Sue Eleanor Spillman
(October 11, 1931 - May 18, 2011)
Sue E. Spillman, 79, a native of Coyell and resident of Spillman, died Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. She retired after working for more than 35 years for East Louisiana State Hospital. Visitation at Charlet Funeral Home Inc. in Zachary on Thursday, May 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation resumes at the funeral home Friday, May 20, from 8:30 a.m. until services at 10 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Jesse Means. Burial in Spillman Family Cemetery. She is survived by two daughters, Debra McRaney, and Pam Spillman and her husband, Justin Talbot, all of Spillman; son, Clarence Ernest Spillman Jr., of Spillman; three grandchildren, Patrick McRaney, Krista McRaney and Paige Spillman; and two great-grandchildren, Micah Dylan McRaney and Ian Marcus McRaney. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Ernest Spillman Sr.; a son, Claudie Ray Spillman; parents Harvel and Ida Easley; and six siblings. Pallbearers will be her family members. She enjoyed raising children and taking care of her grandchildren. She was a loving mother to all.
Lillian Estelle Spillman Pray-Shipes
(Died May 13, 2011)
Lillian, a retired teacher and housewife, died Friday, May 13, 2011, at St. Claire Manor at age 88. She was born and raised in West Feliciana Parish and was a graduate of Southwest Louisiana Institute, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. While a student at SLI, she was crowned Camellia Queen in 1943. After graduation, she taught school in Orange, Texas, and Baton Rouge. Flowers and her yard were her passions. She is survived by a son, John Herbert Pray and his spouse, Susan Hastings, of Baton Rouge; a daughter, Stacy Lynn Pray Loyacono and her spouse, Thomas, of St. Francisville; and four grandsons, Jonathan P. Pray, of Houston, Christopher A. Pray, of Baton Rouge, Austin T. Loyacono and Collin T. Loyacono, both of St. Francisville. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard A. and Elida Taylor Spillman; and her spouses, John Fred Pray and John H. Shipes. Visitation at Grace Episcopal Church in St. Francisville on Saturday, May 21, from 10:30 a.m. until service time at 11:30 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Senette. Burial in the Spillman Family Cemetery, Alice. Pallbearers will be Dr. Robert Carter, Dr. John Martin, Fred Lang and the four grandsons. Many thanks to Paris and the 700 hall staff at St. Claire Manor. Special thanks also to the staff at Hospice Associates. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Spillman Family Cemetery Fund, 13243 La. 421, St. Francisville, LA 70775. She was a former member of St. Luke's Episcopal church in Baton Rouge.
Raymond Dale Hodges
(February 12, 1928 - May 20, 2011)
Raymond Dale Hodges Sr., 83, of Zachary, passed away Friday, May 20, 2011, as a result of a motorcycle accident. Mr. Hodges was born Feb. 12, 1928, in Eupora, Miss. Visitation at Galilee Baptist Church in Zachary on Monday, May 23, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Tuesday, May 24, from 1 p.m. until services at 2 p.m., officiated by the Rev. Ron Lowery. Burial will be at the church cemetery. He was a 1945 graduate of Reform High School and a 1949 graduate of Mississippi State University. From 1949-1951, he worked in the New Orleans District Corps of Engineers. From 1951-1955, he worked with the Corps of Engineers in French Morocco, Africa, designing four Air Force bases. He was a 1958 member of the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce. He was president of Construction Industry Legislative Council. He was a member of LA Constructing Engineers Council, and president of the Council from 1974 to 1975. He was a member of ACEC and served as its national director from 1976-1977. In 1980, he was named an ACEC Fellow. He was a founder of The Louisiana Gas Association in 1980, and served as president from 1984-1985. He was a consulting engineer with Pan American Engineers from 1955 to 1999 and owner of R. Dale Hodges Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors from 2001 to 2011. He was a member of Galilee Baptist Church. He served as music minister at Galilee Baptist Church and several other churches in the Zachary area. In 1991, he was the first "out of state" alum to serve as president of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association. He was a member of the Senior Olympics Basketball Team, which won a silver medal. He served in the Kiwanis Club and Tip Masters. He was the city engineer for West Feliciana Parish and the City of Zachary. He is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Raymond Dale Hodges Jr., and Alan and Michelle Hodges, all of Zachary; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Kathy and Brad Perry, and Patty and Danny White, all of Zachary, and Carol L. Hodges, of Phoenix, Ariz.; 21 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; a sister, Elizabeth "Libby" H. Vaughn, of Shreveport; and two brothers and a sister-in-law, Robert H. Hodges, and Jack N. and Janet Hodges, all of Baton Rouge. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell R. and Grace Collum Hodges; wife, Violet Bates Hodges; and granddaughter, Tara Rakele Pullig. Pallbearers will be his brothers, sons and grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are his Senior Olympics Basketball teammates. He was happiest singing and serving in church, and playing basketball.
