PECORARO BOWLIN WALTON, Ky. - Cynthia Pecoraro Bowlin, 39, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003, at University Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio. A hairstylist with Illusions of Crestview, Ky., she was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church, Verona, and a member of Walton Verona PTSA. She is survived by her husband, Kerry S. Bowlin of Walton; three daughters, Jessica Morse, Brittany Bowlin and Bailey Bowlin, all of Walton; two sons, Ricky Morse of Hammond and Brandon Bowlin of Walton; two sisters, Tracye Johnson of Baton Rouge and Lisa Pecoraro of Hammond; one brother, Anthony Pecoraro of Hammond; her parents, Anthony C. Pecoraro and Jeannie Dominguez, both of Hammond; and one grandchild. The funeral was Saturday at First Baptist Church of Walton. Burial was in New Bethel Cemetery, Verona, Ky. Memorials may be made to Barrett Center for Breast Cancer Prevention Treatment & Research, 234 Goodman Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45267. Chambers & Grubbs Funeral Home, Walton, Ky., was in charge. JOHN LANCASTER GAUNT WEST CHESTER, Pa. - University professor John Lancaster Gaunt, 59, died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, at his home. He was a native of New Orleans. He is survived by his mother, Mirian Gottsman Bodet; his stepfather, Lawrence Bodet; two sisters, Marie B. Stamper and Cathy Burns; and one brother, Gregory Gaunt. Visitation will be Saturday at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 10:30 a.m. until the funeral at 11. The Rev. J. Don Campbell will officiate. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood. RUTH GOOCH GASTON HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Ruth Gooch Gaston, 87, died Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003. She is survived by two daughters, Dee G. Henderson of Austin, Texas; one son, Paul L. Gaston of Hudson, Ohio; one sister, Peggy Baldwin of Orlando, Fla.; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul L. Gaston Jr. Visitation will be Saturday at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church from 9 a.m. until the Rev. Paul Bailey conducts the funeral at 11. Burial will be in Grace Memorial Episcopal Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Research, 191 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1100, Chicago, Ill. 60611-1676, or a charity of one's choice. Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. JESSIE SHOWERS INDEPENDENCE - Jessie Showers, 61, a native of Monticello, Miss., died Friday, Aug. 15, 2003, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Showers of Independence; two daughters, Patra Rankins of Hammond and Sandra Burton Williams of Hammond; two sons, Jessie Showers Jr. of Belville, Ill., and Alfred Showers Sr. of Natalbany; seven sisters, Annie McNichols, Annie Mae Bell, Georgia Richardson, Flora J. Henry, Earline Garner Showers, all of Hammond, Lula Bell Smith of Springfield and Eula Mae Maye of Monticello, Miss.; one brother, Alrvester Showers of Albany; six stepchildren; 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Visitation will be today at Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, Hammond, from 4 p.m. until the Rev. Samuel Brown conducts the funeral at 7. Dismissal will be Saturday at 11 a.m. followed by burial at Holly Garden Cemetery, Hammond. Richardson Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. VELMA LUCILLE ROBERTS WATSON Visitation will be tonight at Richardson Funeral Home in Hammond from 6 to 9 for Velma Lucille Roberts Watson, 80, a beautician, who died Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Bird" Watson; one brother, Lawrence Roberts; her father, Peter Roberts; and her mother, Corrine Brightwell. The Rev. Warren Richards will conduct the funeral Saturday at 10 a.m. at Galilee Baptist Church, Springfield. Burial will be in Galilee Cemetery. August 24, 2003 * Louis Miller * Riley Primas Sr. LOUIS MILLER Louis Miller, 67, died Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003. A native of Oska, Miss., Miller lived in Hammond. He is survived by three daughters, Cyrena Pharm of Wauwatosa, Wis., Louise Miller of Milwaukee and Larraine Graham of Forrest City, Ark.; three sisters, Sarah Lee Dumas of St. Louis and Johnnie Mae Stelly and Maggie Harris, both of Hammond; one brother, Joe Miller of Hammond; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Visitation is from 5 to 9 p.m. today at Richardson Funeral Home of Hammond, 1601 W. Thomas St. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Oska. Pastor Bertrand Smith will officiate. Burial will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery. RILEY PRIMAS SR. ALBANY - Riley Primas Sr., 85, died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003, at Hammond Nursing Home. Retired from the Illinois Central Railroad, he was a resident of Albany. He is survived by his second wife, Mary F. Primas of Tickfaw; five sons, Walter Riley Primas Jr. and Willie "Bill" Primas, both of Saginaw, Mich., Earnest Primas of Newport News, Va., Jessie Primas of Seattle and Larry Primas of Plano, Texas; two daughters, Janice Primas Short and Connie Primas Miller, both of Albany; a sister, Bertha Primas of Baton Rouge; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Alma Vaughn Primas; his parents, Jessie and Mary Primas; a son, Alfred Primas; and a daughter, Joyce Elaine Primas. Family visitation only is from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2503 Old Baton Rouge Hwy. in Hammond. Visitation for others is from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Thursday and will be conducted by Bishop Steve Boihem. Interment is at Green Oaks Memorial Park in Baton Rouge. MJR Friendly Service Funeral Home of Denham Springs is handling the arrangements. August 25, 2003 * William B. Efferson, 95, Centerville. * Shirley Miller Moye, 44, Ponchatoula. WILLIAM B. EFFERSON CENTERVILLE - William B. "Bill" Efferson, 95, died Sunday, Aug. 24, 2003, at Lakewood Quarters Nursing Home, Baton Rouge. He was a retired farmer and construction worker. He is survived by one son, William B. Efferson Jr. of Centerville; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Wheat Efferson. Visitation will be tonight at Geisler Funeral Home, Albany, from 6 to 10 p.m., and Tuesday from 8 a.m. until the funeral at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Zeigler Cemetery, Centerville. SHIRLEY MILLER MOYE PONCHATOULA - Shirley Miller Moye, 44, died Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003. She is survived by her husband, Lawrence Moye of Ponchatoula; one son, Demingo Miller of Ponchatoula; two sisters, Joann Jacob of Hammond, and Joyce Vaughn of Ponchatoula; one brother, Bruce Miller of Ponchatoula; her mother, Rosie Ann Henderson of Ponchatoula; and one grandchild. She was preceded in death by one sister, Lorraine Miller; and her father, Walter Miller. Visitation will be tonight at Richardson Funeral Home, Hammond, from 5 to 9. The Rev. Roosevelt Watson will conduct the funeral Tuesday at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Holly Garden Cemetery, Hammond. August 26, 2003 * Ruth Bennett Anthony, 86, Independence * Wilbert Crandle, 83, Mandeville * Margie Jacob, 83, Ponchatoula RUTH BENNETT ANTHONY INDEPENDENCE - Folsom native Ruth Bennett Anthony, 86, died Monday, Aug. 25, at North Oaks Medical Center. She is survived by two sons, Bamber Husser Jr. and Steve "Eddie" Anthony, both of Independence; four daughters, Louise Williams of Denham Springs, Carol Giles of Independence, Judy Faust of Loranger and Kerry Carter of Greensburg; several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Steve E. Anthony; her parents, Festus and Ary Marie Rainey Bennett; and two brothers, Henry "BB" and Tom Bennett. Visitation will be Wednesday at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, from 10 a.m. until the Rev. Mitch Williams conducts the funeral 2 p.m. Burial will follow at the Ponchatoula Cemetery. WILBERT CRANDLE MANDEVILLE - Wilbert Crandle, 83, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003, in Mandeville. A native of St. Joe, he was a truck driver and a veteran of the U.S. Army. His parents preceded him in death. The Rev. Mallary Callahan conducted the funeral today at Starlight Baptist Church in Covington, and burial was in Wilson Cemetery, Covington. Richardson Funeral Home, Hammond, was in charge. MARGIE JACOB PONCHATOULA - Margie Jacob, 83, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003, in Hammond. A native of Vacharie, she was a sales clerk. Survivors include a daughter, Marshall Jacob Turner of Ponchatoula; two sons, Donald and Glen Jacob, both of Ponchatoula; 15 grandchildren and 15 great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Elaine Jacob; five brothers and four sisters. Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 8 at Richardson Funeral Home, Hammond. The Rev. Carl Coleman will conduct the funeral Wednesday at 11 a.m. at True Love Baptist Church on Range Road. Burial will be in Holly Gardens Cemetery, Hammond. August 27, 2003 * Shirley Blades Blackwell, 43, Kentwood * Carl Joseph Drude Jr., 82, Ponchaotula * Anna Rebecca Starkey Kirkland, 80, Tickfaw * Vera Koleszar, 77, Albany * William R. Smith, 63, Albany SHIRLEY BLADES BLACKWELL KENTWOOD - Shirley Blades Blackwell, 43, died Monday, Aug. 25, 2003, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge. She was native of Kentwood and a housewife. She is survived by her husband, Jimmie Blackwell of Kentwood; two sons, Adam and Roger Smith, both of Kentwood; one daughter, Megan Blackwell of Kentwood; one stepdaughter, Heather Blackwell of Houston; her mother, Myrtle Blades of Kentwood; one sister, Clayton Blades of Kentwood; three brothers, Clayton, Larry and Jerry Blades, all of Kentwood; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Melvin Dock Blades. The Rev. Jeff Rankin conducted the funeral today at The Lord's Church in Tangipahoa. Burial was in Centre Cemetery, Greensburg. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, was in charge. CARL JOSEPH DRUDE JR. PONCHATOULA - Carl Joseph Drude Jr., known as the modern-day pioneer in the Louisiana strawberry industry, died Tuesday at his home following a long illness. He was 82 and was married to Ruby Drude. He tested, pushed and promoted several techniques still used today by local strawberry farmers, said longtime friend and berry farmer Lucy Mike of Hammond. "We thought he was nuts, but we went along with it," she said of his icing technique to keep berries from freezing. "And it was a great success." Mike said Drude would travel to Florida several times a year to study the techniques used by farmers. He introduced the use of plastic covering to Ponchatoula berry farmers in the 1960s when straw was the only material used. He also introduced the sprinkler system and special gasing that yielded larger crops. "We always worked together and helped each other," she said. Mayor Julian Dufreche of Ponchatoula referred to Drude as an icon. "The strawberry industry in Louisiana has lost one of its major people," he said this morning. "It's a better industry because of him. He was really a modern day pioneer ... "I'm going to miss his friendship and anecdotes," he said. "He was a gentleman and a friend, and I'm certainly going to miss his friendship." City Councilman C.W. Kinchen said this morning he learned Tuesday of Drude's death at the Chamber of Commerce. News of his death was going through the chamber shortly after Drude died. "I was just shocked. I didn't realize he was near death," Kinchen said. "The whole chamber couldn't believe it." He knew Drude for a very long time, Kinchen said, and he was very active in civic organizations and other endeavors like the Chamber of Commerce. His death is a great loss for the community. "He was one of our fine citizens, just a fine man," he said. Visitation will be Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Ponchatoula. All other arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later. ANNA REBECCA STARKEY KIRKLAND TICKFAW - Anna Rebecca Starkey Kirkland, 80, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. She was a native of Tangipahoa Parish. She is survived by two daughters, Hallie K. Milton of Hammond and Kathryn K. Bankston of Tickfaw; three sons, Jessie B. Kirkland Jr. of Tickfaw, James K. Kirkland of Clinton and Jake D. Kirkland of Hammond; one brother, Andrew "Bo" Starkey of Amite; 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jessie B. Kirkland; her parents, Ellis and Becky Johnson Starkey; two sisters, Sallie Kinchen and Abi Gatlin; and seven brothers, Monroe, Columbus, Dan, Wilson, Jake, Henry and Filmore