Andrea Lee Hammons
Services for Andrea Lee Hammons, 53, of Dubach, LA will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2003 at Cook Baptist Church with Bro. David Newberry officiating. Interment will be in Fellowship Cemetery, under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, Ruston. Mrs. Hammons died Wednesday, February 26, 2003 at Lincoln General Hospital. She was a member of Lydia Sunday School Class, Glory Time Choir and Piecemakers Quilting Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Hammons. Survivors include her husband, Jimmy Hammons; one son, Daniel Hammons and wife Haley of Pineville, LA; one daughter, Laura Colvin and husband Lance of Dubach, LA; two brothers, Landre Lee of Tampa, FL and Tom Lee and wife Sheri of Coldwater, MS; three sisters, Teresa Miller of Alta Loma, CA, Cheryl Taylor and husband Ron of Bastrop, TX and Cecilia King of Ackerman, MS; and her mother, Odessa Johnston Lee of Bastrop, TX. She was a loving and thoughtful wife, daughter, sister and friend. She loved quilting, Atlanta Braves baseball, traveling and being with family. Pallbearers will be Dr. William Green, Chris Estes, Wayne Brooks, Ed Gaskin and Lester Doss.

Elvis G. Davidson
Services for Mr. Elvis G. Davidson, 84, of West Monroe, Louisiana will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2003 in the Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel, West Monroe, LA. Officiating will be Rev. David Maxwell. Interment will be in Twin Cities Memorial Gardens, West Monroe, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of West Monroe, LA. Mr. Davidson died Thursday, February 27, 2003 at Glenwood Regional Medical Center, West Monroe, LA. Mr. Davidson was a retired County Executive Director for the U. S. Department of Agriculture after 29 years of service. He was a veteran of the United States Army having served during World War II. Mr. Davidson was a member of Ridge Avenue Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Ruthelle Jerry Davidson of West Monroe, LA; one daughter, Donna Davidson of Austin, TX; two sons, Ronnie Davidson and wife Rissa of West Monroe, LA and Doug Davidson and wife Rene of Ruston, LA; one sister, Sue Davis of Dubach, LA; one step-daughter, Sherry Kerr of El Dorado, AR; and six grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Ridge Avenue Baptist Church, West Monroe, LA. Visitation will be Friday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until service time at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, West Monroe, LA

Agnes McCloud
Services for Agnes Parker Atkins McCloud, age 87, of Ruston will be conducted at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 1, 2003 at Emmanuel Baptist Church with Dr. Michael Hawley officiating. Interment will be in Ansley Cemetery, Ansley, La. under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston. Mrs. McCloud died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003 after a lengthy illness. She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Fred Atkins, and one son Garland Ray Atkins. She is survived by one daughter, Mary Jo Houck and husband Oliver of Ruston; one brother, Otis Parker of Baton Rouge, La.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28, 2003 at Owens Funeral Home.

Janell Hanna Norris
Services for Janell Hanna Norris, age 68, of Dubach, La. will be conducted at 2 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 2, 2003 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Barry Joiner officiating. Interment will be in Hamilton Cemetery, Dubach, La. under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, Ruston. Mrs. Norris died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003 after a brief illness. Janell was loved by her family and friends; respected by all for her devotion and strength in caring for her loved ones. She will be truly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents John Hanna and Rua Hanna Garrett, and her husband Lane C. "Jelly" Norris. She is survived by one son John Lane Norris and wife Ann of Dubach, La.; daughter-in-law Brenda Alexander of Ruston, La.; four brothers, Norman Hanna and wife Ruth Ellen of Dubach, La.; Billy Hanna and wife Martha of Trussville, Al.: Eric Hanna and wife Suzanne of Simsboro, La. and John Hanna and wife Karen of West Monroe, La.; one sister, Pat Dutchske of Pensacola, Fl.; three grandchildren, Brandon Lane Norris and wife Erica of Ruston, La.; Michael Wayne Gilmore and John Hunter Norris, both of Dubach, La.; and one great-grandchild Christian Lane Norris of Ruston, La. Pallbearers will be Brandon Norris, Michael Gilmore, Hunter Norris, John Richard Smith, Regan Colvin and Heath Hanna. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 1, 2003 at Owens Funeral Home in Ruston.

