The Era-Leader Obituaries, 2 May 2000, Washington Parish Louisiana Submitted by Cathy Warren Date: September 14, 2006 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ The Era-Leader, 2 May 2000 Ronald Burris ‘Ronny’ Simmons Ronald Burris ‘Ronny’ Simmons, age 68, a native of Magnolia, MS, and longtime resident of Franklinton, died on Sunday, April 30, 2000, in New Orleans. He was a third generation successful merchant on both his maternal and paternal sides. He moved to Franklinton in 1940. Mr. Simmons’ grandfather was one of the first members of the Board of Directors of what was then Washington Bank and Trust Company, and Simmons served as a member of the Board of Directors beginning in 1981. He also served as a board member of Hancock Bank of LA. As a member of the Armed Services, he was stationed at Fort Leslie J. McNair in Washington D.C. with the Army and earned a BA degree from Southeastern Louisiana University. He also attended Louisiana State University working for one year on his Master’s degree. While at SLU, Simmons received the Gertie Mims Award from the School of Business and was listed in “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. In 1955 he took over Simmons Department Store. The Fashionette Children’s Shop was opened in 1962 and Squire Shop opened in 1970. Another merchandising store, the Double S. Western Wear was opened in 1980. Simmons was co-chairman of the Franklinton Centennial and past president of the Franklinton Chamber of Commerce and past member of the Lions Club. A longtime member of Centenary United Methodist Church and the Chancel Choir, Simmons also served as a member of the Administrative Board of the church. He is survived by his wife, Nan Pierson Simmons,; two sons, Ronald Jr., and Russell Allen, both of Franklinton; one daughter, Vanda Victoria Simmons Upton of Whitehouse Station, N.J.; a daughter-in-law, Monica Simmons; son-in- law, Rann Upton; a brother and sister-in-law, Hyman Ottis Simmons Jr., and Joanne Richardson Simmons, and five grandchildren, Adam and Tucker Simmons, Victoria and Laurel Upton and Hannah Simmons. Visitation was held Monday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Crain Funeral Home in Franklinton. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, May 2 at Centenary United Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. The Reverend Charles Floyd Jr., and Dr. Michael Simmons officiated. Pallbearers were H.L. “Dick” Burris, Walt Russell, Paul Michael Riggs, Allen Pierson III, David Burris, David Simmons, Scott Simmons and Russell Scott Knight. Honorary pallbearers included members of the Hancock Bank Board of Directors; the Centenary Methodist Chancel Choir, Aubrey Gatewood, Dr. A.R. Singleton Jr., Cook Byrd, Wiley Knight, Duke Moore and Joe Dobie. Burial was in the Burris family plot in Ellis Cemetery. Memorials may be donated to Centenary United Methodist Church in Franklinton. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Darren Dwayne Magee Darren Dwayne Magee, 29, a native and resident of Franklinton, LA, died on Tuesday, April 25, 2000 at Medical Center of Louisiana in New Orleans. He is survived by his mother Alice Magee of Franklinton; his father, Donnie Brumfield of Mt. Hermon, LA, and Stepfather, Curtis Bickham of Franklinton. Also survived by a daughter, LaDajisha Johnson of Franklinton and two sons, LaDarren Fortenberry and Jaqwan Johnson of Franklinton. Also, five sisters, Latosia James of Kentwood, LA; Kathy Bridges, Jessica Magee, Janice Magee, all of Franklinton and Teresa Bridges of New Orleans; five brothers, Richard Magee, Robert Bridges Jr., Anthony Magee, all of Franklinton; Fredrick Magee of Shreveport, LA, and Timothy Brumfield of Boston, Mass; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Friday, April 28 at Crain and Sons Funeral Home of Franklinton. A funeral service was held on Saturday, April 29 at 3:00 p.m. at Lighthouse Pentecostal Church with the Reverend Jimmie Robinson officiating. Crain and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Interment was in Greenback Cemetery. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Christine Marie Martin Christine Marie Martin, 23, died on Tuesday, April 25, 2000, as a result of a house fire. She was a resident of 1202 Varnado Street in Franklinton. She is survived by her mother, Mollie Lee Martin of Franklinton; her father, Perry Magee of Hammond, LA, one sister, Beverly Martin of Franklinton, two brothers, Robert Martin of Franklinton and Kendrick Martin of Slidell, LA, and foster parents, Mrs. Alma Lee and Everett Roberts of Mt. Hermon, LA. Funeral services were held Saturday, April 29, at the R.W. Johnson Auditorium at 11:00 a.m. The Reverend Jerome Warren officiated. She was buried in the Hayes Creek Cemetery, along with other members of the family who perished in the fire. