Lester A. Rainey, Jr.
Services for Lester A. Rainey, Jr., 75, of Ruston, LA will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 11, 2002 in the Grace United Methodist Church. Officiating will be Dr. Wayne Evans and Rev. Jimmie Pyles. Interment will be in Salem Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mr. Rainey died Monday, July 8, 2002 in Ruston, LA following a lengthy illness. Mr. Rainey was a longtime resident of Ruston. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army and served during the Korean Conflict. He was retired from Arkla Gas after 23 years. Mr. Rainey was on the Grace United Methodist Church Administrative Board, Committee on Missions, United Methodist Men and Workers for Christ Sunday School Class. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lester A. Rainey, Sr. and Gussie Pittman Rainey and by his sister, Mildred Shaw. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, JoAnne Deloney Rainey; two children, Lester Gary Rainey and wife Jan and Debbie Robinson and husband Modell; and four grandchildren, Jeff Robinson and wife Brooke, Andy Robinson, Anna Rainey and Natalie Rainey, all of Ruston, LA. Pallbearers will be Johnny Pittman, Ronnie Walker, Eddie Wasson, Ronnie McCullin, Donny Hood and David Shaw. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Workers for Christ Sunday School Class. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church Building Fund. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Barbara McDougle
Services for Barbara McDougle, 69, of Simsboro will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, July 8, 2002 at the First Baptist Church in Simsboro. Officiating will be the Rev. Wilton Wall. Interment will be at the Simsboro Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mrs. McDougle died Thursday evening, July 4, 2002 in Simsboro following a brief illness. Mrs. McDougle was a member of the First Baptist Church in Simsboro. She attended Farmerville High School where she was a member of the girls basketball team, earning all-district honors in 1948. She also lettered in high school softball. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Curtis McDougle of Simsboro; sons Kenny O. McDougle of Pittsburg, Kan., and Jim D. McDougle of Grapevine, Texas; and grandsons Sean McDougle and Evan McDougle. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Simsboro. Family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 2002, at the funeral home.

Margaret Barham Hammons
Funeral services for Margaret Barham Hammons, 64, of Ruston, will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 8, 2002, at New Prospect Baptist Church in Dubach. Officiating will be the Rev. Jerry Adkins. Interment will be in Colvin Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mrs. Hammons died Saturday, July 6, 2002, in Ruston following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Hammons was a member of New Prospect Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Doyle Barham and Avis Herring Barham, and brothers Doyle Barham Jr. and Clayton Barham. She is survived by daughters, Donna Brown, Theresa "Deanie" Hattaway and husband Robert, Deborah Purvis and husband Kendall and Ramie Woodard, all of Dubach, and Dawn Mari and husband Zuheer of Ruston; brother Clyde Barham and wife Betty Jo of Dubach; twin sister Mildred Gay and husband D.B. of Ruston; sister Joan Jacks and husband Don of Dubach; sisters-in-law Doris Barham of Ruston and Jo Ann Barham of Dubach; nine grandchildren, April Campbell Burnham, Richard Kyle Campbell, Robert W. Hattaway, Rachel Hattaway, Deanna Jones, Jeremy Kirkham, Dustin Clements, Lindsay Clements and Noel Mari; three great-grandchildren, Emeryld Jones, Aeryn Jones and Just'us Turner; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Kyle Campbell, Jeremy Kirkham, Dustin Clements, Robert W. Hattaway, Jeremy Burnham and Nicky Barham. Family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 2002, at the funeral home.

Ruth E. Pesnell
Graveside services for Ruth E. Pesnell, 86, of Haynesville and a former resident of Choudrant, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 2002, at Simsboro Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Officiating will be the Rev. Tim Kelly. Mrs. Pesnell died Friday, July 5, 2002, in Haynesville following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Pesnell was a member of Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Haynesville. She was preceded in death by her husband William W. Pesnell, son Johnny Calhoun and daughter Johnette Cresat. She is survived by her children, Fredna Owens and husband Ted of Springhill, Bobby Calhoun and wife Velma of Vidalia, Van Calhoun and wife Denise of Taylor, Ark., and Danny Pesnell and wife Patty of Haynesville; sister, Marcil McCann of Ruston; brothers, J.B. Edmiston of Shreveport, Ragan Edmiston of Bayou Vista, Texas, Doc Edmiston and wife Patsy of Ruston and Jesse Edmiston and wife Betty of Phoenix, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, several great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

