ROBINSON, CURTIS "BIG CURT"
A retired track repairman with Illinois Central Railroad and a resident and native of Ethel, he died at 3:35 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, at Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Mid City. He was 77. Visiting at Fraternal Funeral Home, Clinton, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Visiting at Providence No. 2 Baptist Church, the Rev. Q.T. Ellis, pastor., La. 19, Ethel, from 6 p.m. until religious service at 8 p.m. Monday, conducted by the Rev. Rodney Freeman. Dismissal at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Interment in St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, La. 19, Ethel. Survived by his wife, Hilda W. Robinson, Baton Rouge; a daughter, Carolyn R. Coleman, Baton Rouge; six sons, Curtis, Jr. and wife, Patricia, Larry and wife, Alma, and John, all of Baton Rouge, Mark and Russell, Minneapolis, and James and wife, Joycelyn, Austin, Texas; three sisters, Eliza and husband, Amos James, Ethel, Sandra Faye and husband, Jinuis Smith and Arlena Johnson, all of Baton Rouge; eight brothers, Willie and wife, Bessie O'Conner, Abe and wife, Mathalia O'Conner, Raymond and wife, Melonese O'Conner, and Jimmy and Andy Davis, all of Baton Rouge, James and wife, Cora, Atlanta, Willie Richardson, New York City, and Amos and wife, Susie Davis, New Orleans; 25 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He and his wife were the surrogate parents of Byron and Wesley Dyson. Preceded in death by his mother, Kitty Davis; a sister, Mandy Scott; a daughter, Linda R. Dyson; two nieces and a nephew. He was a member and president of the usher board at Providence No. 2 Baptist Church and the peanut man of Bonnette-Harrison American Legion Post 502.
ROLLINSON, DON BRADFORD
A resident of Montpelier, he died at 8:50 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002, at Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center in Independence. He was 62 and a native of Oak Grove. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10 a.m. until religious service at 2 p.m. Monday, conducted by the Rev. W.S. Manchester. Interment in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Pine Grove. Survived by his wife, Marie Rollinson, Montpelier; four stepsons, Gary Laseter, Mandeville, Jimmy Laseter, Greensburg, Kelly Laseter, Bush, and Buddy Thomas, Jackson; a stepdaughter, Cynthia Litzenberger, Bogalusa; a sister, Minnie Marie Carpenter, Greenwood, Miss.; three brothers, Kenneth Rollinson, Harrison, Ark., Hubert Ray Rollinson, Oak Grove, and John Clayton Rollinson, Denham Springs; and a number of grandchildren.
ROOT, BARRY DAVID
Killed Thursday night, Nov. 7, 2002, at his restaurant, Delley's Corner. He was 48 and a native of Baton Rouge. He graduated from Tara High School and attended LSU, where he was a member of Theta Xi fraternity. Visiting was at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Visiting at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church from 9 a.m. until religious service at 10 a.m. Monday, conducted by the Rev. Miles Walsh. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Survived by his wife, Deborah Armand Root; a daughter, Mary Adele Root; mother, Marilyn H. Root; a sister, Paula R. Dupuy and husband, Paul; two brothers, William Root and wife, Diane Songy Root, and Brian Root; three nieces, Jennifer R. Seeger, Nicole Root and Melissa Root; two nephews, Wesley Root and Austin Root; and aunt, Lorraine H. Pol and her family. He was preceded in death by his father, Wesley B. Root, Jr.; and a niece, Danielle L. Root. Pallbearers will be Carter Pourciau, Thomas Cross, Ricky Pare, Doug Mayeau, Wesley Root and Danny Heroman. His generosity and support of the Volunteers of America was well-known and will be greatly missed. He was much loved by the ladies of the VOA Auxiliary. Memorial donations may be made to the family of Barry David Root, Account 641036447, c/o Bank One, 451 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70801.
