ERA Leader (8-20-2003) Obits, Washington, LA submitted by: Bonnie Dier ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ James Monroe Watts, Franklinton James Monroe Watts, 79, a resident of Franklinton, died at 12:30 am Monday, August 11, 2003 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home. He was a retired painter-carpenter, a member of Centenary United Methodist Church and a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII. He is survived by three brothers, C. A. Watts and W. L. Watts both of Decatur, IL, and C. H. Watts of Bogalusa; two sisters, Mary Margaret Burris and Dorothy Jane Bollinger both of Franklinton; and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Lee and Gladys Saint Watts; and a sister, Marion Hancock. Visitation was after 9 am Wednesday and until time for a funeral service at 12 noon on Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Lyndle Bullard officiating. A graveside service was held at 2 pm Wednesday at Greenlawn Cemetery in Hammond. Pallbearers were Ed Logan, Lee Bollinger, James W. Burris, Jr., Jesse D. Burris, Dave Watts and Mike Watts. In Lieu of flowers the family prefers contributions to Centenary United Methodist Church Building Fund, Hospice of St. Tammany or favorite charity. Richard E. Varnado, Canaan Community Richard E. Varnado, 60, a resident of the Canaan Community, died at 7:15 am Tuesday, August 12, 2003 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. He was an insurance claim adjuster, an auxiliary deputy with the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office and a member of Canaan Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Judy Peavy Varnado of Franklinton; three sons and daughters-in-law, Randy and Johnie Brown of Denham Springs, Keith and Darlene Cavaretta of West Monroe, and Joshua and Laura Murphy of Franklinton; two daughters and a son-in-law, Cindy and Michael Bemister of Denham Springs and Nicole Varnado of Baton Rouge; four sisters, Pearl Walker of Franklinton, Peggy Fairburn of Tylertown, Joann Miley and Sandra Smith both of Bogalusa; and 13 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Bertha Varnado; two brothers, Nathan and J. U. Varnado; and a sister, June McDaniel. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home from 5 pm until 10 pm Wednesday and after 9 am Thursday. A funeral service was held at 11 am Thursday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Wayne Talley, Rev. Johnny Williams and Rev. Paul Roney officiating. Interment was in the Canaan Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mike Miley, Ronnie Miley, Bruce Smith, Thomas Boudreaux, Trampas Stogner and Jason Smith. Larry Lee Smith, Baton Rouge Larry Lee Smith, 67, a resident of Baton Rouge and a native of Mt. Hermon died Sunday, August 10, 2003 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Nashville, TN. He was a Southern Baptist minister and was the pastor of churches in Louisiana, Tennessee and Illinois for more than 20 years. He will be best remembered for his deep spiritual beliefs and his interest in his fellow man. He was a Baton Rouge businessman for 23 years and a U.S. Air Force Veteran. He is survived by his wife, Dotty Lowe Smith; a daughter, Bonnie Smith Cannon; two sons, Barry Smith and Bruce Smith and wife Rose; five grandchildren, Brian, Andrew and Sarah Cannon and Austin and Laura Smith; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Linda and Charles Maples and Zandra and Jim Zenner; and three brothers and sisters-in-law Jerry and Izelle Smith, Charles and Judy Smith and Tommy and Barbara Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earman and Alice Smith; and a brother, Perry Smith. Visitation was at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East from 6 pm until 8 pm Friday. Visitation continued at Bogue Chitto Baptist Church in Mt. Hermon after 10 am Saturday until time for funeral services. Interment was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Jerry, Charles, Tommy, Barr and Bruce Smith, Brian and Andrew Cannon and Boyd Lowe. Frankie Bickham Brown Rhodes, Franklinton Frankie Bickham Brown Rhodes, 105, a resident of Franklinton, died at 3:30 Friday, August 15, 2003 at Riverside Medical Center. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law; George L. and Eleanor Ruth Brown and Earle R. and Peggy Brown all of Franklinton; six grandchildren, Earl Lewis Brown of Gathersburg, MD, Theresa Simpson of Franklinton, G. Lewis Brown of Covington, Earle R. Brown, Jr. of Franklinton, Frank T. Brown of Shreveport, and Debbie B. Walker of Jackson, MS; and nine great-grandchildren. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home after 1 pm Sunday until time of funeral service at 3 pm in the funeral home chapel with Dr. Jerry Barlow and Rev. Lyndle Bullard officiating. Interment followed in the Ellis Cemetery. Pallbearers were G. Lewis Brown, Earl Lewis Brown, Robbie Brown, Frank T. Brown, Scott Brown and Rick Walker. Nina DeWolf Crain, Franklinton Nina DeWolf Crain, 81, a resident of Franklinton, died at 1:30 am Friday, August 15, 2003 at her residence. She was a retired public school teacher and also served as Washington Parish Assessor for six years and was the widow of Lavon Crain. She was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church. She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Michael L. and Emma Crain of Lafayette, Gregory D. and Poppi Crain of Slidell and John L. Crain of Hammond; a daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Johnny Harris of Franklinton; two sisters, Geneva Chisum of Laramie, WY and Hilda Webster of Lafayette; eight grandchildren; and three great- grandchildren. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home from 6 pm until 9 am and after 10 am Saturday. A funeral service was held at 11 am Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Lyndle Bullard officiating. Interment was in the Crain Cemetery at Stateline. Pallbearers were Paul Harris, Terry Harris, Robert Harris, Jason Crain, Trevor Crain and Jay Crain. Edward E. (John) McClendon, Franklinton Edward E. (John) McClendon, 84, a resident of Franklinton, died at 10:45 pm Thursday, August 14, 2003 at Heritage Manor Nursing Home. He was a U. S. Navy veteran of World War II and served as a member of the crew of the USS Southerland. He was also a member of Faith Tabernacle Pentecostal Church. He is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law: Archie and Debbie McClendon of Mt. Hermon, Eugene and Marie McClendon and Johnny McClendon all of Thomas; four daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and James Morris of Franklinton, Geraldine and Neil Ledet of Thomas, Ruby and Harry Darcey of Independence and Jackie and Gene Stone of Picayune, MS; 25 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; two great-great- grandchildren; and two sisters, Ellen Browning of Baton Rouge and Lenora Frazier of Kentwood. He was preceded in death by two sons, Michael McClendon and Ronnie Bateman; his parents, Edward and Serine McClendon; a brother, Ramsey McClendon and a sister, Louise Varnado. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home from 5 pm until 10 pm Friday and after 10 am Saturday. A funeral service was held at 3 pm Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Gary Sumrall, Rev. Jerry Cox and Aaron Cox officiating. Interment was in the Faith Tabernacle Pentecostal Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Archie McClendon, Jr., John McClendon, Tracey Manchester, Hollis Barber, Hollis Barber III and David Barber.