Mildred Rockett Thomas
Mildred Rockett Thomas, 83 years old, went to be with the Lord on February 26, 2003 after a short but severe bout with cancer. Some of those who have gone before her are her parents, Sam and Annie Rockett, her husband, Arnold Thomas, her brothers, Otis and Lowell Rockett, her sister, Neva Rockett Denton and a daughter-in-law, Joan Farris Thomas. Mildred was the loving mother of four children, Gerald Thomas of Spearsville, Evelyn and Paul Beaird of Spearsville, Benny and Brenda Thomas of El Dorado, AR, and Janice and Charlie Scriber of Ruston. She was the grandmother of Gerri Thomas Ellis, Dianna Thomas Guidry, Paula Beaird Jimmerson, Cheryl Beaird Booth, Tony Thomas, Angel Thomas Phifer, Mark Thomas, Robin Scriber Ebeyer, Stacy Scriber Scheer and Mary Beth Scriber. She had sixteen great grandchildren and two more to be born soon. Mildred was born and raised in Spearsville. She went to Spearsville School with the last class being able to graduate with eleven years of schooling. She attended New Hope Primitive Baptist Church with her parents and remained a faithful member her whole life. A first for Spearsville - Mildred's Cafe' - was opened in 1955 so she could support her family after a disabling accident to her husband. A few years later, a portion of the cafe' building was blocked off and she opened "Mildred's Beauty Shop". In 1962 Mildred became the first postmaster when the community decided Spearsville needed a post office. She served the community well in that capacity for twenty years. Mildred loved her family more than anything. She sent everyone, from the oldest to the youngest, a birthday card every year, usually with a dollar or more in it. She supported those she loved with encouragement and compliments. We will miss Mildred - Mama - very much. If you would like to donate something in her memory to the organization for your choice, her family will be honored. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2003 at New Hope Primitive Baptist Church near Spearsville, LA with Elder Woodrow Hudson and Bro. Jason Ebeyer officiating. Burial will be in Spearsville Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Farrar Funeral Home of Farmerville. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at New Hope Primitive Baptist Church.

Willie Dean Gay
Services for Willie Dean Gay, 85, of Ruston, LA will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 27, 2003 in the Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Richard Able. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Ms. Gay died Monday, February 24, 2003 in Ruston, LA. Survivors include one brother, W. D. Gay of Bonifay, FL; one sister, Dannye G. Hinton and husband James of Ruston, LA; a sister-in-law, Lynda W. Gay of Ashdown, AR; and a host of nieces, nephews and their families. Ms. Gay's nephews will serve as pallbearers. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Bobbie Jean Loyd Boatright
Services for Bobbie Jean Loyd Boatright, age 72, of Ruston, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 26 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston. Rev. Dave St. Andre will be officiating. Interment will be in Cook Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston. Mrs. Boatright was a telephone operator for 40 years and also was a member of First Baptist Church in Ruston, where she worked many years in the church nursery. She was preceded in death by her parents, Emmet and Mary Loyd, and her husband, Willie Paul Boatright. Survivors include a daughter, Amy Boatright Dooley; two grandsons, John Dooley, Jr. and Ryan Dooley; two brothers, C. W. Loyd of Shreveport and Ronnie Loyd of Ruston; numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and other family and friends. Pallbearers will be Wesley Bradley, Michael Elledge, James Givens, Tom Givens, Bobby Singleton and Justin Thompson. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Ruston or a charity of choice. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 25, from 5-8 p.m. at Kilpatrick's Funeral Home in Ruston

Winona Painter Holstein
Winona Painter Holstein, 76, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, February 23, 2003 at Lincoln General Hospital in Ruston, Louisiana. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Church of the Redeemer, Ruston, followed by visitation in Haskell Hall. On Thursday at 7:00 p.m., a visitation will be held at Tyree Funeral Home in Oak Hill, West Virginia. Graveside services and interment will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill. Winona was born in Kingston, West Virginia. She was a resident of Ruston for 26 years where she was a member of the Church of the Redeemer. She was a loving and beloved sister, mother, and friend who had great compassion for others. She attended Louisiana Tech University where she received several literary awards for short stories and plays. She loved traveling and creating floral and jewelry designs, but her family was her heart. She was preceded in eternal rest by her father, Troy Earl Painter, and her mother, Nannie Bell Proffit Painter. Her closest remaining family is her brother with whom she lived, Jack Timberlake Painter; and her children, daughters Sheridan Tee Holstein, Kelly Holstein Rowe, and son-in-law, John Wayne Rowe, all of North Carolina. Residing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is her cousin, Dorothy "Dottie" Lee Ciccarello, who is her sister in spirit and best friend. John 14:3, "And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."