Starkey. Visitation will be tonight at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, from 6 to 10 and Thursday from 8 a.m. until the Rev. Stanley Baham conducts the funeral at 10. Burial will be in New Haven Baptist Church Cemetery. VERA KOLESZAR ALBANY - Vera Koleszar, 77, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003, at West Jefferson Hospital in New Orleans following a car accident in Hammond. She was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, American Legion Auxiliary Post 258 and the Albany Homemakers Club. She is survived by her husband, Zoltan Koleszar of Albany; one daughter, Kathy Foster of Albany; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rufus and Nora Kinchen Glascock; one brother, Dewitt Glascock; and one sister, Evelyn "Sis" Glascock. Visitation will be today at Geisler Funeral Home, Albany, from 6 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. until the funeral at 10. The Rev. Joe Dunn, the Rev. Roger Sullivan and the Rev. Alton Foster will officiate. Burial will be in Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bethlehem Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1030, Albany LA 70711. WILLIAM R. SMITH ALBANY - William R. Smith, 63, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003, at his home. He was a native of Memphis, Tenn. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Geisler Funeral Home, Albany. August 28, 2003 * Jimmy Brumfield Sr., 50, Kentwood * Carl Joseph Drude Jr., 82, Ponchatoula * Vera Koleszar, 77, Albany * Merlin Louis Marcotte, 85, Ponchatoula * Leona Osby, 68, New Orleans * Sharon Logan Davis Prattini, 61, Tickfaw * William R. Smith, 63, Albany JIMMY BRUMFIELD KENTWOOD - Jimmy Brumfield Sr., 50, died Monday, Aug. 25, 2003, at his home. He is survived by one son, Jimmy Brumfield Jr. of Kentwood; one daughter, Lakita S. Green of Independence; one sister, Mary E. Brumfield of New Orleans; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Lillian Brumfield; and his mother, Millie Bell Cooper. Visitation will be Saturday at Sweethome Baptist Church, Kentwood, at 11 a.m. until the Rev. Lee Allen Pounds conducts the funeral at noon. Burial will be in Sweethome Cemetery, Kentwood. Richardson Funeral Home, Amite, is in charge. CARL JOSEPH DRUDE JR. PONCHATOULA - U.S. Army World War II veteran Carl Joseph Drude Jr., 82, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003, at his home. He was a member of the American Legion Post 47 of Ponchatoula, former member of the Tangi Toastmaster, member of the Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce, a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church and former assistant Scout master of Troop 101. His farm was used by Louisiana State University for the experimental purpose of developing new varieties of strawberries. He introduced frost control for berry farmers, he was the first farmer to use plastic under plants, he was past president of the Ponchatoula Farm Bureau and he was the second Strawberry Festival king. He was the author of five books, six songs, and he wrote numerous editorials for local newspapers. Survivors include his wife, Ruby Shaffer Drude of Ponchatoula; two sons, Kenneth Paul Drude of Dayton, Ohio, and Ronald Joseph Drude of Robert; one sister, Rita Drude Walz of Hammond; four brothers, Raymond Drude, David and Robert "Bobby" Drude, all of Ponchatoula, and Jacob "Jake" Drude of Hammond; and three grandchildren. His parents, Carl and Louise LeSaicherre Drude; two brothers, Melvin and John Alvin Drude; and one sister, Carlene McLendon, all preceded him in death. Visitation will be tonight at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, from 6 to 9 and Friday from 8 a.m. until the funeral at 10. Burial will be Ponchatoula Mausoleum. VERA KOLESZAR ALBANY - Vera Koleszar, 77, was buried today following a funeral service at Bethlehem Baptist Church. Koeszar died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003, at West Jefferson Hospital in New Orleans, after she was hit by a car. She was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, American Legion Auxiliary Post 258 and the Albany Homemakers Club. Survivors include her husband, Zoltan "Kollie" Koleszar of Albany; one