John Arnold Hauser
Funeral services for John Arnold Hauser, 81, of Decatur, AL will be held Saturday, July 6, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church of Decatur with the Rev. Brad Walker officiating. Burial will be at Decatur City Cemetery under the direction of Roselawn Funeral Home of Decatur, AL. The family will receive friends this evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Roselawn Funeral Home. Mr. Hauser died Wednesday, July 3, 2002 at Huntsville Hospital. He was born March 15, 1921 in High Point, North Carolina to Avery Eugene Hauser and Nina Mae Edwards Hauser. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Betsy Hauser; one son, Gary Hauser of Ruston, LA; two daughters, Barbara Miller of Macon, GA and Teresa Quinn of Decatur; one sister, Dee Reynolds of Roanoke, VA; and eleven grandchildren. Pallbearers will be the members of the Hunt Sunday School Class at First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hauser served in the V-12 Navy program during World War II, from 1942 to 1945, and was commissioned Ensign, USNR, to serve aboard the U.S.S. Bradford in the Pacific, through 1946. He later served in the USNR in Korea as Lieutenant (jq) aboard the U.S.S. Sausalito from 1950 to 1951. After graduating in 1948 from Duke University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, Mr. Hauser served as a mechanical engineer with the U. S. Navy and U. S. Air Force. He worked as a mechanical engineer and project director with Marshall Space Flight Center from 1956 to 1980. During his career at Marshall, Dr. Werner von Braun presented him an award for the patented invention of a gas purifying system used in the development of the Saturn launch vehicle. He also received a NASA award for a patented invention for a high-pressure helium purifier used in the space program. He served in design and support of many NASA manned space flight programs including the Saturn and Space Shuttle programs. Mr. Hauser was a member of Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma engineering honoraries, and was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Decatur. Mr. Hauser enjoyed physical fitness challenges, jogging over 2,000 miles in 1976 for the bicentennial year fitness challenge, and swimming over 4,400 miles since 1980, as recognized by the American Red Cross swimming fitness program. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, who cherished his family.

Rev. George Reese Hood
Services for Rev. George Reese Hood, 58, of Grambling, LA will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, July 6, 2002 at Mount Zion Baptist Church, Grambling, LA. Interment will be in Grambling Memorial Garden under the direction of Our Christian Funeral Home of Ruston. Visitation will be Friday, July 5 from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Mount Zion Baptist Church. Rev. George Reese Hood was born September 17, 1943 to the union of Bennie and Myrtis B. Hood in Meridian, MS, and died Tuesday, July 2, 2002 at his residence. Rev. Hood pastored Mount Zion Baptist Church of Grambling, LA for over 25 years. He was a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, National Baptist Convention USA Inc., Liberty Hill Baptist Association, and the Interdenominational Alliance of Ministers, and served in many capacities in the Grambling and surrounding communities. Survivors include his wife, Rita; two sons, George Gregory (Iris), Houston, TX, and Ronald Vincent (Antionette), Kennesaw, GA; three step sons, Delvin, Dennard and Donovan Boatner, Baton Rouge, LA; three grandchildren, Reese, Lake and Kennedy; five sisters-in-law, Glinda Powers, Darcus Haney (Roosevelt), Marlene Jolla (Len), Terrance Wallace, Adrain Joseph (Gary); three brothers-in-law, Eric, Dannie and Kevin Wallace, all of Baton Rouge, LA; and a host of nephews, nieces and other relatives. He is preceded in death by Mary, Bennie and Myrtis Hood.