Diana Lynn Kirby Hardy "Dee Dee"
(September 19, 1961 - May 20, 2011)
Diana "Dee Dee" Lynn Kirby Hardy died Friday, May 20, 2011, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. She was a resident of Denham Springs. Visiting at Charlet Funeral Home Inc., Zachary, on Monday, May 23, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visiting continues at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 24, from 8:30 a.m. until service time at 10 a.m., conducted by Pastor Joe Alain and members of the family. Burial at Azalea Rest Cemetery, Zachary. Dee Dee will be fondly remembered and missed by her husband, Michael Hardy; brothers, Jimmy Kirby and wife Mona, and Bobby Kirby and wife Jan; sisters, Judy Kirby Sanders and husband Ronnie, and Beverly Kirby Albin; 12 nieces and nephews and 13 great-nieces and nephews. Dee Dee was welcomed home into God's loving arms by her father and mother, Martin and Lois Kirby; and sister, Barbara Kirby Quartemont. Pallbearers will be Ron Sanders, Ricky Richardson, Todd Genre, Chris Carpenter, Kelly Crousillac, Matthew Brand and Darryl Bonanno. Honorary pallbearers are Kyle Kirby and Austin Albin. Dee Dee spent her 49 years giving her loving care to everyone around her through her years of work with the sick and elderly as well as her attachments to friends and family. She had a gift for caring for those with special needs, and a great love for children. She recently became a member of Hebron Baptist Church and was described by those there as "one of a kind." She will be greatly missed by her friends and family, but her life will be rejoiced as they remember the way she touched the hearts of each one of them. The knowledge that Dee Dee is now spending every moment enjoying the great care, peace, and love of our Father is a great comfort to them during this difficult time.
Albert Roy Blough Jr. "A.J."
(Died May 20, 2011)
Albert Roy "A.J." Blough Jr., 77, a native of New Orleans and a resident of Central, died Friday, May 20, 2011, at Lane Regional Medical Center in Zachary. He was retired, after working for more than 30 years for Formosa. Visitation at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church on Tuesday, May 24, from 9 a.m. until services at 11:30 a.m., conducted by Pastor Dennis Terry. Burial in the church cemetery. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Omah Louise Hollingsworth Blough; two sons, Michael Wayne Blough and his wife, Donna, of Central, and Kevin Lavell Blough and his wife, Tammy, of Baton Rouge; and four grandchildren, Destin Blough and his wife, Sarah, Derek Blough, Kaitlyn Blough and Morgan Blough. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Roy Blow Sr. and Ada Holiday Blow; and one sister, Patsy Elaine Blow. He served in the U.S. Air Force for more than eight years as a jet engine mechanic and instructor. He was an active member of the Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, where he served as a member of the church council and also as an usher and a greeter. He was a handy man and natural mechanic who enjoyed sharing his skills with those in need. He enjoyed fishing and all of the outdoors. Pallbearers will be Glen Hanson, Harold Monk, Guy Jenkins, David McElroy, Emmitt Root and Jay Dunlap.
Dorothy May Cooley Gallup
(September 1, 1920 - May 13, 2011)
Dorothy May Cooley Gallup, 90, died Friday, May 13, 2011, with her family by her side. A memorial service will be held at Sandy Creek Baptist Church on Monday, May 16, at 1 p.m., with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. Internment in Roselawn Cemetery. Dorothy was born to Dona E. Cooley and L.V. Cooley Jr. on Sept. 1, 1920, in Slidell. She is survived by a brother, John Alden Cooley; two sons and their wives, Marian Preston Gallup and Betty Reames Gallup, and Lawrence Alden Gallup and June Gallup; four granddaughters, Christy Lewis, Becky Rainwater, Charlie Gallup and Jennifer Gallup; and four great-grandchildren, Cameron Stewart, Victoria Lewis, Kaydence Rainwater and Christian Rainwater. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Marian Otis Gallup; and her brothers, L.V. Cooley III and David E. Cooley. Dorothy Gallup, also fondly known as Nonie, was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and a very strong Christian. She was a faithful member of Sandy Creek Baptist Church for 40 years. During her membership at Sandy Creek, she was a beloved teacher and counselor to many. We will continue to look to her as an example of love, support and faith, and for the wisdom she gave to us daily. We will miss you, Nonie, and you will forever be in our hearts.
James LeRoy Dunaway "Peanut"
(November 23, 1933 - January 12, 2013)
U.S. Veteran
James "Peanut" LeRoy Dunaway, 79, born Nov. 23, 1933 in Liberty, MS to Joseph J. and Alma Pearl Shaw Dunaway and died January 12, 2013. He was a resident of Clinton, LA. He was a retired electrician from the U.S. Navy. He is survived by his three daughters, Patty Richard of Jackson, LA, Jan and Wayne Hansen of Prairie City, SD and Laurie and Brad Salmon of Bullard, TX, nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, brother, JG and Montez Dunaway, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his special friend and longtime companion, Lula Gautreaux, and her family. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters. Visiting will be at Charlet Funeral Home, Inc., Zachary on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visiting will be at Bethel Baptist Church in Liberty, MS on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family would like to thank friend and neighbor Linda Eckart and niece Nancy James for their caring, devotion and time.