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Christine Martin Christine Martin, 65, died on Tuesday, April 25, 2000, as a result of a house fire at 1202 Varnado St., Franklinton. She is survived by five daughters, Mollie Martin, Velma “Cookie” Martin, and Kathyleen Hampton of Franklinton; Debra Conerly and Melinda Cosey of Houston, TX; one son, John Wayne (Juette) Martin of Tylertown, MS; one sister, Laura Magee Lee of Franklinton two brothers, Murdock (Jeanette) Walter “Wal Lee” of Franklinton and Johnny Magee of Clifton, LA. Also 23 grandchildren and 5 great-granchildren. A funeral service was held on Saturday, April 29 at the R.W. Johnson Auditorium at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Jerome Warren officiating. Crain and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Interment was in the Hayes Creek Cemetery. with other members of her family. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Patricia Mon’a Martin Patricia Mon’a Martin, 17, died on Tuesday, April 25, 2000 as the result of a house fire at 1202 Varnado Street in Franklinton. She is survived by her mother, Velma “Cookie” Martin of Franklinton, her father, John Bickham of Franklinton; three sisters, Melinda L. Martin of Angie, LA; Yashica M. Martin and NaQuisha L. Martin of Franklinton and one brother, John S. Martin of Angie, LA. A funeral service was held on Saturday, April 29 at the R.W. Johnson Auditorium with the Reverend Jerome Warren officiating. Crain and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Interment was in the Hayes Creek Cemetery, along with other members of her family. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ethel Magee Ethel Magee, 87, died Tuesday, April 25, 2000 as a result of a house fire at 1202 Varnado Street in Franklinton. She is survived by her son, Willie Jessie Magee of Oklahoma City, OK. A funeral service was held of Saturday, April 29 at the R.W. Johnson Auditorium with the Reverend Jerome Warren officiating. Crain and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Interment was in the Hayes Creek Cemetery. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Eldora Jenkins Sauls Eldora Jenkins Sauls, 65, a native and resident of Enon, LA, and a longtime resident of Baton Rouge, died at 3:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25, at East Jefferson General Hospital. She was a faithful and loving mother. She was a graduate of Southeasern Louisiana Univesity and a former member of Univestity Baptist Church in Baton Rouge and a current member of Enon Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, Charles W. Sauls of Enon; a son and daughter-in-law, David and Lorraine Sauls of Baton Rouge; her mother, Elvie Jenkisn of Enon; two grandchildren, Ben Sauls and Claire Sauls. She was preceded in death by her father, Marion Jenkins. Visitation was held at Crain Funeral home from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday and continued at Enon Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. A funeral service was held at Enon Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. Thursday with the Reverend Dr. Earl Waggoner officiating. Burial was in the Knight Memorial Gardens in Enon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bernice Stafford Lewis Bernice Stafford Lewis, 87, died at 6:55 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2000 at Riverside Medical Center in Franklinton. She was a native of Washington Paris and a resident of Lewiston Community, La. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Don and Willie Lewis of Franklinton and ted and Barbara Lewis of Kentwood; three grandchildren, Vandy Lewis of Franklinton, Cindy orris of Franklinton and Brian Lewis of Austin, TX; six great-grandchildren, Misty and Riki Lewis of Mt. Hermon, Taylor and Cynthia Schilling of Franklinton, Cody Lewis at Atlanta, GA and Casseye Jo Norris of Franklinton; two sisters, Natalie McDaniel of Kentwood and Clara Leonard of Kentwood; a cousin and dear friend, Colleen “Tot” Magee of Franklinton; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wendel H. Lewis; grandson, Joey Lewis; parents, Sid and Jone Stafford; sister, Marie Kemp; and two brothers, Hoyt and Dalton Stafford. She was a member of Lewiston Baptist Church. Pallbearers for the service were Jim Pierce, Larry McDaniel, Brad Blades, Kenny Fortenbery, Rodney Varnado and Sidney Ricks. She was a friend to all she came in contact with. Visitation was held at Lewiston Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until time for religious services. Religious services were held at 2 p.m. Monday at McKneely Funeral Home conducted by Rev. Leon Carpenter and Rev. Clint Miller. Interment followed in Lewiston Cemetery.