STAPLETON, PERRY GEORGE
Came into this world as a child of God on Feb. 7, 1932, and was welcomed back in the kingdom of our father on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2001. During his journey through life he became a first class machinist, retiring from Allied Chemical. He also served on the Baker City Council during the years of 1968-1972. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Baker, Istrouma and Northeast lodges and Order of the Eastern Star, Baker. Visiting was at Charlet Funeral Home Inc., Zachary, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. Visiting at the funeral home from 8:30 a.m. until services at 10 a.m. Saturday, conducted by the Rev. Butch Taylor. Burial in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Baker. He felt his greatest accomplishment was his family. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Vivian Ernestine Hodge Stapleton of Baker; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Carolyn Stapleton of Zachary, Roxson and Duke Welch and Regina and Steve Freeman, all of Baker; seven grandsons and a granddaughter, Jewel "Trae" Welch and Tena Welch, both of Baker, Jason Freeman, Alexandria, Jacob Welch, Zachary, Gabriel Tate, Hawaii, Justin Freeman and Brandon Freeman, both of Baker, and Joshua Tate, Zachary; six great-grandchildren, Tamara, Jackie, Taryn, Chase and Caleb Welch and Madelynn Freeman; three sisters, Jean Cole, Richardson, Texas, Larine Kirkland, Poplarville, Miss., and Yvonne Zeringue, Slidell; and numerous nephews, nieces and lifelong friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alex and Pearlie Crocker Stapleton; and his brother, Buford Stapleton. Pallbearers will be grandsons. They will carry him to his final rest, as he carried them as children. Honorary pallbearers are his sons-in-law, Jewel E. "Duke" Welch, Steve Freeman, Larry Langlois and his dearest friend, Stan Bellgraph, a brother of the heart.
VARICE, MICHEAL WAYNE "SQUIRREL"
A resident and native of Baton Rouge, he died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2001. He was 38. Religious services at New Southside Funeral Home at 1 p.m. Saturday. Interment in Zachary Public Cemetery. Survived by his father and mother, James and Rose Varice, Baton Rouge; a son, Gary Eugene McKnight; two sisters, Vilinda and Vonetta Varice, both of Baton Rouge; and three brothers, James Varice and Otis and Alfred Hicks, all of Baton Rouge. Preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Idella Patty; an uncle, Alfred Patty; three aunts, Wilda and Estella Patty and Vivian Coleman; a brother, Demetrious A. Varice; and a nephew, Michael Wayne Varice. He was a graduate of Tara High School.
WILLIAMS, GERTRUDE GAYDEN "MARIE"
A loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister, she died at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001, at Southwest Medical Regional Center, McComb, Miss. She was a resident of Summit, Miss., and a native of Baton Rouge. Survived by her loving and devoted husband, Enoch Williams, McComb; a daughter, Michelle L. Owens, Baton Rouge; and five stepchildren, all of Amite; a loving father, Bishop Alfred Al Gayden; stepmother, Mary Gayden, Baton Rouge; a granddaughter, Jaila Owens; 15 step-grandchildren; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Jacqueline K. and Alfred Plant Jr., Janice G. and Matthew Nunnery; and two brothers, Jessie Kilbourne and James "Charles" Nellon, Jr., all of Baton Rouge; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by her mother, Elect Lady Eva Mae Gayden; and grandparents. Visiting at Winnfield Funeral Home from 5 p.m. Sunday until religious services at 7 p.m., conducted by Bishop T.E. Clark. Dismissal at 10 a.m. Monday. Interment in Southern Memorial Gardens.
WILLIAMS, ISIAH "SON"
A self-employed plumber and resident and native of Baton Rouge, he died Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2001, at Sterling Place.
He was 71.
Visiting at Jordan United Methodist Church from noon until religious services at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Interment in Hope Cemetery.
Survived by two daughters, Alma Williams and Patricia W. Albert; five sons, Desi, Cleveland, Gregory, Walter and Malcolm Knight; two sisters, Elizabeth Augustus and Lovie Williams; 20 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Winnfield Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
WILLIAMSON, ELOUISE THAMES
A retired employee with United Companies and a resident of Denham Springs, she died at 4 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 2001, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. She was 63 and a native of Watson. Visiting was at Seale Funeral Home, Denham Springs, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. Visiting at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until religious services at 3 p.m. Saturday, conducted by the Rev. Mark Crosby. Interment in Live Oak Methodist Church Cemetery, Denham Springs. Survived by her husband, Buddy Williamson; two daughters and a son-in-law, Jan Wunstel, and Penny and Charles Powell, Jr., all of Watson; two sons and daughters-in-law, Randy and Selena Williamson and Charles A. "Al", Jr. and Jackie Williamson, all of Watson; a sister, Juanita Cowart, Watson; two brothers, Beverly Thames, Watson, and I.B. Thames, Pineville; 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and two brothers-in-law, Donald Arbour and Jimmy Graves. Preceded in death by her parents, Isrie B. and Celia Impson Thames; and two sisters, Ida Lee Arbour and Mary Dell Graves. Pallbearers will be Bubbie Cowart, Charles Ray Thames, Ray Thames, Dean Thames, Donnie Arbour, Barry Arbour, Timmy Thames, Tracey Thames and Jesse Gordon. Honorary pallbearers are Jim McMorris and Ernie Sanders. She was a member of Live Oak United Methodist Church.