Naomi Unkenholz
Services for Naomi Unkenholz, 83, of Ruston, LA will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2003 in the Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Jim Fryer. Interment will be in Douglas Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mrs. Unkenholz died Saturday, February 22, 2003 in Ruston, LA following a lengthy fight with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry R. Unkenholz and son, James Terry. Survivors include two daughters, Curtisteen Woods and husband Bobby of Ruston, LA and Betty Kaye and husband Richard of Chicago, IL; two sons, Billy Unkenholz and wife Linda of California and Victor Terry of Lowelle, LA; sixteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and seventeen great great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Kaye, Mark Terry, Dewayne Wade, Jason Terry, Derek Woods and Jason Woods. Honorary pallbearers will be Pete Kaye, Wayne White, Josh Stephens, Gary Fraley and Robert Stephens. Family will receive friends on Monday, February 24, 2003 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Patricia Ann Hicks
Services for Patricia Ann Hicks, 54, of Farmerville, LA will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2003 in the Holmesville Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Jerry Whitman. Burial will be in the Private Family Graveside under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Farmerville. Mrs. Hicks died Saturday, February 22, 2003 in Ruston, LA following an automobile accident. Mrs. Ann was an active member of Holmesville Baptist Church. She was a member of Compassionate Friend Ministries, a loving wife and mother. She was preceded in death by her son, John David; and father, Lavelle Culpepper. Survivors include her husband of 34 years, Jerry Hicks of Farmerville, LA; son, James Hicks of Pea Ridge, LA; mother, Vallene Culpepper of Ruston, LA; brother, Jimmy Culpepper and wife Bonnie of Farmerville, LA; sisters, Joyce Parnell and husband Wayne of Choudrant, LA, Bea Woodall and husband Wayne of Downsville, LA; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many friends. Visitation will be Monday, February 24, 2003 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Farmerville, LA from 5 until 8 p.m. Memorials may be made to Holmesville Baptist Church and Cemetery Fund. Pallbearers will be Rick Parnell, Bobby Parnell, Darryl Davidson, Jim Wommack, Matthew Turnics and Erin Davidson.

Wiley Wilson Hilburn, Sr.
Wiley Wilson Hilburn, Sr., died at 11:30 p.m. February 22, 2003 at Alpine Guest Care Center in Ruston following a long illness. He was 89. Mr. Hilburn was born June 23, 1913 in Haynesville, LA, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ewing Hilburn. The elder Hilburn was a prominent cotton-ginner. Mr. Hilburn is survived by his wife, Marie Trussell Hilburn, and two sons, Wiley Hilburn, Jr. and wife Kate of Choudrant and Chester Hilburn of Houston, TX. Survivors also include grandchildren Greg Hilburn and wife Tania of Monroe, Kevin Hilburn and his wife Holley of Ruston, and Anne Marie Hilburn of San Clemente, CA. Mr. Hilburn had three great grandchildren, Steven, William and Seth. A lifelong resident of Ruston, Mr. Hilburn was an All-State football player for Ruston High School in the early 1930's. After managing his father's three Ruston and North Louisian, gins, Mr. Hilburn made a prominent mark in the dry-cleaning business in Ruston. A productive businessman, he added innovations to the cleaners, such as the city's first cold storage for furs. Mr. Hilburn grew up in the old First Presbyterian Church of Ruston, now Ruston Presbyterian Church. He served as deacon, elder, and frequent usher in the church. Though seriously ill, he continued to attend church to be with his two grandchildren who were members. In retirement, Mr. Hilburn became an organic gardener, raining tomatoes down on relatives and friends. Services for Mr. Hilburn will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Ruston. Burial will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston. Visitation will be Monday evening from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Kilpatrick's Funeral Home in Ruston.

