Inez Williams Youngblood
Services for Inez Williams Youngblood, 89, of Dubach, will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 14, 2002 at Corinth Baptist Church near Hico With Rev. Michael Cook officiating, assisted by Rev. Scott Jennings. Interment will be in Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Mt. Lebanon under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mrs. Youngblood entered into eternal rest on May 12, 2002 in Ruston following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Youngblood was a member of the United Pentecostal Church in Dubach. She was preceded in death by her husband, Otis Lee Youngblood; daughter, Judy Kay Youngblood; and sons, Donald Wayne and Lynn Youngblood. She is survived by a son, Billy Joe Youngblood of Dubach; daughters, Barbara Ann Beard of Rayville and Jeanette Brazzel of Dubach; brother-in-law, Lloyd Youngblood; sister-in-law, Elsie Youngblood, both of Gibsland; 15 grandchildren; 36 great granchildren; 10 great great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Richard Brazzel, Brandon Brazzel, John Killian, Robert Youngblood, Ray Allen, Jerry Eley, and Shannon Youngblood. Visitation will be Monday, May 13, 2002 from 5 p.m. until service time at the church.

Benjamin Napper
Funeral services for Benjamin Napper, 19, of Ruston, will be at 2 p.m. Monday, May 13, 2002 at Cook Baptist Church in Ruston. Officiating will be the Rev. David Newberry. Internment will be at Pines Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home. Benjamin died Friday, May 10, 2002 in Ruston as the result of an automobile accident. Benjamin was a member of Cook Baptist Church in Ruston. He was home schooled throughout elementary and high school and was at the end of his second year at Louisiana Tech University. Survivors include his parents, Stan and Vicki Napper of Hilly Community; grandparents, Robert and Ormolu Napper of Shreveport and Ronald and Beverly Carroll of Hilly Community; great-grandparents, Nellie Napper of Dubach and Laurie Waldrop of Louisville, MS; brothers and sisters, Samuel Napper, Joseph Napper, Beverly Ann Napper, Adam Napper, Aaron Napper, Daniel Napper and Mary Suzanne Napper and numerous aunts, uncles and other relatives. Pallbearers include Jody Backus, Paul Freiss, Kenneth Fuller, Jerry Love, Greg McCarter and David McGhee. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, May 12, 2002 at the funeral home.