daughter, Kathy Foster of Albany; two sisters, Mildred Maruschak of Baton Rouge and Patsy Glascock of Albany; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her parents, Rufus and Nora Kinchen Glascock; one brother, Dewitt Glascock; and one sister, Evelyn "Sis" Glascock, all preceded her in death. Donations may be made to The Bethlehem Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1030, Albany, LA 70711. She was buried in the church cemetery. MERLIN LOUIS MARCOTTE PONCHATOULA - World War II U.S. Army Veteran Merlin Louis Marcotte, 85, died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2003. He was a native of Hessmer. Survivors include four sons, Ronald and Darel Marcotte, both of Ponchatoula; Raymond Marcotte of Marrero and Ricky Marcotte of Springfield; one sister, Josephine Haley of Terrell, Texas; 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and four great-great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Magdalena Cortese Marcotte; his parents, Joseph and Leocatie Bordelon Marcotte; two brothers, George and Leonard Marcotte; and two sisters, Alice Fontanelle and Alene Marcotte. Visitation will be Friday at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. until the funeral at 9. Burial will be in Sand Hill Cemetery. LEONA OSBY NEW ORLEANS - Kentwood native Leona Osby, 68, died Sunday, Aug. 24, 2003, at University Medical Center. Survivors include one son, Charles Osby of New Orleans; three sisters, Celestine Walker and Ruby Cobb, both of Kentwood, and Josephine Sibley of Hammond; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her parents, Clarence and Mary Osby; one son, Bernard Osby; and three brothers, Willie, James and L.C. Osby, all preceded her in death. Visitation will be Friday at Richardson Funeral Home, Amite, from 5 to 9 p.m. SHARON LOGAN DAVIS PRATTINI TICKFAW - Longtime Tickfaw resident Sharon Logan Davis Prattini, 61, died Monday, Aug. 25, 2003, at her home. She was a native of Davenport, Iowa. Survivors include her husband, Joseph E.E. Prattini Sr. of Tickfaw; one son, Joseph Prattini Jr. of Houma; two daughters, Robin Allmand of Independence and Michelle Brown of Mandeville; one brother, Monty Davis of New Orleans; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her parents, Richard Logan and Inez Davis; and one grandchild, preceded her in death. A memorial service will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Natalbany. N.A. James Funeral Home, Hammond, is in charge. WILLIAM R. SMITH ALBANY - William R. Smith, 63, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003, at his home. He was a native of Memphis, Tenn., and a member of Glory Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Eva E. Smith of Albany; one daughter, Angela Fletcher of Killian; one son, Eric Smith of Albany; two brothers, Vernon Doyle Smith of Albany and Carl Smith of Oakland, Tenn.; two sisters, Ann White of Olive Branch, Miss., and Lottie Campbell of Pocahontas, Ark.; and three grandchildren. One daughter, Joanna Smith, preceded her in death. Visitation will be tonight at Geisler Funeral Home, Albany, from 6 to 9 and Friday from 8:30 a.m. until the funeral at 10:30. Burial will be in Hutchinson Cemetery, Tickfaw. August 29, 2003 * Flois W. Bankston, 80, Roseland * Jimmy Brumfield Sr., 50, Kentwood * Robert Lee Cloy, 67, Hammond * Wilton Cowart, 82, Albany * Merlin Louis Marcotte, 85, Ponchatoula * Lucille Murrell, 82, Amite * Mary Juliana Roques, 87, New Orleans FLOIS W. BANKSTON ROSELAND - Flois W. Bankston, 80, died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. She was a native of Chesbrough and a retail grocery store owner. Survivors include three sons, Larry and Simeon Bankston, both of Arcola, and Bussy Bankston of Brandon, Miss.; one sister, Lillie Wright McDaniel of Arcola; one brother, Melvin Zelton Wright of Pumpkin Center; and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cedric Bankston; her parents, Orval Chester Wright and Neola Joiner Wright; and two sisters, Allie Wright Myers and Katherine Josephine Husser. The Rev. Gary Weiborg conducted the funeral today. Burial was in Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, was in charge. JIMMY BRUMFIELD KENTWOOD - Jimmy Brumfield Sr., 50, died