Washington Parish Obits The Franklinton Era Leader Prepared and Submitted by Carolyn Brumfield Henderson ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Era Leader April 10, 2002 ANTHONY JOHN "A.J." GILARDI, Stoney Point Anthony John Gilardi, 63, a native of Saint Rose, LA and a resident of Stoney Point Community for the past two years, died at 7:29 p.m. Saturday, March 30 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Judy Petit Gilardi, three daughters, Cindy G. Hamilton and Husband John of Mandeville, Lynda G. Bonner and husband, Darryl of Tyrone, Georgia, and Joan G. Adams and husband Kern of Warnerton, La; four brothers, Joseph "Bud" Gilardi of Destrehan, La. Sam "Sonny" Gilardi of Gretna, La., Benny "Pat" Gilardi of covington, La., Gasper Gilardi of Harahan, La.; two sisters, Rita G. Zeringue of St. Rose, La. and Manuella G. LeBlanc of Ratliff, Bridgette, Seth and Joe Bonner, Andrew, Drake and Konnor Adams, and Suzann Capitano. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna G. Ratliff and his parents Joe and Nancy Gilardi. Visitation was held at H. C. Alexander Funeral Home in Norco, La. on Monday and a Mass of Christian burial at St. Charles Borromea Catholic Church in Destrehan with burial following in St. Charles Borromeo Mausoleum on Tuesday. Pallbearers for the service were Joseph Gilardi, Sam Gilardi, Benny Gilardi, Kern Adams, Darryl Bonner, John Hamilton, and David Ratliff. Era Leader April 10, 2002 SIDNEY M. JONES, Enon (no date) Sidney M. Jones, 63, a resident of Dummy Line Road in the Enon Community died at 11:10 a.m. Tuesday at his residence. He was a retired operator for Crown Zellerbach and also a retired Deputy Sheriff. He was a US Army Veteran and a member of the Enon Baptist Church. He is survived by three sons Mark Jones of Bogalusa, Brent Jones of Baton Rouge, and Tim Jones of Bogalusa; one daughter, Deidra Jones Fussell of Bogalusa; his mother, Roxie Jones of Enon; one brother, Carlos "Cooter" Jones of Isabel; one sister, Carolyn Jones McGlothin of Enon; special friend Donnis Lang of Bogalusa; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Linda Diane Jones and his father Bill Jones. Visitation was held at Crain Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Wednesday and after 8a.m. Thursday. A funeral service was held at 11 Thursday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Leon Hickman and Rev. Larry Sharrow officiating. Burial followed in the Spencer Cemetery. Pallbearers for the service were Roy Matherne, Loyd Spencer, Donnie Wilson, Lee Crosby, Darrell Jones and Tim Jones. Era Leader April 10, 2002 JAMES 'JIMMY' Otis Ray Reese, Murrieta James "Jimmy" Otis Ray Reese, passed away on March 10, 2002. He was born on November 2, 1938 in Magnolia, Miss and lived in Murrieta for four years. He worked as an electrical engineer for Rockwell International (Boeing) for forty years. He retired in 1999. He was a winner of several math related awards and scholarships. He enjoyed participating in bible study and learning about Jewish History. He also enjoyed computers. He was a member of the Eta Kappa Nu, TauBeta Pi, and a lifetime member of IEEE. He is survived by his wife Sherry Reese of Murietta; a son, David Reese of Colorado Springs, Col.; a daughter, Sherry Reese of Murrietta; three sisters, Dorothy Morrison of Diamond Head, MS., Mary Geneva Hicks of Little Rock, Ar. and Alice Sue Reese of Metairie, La.; a brother, Willie Arnold Reese of Memphis, TN; and six grandchildren. A memorial service was held for him on March 14, 2002 at Valley Funeral Home in Murietta. Burial followed in Laurel Cemetery in Murrietta. Contributations can be made to the Salvation Army in Murrietta, LA. IDA LEA STAFFORD, New Orleans (Era Leader April 10, 2002, no date) Ida Lea Stafford Ida Lea Stafford, 91, a native and resident of Franklinton and longtime resident of New Orleans died at 2 a.m. Tuesday at Riverside Medical Center. She was a member of New Hope Baptist church near Folsom and the widow of Howard A. Stafford. She is survived by one daughter, Dorothy Hebert of River Ridge; two grandchildren, Marc Hebert Arlington, VA and Maury Hebert of New Orleans; one great-grandchild, Marc Christopher Hebert, Jr. of Arlington, VA. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation was held at Crain funeral Home after 12 noon Thursday until time of funeral service at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel Burial followed in the New Hope Baptist church Cemetery near Folsom. Pallbearers for the service were Kenneth Lea, don Lea, Marc Hebert, Mareuey Hebert, Darren Schilling and bob Cox. CREOLA "AUNTIE CREE" VERNON BATCHELOR (Era Leader April 10, 2002) March 28, 2002 Creola "Auntie Cree" Vernon Batchelor, California Creola "Auntie Cree" Vernon Batchelor, 83, died Thursday, March 28, 2002 in Santa Monica, California. She was a resident of California and a native of Mt. Hermon. She is survived by one sister, Mariah Crain of Franklinton; one brother, James "Murl" ( Eddie Joe) Vernon of Mt. Hermon, Louisiana; sisters-in-law, Edna Mae Vernon of Arizona and Doretha Vernon of Franklinton and many loving nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Friday April 5, 2002 at Crain and Sons funeral Home in Franklinton from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral services were held Saturday, April 6, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a graveside service at Vernon Family Cemetery. WARREN WILSON SEAL, Bogalusa (Era Leader April 10) Warren Wilson Seal, Bogalusa April 3, 2002 Warren Wilson Seal, 83, a resident of Bogalusa died April 3, 2002 at Bogalusa Community Medical Center. He is survived by three children, Judith Lennon Jones of Gulfport, MS; Rebecca Ann Stanley of Ocean Springs, MS, and Robert Warren of Baton Rouge; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cuba Fortenberry Seal; his parents, William Andrew and Martha Louise Wheat Seal; five sisters and seven brothers. Visitation was held from six p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2002 at Poole Ritchie Funeral Home Chapel in Bogalusa. Funeral services were held Friday, April 5, 2002 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ester Hammond officiating. Burial followed in Seal Cemetery in Varnado. MARY WILLIAMSON SMITH, Mt. Hermon (Era Leader April 17, 2002) April 9, 2002 Mary Williamson Smith, 88, a resident of Mt. Hermon, died Tuesday afternoon, April 9, 2002 at her home. She was born September 21, 1913 in the Bunker Hill Community of Marion County, MS. Mrs. Smith was a beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and retired Nurses Aid at Riverside Medical Center. She was a most gracious, thankful, thoughtful, and sharing friend. Mrs. Smith was a member of Bogue Chitto Baptist Church in Mt. Hermon. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Mary Brenda Williamson Alford and Paul Donough Alford, Jr. a son and daughter-in-law, Charles Thomas Williamson and Margaret Wascom Williamson. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Paula Alford Estrade and grandson-in-law, Ron Estrade, Brigit Alford Sevin and grand-son-in-law, Michael Sevin, Charles Bradley Williamson, Patrick Kermise Williamson, and two great grandchildren, Taylor Michelle Williamson and Grace Elizabeth Naomi Estrade; two step-daughters, Linda Smith Maples and Zandra Smith Zenner and four step-sons, Larry Smith, Jerry Smith, Charles Smith and Tommy Smith and seventeen step-grandchildren and fifteen step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Kermise Williamson and her second husband, Earmen L. Smith, her parents, Michael Thomas Allen and Allie Sinclair Allen, two sisters, Christine Allen Garner and Ruth Allen Courtney, and two brothers, Garvin H. Allen and Thomas S. Allen. Visitation was held at Crain Funeral Home from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday evening. Religious services were held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning, at Bogue Chitto Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetary. Pallbearers for the service were Nolan Alford, Earl Forrest, Hugh Fortenberry, Sr., Mickey Sanford, Fleet Smith, Jr., and Hardy L. Smith. Honorary pallbearers were Marion Fortenberry, Sr. and Bobby Ray Smith. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bogue Chitto Baptist Church Women on Mission organization. ERVINE ELTON "RED" PENTON, THOMAS (Era Leader, April 17, 2002) Ervine Elton "Red" Penton, 70, a resident of Thomas, died at 12 noon Monday at his residence. He was a retired carpenter and a member of the Grace Missionary Baptist church. He is survived by his wife, Nelda Watson Penton of Franklinton; two sons, Dale Penton of Franklinton and James Penton of Jackson, MS; one daughter, Betty Jean Duncan of Franklinton; three brothers, Kelly Penton, Ester Penton and Milton Penton all of Franklinton; three sisters, Helen Temples King, Christine Sticker and Ernestine Lawson all of Franklinton; eight grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; also numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wives Elizabeth Tullos Penton and Golda Melton Penton; parents James and Cynthia Penton; brothers Melvin, Jewel and Buford Penton and sister Meryl Crain. Visitation was held at the Crain Funeral Home from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Tuesday and continued after 9 a.m. Wednesday. A funeral service was held at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Eld. Ted Phillips, Eld. J. W. Graves and Rev. Pat Miller offciating. Burial followed in the Crains Creek Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers for the service wre Wayne Penton, Keith Penton, Ted Wilkes, Josh Spinks, Casey Kennedy and Scott Kennedy. Honorary pallbearers were James Breland, Wayne Wilkes, Sammy Wilkes, and Clifford Ingram. MAXINE CROWE MOAK, MT. HERMON (Era Leader April 17, 2002) Maxine Crowe Moak, 73, a resident of Mt. Hermon died at 4:54 p.m. Thursday at Heritage Manor Nursing Home. She was a member of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church and attended Stone Point Missionary Baptist Church, She was the widow of Billy S. Moak. She is survived by 3 sons: Russell Moak of Franklinton, Ronnie Moak and Scott Moak both of Mt. Hermon; two daughters; Melanie Foy of Huntington, TX and Theresa Tullos of Franklinton; 7 grandchildren; 2 brothers, Wilton Crowe and Charlie Crowe both of Baton Rouge, 2 sisters, Harriet Bullock, and Evelyn Jenkins both of Franklinton. Visitation was held at Crain Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Friday and after 8 a.m. Saturday. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Eld. Brent King and Rev. Larry Archote officiating. Burial followed in the Mt. Hermon Cemetery. Pallbearers for the service were Jeremy Tullos, Gary Foy, Brian Foy, Larry Miller, Anthony and Earl Bullock. CLARETHA NORMAN CRAIN, FRANKLINTON (Era Leader April 17, 2002) April 7, 2002 Claretha Norman Crain, 61, a resident of Franklinton died Sunday, April 7, 2002 at Riverside Medical Center. She is survived by two daughters, Frances Crain of Stone Mountain, Georgia and Michelle (Keith) Dillon of Franklinton, Louisiana; two sons, Michael Weary of Franklinton and Kenneth Ray Weary of Petersburg, Virginia; four sisters, Geraldine Norman and Barbara Katie Bridges of Amite and Alphalone Norman and Willie Marie Mitchell of Tangipahoa Parish; one brother; twelve grandchildren; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Friday, April 12th at Crain and Sons Funeral Home in Franklinton from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a family hour from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral services were held Saturday, April 13, 2002 at 11 a.m. at Sweet Rest Missionary Baptist Church with Dr. Mallery Callahan officiating. Burial followed in Sweet Rest Memorial Park. SHELBY JENKINS, FRANKLINTON (Era Leader April 17, 2002) Shelby Jenkins, 42, a resident of Franklinton died at 11 a.m. Thursday at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans. He was a former employee of United Parcel Service and a member of Lawrence Creek Missionary Baptist Church where he was a member of the Lawrence Creek Boys singing group. He is survived by his wife Carol McElveen Jenkins of Franklinton; one son Dustin Jenkins of Franklinton; one daughter; Shelley Jenkins of Franklinton; his father and step-Mother Rev. Larry and Louise Jenkins of Franklinton; two brothers and a sister-in-law, David and Terry Jenkins and Charles Jenkins all of Franklinton; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Todd