Beverly May Turk
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS -- Beverly May Turk, 78, died Monday, May 6, 2002 in North Richland Hills. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2002 at Birdville Baptist Church, 3141 Carson, Haltom City. Interment will be at 10 a.m. Monday, May 13, 2002 at Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2002 at Martin Thompson Funeral Home, 224 East College Street, Grapevine. Beverly was born March 5, 1924 in Johnson City, New York to Arthur and Esther May. She was a volunteer for many years for South Austin Medical Center. She was a wonderful wife and mother and will be missed by everyone who knew her. Survivors include a son, Rev. Bob Turk and wife, Pat of Coppell; daughter, Ginger Tyler and husband, Philip of North Richland Hills; grandchildren, Richard Steven Turk and wife, Heather of Euless, Rob Turk and wife, Kathy of Austin, Jessica Dunnam and husband, Dustin of Fort Worth, Jared Tyler, Jordan Tyler and Joel Tyler, all of North Richland Hills; great-grandson, Max Turk of Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Elizabeth Folk Cassibry
Mary Elizabeth Folk Cassibry, a long time resident of Ruston, died Wednesday, May 8, 2002 in Bossier City after a lengthy illness. Mrs. Cassibry was born in Ruston, September 1, 1921, to John Thomas Folk and Irene Thomas Folk. She was reared in Ruston, attending Eastland Elementary School, Ruston Junior High School, and Ruston High School from which she graduated in 1937 as the class valedictorian. She then attended Louisiana Polytechnic Institute from which she was graduated with honors in 1941. She subsequently obtained a Master's Degree from Louisiana Tech. Her first teaching position was in Lake Providence, Louisiana, in 1941, where she met her husband. Mary E. was married to LTJG Reginald E. Cassibry, Jr. (USCGR) in St. Augustine, Florida, and spent most of the war years living in San Francisco, California, a city which she loved and which she later often returned to visit. After the end of WW II, Mary E. and Cass returned to Ruston where their first child, Reg, was born in 1946. Shortly after, they moved to Cleveland, Mississippi, but returned several years later to Ruston where Mary E. spent the rest of her life. Her second child, John, was born in July, 1950. Mrs. Cassibry was a retired Lincoln Parish School teacher, having taught English and Home Economics at Simsboro High School and then Mathematics at Ruston High School for many years. Mathematics was her academic love, and some will never forget watching her solve algebraic equations - just for the fun of it. Mary E. was forced to become a sports enthusiast, knowing little about sports before her marriage, but having to learn to love sports when she married a coach. Ruston High School and Louisiana Tech University Athletic teams, particularly the baseball teams, enjoyed her long time support. Mary E. often remarked that the "toughest job in sports is being the coach's wife". She was a life long member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston. She is survived by her son, Reginald E. Cassibry of Bossier City; his children, Jackson Patrick Cassibry of San Diego, California, and Jenny Elizabeth Cassibry of Bossier City; her son John's children, Kimberly Brook Cassibry of San Francisco, California, and John Folk Cassibry, Jr. of Austin, Texas; her nephew, Thomas James Folk of Ruston, her niece Margaret Frances Folk Hedgepeth of Ruston, and a number of cousins and great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her friends, many from her high school and college days. She was preceded in death by her husband, Reginald E. Cassibry, Jr., her son, John Folk Cassibry, and her brother, John Thomas Folk, Jr., all of whom was very dear and special to her. Funeral services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church Sanctuary in Ruston at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2002. Officiating will be Rev. Fred Wideman, Rev. Rolly Walker and Dr. Doug McGuire. Interment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston, Friday evening, May 10, 2002. Pallbearers will be some of her former students. Honorary pallbearers will be the Willing Workers Sunday School Class. The family expresses special thanks to her niece Fran Folk Hedgepeth and her husband David Hedgepeth for the love and support they gave "Liz", especially during the years they were neighbors, and to Libby Cassibry for the love she gave to her over many years. The family asks that any memorials be made to the John Cassibry Memorial Scholarship Fund, Louisiana Tech Foundation, c/o Athletic Department, Louisiana Tech University or to Mary Elizabeth Folk Cassibry Math Education Scholarship Fund, Louisiana Tech University.

Eloyce Adams Hardaway
Mrs. Eloyce Adams Hardaway, a native of Ruston, LA and a resident of Mobile died on Tuesday, May 7, 2002 at a local health care facility. Mrs. Hardaway attended Ruston High School and Louisiana Tech. She was a member of Southern Baptist Churches in Ruston, Shreveport, LA, Atlanta, GA and Mobile, AL. During the 40's and 50's, she was employed in Shreveport, LA by Merrill Lynch - Fenner - Bean, Westinghouse Electric Supply Company, KWKH Radio Station and Shreveport Memorial Library. Mrs. Hardaway was preceded in death by her father, Bernard Preston Adams; mother, Ethel Franklin Adams; and brother, Milton Adams. She is survived by her husband, Hugh Ernest Hardaway, Sr. of Mobile; son, Hugh E. Hardaway, Jr. of Tallahassee, FL; granddaughter, Taylor Hardaway; grandsons, Preston Hardaway and Chris Marcet; other relatives and friends. Mausoleum services will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2002 at 2 p.m. from Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2002 from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. at Radney-Belmany Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Bay Manor and Mercy Medical Hospice. Arrangements are by Radney Belmany Funeral Home, 6110 Grelot Road, Mobile, AL.