WILD, JACQUELINE BOOTH BELL "JACKIE"
A resident of Pumpkin Center, she died Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002, at her home. She was 77 and a native of Holden. Visitation at Trinity Baptist Church, Pumpkin Center, from 8:30 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m. Monday. Interment in church cemetery. Survived by her husband, Byron Wild, Sr., Pumpkin Center; two daughters, Brenda Kuhn and Elizabeth "Liz" Martin, both of Pumpkin Center; a son, Byron Wild, Jr., Pumpkin Center; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her first husband, Frank Bell; parents, Henry Samuel and Agnes Gray Booth; four brothers, Alton Booth, Fred "Slick" Booth, Melvin "Red" Booth and the Rev. Thurman "Dutch" Booth; two sisters, Dorothy Mulkey and Pearl Efferson; and a grandson, Byron Wild, III. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Trinity Baptist Church Building Fund, 42062 Pumpkin Center Road, Hammond, LA 70403 or Eastern Star Training Award for Religious Leadership, 44095 Arbordale Drive, Hammond, LA 70403. Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Hammond, in charge of arrangements.
WILLIAMS, JR. MITCHELL LEE "BRO. MITCH"
A retired lumber clerk with Central Lumber Co. and a resident and native of Baton Rouge, he died at 7:20 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, at Jefferson Manor Nursing Home. He was 83 and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Visiting at Greater St. James Baptist Church from 4 p.m. Tuesday until religious service at 7 p.m., conducted by the Rev. W.M. Finister, pastor. Dismissal at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Interment in Port Hudson National Cemetery. Survived by his wife, Annie Lee Williams; two daughters, Carolyn W. Martin and Cheryl W. Russell; a daughter-in-law, Ruth W. Williams; two sons, Mitchell L. Williams, III and Theodore J. Williams; two sons-in-law, Kevin D. Martin and William U. Russell, Jr.; two sisters, his twin sister, Mary Lee Cage of Perris, Calif., and Ella Thomas, Baton Rouge; a sister-in-law, Bernice Sideboard; two brothers, Bennie Cagler, Sr., San Francisco, and Lastrap Cagler, Oakland, Calif.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents and a sister. Desselle Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
WORTHY, OTTIS "UNCLE BOOTY"
A resident and native of Baton Rouge, he died at 1:05 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, at his home. He was 87 and a U.S. Army sergeant veteran of World War II. Visiting at Desselle Funeral Home from 9 a.m. Tuesday until dismissal service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. W. Marshall Myles. Interment in Port Hudson National Cemetery. Survived by five nieces, Rose, Mottile, Betty Gail, Warletha Price and Warnema Sanders and husband, Charles, all of Baton Rouge; four great-great-nieces; four nephews and spouses, Edward and Annie Mae Price and Bobby and Evelyn Price, all of Baton Rouge, Charles and Dianne Price, Manassas, Va., and Mark and Carolyn Price, Woodbridge, Va.; a loving sister, Edna W. Price, Baton Rouge; and eight great-nephews, including a very special and loyal great-nephew, Darrel J. Verret, II. Preceded in death by his mother, Mottile Fergerson; father, Foster Worthy; a brother, Edward Smith; a nephew, Clifton Price; a niece, Alice Gaines; and two great-nieces, Coletha and Ruby Price. Special thanks to Trinity Hospice of Baton Rouge, especially Sharon Hopson and Sandra Batieste, his nurses.