Evelyn Elizabeth Mooney Waldron
Services for Evelyn Elizabeth Mooney Waldron, 80, of Ruston, LA were held Monday, February 17, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at the Memorial United Methodist Church of Simsboro. Officiating was Rev. Stuart Sherman and Dr. Wilton Wall. Interment was in the Simsboro Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mrs. Waldron died Saturday, February 15, 2003 in Ruston. Mrs. Waldron was a resident of Simsboro where she had been a longtime member of Memorial United Methodist Church, having lived the past two years in Ruston where she attended Trinity United Methodist Church. She had been a member of the Mary S. Herring Chapter 134 of the Order of the Eastern Star in Arcadia, most recently active in the Magi Chapter 85 OES in Ruston. She was preceded in death by her husband, R. L. "Bill" Waldron. Survivors include two sons and their wives, Louis Lamar and Donna Waldron of Wentzville, MO and Larry Eugene and Marilyn Waldron of Ruston, LA; three brothers, Buddy Mooney of Brewton's Mill, LA, Billy Mooney of Calvin, LA and Benny Mooney of Weston, LA; one sister, Maxine Carpenter of Campti, LA; four grandsons, Greg, Mike, Lance and Bobby Waldron; one granddaughter, Christy Waldron; six great granddaughters; three great grandsons; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Al Brewer, Larry Atkins, Ed Lamkin, Bill McCoy, James Terrel and Joe Reed. Memorials may be made to Memorial United Methodist Church of Simsboro.

John P. Honaker, Jr. (U.S.A.F. Ret.)
Mr. John P. Honaker, Jr. died in Ft. Walton Beach, FL on Saturday, February 15, 2003 from a brief illness. Visitation will be held at Osborn Funeral Home in Shreveport on Thursday, February 20, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 21, 2003 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Officiating will be The Reverend Guido Verbeck, Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Graveside services will follow at 2 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston, LA. Mr. Honaker was born July 31, 1921 in Mansfield, LA and was a retired Lt. Colonel having served in the U. S. Air Force for 30 years. He was a veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He was a graduate of Byrd High School and graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1948 with a B. S. in Mechanical Engineering, and a Master's in Aeronautical Engineering. He later graduated with a Master's of Mathematics from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Mr. Honaker was preceded in death by his wife, Vee Walker Honaker; brother, William T. Honaker; and grandson, J. P. Honaker, V. He is survived by three sons, John P. Honaker, III and wife Alice, Robert L. Honaker and wife Anna, and Kenneth D. Honaker and wife Brenda; six grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. The family requests that memorials be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church Memorial Fund.

D. E. "Pop" Hockenjos
Services for D. E. "Pop" Hockenjos, 74, of Dubach, LA will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 20, 2003 in the Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Jesse Henderson. Interment will be in Walnut Creek Cemetery in Simsboro under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mr. Hockenjos died Sunday, February 16, 2003 in Dubach, LA following a brief illness. Mr. Hockenjos was part of the family at Tool City. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nell Hockenjos. Survivors include his children, Louise Jeffcoat and husband Rodney of Florence, AL, Spooky Hockenjos and wife Cindy of Hico, LA, Molly Snipe and husband Raymond of Santa Fe, TX, Howard Hockenjos of Dubach, LA and Serena Rodgers and husband Jackie of Dubach, LA; thirteen grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. The family would like to say a special thanks to Hospice for their love and care.

Earline W. Hatley
Earline W. Hatley, 84, of Bernice, LA died Sunday, February 16, 2003 at Tri-Ward Hospital in Bernice following a lengthy illness. Born June 15, 1918 in Wesson, Arkansas, she was the daughter of George B. and Gladys Nelson Wise. Mrs. Hatley had retired in 1985 after 21 years employment at Warner Brown Hospital, working in the central supply department. She was a homemaker and a member of Weldon Baptist Church near Bernice. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Oscar Burton Hatley, three sisters and one brother. Survivors include two sons, Bobby L. Spillers of Alexandria, LA and Joe M. Hatley of Bernice, LA; and one daughter, Jimmie S. Hagood of Hoover, AL. Also surviving are a sister, Ruth Runnels of Bossier City, LA; six grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2003 at Weldon Baptist Church near Bernice with Rev. Robert Davis and Rev. David Weeks officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in El Dorado under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home of El Dorado. Memorials may be made to the Weldon Baptist Church Building Fund, 1610 Weldon Church Road, Bernice, LA 71222.

