ERA Leader (7-9-2003) Obits, Washington, LA submitted by: Bonnie Dier ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Robert J. (R. J.) Creel, Franklinton Robert J. (R. J.) Creel, Col. U. S. Army (Rtd), 83, a resident of Franklinton, died at 8:30 am Friday, June 27, 2003 at his residence. He was a veteran of World War II; an active member of the Homer Magee Post 113 American Legion and a member of the First Baptist Church of Franklinton. Following his military career he also retired from the LA Unemployment Agency in New Orleans. He was past-president and chaplain of the Retired State Employees Association. He is survived by his wife, Eunice Fay Allgood Creel of Yazoo City, MS; two granddaughters and spouses, Regina and Lloyd Chappetta of Franklinton and Raetta and John Verdin of Houma; a grandson, Derrick Norberg of Houma; eight great-grandchildren including a special great-grandson Loiden Chappetta "Little Buddy". He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Foret Creel; a son, Robert J. Creel, Jr.; a daughter, Gwendolyn Creel Norbert; two grandchildren; a brother, Vernon Creel; and a sister, Dorothy Creel Rester. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home from 4 pm until 9 pm Sunday and after 9 am Monday. A funeral service was held at 2 pm Monday in the funeral home chapel. Pallbearers were Loiden Chappetta, Cush Chappetta, Mike Saucier, Craig Allgood, Kevin Larsen, and Vernon Saucier. Interment was in the Poplarhead Church Cemetery. Walter Ray Sylvest, Franklinton Walter Ray Sylvest, 75, a lifelong resident of the Franklinton area, died Tuesday, July 1, 2003 at his home in Fleetwood Subdivision, Franklinton, LA. Mr. Sylvest served as a deacon at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Franklinton, served overseas in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was one of the founders of American Ukranian Fellowship. He was a retired builder, realtor and developer of Lynnwood Subdivision, Fleetwood Subdivision and Riverside Shopping Center, and was one of the founders of the Franklinton Area Economic Development Foundation, Inc. He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Bronis Magee Sylvest; a daughter, Bambi Sylvest of Baton Rouge; two sons, Walter Sylvest and his wife, Telisa Simmons Sylvest of Franklinton and Stephen Sylvest and his wife, Debra Averette Sylvest of Mandeville; three grandchildren, Caleb Sylvest, Rebekah Sylvest and Brady Edwards; brothers and sisters-in-law, Elbert Sylvest of Mandeville, Harold and Minnie Jane Sylvest of Milford, OH; and Richard and Vermelle Sylvest of Hammond; and a sister and brother-in-law, Ray and Ruth Sylvest Mitchell of Slidell. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Steve and Naomi Tisdale Sylvest. Visitation was at Hillcrest Baptist Church from 10 am until 1 pm Thursday. A funeral service was held at the church at 1 pm with Dr. Gene Richards officiating. Pallbearers were Gerald Jones, Clyde Wascom, Larry Magee, Rodney Ball, Rickey Magee and Randy Magee. Interment was in the Ellis Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Ukranian Fellowship or to Hillcrest Baptist Church. Crain Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Owilda Sheridan Byrd, Springhill Community Owilda Sheridan Byrd, 87, a resident of the Springhill Community, died at 1 am Monday, June 30, 2003 at her residence. She was a member of Springhill Baptist Church and the widow of Virgil Byrd. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Terry L. and Linda Byrd of Franklinton and Robert Wayne and Donnie Byrd of Denham Springs; a daughter and son-in-law, Camelia Ann and Billy Wagner of Lucedale, MS; a daughter-in-law Rosetta Byrd of Franklinton; two brothers, Van Sheridan and Huey Sheridan both of Bogalusa; a sister, Hilda Magee of Franklinton; 7 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by a son, Jerry Virgil Byrd and four brothers and four sisters. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home from 5 pm until 9 pm Tuesday and after 9 am Wednesday. A funeral service was held at 2 pm Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Pete Williams and Rev. Tommy Morgan officiating. Pallbearers were Bolivar Magee, Richard Creel, Van Buren Sheridan, John Thigpen, James Thigpen and Linus Magee. Interment was in the Byrd-Letchworth Cemetery. Sybil A. Orr, Pine Sybil A. Orr, 67, a lifelong resident of Pine, died at 8 am Wednesday, July 2, 2003 at Riverside Medical Center. She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Beola Orr of Pine; a sister and brother-in-law, Dr. Butch and Jackie McVea of Franklinton; three nephews, Dr. Chip and Angela McVea of Franklinton, Jay McVea of Franklinton, and Dr. Casey McVea of Kinder; and a niece, Janet and Steven Williams of Houston, TX. She was preceded in death by her father, Mr. Jake Orr. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home on Thursday at 11 am until time for the funeral service at 3:30 pm in the funeral home chapel. Pallbearers were Dr. Chip McVea, Jay McVea, Dr. Casey McVea, Don Seal, Walt Seal and Rawley Barber. Interment was in the Pine Community Cemetery. Dora Knight Penton McCain, Mt. Hermon Dora Knight Penton McCain, 72, a resident of Mt. Hermon, died at 3:15 pm Wednesday, July 2, 2003 at Riverside Medical Center. She was a retired cook at Ms. Barber's Café and the widow of N. J. "Goat" McCain. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, David and Leoda Penton of Mt. Hermon and Jerry and Rosa Penton of Franklinton; a daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Johnny Dykes of Franklinton; three sisters, Darlene Anthony and Paul Armour both of Tickfaw and Dorothy Gerhold of New Orleans; three brothers, Dennis Knight of Kenner, Thomas Knight and J. W. Knight both of Tickfaw; 9 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Warren and Edith Anthony Knight; two brothers, Dan Knight and Richard Knight; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchildren. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home from 5 pm until 11 pm Friday and after 8 am Saturday. A funeral service was help at 11 am in the funeral home chapel with Eld. Ted Phillips and Eld. J. W. Graves officiating. Pallbearers were Richard Dykes, Patrick Dykes, Craig Penton, Jeremy Penton, Cliff Durden and Warren Knight. Interment was in the Nobles Cemetery at Pine. Clyde J. Fussell, Franklinton Clyde J. Fussell, 87, a resident of Franklinton, died early Sunday, July 6, 2003 at his residence. He was recently honored by being elected to Deacon Emeritus status at First Baptist Church where he had served as Chairman of Deacons on several occasions. He was also active in many of the building phases of church and served as building chairman during three of the church's renovation periods. A Sunday school teacher, he taught various men's classes over the years and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and served in the European Theatre of Operations as a warrant officer. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Lou Fussell of Franklinton; a daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Warren Cooke of Houma; two grandchildren, Warren II and Kim Cooke of Houma and Robin Marie Cooke of Houma; a brother, Eric Fussell of Franklinton; and two great-granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Ashley Cooke. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ora Marie McLain Fussell; and his parents, Murray and Lela Fisher Fussell. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home on Monday from 5-9 pm. A funeral service was conducted from the funeral home chapel Tuesday at 10 am with Rev. Karl Tingle and Rev. John Gilbert officiating. Interment was in the Ellis Cemetery.