H. Rupert Sledge
H. Rupert Sledge, age 88, passed away on May 5, 2002. Services will be held on Wednesday, May 8, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Arcadia. Officiating ministers will include Mr. Sledge's pastor, Rev. Jeff Hoffman; his daughter Rev. Sharlande Sledge of Waco, Texas; his son-in-law Rev. Monty Watson of Marietta, Georgia; and his brother-in-law, Rev. Robert Geer of Augusta, Georgia. Interment will be in Arcadia Cemetery. Visitation will be at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Arcadia from 5 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7. A life-long resident of Bienville Parish, Rupert Sledge was born in Castor on June 21, 1913, the son of Henry R. and May Evans Sledge. A sister, Ethel Sledge, and an infant brother, Benton, also preceded him in death. Mr. Sledge is survived by his wife of 52 years, Margaret Geer Sledge, a native of Augusta, Georgia; a daughter, Sharlande Sledge of Waco, Texas; a son, James Rupert Sledge, his wife, Sandra McKean Sledge, and their son Joshua of Ruston, LA; and by a daughter, Kathy Sledge Watson, her husband Monty Watson and their sons, Andy and Adam of Marietta, Georgia. A retired Clerk of Court of Bienville Parish, Mr. Sledge served in the capacity of Clerk for 49 years prior to his retirement in 1988. For thirty-three years prior to his retirement, he also served both as the statewide Secretary-Treasurer of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association and of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Retirement and Relief Fund. Mr. Sledge was a member of First Baptist Church in Arcadia since 1924. He was ordained as a deacon in 1950 and served his church through deacon family ministries and as church secretary for many years. Mr. Sledge also served as a member of the first Board of Trustees of the Arcadia Baptist Retirement Home. In 1999, he was honored by the Bienville Baptist Association for 74 years of active service. The valedictorian of his Arcadia High School graduating class of 1930, he graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1935. Mr. Sledge was an active member of the Arcadia Lions Club and the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce. He was a recipient of the 1987 Heritage Award, an award honoring outstanding citizens of the community. Mr. Sledge was also involved with the Bienville Parish unit of the American Cancer Society and the Arcadia Masonic Lodge and treasurer of the Bienville Depot Museum. As a husband, father and grandfather, no one could have been more encouraging, loving, and generous. On the morning before his death, Rupert attended worship at his beloved church where the memory of the ways he ministered to others will live on as a faithful example of God's love and care. Rupert will be missed by countless friends in Louisiana and around the world. He was a living history book of Arcadia and Bienville Parish and his quick mind, sharp wit, and gentle spirit were as strong as ever until the last minutes of his life. Pallbearers will be deacons of the First Baptist Church of Arcadia. Honorary pallbearers will be Guye Corley, Roger Culbertson, Robert Lowe, J. M. Lamkin, Joe Brantley, and Dan Hickman. The family requests that memorials be made to the missions ministry of First Baptist Church, Arcadia.

Ruby Smith Grafton
Ruby Smith Grafton, loving wife, mother and Nana, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, May 5, 2002. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Ben F. Grafton; three sons, Eddie Grafton and wife Hilda of Ruston, Roger Grafton and wife Karen of Reidsville, NC, and Alan Grafton and wife Keri of Tulsa, OK; one daughter, Susan Green and husband Gary of Ruston; grandchildren, Scott and Jennifer Grafton of Choudrant, Mark Grafton of Ruston, Lisa Nolan of El Dorado, AR, Benjamin, Jessica and Elizabeth Grafton of Reidsville, NC and Jonathan and Jared Grafton of Tulsa, OK; great grandchildren, Krislyn Blake, Mackenzie Martin, Ashtyn Burway and Kaleigh Grafton. Mrs. Grafton is also survived by three sisters, Mozelle Keith of Durham, NC, Clara Williams of Atlanta, GA and Irene Vaughn of Danville, VA; plus numerous nieces, nephews and many special friends. Born February 27, 1921 in Goldston, NC, Ruby was the 7th of 10 children. She came to Louisiana as a war bride and made a loving home for her family. A longtime member of Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, she also served as a volunteer at Lincoln General Hospital. Her family was her life. "Nana" will be very sorely missed but her influence will continue to be felt. The family wishes to thank Dr. Keith White, Dr. Billy Smith, Dr. Wayne Owens and Janice Segars, R.N., and special friends and family. Services will be at Temple Baptist Church, Wednesday, May 8, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, Ruston. Pallbearers will be her five grandsons and nephew, Van Grafton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Temple Baptist Church Building Fund.