Ruby Cook Baxter
Services for Ruby Cook Baxter, 87, of Grayson were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 27, 2002 from the chapel of Riser Funeral Home in Columbia, LA with Rev. Howard Hudson officiating. Don Burns delivered the eulogy. Interment followed in the Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston with Rev. Jody Williams officiating. Mrs. Baxter was born in Hico, LA on January 27, 1915 to the union of Fred and Viola Thomas Cook and died Tuesday, June 25, 2002 at the Arcadia HealthCare Center in Arcadia. Survivors include her husband of 61 years and 10 months, Delaney Ivan Baxter of Grayson; her sister, Myrtis Cook Springer and her husband Richard of Arcadia; her nephew, John R. Springer of LaMarque, TX; sisters-in-law, Viola Holmes Cook of New Orleans and Vada Gray Cook of Springhill; nephew, Marvin Cook and wife Norma of Baytown, TX; nieces, Minnie Goss Ferguson and husband Elton of Ruston, Glenda Cook Quin and husband Frank of Stafford, TX, Lozell Martin Stewart and Melva Martin Herrin and her husband Tommy. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Henry Miles Cook and Marshall Newton Cook; sisters, Bertha Cook Martin and Emma Lou Cook Goss, who passed away just a month before on May 28, 2002. Mrs. Baxter graduated from Ruston High School and Louisiana Tech with a degree in business education in 1938. She had a burning desire to teach her students all that was possible for them to learn so that they could be the best they could be, in whatever they did in life. She always said that her students were like the children she and Mr. Baxter never had. She first taught at Chatham High School and she taught business in Bossier High School while Mr. Baxter served our country in the U. S. Air Force during World War II. After he came home, she taught business at Grayson High School and later at Caldwell Parish High School, where she retired after teaching 29 years. In the 1950's, she was voted "International Business Teacher of the Year". After having been given the honor of being State of Louisiana and National Teacher of the Year, she was honored with a banquet in Chicago, IL. She said imagine a country girl from Ruston, LA teaching in a school in the small town of Grayson, being given such an honor. Her F.B.L.A. students made her so proud when they won year after year, high honors and first places in their scrapbooks and entries on a national level. Mrs. Baxter served on the Beautification Committee for the Village of Grayson. She and her husband worked faithfully to get clean water for their little town. She was instrumental in working hard on the committee to get a hospital built for the citizens of Caldwell Parish which was finally a reality. She worked tirelessly writing letters to our state leaders to get funding for our Citizens Medical Center. She was so loved by all of her family, being such the caring and loving lady, devoted wife and friend. She had a host of friends, and as a family, we are thankful for her life, and feel blessed to have been a part of her life, and to have felt her love every single day all these years. A wonderful and sweet lady. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. until time of services at Riser Funeral Home in Columbia.