Raymond Ewell Freasier
Services for Raymond Freasier, age 48, of Ruston, Louisiana will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 17, 2003 at the L.D.S. Chapel in Ruston. Interment will be in the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Ruston, Louisiana under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home. Viewing will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, February 16 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home. Mr. Freasier passed away Friday, February 14, 2003 in Ruston. Mr. Freasier was a member of the L.D.S. Chapel in Ruston. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Ben F. Freasier and first wife, Mitzi Freasier. Survivors include his wife, Crystal Freasier of Ruston; daughter, Viki Rowden and husband Anthony, and granddaughter Emily Jean Rowden of Kingman, Arizona; step-sons, Joshua Parish and Noah Vance of Ruston; sons, Raymond Joseph and Benjamin Ewell of Ruston; mother, Aileen W. Freasier of Ruston; brother, Dr. Ben C. Freasier and wife Linda of Deakin, Australia; sister, Doretha Christoph of Ruston, Barbara Protzman and husband Robert Protzman of Gibsonia, PA and brother, John Freasier and wife Susan of Richardson, Texas. Mr. Freasier earned a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering at L.S.U. and a Masters' degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Toledo. He earned a Professional Electrical Engineering License. Mr. Freasier served as Chief Electrical Engineer at O. H. Materials in Findlay, Ohio, Albert Garety Engineering in Metairie, Louisiana and Hillers Engineering in Boca Raton, Florida. Following a multi-disciplinary evaluation when he was enrolled in the Sixth Grade at Cypress Springs Elementary, Raymond Freasier participated in the Governor's Program for Gifted Children Summer Program at McNeese State College for the following four years.

Stephanie Pepper Sims
Funeral services for Stephanie Pepper Sims, 29, of Ruston, LA will be held Sunday, February 16, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro. Officiating will be Rev. Matthew Wohlfarth and Dr. Herb Dickerson. Interment will be in Garden of Memories in Jonesboro under the direction of Edmonds Funeral Home of Jonesboro. Mrs. Sims died Sunday, January 5, 2003. Mrs. Sims was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, LA. She graduated from Cedar Creek High School in Ruston. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from ULM, Master of Arts Degree in Gerontology from ULM, and a Master of Arts in English from Louisiana Tech University. She was presently teaching English courses at Louisiana Tech. She was named Outstanding Undergraduate Student at Louisiana Tech University in 1993 and Outstanding Graduate Student at Louisiana Tech in 2001. She loved learning, and was an avid reader. She was very devoted to her students and loved teaching. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, L. C. and Essie Pepper and her maternal grandparents, Jessie and Gladys Alford. Survivors include her husband, David Sims of Ruston, LA; and her parents, Howard and Barbara Pepper of Jonesboro, LA. Pallbearers will be Daniel Shockley, Genro Smith, Trey Gibson, Todd Culpepper, Clay Carroll and Jeremy Lawrence. Honorary pallbearers will be Deacons of the First Baptist Church.

