ERA Leader (9/24/2003) Obits, Washington, LA submitted by: Bonnie Dier ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Johnny Miller, 79, a resident of Franklinton died Thursday, September 4, 2003 at Lakeview Medical Center in Covington, LA. He was active in the U.S. Army. He was united in matrimony to Georgie Magee. He leaves to cherish his memories two daughters, Mary Ann (James) and Betty (Sam); three sons, James. Rodney Wayne and Johnny; three sisters, Faye Miller of Franklinton, Earlean Ard of Las Vegas, NV and Lee Ida Jones of Tickfaw, LA; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; Lillie Poole like a daughter; a God child, Brian Baham; and a host of nieces, nephews, sister-in-law, Sarah Garrett; brother-in-law, Jessie and many other relatives and friends. A funeral service was held at Crain and Sons Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at 1 pm with the Supt. Floyd Dixon officiating. Interment was at St. James Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Darren Dyson, Vincent Wilson, James Davis, John Ard, and Jerry Miller. Honorary pallbearers were Raphus Causey, Herbert Garrett, Wilton Causey, Jr., Ronnie Causey, James Miller, Reginald Causey, Johnny Miller, Sam Sneed, Rodney Wayne Miller and Otis Washington. Doris C. Lyles, 71, a native of Yazoo County, MS and longtime resident of Franklinton, died at 8:00 am Saturday, September 13, 2003 at the Riverside Medical Center. She was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband, Edwin L. Lyles of Franklinton; two daughters and a son-in-law, Teri and Albert Tanner of Franklinton and Peggy Lyles of Robert; five grandchildren, T. Michelle Badeaux, Regina Barber, James Smith, Joseph Dykes and Joseph Tanner; three great-grandchildren, Matthew Badeaux, Abigayle and Kirsty Barber; and a sister, Margaret Compton of Lafayette. She was preceded in death by her husband, Travis George Compton and Margaret Collins Compton; three brothers; and three sisters. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home after 9 am Tuesday until time for the funeral service at 12 noon in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Percy Frazier and Rev. Lyndle Bullard officiating. A graveside service was held at 2:30 pm Tuesday at the Hollywood Cemetery in McComb. Pallbearers were James Smith, Joseph Dykes, Roger Barber, Blane Badeaux, Matthew Badeaux and Albert Tanner. Margaret Chesser Crowe has left this earth to join in Heaven her parents, Harry and Nettie Rider Chesser, sister, Villa Bitia, brothers Floyd (Pete) and Randall (Punk) Chesser, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Joseph Coleman Crowe and Donna Pearl Bickham Crowe. She leaves behind and will be waiting for her husband Faxon Crowe, son Michael and daughter-in-law Yvonne Crowe and their children Kelly Archuleta and Kevin Keeran; daughter Joyce Crowe and her son Geoffrey Crowe; siblings Bernice Roddenberry, Tessie Knowles, Lois Bryant, Peggy Champion, Pearl Altman, Harry Chesser, Jr., and Gene Chesser. Her gentle nature and loving spirit will be missed, but the circle will be unbroken. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home after 5 pm Saturday with a memorial service in the funeral home chapel at 8 pm Saturday with Rev. David Hedden and Rev. Sammie Smith officiating. Hyman Ottis Simmons, Jr., 75, died Sunday, September 14, 2003 at his home in Kentwood. He was a native of Franklinton. He was the son of H. O. Simmons, Sr. and Vanda Burris Simmons. He was a retired longtime clothing merchant of Kentwood where he operated businesses for 45 years. He was a World War II Veteran and a U. S. Army M. P. in Occupied Japan. Simmons was an active member of Kentwood United Methodist Church for 49 years. He is survived by his wife, Katherine Joan Simmons; four children, Rev. Dr. Michael O. Simmons of Rockford, IL, Mrs. Rebecca S. Young of Indianapolis, IN, Mr. David L. Simmons of Kentwood, and Mr. John Scott Simmons of Hammond; seven grandchildren, Mrs. Amanda Simmons Janitzsky of Hamden, CT, Mr. Nathan Young of St. Louis, MO, Ms. Jennifer Simmons of Baton Rouge, Ms. Erin Simmons of Kentwood, Mr. Jimmy Simmons of Elgin, IL, Ms. Betsy Simmons of Hammond and Master John Scott Simmons, Jr. of Hammond; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Ronald B. Simmons and Mrs. Stephen L. Richardson, both of Franklinton and a brother-in-law, Richard C. Simmons of Franklinton. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ronnie Simmons; a brother-in-law, Stephen Richardson; and a sister-in-law, Anita Magee. Visitation was at Kentwood United Methodist Church in Kentwood from 6 pm until 8 pm on Wednesday and from 9 am until religious services at 11 am Thursday. Interment was in the Woodland Cemetery in Kentwood, LA. Active pallbearers were Bruce Fairburn, Andy Magee, Will Magee, Kelvin McCain, Clay Richardson, James Ottis Simmons, Ronald Simmons, Russell Simmons and Nathan Young. Honorary pallbearers were Harold Bennett, Wendell Craft, Carl Dick, Carlton Faller, Leroy Hart, Gene Ott, Jr., A. J. Redmond, A. W. Reed, Nick Saladino, Charles Welch and Ray Yadarraga. John W. Valliant, 84, a resident of Mt. Hermon, died Monday morning, September 15, 2003 at his residence. He was a retired electrician with Hess Oil and Chemical Company in New Orleans and a member of Bogue Chitto Baptist Church in Mt. Hermon. He was also a member of St. Johns Lodge #153 and U. S. Navy Veteran of World War II. He is survived by his wife, Gladys Smith Valliant of Mt. Hermon; two sons and daughters-in-law, Woody and Carol Valliant of Pensacola, FL and Perry and Madeline Valliant of Mandeville; a daughter, Nedra Ann V. and Bobby Baker of Hamburg, ARK; 9 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 3 step-children; and 3 step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, John W. and Cornelia Burch Valliant; and by his first wife, Alluewee Schillings Valliant. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home from 5 pm until 9 pm Tuesday and after 8 am Wednesday. A funeral service was held at 10 am Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. John Nichols and Rev. Joe Wiggins officiating. Burial was in the Bogue Chitto Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers were Michael Valliant, Jacob Baker, Sherman Burch, Blair Farmer, Cliff Farmer and Dewain Bickham. Honorary pallbearers were Mike McFarlin, David Alford, Charlie Williamson, Fleet Smith and Mickey Sandford. Marion Joyce Jones, 58, a resident of Franklinton died at 11:58 am Tuesday, September 16, 2003 at her home. She is survived by her children, Bobbie Joy Williams, Lisa Palmeri both of Sumrall, MS, Brenda Jones, Arthur Jones, Harry Jones, all of Franklinton, Bob Lee Jones, of Alexandria, Willie Neil Jones, Jr. of Tylertown, Addie Mae Templet, Melissa Jones Guillot, both of Pierra Part and Matilda Jones Gautier of Pollock; 18 grandchildren; 5 brothers and a sister. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nelson A. and Waiver Garner Easterling; a son, Elmer Jones; and a brother, Richard Easterling. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home from 4 pm until 8 pm Thursday with cremation to follow.