Obituaries: Janice Drewett Erskins, 1951, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: July 19, 1951 Winn Parish Enterprise

Former Janice Drewett Drowned Near Bastrop

Mrs. Janice Erskins, 22, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Drewett of Bastrop,
formerly of Winnfield, was drowned in the murky water of Bayou Bartholomew at
Rocky Ford near Bastrop Wednesday afternoon, when she and her husband, Atma
Erskins, native of Sikes, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gill, a Bastrop couple, went
for a swim.

The young woman was a graduate of Winnfield High School and the granddaughter
of Mr. and Mrs. W. U. Drewett of Winnfield and Mrs. Cockerham of Joyce.

The drowning is reported to have occurred when she and Mrs. Gill were wading
in the bayou.  Both women waded into a deep hole, and were in trouble.  Gill
helped his wife back to safety, and noticed that Erskins was searching for his
wife.  Being exhausted himself, Gill went to look for help.  Erskins later
became exhausted and was forced to give up the search.

Monroe and Bastrop firemen were called to the scene and after dragging the
bayou for nearly two hours, Mrs. Erskins' body was found.  Attempts at
artificial respiration were fruitless.  She was pronounced dead by Dr. Jones,
Morehouse Parish coroner, at about 8:15 p.m.

Funeral services were scheduled to be held Friday, July 20 at 3 p.m. in the
First Baptist Church in Winnfield.  The Rev. Louis Williams will officiate and
will be assisted by Dr. W. L. Holcomb and Rev. Ralph Frazier.  Burial will be
in the Winnfield Cemetery under direction of Southern Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Eugene Hearne, Martin Barr, Earl Koonce, Lemoine
McConathy, Woodrow Blackstock, and A. L. Sullivan.

Survivors include her husband, a step daughter, Kitty Marie; her parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Howard Drewett of Bastrop; her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W.
U. Drewett of Winnfield; and maternal grandmother, Mrs. Cockerham of Joyce.