Robert "Bob" Davis
Services for Robert "Bob" Davis, 88, of Choudrant, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 6, 2002, at Alabama Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Rolly Walker officiating. Interment will follow in the Sibley Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mr. Davis died Thursday, May 2, 2002, in Ruston following a lengthy illness. Mr. Davis was originally a resident of Sibley, living in Florida the past 13 years. He retired from Louisiana Power and Light in 1974 after 33 yeears of service at the Sterlington Plant. He was preceded in death by his wife Clara Annie Calhoun. He is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Betty and Sonny King of Bastrop and Jean and Bruce Bonner of Sterlington; two sisters, Annie Hogan of Calhoun and Maude Brewster of Sibley; five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Barry Bonner, Robert King, Jimmy Davis, Jerry Davis, Josh Bonner and Pat Hyatt. Memorials may be made to St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Sterlington. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 2002, at the funeral home.

Leamon Lee Brown, Jr.
Leamon Lee Brown, Jr. (L.L.) was born August 2, 1923 in Winnfield, Louisiana to the union of Rosie Kinsey and Leamon Lee Brown, Sr. He departed this life on April 29th at Lincoln General Hospital in Ruston. Before graduating from high school he joined the United States Army and served three years during World War II. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Winnfield where he completed his high school education from Winnfield Parish Training School. Later he received a degree from Landig College of Mortuary Science in Houston, Texas. On August 23, 1949 he married the love of his life, Annie Martin. To this union, three children were born. He was employed as mortician and funeral director for 52 years at King's Funeral Home and Our Christian Funeral Home, respectively. Mr. Brown was a member of Mays Chapel C.M.E. Church where he served faithfully until his death. He is survived by his wife, Annie Brown; four children, John Brown, Veda B. Emerson, Lynda B. Wright and Adria Brown; six grandchildren, Vedria Millage, Leamonica Brown, Kendrick Brown, Curtis Emerson, II, Haley Wright and Jacaure' Leamon Bell; one great grandchild; two sisters; and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation will be at Our Christian Funeral Home on Sunday, May 5th from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Services will be at 12 noon Monday, May 6, 2002 at Mays Chapel C.M.E. Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mays Chapel Church Scholarship Fund.

Lotus McGee Cagle
Services for Mrs. Lotus McGee Cagle, 77, of Lake Charles, LA will be held Sunday, May 5, 2002 at 1:30 p.m. in the St. Luke-Simpson United Methodist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Henry Bowden. Interment will be in Prien Memorial Park in Lake Charles under the direction of Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles, LA. Mrs. Cagle died May 2, 2002 at her residence. Mrs. Cagle had been a resident of Lake Charles for the last 40 years coming from Ruston, LA. She was a member of the 4th Avenue Church of God (Christ Community Church) and St. Luke-Simpson United Methodist Church. She worked for 33 years for Calcasieu Parish School Board as a Speech Pathologist. She was a graduate of Louisiana Tech with a Bachelor's in Music and in Speech Pathology, and with a Master's of Art in Speech Pathology. She was also a Clinical Speech Pathologist. She was a Sunday School teacher and musician at 4th Avenue Church of God (Christ Community Church) and was a member of the Choir at St. Luke-Simpson United Methodist Church. She had been very active in First Church of God, Bastrop and Ruston Church of God where she played the piano. She had been a music instructor teaching the piano and voice lessons. She was a local artist. She was the first speech pathologist for Calcasieu Parish Schools to complete 25 years of service. She worked as a secretary at the Foreign Mission Board Office for the Church of God in Anderson, Indiana. She did post-graduate work at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She was a member of the Cal-Cam Orthopedic Association; the American Association of Speech Pathologists; American Speech & Hearing Association; and a charter member of the Easter Seal Polio Group. She was a clinical social worker appointed by the Louisiana Board. She was very active with the Calcasieu Association of Speech Pathologists and the Louisiana Association of Speech Pathologists. Survivors include her husband, R. Brantley Cagle, Jr. of Lake Charles, LA; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Visitation will be Saturday from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Hixson Funeral Home in Lake Charles, and Sunday from 12:30 p.m until service time at 1:30 at the church.