Linda S. Alexander
Services for Mrs. Linda S. Alexander, 48, of Ruston will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 14, 2003 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston with the Reverend Jerry Whitman officiating. Burial will be in Douglas Cemetery under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel. Mrs. Alexander died peacefully at home surrounded by her family and friends after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was a devoted wife, mother, friend, and companion and will be missed by all who loved her. Survivors include her husband, Richard Alexander; her son, Jeremy Chandler; her step-son, Jason Alexander; her step-daughter, Lori Alexander; brothers, Ronnie Sanders, Lenard Sanders and Gene Sanders; her sister, Theresa Barmore; and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louie Sanders. She was preceded in death by her brother, Glen Sanders. Pallbearers will be Dwain Elliot, Robert Sanders, Michael Sanders, Buddy McDaniel, Jeff McDaniel, and Tommy Simmons. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2003 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Milo Dakin
After a brief illness, Milo Dakin died at 4:40, February 10, at the Baptist Medical Center South. He was 61. The pre-eminent lobbyist left a widow, the former Betsy Hodde of Montgomery, AL; son, William Paul Hodde Dakin of Ruston, LA; a daughter, Dana Kimberlie Dakin Hill (Al Hill) of Montgomery; and two grandchildren, Dakin and Will Braden Hill. Mr. Dakin is also survived by a sister, Loretta O'Bannon, Escatawpa, Miss., and brother, Russell Dakin of Pensacola, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Paul Dakin and Wilda Perry Brock, both of Louisiana, and an infant brother, Willie Jr. He was a 1958 graduate of Ruston High School, and immediately began serving active duty in the US Army, primarily in Germany. He commenced his journalism career with the Monroe (LA) Morning World and the Ruston (LA) Leader. He accepted work with the Montgomery Advertiser - Journal in June, 1968 as a political reporter. Four years later, in 1972 he joined the staff of the Atlanta Constitution where he focused on governmental and political writing. He also served as defacto chief of staff for the speaker of the house of Georgia for several years. Among the many stories he developed or covered were: •Militant Rap Brown's history-making Bogalusa-to-Baton Rouge march •frantic 1964 search for three missing civil rights workers in Philadelphia, Miss. •failure of powerful Mafia lord Carlos Marcello to influence elections in north Louisiana •meteoric 1968 third party presidential bid of Alabama Gov. George Wallace •destruction of Louisiana KKK by a police infiltrator •unpredictable 1972 presidential primaries from Florida to Michigan •the reform-oriented 1972 Democratic Convention and its hassles •the conspicuously calm 1972 GOP Convention •devastation in Mississippi after Hurricane Camille In 1978, Mr. Dakin returned with his family to Montgomery and commenced the career in governmental affairs in which he has become widely known and influential. With lobbyists Michael Sullivan and Jennifer Dougherty and others, the firm was named The Dakin Group. His longest-standing professional relationship as a lobbyist was for Montgomery businessman Milton McGregor. Born in Grant Parish, LA, near Fish Creek, Mr. Dakin had a life-long passion for the out-of-doors including photography, animal and plant conservation, white water rafting, and pheasant hunting. With family and friends he journeyed to sometimes remote parts of the country in search of historical sites obliterated or forgotten with time. Visitation with family and friends will be Thursday evening at Leak Memory. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Frazier Methodist Church.

"Mr. Fred" Phillips, Jr.
Fred D. Phillips, Jr. succumbed on Feb. 10, 2003 after a long illness. A memorial service will be held on February 15, 2003 at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2401 South Service Rd, West, Ruston, LA 71270. He is survived by his wife, Virginia A. Phillips; a son, Fred D. Phillips, III; 2 daughters, Beverly Raymond and Deborah A. Fort; 2 step-sons, Anthony O. Patterson and Scott A. Patterson; a sister, Mary L. Phillips; 9 grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

Linda S. Alexander
Services for Mrs. Linda S. Alexander, 48, of Ruston will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 14, 2003 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston with the Reverend Jerry Whitman officiating. Burial will be in Douglas Cemetery under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel. Mrs. Alexander died peacefully at home surrounded by her family and friends after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was a devoted wife, mother, friend, and companion and will be missed by all who loved her. Survivors include her husband, Richard Alexander; her son, Jeremy Chandler; her step-son, Jason Alexander; her step-daughter, Lori Alexander; brothers, Ronnie Sanders, Lenard Sanders and Gene Sanders; her sister, Theresa Barmore; and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louie Sanders. She was preceded in death by her brother, Glen Sanders. Pallbearers will be Dwain Elliot, Robert Sanders, Michael Sanders, Buddy Sanders, Jeff McDaniel, and Tommy Simmons. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2003 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Wilbur E. Stewart
A memorial service will be held at a later date to honor Wilbur E. Stewart, 93, longtime Ruston resident, who died Feb. 7 in Ruston. Interment is under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mr. Stewart was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Prior to the war he worked as a pilot on the Mississippi River. After the war he worked for Chevron until his retirement in 1971. He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Anna Louise Stewart. Survivors include son and daughter-in-law Thomas and Sherry Stewart of Corsicana, Texas; grandson Michael Stewart of Ballston Spa, N.Y.; granddaughter Teresa Markley of Throphy Club, Texas; and brother Clarence Stewart of Greenville, Miss. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Grace United Methodist Church in Ruston.