and Jenny McElveen of Franklinton; nieces and nephews, Chance McElveen, Cody Williams, Tanda Polk, Andrew, April and Jeremy Jenkins. He is preceded in death by his mother Eloise Sanders Jenkins. Visitation was held at Crain Funeral Home from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. and continued after Friday and after 9 a.m. Saturday. A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Eld. Don Jacobs and Rev. Harold Gaddy officiating. Burial followed in the Magee Cemetary at Lawrence Creek. Active pallbearers for the service were Aaron Wood, Stanley Burel, Andrew Jenkins, Billy Knight, Mark Barber and Darryl Mizell. Honorary pallbearers were the Lawrence Creek Boys, Mark Stewart, Tim Phelps, Kevin Voth, Herman Ingram, Lester Thomas, Wendell Vince, Myron Tullos, Edgar Jenkins, Gregg Givens Mark Barber, Steve Stewart, Billy Lott, Kelson Penton, Byron Brumfield, Donald Williams, and Jonathon Watson. WILLIE J. NIELSON, Franklinton (Era Leader April 24,) April 16, 2002 Willie J. Nielson, age 71, and a resident of Franklinton, died at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 at the Riverside Medical Center. He was a retired dairyman. He is survived by his wife, Jean Roberts Nielson of Franklinton, two sons and daughters-in-law, Russell and Nettie Nielson and Bruce and Rita Nielson, all of Franklinton; a son-in-law, Rev. Otho Schilling of Mt. Hermon; his mother, Susie Hill Nielson of Franklinton; five sisters, Louise N. Robertson, Beatrice N. Brumfield, Carolyn Nielson and Anita Faye Dykes, all of Franklinton. Also survived by eight grandchildren, Robin, Jennifer, Dudley and Amanda Nielson, Rustie and Brent Owens, Brandon and Cole Schilling and Brittney and Raven Nielson. He is survived by two great-grandchildren, Hunter Owens and Jackson Gilmore. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cheryl N. Schilling, a grandson, William Kyle Nielson, his father Joe Nielson, Sr. and a brother, Joe Nielson, Jr. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Thursday and after 8:00 a.m. Friday. A funeral service was held at the Crain Chapel at 11:00 a.m. Friday with Rev. W. L. Tullos and Rev. Thomas Loyd Graves officiating. Active pallbearers were Benton Roberts, Dusty Roberts, Nicky Smith, Joe Magee, Darrel Dykes and Danny Nielson. Honorary pallbearers wre Dudley Nielson, Brandon Schilling, Brent Owens, Ronnie Nielson, Chris Nielson, James Bickham, Clint Bickham and Lerue Nielson. Burial was in the Hays Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. LOVERIA JENKINS THOMAS, Pine, LA (Era Leader April 24, 2002) April 19, 2002 Loveria Jenkins Thomas, age 87, and a resident of the Pine Community died on Friday 19 at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Franklinton. She was a retired employee of Hammond State School and a member of Crain's Creek Missionary Baptist Church. She is survived by two sons, Gary Thomas and Huey Thomas, both of Stateline; two sisters, Wanzie Graham and Zola Mae Stokes, both of Amite; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Malcolm Allen and parents Claiborne and Dolly Thomas Jenkins. Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home on Friday from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m Saturday. Visitation continued after noon Saturday at Crain's Creek Missionary Baptist Church until time for the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Elder Willie J. Passman and Elder Richard Magee officiated. Pallbearers were Shea Hunt, Kendall Crain, Jerry Gill, Timothy Dillon, Michael Polk and Denver Miller II. Burial was in the church cemetery. KATRICIE W. CRITCHLOW, Franklinton (Era Leader April 24, 2002) April 14, 2002 Katricie W. Critchlow, age 63 and a resident of Franklinton died Sunday, April 14 at her son's residence in New Orleans. She was a native American of the Creek Indian Nation. She is survived by her husband, Melvin Critchlow of Franklinton; one son, Michael Kevin Critchlow of New Orleans, and one daughter, Veronica Ann Critchlow, also of New Orleans. A family graveside service was held at the Star Hill Cemetery at Warnerton, LA. Crain Funeral Home in Franklinton was in charge of the arrangements.