James H. Young, Jr.
Funeral services for James H. Young, Jr., 61, of Ruston, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 3, at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church with Pastor Clifton E. Lewis officiating. Burial will be in Grambling Memorial Gardens. He died Monday, April 29, 2002, in Ruston. James was the son of the late Rev. James H. Young, Sr. and Juanita Turner Young. He was preceded in death by one brother, Rev. Charles E. Young. He was a graduate of Lincoln High School, Grambling State University and Louisiana Tech University and had served as musician for numerous churches in this and surrounding areas as well as the Lincoln Parish Male Chorus. He was a life long member of China Grove Baptist Church and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Survivors include his caring and devoted wife, Frances L. Young; one son, Chris H. Young; granddaughter, Danielle Gabriel Baker, all of Ruston; four sisters, Mary Cooper and Gracie Turner both of Houston, Texas, Lourgene Young of Humble, Texas and Lucy Larkins of Carson, Calif; two brothers, Willie Young (Barbara) of Grambling and Curtis Young of Ruston; one aunt, Odell Perkings, Houston, Texas. A wake will be held today from 6-7 p.m. at China Grove Baptist Church.

Mr. Andrew Will Radescich, Jr.
Services for Andrew Will Radescich, Jr., 92, of Winnfield, will be held Friday, May 3, 2002 at First Presbyterian Church in Winnfield with Rev. Ed Boyce officiating. Burial will follow in Winnfield City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home. Mr. Radeschich died Sunday, April 28, 2002 at his residence. Mr. Radeschich was a native of Winnfield, veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in WWII, a graduate of La. Tech University, a member of First Presbyterian Church and served as an elder. He is survived by a son, Joseph Drew Radeschich of Simsboro; two sisters, Virginia R. Campbell of Opelika, Alabama and Mrs. Louis B. "Sue" d'Aquin of Arabia, La. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5p.m. until 9 p.m. and Friday, May 3, from 9 a.m. until noon at the funeral home.

Robert Foster Shadoin, Jr.
Services for Robert Foster Shadoin, Jr., 79, will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, May 3, 2002 at First Baptist Church in Ruston with Rev. Mike Benefield and Rev. Terry Long officiating. Interment will be in Pines Memorial Gardens under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mr. Shadoin died Wednesday, May 1, 2002 in Ruston following a brief illness. Mr. Shadoin was a member of First Baptist Church of Ruston. He has been a banker in Louisiana for the past 54 years, currently employed at American Bank in Ruston. Mr. Shadoin served in WWII in the South Pacific for 2 1/2 years with the Army/Air Force. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Maybelle Motley Shadoin; sons, Robert E. Shadoin and children Ginny, Robert F., and Sarah; Ronald G. Shadoin and children Justin and Tyler; step-son, Dennis G. Stewart and children Catherine and Evan; step-daughter, Marilyn S. Neaville and husband Phillip and children Jamie and David Godbold, Kimberly, John and Chris Ludwig, and Erroll Neaville. Pallbearers will be grandsons; Rob, Justin, Tyler, Jamie, David, John, Chris, and Evan. Honorary pallbearers are the Men's Sunday School Class in the First Baptist Church of Ruston. Family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., Thursday, May 2, 2002 at the funeral home.