Audie Britt
Services for Audie Britt, 92, of the Azalea Estates, North Monroe, formerly of Hico, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 5, 2002 in the Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Kurt Auger. Interment will be in Henry Cemetery, Hico, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mrs. Britt died Tuesday, July 2, 2002 in Monroe following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Britt was a member of Harmony Chapel United Methodist Church in Hico. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Britt. Survivors include two daughters, Mary Alice Herren of Homer and Gloria Jean Barnett of Sterlington; two brothers, S. D. Huffman and T. R. Huffman, both of Dubach; grandchildren, Vickie Colvin of Ruston, Kerry Herren of Texas, Raymond Barnett of Monroe, Sharon McCarty of Sterlington, Teresa Snell of Germany, and Tonya McKinnie of Sterlington; eight great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Family will receive friends Thursday, July 4, 2002 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Belva Jennings Nelson
Graveside services will be conducted for Belva Jennings Nelson at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 2, 2002 at Gibsland Cemetery, Gibsland, Louisiana with Father Richard Nowery officiating. She was born on December 1, 1906 in Bienville Parish. She moved to Shreveport in 1989 after living in Gibsland, Louisiana most of her life. Mrs. Nelson passed away Sunday, June 30, 2002 after a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. P. Nelson, Jr. She is survived by two sisters, Bess J. Nowery of Shreveport and Syble J. Walker of San Antonio; one brother, Wayland Ray Jennings of Houston, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Floyd Houston Martindale
Services for Floyd Houston Martindale, 65, of Simsboro, LA will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2002 in the Fellowship Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. J. L. Foster. Interment will be in Fellowship Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mr. Martindale died Monday, July 1, 2002 in Ruston following a brief illness. Mr. Martindale was a member of Caney Lake Baptist Church in Chatham, LA. He was a member of the Dubach Masonic Lodge, 32nd Degree Mason. Survivors include his wife, Cinda Martindale of Simsboro; four daughters, Tammy Baker and Sherry Martindale, both of La Porte, TX, Teri McKinney of Pasadena, TX and Kerren Frederick of Deer Park, TX; three step children, Amanda Penix and Kathryn Ballance, both of Athens, and David Hamilton, Jr. of Lake Providence; three sisters, Lorraine Courtney of Monroe, Gaynell Key and Dianne Roux, both of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Veronica Klataska, Michael Gene McKinney, Jr., Kenny Baker, Holly Baker, Joshua Frederick, Matthew Frederick, Ben Ballance, and Colton Ballance; and one great grandchild, Michael Gene McKinney III. Pallbearers will be Mark Singleton, Robert Colvin, Roger Cobb, Lance Colvin, Monty Cobb, and Rodney Cobb. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Shriners Children's Hospital, or Caney Lake Baptist Church. Family will receive friends Tuesday, July 2, 2002 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Margaret Anne Taylor-Cooley
Margaret Anne Taylor-Cooley, age 84, died June 30, 2002 in Tyler, TX following a battle with cancer. Margaret Anne was born January 21, 1918 in the town of Shongaloo, LA to Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Burns. Margaret Anne attended Louisiana Tech where she met Ben F. Taylor. She was united in marriage to Ben on January 31, 1937. Ben died in 1972. Margaret Anne and Ben spent much of their life working on a dairy farm in Choudrant. She loved life. I can just see her now in her rubber boots, pants tucked into the tops of her boots, her body protected from the sun with a long sleeved shirt, a scarf wrapped around her neck, and a straw hat tipped on her head. She would stay out until well past sundown. Sometimes she would be feeding the cows until late, sometimes tending her garden, and sometimes just piddling around. She would sometime be seen driving one of the semi truck and trailers that Ben owned. Sometimes she would just watch the fireflies and see if she could catch one in her hand. Margaret Anne was full of life and energy; she hardly ever sat down, even to eat. Margaret loved to garden; you would find her gardening at all hours of the day or night. She also loved to tell stories, whether it was to a stranger, a friend, or a family member. Most of all, Margaret loved to have fun! And this showed in all that she did, the way she dressed to go out and the stories that she told. Any every story promised to make you laugh at some point. She was always dressed to the hilt when she went to town, sporting a special purse, a special pair of shoes for each of her outfits, and jewels dangling around her neck, and on her wrists and hands. She loved her clothing and jewelry as much as she loved her gardening, but never as much as she loved her family. In 1980, Margaret Anne remarried to Otis Cooley, who died in 1996. Margaret Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Burns and siblings, Jesse Mae Atkins, Bessie Bailey, Willie Dee McEachern, A. J. Burns, Pleasant Burns, Holland Burns and Lee Roy Burns. Margaret Anne is survived by one son, Bobby Ben Taylor and wife Heidi of Bullard, TX; two brothers, Joe D. Burns and wife Helen of Jonesboro, LA and Robert Burns and wife Peggy of Springhill, LA; three grandchildren, Brody Ben Taylor of Bullard, TX, Charlette Anne Taylor of Denver, CO, and Edwin Augustus Taylor and wife Teri of Billings, MT; three great grandchildren, Sarina Anne Taylor, Spencer Ben Taylor and Miles Edward Taylor of Billings, MT; and many nieces and nephews. Serving as pallbearers will be Jack Sanderson, James McGrew, Brad Peterson, A. J. Burns, Brody Ben Taylor and Edwin Augustus Taylor. Funeral services for Mrs. Margaret Anne Taylor-Cooley will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2002 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 2300 West California, Ruston, LA, with Rev. Walter Fred Bailey officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Relatives and friends are welcome at the funeral home Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. We would especially like to thank the Hospice of East Texas caregivers for helping Mother, and for being an inspiration to us all.

