Obituaries: Thomas Barton Puckitt, 1927, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: May 19, 1927 Winn Parish Enterprise

In Memory Of Our Dear Father

Died at his home near Ringgold, La., May 8, 1927, Thomas Barton Puckitt, at
the advance age of 84 years, 6 months, and 28 days, being the last one of a
large family to depart this life.  He had been almost an invalid for the past
15 years.  The funeral services were conducted by Elders Baker and Hamner, who
spoke comforting words to the bereaved.  His body was laid to rest in a new
made grave, covered with lovely flowers, in the Ringgold Cemetery, near his
chosen church.  He joined the Primitive Baptist Church when a young man and
was ever true to his belief and never during those 60 years or more of his
membership was his loyalty to his church questioned.  He also served as deacon
of his church for more than 40 years.  He was always of a quiet, modest
nature and unassuming.

He enjoyed nothing better than to have his brethren and sisters in the church
visit him and talk with him about the goodness and mercy of God.  Many, many
are the times we can remember Father rising early in the morning and working
hard on his farm all day; then after supper he would gather his family around
the fireside and read a chapter or two from the Bible and then get his hymn
book and sing those good old songs till he was tired out.

He was born in the Mississippi swamp in 1842 and moved with his parents to
Union Parish when about one year old.  Here he grew to manhood and when he was
still in his teens, the Civil War came on and he served in that nearly 4
years, suffering many privations and hardships, but was never in a hard fought
battle.

Soon after the war closed he was married to Miss Francis Chandler, and moved
to Lincoln Parish.  To this union was born 8 children, 6 girls and 2 boys. 
About the year 1878 he moved to Winn Parish and the next year the Lord saw fit
to take his dear companion from him, leaving him with five small girls and one
baby boy 2 weeks old.  The baby survived only three months and then his little
spirit was wafted above to be with mother.

The about 1881 he was married to Mrs. Millie Green (nee Sledge).  She lived
about one year and was also taken away very suddenly, leaving him one little
boy 2 months old, who survives him.

He was indeed a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief.  It was at this state
of his life, we heard him say later, that he would have given up in dispair
had it not been for his little children who had no one else to look to. 
But the dear Lord, who makes no mistakes, gave him courage to battle on, and
he was never heard to grumble or complain about his lot.

He was again married in a few years to Mrs. Lizzie Easley, who still survives
him and to this union was born 3 girls.  He was then the father and stepfather
to 20 children and stepchildren, and but few fathers ever enjoyed a more
profound respect and love from both his own and his stepchildren.

He was a good citizen, always to be found at his post contending for law and
order.  He was an honored school board member of Winn Parish for 8 years and
then a member of the Police Jury for 12 years.  He was a resident of Winn
Parish, Ward 4 for more than 45 years.  Moving to Ringgold some 4 years ago
to make their home with their youngest daughter, Mrs. Loyd Sledge.

All was done for dear father that loving hands could do.  All were so kind
and good but the Lord called and he was willing and ready to go.  He said just
a few days before he was taken sick that he wished it was all over and he was
at home.  He was taken sick on Wednesday and passed peacefully away Sunday at
11:30, without even a struggle or a groan.  We will all miss you but your good
works will live on and on.

Those of his own children surviving are: Mrs. Rosa Rudd, Italy, Texas; Mrs.
Addie Barnes, Purden, Texas; Mrs. Gardia Stinson, Dodson, La.; Mrs. Hettie
Barrett, Atascadara, Calif.; Joel D. Puckitt, Calvin, La.; Mrs. Suzie Walker,
Kingston, Okla.; Mrs. Ella Mixon, Dodson, La.; Mrs. Ada Sledge, Ringgold, La.

We can only say, sleep on dear father.  We have not one doubt but that your
spirit is now basking in the light of a Savior's love and enjoying pleasures
greater, much greater than the natural mind can retain for more than one
moment at a time in this life.  May we meet you there.

His daughter, 

Mrs. A. T. Stinson