Patricia Ann Bell Henley
Funeral services for Patricia Ann Bell Henley, 58, of Luling, LA will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 28, 2002 in the Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel in Ruston with the Rev. Dayton Doughty officiating. Interment will be at Pines Memorial Gardens under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mrs. Pat Henley, a devoted wife, mother, and school teacher, died April 25, 2002 at her home. Mrs. Henley was born in Cotton Valley, raised in Dubach and lived in Luling for the past 37 years. She attended Louisiana Tech University and went on to teach 3rd grade at Mimosa Park Elementary for 30 years, touching many young lives. She was preceded in death by her father, W.A. Bell, and her brother, James Cleon Bell. Survivors include husband, Walter W. Sonny Henley; son, Larry Wayne Henley; two grandchildren, Casey Lynn Henley and Logan Wayne Henley; mother, Eva Jane King Bell; sister, Billie Jane Bell Fowler; two nieces, Lyn Fowler Wernell and Deanna Bell; and two nephews, Bill Fowler and Chris Bell. Family received friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday, April 27, 2002 at the funeral home.

Enid J. Smith
Funeral services for Enid J. Smith, age 77, of Gibsland, will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 27, 2002 at the First Baptist Church in Gibsland, LA. Officiating will be Rev. Lamar Skinner and Rev. Dudley Poda. Interment will follow at Springhill Cemetery near Jonesboro, LA under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home of Arcadia, LA. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2002 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home. Mrs. Smith passed away Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at Lincoln General Hospital in Ruston, LA after a brief illness. She was born April 4, 1925 to W. G. and Doris Jonas in Central, Arizona, reared in Deming, New Mexico. She was a retired motel clerk from Nob Hill Motel in Arcadia, LA. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her parents; husband O. B. Smith; son Olton B. Smith, Jr.; one brother George Jonas; four sisters, Lorain Sikes, Wanda Geurin, Reva Zumwalt and Molly Murphy. Mrs. Smith leaves to cherish her memories three sons, Donald "Don" Smith and wife Priscilla of Arcadia, LA, Clarence Howard Smith of Leesville, LA, and Jerry G. Smith and wife Joy of Haynesville, LA; two daughters, Vallis R. Potts and husband Prentis of Ruston, LA and Rita E. Durbin and husband Lawrence of Choudrant, LA; one special sister-in-law, Helen Poda of Jonesboro, LA; five grandsons, two step grandsons, one step granddaughter, six step great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews that loved her dearly. Pallbearers will be David Durbin, Hugh Smith, Jeffery Smith, James Tanner, Charlie Andrews, James Walker, J. T. Pyles and Ronny Karriker.

Renee Cook
Services for Renee Cook, 43, of Ruston will be held Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church in Vienna. Officiating will be Rev. David Hastings. Interment will follow in Pines Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mrs. Cook died Thursday, April 25, 2002 in Ruston. Mrs. Cook had been a resident of Ruston the past three years and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She taught special education at A. E. Phillips Elementary, Cypress Springs Elementary and Ruston Elementary School. She is survived by her husband, Kelly Cook of Ruston; two daughters, Jennifer and Joanna Cook of Ruston; two sons, Joseph and John Cook of Ruston; father, Grayson Tolbert of Dewitt, AR; sisters and their husbands, Michelle and Allen Payne of Benton, AR and Tracy and Randy Quandt of Cabot, AR. Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church. Family will receive friends Saturday, April 27, 2002 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mary Hall Bond
Memorial services for Mary Hall Bond, 77, of Choudrant, LA will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2002 in the Grace United Methodist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Ken Bowman. Mrs. Bond died Monday, April 22, 2002 in Choudrant, LA following a brief illness. Mrs. Bond was a member of Grace United Methodist Church. She was a retired Science teacher in the Indiana Public School System. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde S. Bond. Survivors include one daughter, Peggy Lou Schenk of Ruston; one son, Sam Bond of Springville, IN; one brother, Sam F. Hall, Jr. of Kingsport, TN; one sister, Peggy Treadway of Kingsport, TN; and grandsons, Matthew Schenk and Michael Schenk, both of Ruston, and Christopher Bond and Jared Bond, both of Springville, IN. Memorials may be made to Prescott Memorial Library, Louisiana Tech University in Ruston.