Avis Campbell
Services for Avis Campbell, 88, of Dubach, LA will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2002 in the First Baptist Church of Dubach. Officiating will be Rev. Dayton Doughty. Interment will be in Fellowship Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mrs. Campbell died Sunday, June 30, 2002 in Ruston following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Campbell was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dubach. She was a retired clerk and school bus driver. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert T. "Bob" Campbell and one grandson, Don Campbell. Survivors include one son, Bobby Campbell and wife Sara of Ruston; one granddaughter, Susan Tidwell and husband Jay of Atlanta, TX; one grandson, Ben Campbell of Alexandria; one granddaughter-in-law, Lisa Campbell Gibbs; one brother, Arnold Colvin of Ruston; and six great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Ruel Roberson, Randy Roberson, Seth Tatum, Al Trammell, Billy Knowles, and Charlie Green Colvin. Family will receive friends Tuesday, July 2, 2002 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Vada Lee Decker Boyd
Funeral services for Vada Lee Decker Boyd, 70, of Choudrant, will be held at 2 p.m. today at Alabama Presbyterian Church. Interment will be in the Sibley Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mrs. Boyd died Friday, June 28, 2002, in Choudrant. Mrs. Boyd — wife, mother and grandmother — was born Sept. 18, 1931, in Keyser, W.V. All who passed through her life loved her and knew her as a true lady. She is survived by her husband, Herman P. Boyd, USMC Ret.; children, Sherri E. Kessler and her husband Jim, Herman P. Boyd Jr., Russell S. Boyd and Kristina L. Boyd; nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The family received friends Saturday at the funeral home.

Betty M. Clark Graham
Betty M. Clark Graham, 64, died Thursday, June 20, 2002 in Bossier City, LA after a lengthy illness. She was a native of Chowchilla, CA, former resident of Lompoc, CA and resided in Bossier City, LA. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her father, J. T. "Jack" Jones; mother, Johnnie M. Jones; and son, Leonard E. Clark. She is survived by her husband, Billy A. Graham of Bossier City, LA; sons, Robert L. Clark, Jr. and wife Karen of Lompoc, CA, Carey M. Clark and wife Dawn of Mount Vernon, SD, Leslie B. Clark and wife Sylvia of Santa Ynez, CA; stepson, Billy G. Graham of Bossier City, LA; step-daughters, Rhonda G. Staiger and husband Larry of Benton, LA, Phyllis G. Hale and husband Bruce of Rowlett, TX, Kayla G. McDonald and husband Phillip of Benton, LA; eight grandchildren; four step grandchildren and a large extended family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association or donor's choice.