Monday, Aug. 25, 2003, at his home. He is survived by his wife, Minnie Brumfield; one son, Jimmy Brumfield Jr. of Kentwood; one daughter, Lakita S. Green of Independence; one sister, Mary E. Brumfield of New Orleans; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Lillian Brumfield; and his mother, Millie Bell Cooper. Visitation will be Saturday at Sweethome Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 11 a.m. until the Rev. Lee Allen Pounds conducts the funeral at noon. Burial will be in Sweethome Cemetery, Kentwood. Richardson Funeral Home, Amite, is in charge. ROBERT LEE CLOY Retired Ponchatoula native Robert Lee Cloy, 67, died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2003, at Hammond Nursing Home. Survivors include one daughter, Eldora Cloy of California; one son, Robert Cloy Jr. of Michigan; three sisters, Shirley Johnson of Ponchatoula, Louise Conley and Dorothy McFadden, both of Hammond; three brothers, Vernell and Clarence Cloy and Earl Brumfield, all of Ponchatoula. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters and brothers. Visitation will be Tuesday at First True Love Church, Ponchatoula, from 9 a.m. until the Rev. Carl Coleman conducts the funeral at 10. Burial will be in Ponchatoula Cemetery. WILTON COWART ALBANY - Wilton Cowart, 82, died Friday, Aug. 29, 2003, at North Oaks Regional Medical Center, Hammond. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Geisler Funeral Home, Albany. MERLIN LOUIS MARCOTTE PONCHATOULA - Visitation will be tonight at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Ponchatoula from 6 to 9:30 p.m. for World War II U.S. Army veteran Merlin Louis Marcotte, 85, who died Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2003. A native of Hessmer, he is survived by four sons, Ronald and Darel Marcotte, both of Ponchatoula; Raymond Marcotte of Marrero and Ricky Marcotte of Springfield; one sister, Josephine Haley of Terrell, Texas; 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Magdalena Cortese Marcotte; his parents, Joseph and Leocatie Bordelon Marcotte; two brothers, George and Leonard Marcotte; and two sisters, Alice Fontanelle and Alene Marcotte. Further visitation will be Saturday from 8 a.m. until the funeral at 9. Burial will be in Sand Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to North Oaks Hospice or St. Jude Children's Hospital. LUCILLE MURRELL AMITE - Homemaker Lucille Murrell, 82, died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. She was a native of Minden. Survivors include one sister, Lois Murrell White. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Vernon D. Murrell and Leonard Murrell; and one sister, Lavita Hall. The Rev. Bill Willis conducted the funeral this afternoon at Amite Cemetery. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, is in charge. MARY JULIANA ROQUES NEW ORLEANS - Former Holy Ghost School teacher, Sister Mary Juliana Roques, O.P., 87, died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003, at the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse. Born in Paulina as Mildred Marie Roques, she was in her 64th year of religious profession. She received a bachelor's degree in education from St. Mary's Dominican College. After professing her vows in 1940, she taught in elementary schools in Louisiana and Mississippi. She was a teacher at Holy Ghost for 22 years before adopting a more retired life of prayer at the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse in 1990. Survivors include five brothers, Archille, Pascal, Nelson, Maurice and Alban Roques; and two sisters, Theresa Roques Miley and Irene Roques Bourgeois. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alban Joseph Roques and Aline Angelina Ordeneaux Roques; and a brother, Theophile Antoine Roques. A prayer service will be tonight from 4 to 7 and Saturday from 9 a.m. until the funeral Mass at the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse Chapel, 580 Broadway, New Orleans, at 10 a.m. Burial will be in the Dominican Sisters Cemetery in Rosaryville in Ponchatoula. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 7300 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118. Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home is in charge.