W. Frank Whitard
Services for W. Frank Whitard, 73, of Dubach, LA will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2002 in the Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Dr. Bruce Magee and Rev. David Hastings. Interment will be in Sharon Baptist Church Cemetery near Dubach under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mr. Whitard died Tuesday, April 23, 2002 in Ruston following a lengthy illness. Mr. Whitard was a longtime resident of the Dubach area and longtime member of Sharon Baptist Church. He retired as District Manager of Texas Gas Company in 1987 after 39 1/2 years. Mr. Whitard was Veteran of the Korean War serving in both US Marine Corps and US Air Force. Survivors include his wife of 49 1/2 years, Carolyn Hendrix Whitard of Dubach; one son, Allen Whitard and wife Lisa of Dubach; two daughters, Nancy Guthrie and husband Sam of Mexico, MO and Sue Ellen McCallum and husband Jim of Ruston; one brother, Charles R. Whitard and wife Kadie of Navarre, FL; one sister, Demaris Pardue and husband J. C. of Monroe; two sisters-in-law, Eloyce Hendrix Davey of Ruston and Lynn Wheeler and husband Joe of Haile, LA; one brother-in-law, Lee Roy Day and wife Mary Lou of Sterlington; grandchildren, Keith Guthrie, Jared Whitard, Sarah Guthrie, Jordan Whitard, Stefanie Guthrie, Stephen Guthrie and Katie Guthrie; and numerous other family and friends. Pallbearers will be Dennis Puckett, Reagan Colvin, Carl Lee Boyd, Stanton Martin, Greg Terry, Jeff Roberts, Jimmy Richardson and Tommy Murphy. Memorials may be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home in Monroe. Family will receive friends on Thursday, April 25, 2002 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

William Whit Rodgers
A Celebration of Life for Mr. William Whit Rodgers, age 57, will be held Friday, April 26, 2002 at 4:00 p.m. at Lea Joyner Methodist Church with Rev. Weldon Bares and Rev. Marcelle Crow officiating. He entered into the presence of his Heavenly Father after a courageous seven year battle with pancreatic cancer. A loving husband and father, Whit is survived by his wife, Mary Frank Rodgers; daughters, Lori Rodgers Barbe and husband Jeff of Alexandria, LA and Beth Rodgers Mann and husband David of Brownsville, TN; mother, Carmon Gerlach Rodgers; brothers, Scott Rodgers of Myrtle Beach, SC and Rudie Rodgers of Ruston, LA; and granddaughters, Alex and Grayson Barbe of Alexandria, LA. He is preceded in death by his father, William "Bill" Rodgers of Ruston. The family gives special thanks to the staff of North Monroe Hospital, especially the Oncology Unit, the staff and physicians of Oncology Associates; as well as the staff at Kilpatrick Enterprises; all of whom tirelessly supported Whit and his family with love and dignity. A debt of gratitude is offered to Dr. Michael Hayward and Dr. Charles Lattuada, and Kay and Steve Chandler for their medical care, encouragement and spiritual ministry they so freely gave during his illness. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Lea Joyner Methodist Mission Fund or a charity of the donor's choice. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, Lamy Lane.