Mrs. Louise Roberts Averitte
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be,
So He put His arms around you and whispered "come to me".
With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away, and
Though we love you dearly, we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands were put to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes the best!
Services for Mrs. Louise Averitte will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, 2002 at Downsville Baptist Church in Downsville, LA with Rev. Charles Davis officiating. Interment will be in Downsville Cemetery. Mrs. Averitte passed from this life on Friday, June 28, 2002 at her longtime family home in Downsville. She was born on October 23, 1918 and was 83 years old. Mrs. Averitte was well known for her love for her family, home, friends, neighbors, church and community. She was always there to help her family and friends in time of need and was a tireless worker in the church and community. For many years Mrs. Averitte taught a young children's Sunday School class and was a great influence on many young lives. Mrs. Averitte believed that history should be recorded for the next generation so that her family, community and friends could understand and appreciate the past, enjoy the present and look to the future with understanding, hope and appreciation for what came before to make our way on earth a better place. In 1987 she wrote a book for her family and friends titled "Dividends of Country Living" in which she shared her fond, and sometimes humorous, memories of growing up in the country. In this book she also shared thoughts of her long time marriage to Victor, the births of her three daughters and her expressions of appreciation for community and friends. In 1993 Mrs. Averitte wrote a book titled "The History of 'Lower Pine Hills' of Downsville Louisiana" in which she shared her years of accumulated history of Downsville. Her book was dedicated to her family, shared with many friends and neighbors, as well as placed in several libraries in Northeast Louisiana. In 1996 she completed a book on the Roberts and Averitte family history titled "Our Averitte-Roberts Family, Their Ancestors, In-Laws and Descendants". With this book she recorded a family history and saw that each family member had a copy to enjoy, share and hopefully continue to update through the years. Mrs. Averitte is survived by her husband of 64 years, Victor, and her three daughters, Margerite A. Hammons and husband Jerry of Baton Rouge, Betty A. Leachman and husband George of Ruston, and Connie A. Sullivan-Guillot and husband Harvey of West Monroe; grandchildren, Melinda Hammons Robert and husband Barry of Madison, MS, David Hammons of Galveston, TX, Sharon Hammons Marchand and husband Rodney of Germantown, TN, Lisa Leachman Hinman of San Francisco, CA, Van Leachman of Dallas, TX, Stacy Sullivan of Phoenix, AZ, Sonya Sullivan Wilder and husband Glen of West Monroe; great grandchildren, Melissa Hinman, Phillip Hinman, Adam Marchand, Victor Robert, Sarah Robert, Jacob Wilder and Victoria Wilder; sister, Verlin Hammons; sister-in-law, Verma Conti; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family as well as special friends and longtime neighbors. Pallbearers will be Mrs. Averitte's grandsons, David Hammons, Van Leachman and Stacy Sullivan, nephew, Todd Hammons, and longtime special friends and neighbors Johnny McFarland and Tommy Banks. Memorials may be made to the Downsville Baptist Church. Visitation for family and friends will be Saturday evening, June 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, Ruston, LA. A special note of thanks from Margerite, Betty and Connie to our Daddy for taking such good care of our Mother.

Mae Sanford
Services for Mae Sanford, 74, of Dubach, LA will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 27, 2002 in the Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. David Newberry assisted by Rev. Richard Blue. Graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Park, Shreveport, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mrs. Sanford died Monday, June 24, 2002 in Monroe, LA following a brief illness. She was a member of Cook Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Milton C. Sanford, Jr. of Dubach, LA; three children, Judy Emberton and husband Bobby of Carthage, TX, Jan Burnham and husband Buddy of Dubach, LA and Jeff Sanford and wife Erin of Dubach, LA; one sister; one brother; nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 at the funeral home.

Ray Ralph Phillips
Ray Ralph Phillips, 74, went to be with his Lord on June 24, 2002 at Lincoln General Hospital in Ruston, LA. He had fought a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born February 11, 1928 in Junction City, AR. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He served in the Navy during WWII aboard the cruiser USS Wilkes Barre. He served as Worshipful Master of Blue Lodge No. 234 in Addison, TX. He was employed by Texas Automatic Sprinklers in Dallas,TX for almost forty years and worked a short period of time for Fire Pro of Monroe, LA. He was preceded in death by a stillborn son, Anthony Ray Phillips, parents Earl Eli and Nettie Everhardt Phillips, three sisters, Florence Fullerton Harper, Aleen Wilson and Lois Cook. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Billie Jean Burns Phillips; his daughter, Teresa Michelle Jacoby and husband Max of Cedar Hill, TX; two granddaughters, Melany Michelle Jacoby of Cedar Hill, TX and Misty Marie Loya and husband Eddie of Grand Prairie, TX; and two great grandchildren, Anthony Jacoby and Alexis Loya. He is also survived by one brother, Earl Eli Phillips, Jr. of Junction City, AR; and various nieces, nephews and their families. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and was called Popi by his great grandchildren. He loved everything about life and always seemed to be in the middle of making fun things happen. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. After retirement and relocation to Ruston, LA in 1992, he took on new interests and enjoyed working with his flowers and in his yard. After meeting several couples around the area, he took an interest in country western and cajun dancing and always looked forward to attending all the senior dances in the area. He was quick to lend a hand to assist family and friends and never seemed to meet a stranger. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2002 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2002 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Sheila Miles Howard
Services for Sheila Miles Howard, 24, of Jonesboro, LA were held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2002 in the Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro. Officiating were Bro. Dwayne M. Boudreaux and Bro. Steve Palmer. Interment was in the Fellowship Cemetery under the direction of Edmonds Funeral Home of Jonesboro. Mrs. Howard died Sunday, June 23, 2002 in the LSU Medical Center. She was a Certified Nurses Aid. Survivors include her husband, Daniel Howard of Jonesboro, LA; her parents, Mike and Teresa Miles of Quitman, LA; one sister, Melinda Miles of Quitman, LA; maternal grandparents, Jo Ann and Bobby Brinson of Quitman, LA; paternal grandmother, Dorothy Hinton of Minden, LA; and maternal great grandmother, Florence Parker of Sikes, LA.