WINFIELD, PEARL SMITH "MAMA PEARL"
A resident and native of Baton Rouge, she died at 5 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2001, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. She was 91. Visiting was at Winnfield Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. Religious services at Israelite Baptist Church at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Charles Burris, Ph.D. Entombment in Greenoaks Memorial Park Mausoleum. Survived by five daughters, Dorothy Durio, Vera Jones and husband, Alvin, Joyce Hatch, Helen Loretta Rankins and husband, Arthur, and Ruth Brown and Beatrice Jones, all of Baton Rouge; a son, Lloyd Winfield, Minnesota; two sisters, Louise Henderson and Mary Lee Bazile; 28 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Winfield; two sons, Edward and Samuel Winfield; mother, Annie Bell Davis; and two sisters, Lucy Servick and Elnora Jones.
AERTKER, CHARLES J.
A retired accountant and a resident of Baton Rouge, he died in Baton Rouge. He was 83, a native of New Orleans, and a U.S. Coast Guard veteran of World War II. Visiting was at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Visiting at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until religious services in the chapel at 11 a.m. Monday. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Survived by wife of 60 years, Helen G. "Sis" Aertker; a daughter and son-in-law, Leslie A. and David Guild, Baton Rouge; a son, Jerry Aertker, Baton Rouge; a sister, Betty Poche, Baton Rouge; and two brothers, Robert Aertker, Baton Rouge, and Donald Aertker, Fort Worth, Texas. Preceded in death by parents, William H. and Anna Garic Aertker; a sister, Marjorie Beckman; and a brother, William G. Aertker. He was a charter member of Lakeshore Lions Club, having served as treasurer and president, and belonged to Association of Cost Accountants.
BARRY, SR. LOYD VANCE
A deacon at First Baptist Church of Luling, he passed away Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001, at IHS Nursing Home in Luling. He was a 32nd degree Mason. Survivors include his son, Loyd Vance Barry Jr.; his daughters, Patricia Parker and Yvonne King; his grandchildren, Brenda Mayeaux, Mike Parker, Linda Douglas, Penny Deroche, Barry Parker, Danny Barry, Scott Barry, Nikki Blanchard and Chad Barry; 20 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; a sister; his wife, Thelma "Jackie" Barry; his daughter, Sue Bailey; and his granddaughter, Rory Treadway. He was loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Visiting at First Baptist Church of Luling, Paul Mallard Road, Luling, after 10 a.m. Tuesday. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral services at the church at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Entombment in St. Charles Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, contributions and donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Luling Building Fund. Westside/Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 5101 Westbank Expressway, Marrero, LA 70072 in charge of arrangements.
BOND, ADDIE FELPS
A resident of Baton Rouge, and former resident of Clinton, she died Saturday, Dec.15, 2001, at The Care Center.
She was 88 and a native of Gilead, in East Feliciana Parish.
Visiting at Charlet Funeral Home Inc., Clinton, from noon Monday until religious services at 1 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Gordon Vestal.
Interment in Masonic Cemetery.
Survived by a sister-in-law, Nona H. Felps, Baton Rouge; and nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her husband, William Byron Bond; parents, sisters and brothers.
She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church, Pine Grove.
DODGE, LUTHER
Retired owner of Dodge Brothers Cafe, Third Street, from 1928 to 1945, and Port City Bonding Agency, he died at 6:40 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001, in Baton Rouge. He was 94, a resident of Baton Rouge and native of Alexandria. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., after 9 a.m. Tuesday until religious services in the chapel at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Chris Andrews and Van Stinson. Entombment in Greenoaks Memorial Park Mausoleum. Survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Donna and James Dodds, Baton Rouge; a son and daughter-in-law, David and Barbra Dodge, Baton Rouge; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by wife, Adaline Sanders Dodge; and parents, Sidney and Maricellia LaPrairie Dodge. Pallbearers will be Kim Brady, Will Naylor Jr., Kim Naylor, David Dodge Jr., Doug Naylor, James Dodds and Jeffrey Dodds. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Seigen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810.
ELY, DONALD WAYNE
A resident of Baton Rouge, he died at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001, at Baton Rouge General Medical Center. He was 44. Visiting at Winnfield Funeral Home from 10 a.m. Tuesday until religious services at 12:30 p.m., conducted by the Rev. William Davis, Sr. Burial in Winnfield Memorial Park. He is survived by three daughters, Yashica, Yacory and Raven, all of Baton Rouge; three sons, Donald, Jr., Shean and Brandon, all of Baton Rouge; five grandchildren, Dontavious, Reginald, William, Trinity, Shania and her mother, Gladys Jackson; four sisters, Geraldine Weatherspoon, Joyce Turner, Debra Ely, and Yvette and husband, Richard Brown; three brothers, Willie Ely, Jr. and wife, JoAnn, Randy Ely and wife, Lisa and Reginald Ely, all of Baton Rouge; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Willie Ely, Sr. and sister, Pamela Ely.
FLORIDA, KATIE MAE