Elgin Lewis Norris
Services for Elgin Lewis Norris will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2002 at Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary with Rev. Dale Oden officiating. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mr. Norris, 93, died Tuesday, April 23, 2002 at Longleaf Nurse Care Center in Ruston, LA. Mr. Norris was born on October 19, 1908 in Mt. Holly, AR but he and his parents moved to Lincoln Parish in 1910. He was educated in local public schools and attended Louisiana Tech. In 1943 he purchased Ruston Steam Laundry fron his father, Claude Norris and renamed it Norris Laundry and Cleaners. He actively participated in many civic organizations in Ruston including the Ruston Chamber of Commerce and Ruston Rotary Club. He was a past president of the Louisiana Laundry and Dry Cleaners Association, past member of the American Institute of Laundries and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Ruston Building & Loan. Mr. Norris was a member of Temple Baptist Church for seventy-six years, serving as church treasurer for twenty-nine years. He and his wife, Clara V, were both charter members of Temple and were actively involved for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude A. and Bessie Norris; his wife, Clara V. Norris; two brothers, Homer Norris and Cecil Norris and one grandson, Roy Elgin Stedman. Survivors include his daughters, Ann Stedman and husband Roy of Dallas, TX and Kay Naff and husband Harold of Ruston; grandchildren, Susan Schooler of Giddings, TX, Sandra Steely of Lexington, KY, Julie Mosey of Mystic, CT, Laura Janick of Dallas, TX, Tracy Naff of St. Louis, MO, Marcy Naff of Rock Hill, SC and Brett Naff of Ruston; thirteen great grandchildren, five sisters, Paulyne Lain of Bossier City, Claudia B. Cargill of Ruston, Mary Frances Lott of Ruston, Sara Alice Norris of El Dorado, AR and Barbara Jo Amick of Longview, TX. The family requests that memorials be made to Temple Baptist Church, 1515 S. Service Rd., Ruston, LA 71270; Baptist Children's Home, 7200 DeSiard St., Monroe, LA 71203 or Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 S. Trenton, Ruston, LA 71270. Pallbearers will be Virgil Orr, Bill Cox, Wayne Causey, Robert Hearn, Maurice Kay and Johnny Cruse. Honorary pallbearers are members of Temple Baptist Church Senior Adult 4 Sunday School Class. Visitation will be at Kilpatrick Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, 2002.

Mr. Lonnie Edward Smith
Mr. Lonnie Edward Smith, age 44, of Covington, GA, died Sunday, April 21, 2002. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 25, 2002, 6 - 9 P.M. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 26, 2002 at 11:00 A.M. at the Chapel of Wheeler Funeral Home, Covington, GA. Rev. Wayne Whitley and Pastors Bill and Sara Floyd will officiate. Interment will be held at Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery, Covington, GA. He was a self-employed Heavy Equipment Operator, and a veteran of the U.S. Marines. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by parents: Raymond and Bernice Storey Smith. Mr. Smith is survived by wife, Mrs. Glenda Kay Smith; daughters, Miss Dana Merritt; Miss Ashley Smith, all of Covington, GA; son, Colby Peale, Social Circle, GA; brothers, Mr. Robert Smith, West Monroe, LA; Mr. Roger Smith, Ft. Worth, Texas; Mr. Carl Smith, Choudrant, LA; sister: Mrs. Laverne Roberts, Bella Vista, Ark; several nieces and nephews. Wheeler Funeral Home is in charge of the services.

Leslie L. Stewart
Services for Mrs. Leslie L. Stewart, 92, of Ruston, were conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, April 22, 2002, at Owens Memorial Funeral Chapel in Ruston with Bro. Raymond Crofoot officiating. Interment will be in Douglas Cemetery in Douglas under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston. Mrs. Stewart died Saturday, April 20, 2002, at Willis Knighten Hospital in Bossier City after a brief illness. She was a member of Douglas Methodist Church and was a homemaker. Mrs. Stewart was preceded in death by a sister, Thelma Atkins, and two brothers, Wyatt and Buddy Liner. Survivors include her husband of 66 years, H.H. Stewart; one daughter, Peggy Yates and husband Bobby of Doyline; one granddaughter, Michelle M. Williams and husband Donnie of Doyline; one sister, Melba Liner Smith of Ruston; one brother, J.T. Liner of Simsboro; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Douglas Cemetery Fund, c/o Durwood Chandler.