Mrs. Huba Robison Gentry
Services for Mrs. Huba Gentry will be held in the chapel of Boone Funeral Home, Saturday, June 22, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. Officiating the service will be Rev. Paul Carroll, Sr. of Barksdale United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home Saturday from 12-2 p.m. Mrs. Gentry passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2002 in Bossier City. She was born on February 5, 1918 in Naples, TX. Mrs. Gentry, retired from the Bossier Parish School Board, was a member of Barksdale United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Bossier City Chapter 175. Mrs. Gentry was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Gentry. Surviving her is her daughter, Lajeane Thomas and husband Joe of Dubach, LA; son, James H. Gentry, II of Alexandria, LA; sister, Melba Knighten; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Pankie "Pinkie" Lee Elmore
Services for Pankie "Pinkie" Lee Elmore, 44, of Ruston, LA will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, June 22, 2002 in the County Line Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Frank Givens. Interment will be in George Washington Carver Cemetery, Ruston, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Ms. Elmore died Monday, June 17, 2002 in Monroe, LA following a lengthy illness. She was a lifelong resident of Ruston and a longtime member of County Line Baptist Church where she had served as usher. Survivors include one son, Ryan Elmore of Minden; one daughter, Melissa Kitchens and husband Kevin of Beaverton, OR; grandchildren, Ju-Quaryo Elmore and Kierra Kitchens of Beaverton, OR; parents, Beatrice Elmore of Ruston and Willie Elmore of Choudrant; two brothers, Roy Moss of Topeka, KS and John Lockhart and wife Rita of Ruston; five sisters, Ella Dawson and husband Harold of Topeka, KS, Betty Elmore of Ruston, Mary Johnson and husband Olden of Grandview, MO, AlVerne Coleman and husband Charles of Ruston, and LaVerne Mixon and husband MacArthur of Chatham; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Eric Ontley, Hiram Dunnaway, Charles Coleman, MacArthur Mixon, Harold Dawson, and Olden Johnson. Family will receive friends Friday, June 21, 2002 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston.

Esmeralda "Ezzie" Taylor
Services for Esmeralda "Ezzie" Taylor, 25, of Ruston, LA will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2002 in The Methodist Children's Home Chapel in Ruston, LA. Officiating will be C. J. Beck assisted by Rev. Jerry Whitman. Interment will be in Pines Memorial Cemetery in Ruston under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mrs. Taylor died Saturday, June 15, 2002 in Ruston, LA as the result of an automobile accident. Mrs. Taylor was a house Supervisor for The Methodist Children's Home in Ruston. She was also an Interpreter for the Ruston Police Department and the Lincoln Parish Sheriff's Office. Ezzie was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Lynwood Taylor. Survivors include her husband, Patrick Taylor; children, Asen Taylor, 7 years old, James Taylor, 2 years olds, and Bailey Taylor, 2 months old, all of Ruston; parents, Guadalupe and Lupina Ramirez of Rendsa Tamps, Mexico; sister, Sulema Ramirez, and brother, Paul Ramirez, both of Ruston; one niece; mother and father-in-law, JoAnne and Sonni Bearden; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Pallbearers will be Dy. B. Taylor, Dy. S. Williams, Lt. T. Parker, Phil Many, Kitwana Mctyer, and David Bromley. Honorary pallbearers will be Carlos Tate, Gary Rambin, April Hartman, Erika George, Carman Duran, and Angie Smith. Memorials may be made to The Methodist Children's Home in Ruston, LA. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 17, 2002 at the funeral home.