LEE, JR. JOHN LLOYD
On Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at 1:30 p.m., we lost a wonderful man when John Lloyd Lee, Jr. died at his home following a valiant struggle with cancer. A generous and creative man, and one of true grace, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend … a man of articulate and judicious temperament, with strong though quiet conviction, and unwavering integrity. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. An honorably discharged U.S. Army-Air Forces veteran of World War II and a captain in the Army Reserve, he graduated from LSU in mechanical engineering. Many know him from his years of coaching Union National American Legion baseball and as a Boy Scout troop leader. He retired as maintenance supervisor from Ethyl Corp. in 1985. He was a past master of Eastgate Lodge 452, member of the Baton Rouge Scottish Rite Bodies and president of the Acacia Shrine Klown Unit in Baton Rouge, where he was known as "Southbound." He attended Broadmoor United Methodist Church and St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Born Feb. 23, 1924, to Esther and John Lloyd Lee, Sr. (St. Joseph), John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia Lusk of New Orleans; and by sons, John Lloyd, III and wife, Victoria Graves and Robert Kenneth of Baton Rouge; a daughter, Rebecca Lee of Santa Fe, N.M.; and seven grandchildren, Edward and Samantha Lee of Baton Rouge, and Misty, Adrienne, Joshua, Kristen and Joseph Lee of Golden Meadow. He was preceded in death by a son, Jerry Lee; and a daughter-in-law, Connie Allen Lee. Heartfelt appreciation is hereby extended to all the Lees' many personal friends and, particularly, to a very special group of men, the Acacia Klowns, for their uplifting visits, cards, support and encouragement. Visitation will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. Visiting at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until memorial service at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2003, conducted by the Rev. Jerry Martin. The family welcomes all those who wish to share with them the memory of the good works of a good man, at the Lee home immediately following the Saturday service. It is requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Shreveport Shriners Hospital, c/o the Acacia Shrine Temple, 7991 S. Commerce Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70815-8028 or to St. Joseph Hospice, 5215 Essen Lane, Suite 10, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. God bless you.
MANGIARACINA, IRENE
She died Thursday, April 10, 2003, at Lane Memorial Hospital, Zachary, at age 84.
Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.
Visiting at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Hammond, from 9 a.m. Saturday until Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., celebrated by the Rev. Jaime Diaz.
Interment in Rose Memorial Cemetery, Hammond.
She is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and George Adams, Hammond; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
MATTHEWS, JR. MARK ANTHONY
A resident of Denham Springs, he died at birth at 4:15 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2003, in Baton Rouge. Visiting at Ourso Funeral Home, Donaldsonville, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday. Graveside service in St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Cemetery, Donaldsonville, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, conducted by the Rev. Michael Galea. Survived by his parents, Mark Anthony, Sr. and Gypsie Alleman Matthews, Denham Springs; paternal grandparents, Leila Culipher, Denham Springs, and Rudolph Matthews, Marrero; and maternal step-grandfather, Howard George Alleman of Prairieville. Preceded in death by maternal grandfather, George Felix Alleman.
MELLION, MILDRED L.
A homemaker and a resident of Plaquemine, she died Sunday, April 6, 2003, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge. She was 71 and a native of Independence. Visiting at Roscoe Mortuary, 58635 Meriam St., Plaquemine, from 1 p.m. until wake service from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. Religious service at Plymouth Rock Baptist Church, Iron Farm Road, Plaquemine, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, conducted by the Rev. Lee T. Westley. Interment in Grace Memorial Park. Survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Larry Harrison and Linda and Clifton Mitchell; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Oscar and Helen Mellion and Charles Mellion; a godchild, Carolyn Singleton; Chantra James, who she reared as a daughter, and her husband, Avery; four brothers, Leonard Asberry, Plaquemine, and Norman, Lawrence and William Asberry, all of Compton, Calif.; three aunts, Inez Pania and Inez Mellion, both of Plaquemine, and Leona Prince of New Orleans; two devoted cousins, Mildred Rousell, New Orleans, and Inez Carline, Houston; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
ANDREWS, LAURA BURNITT
Laura Burnitt Andrews died at St. Clare Manor at 7:10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, 2002, her father's birthday. She was born Sept. 29, 1910, in Calvert, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, R. Marcus Andrews, whom she married on Sept. 29, 1934, her birthday; her mother, Emily Gilson Burnitt; and her father, Seth Burnitt, who was born Oct. 31, 1859. Laura was also preceded in death by a brother and seven sisters. She is survived by two sons, Carl M. Andrews of Casselberry, Fla., and Dan F. Andrews and his wife, Charlene, of Baton Rouge; two step-grandsons, Richard and Christopher McDonald of Baton Rouge; and a step-granddaughter, Holly Owsianik of Lebanon, N.H. Laura had been a member of First Presbyterian Church since 1946. Visitation in the Dunham Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 701 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70802, from 1 p.m. Monday until memorial service at 3 p.m., conducted by the Rev. John Schmidt. Graveside service in City Cemetery, Calvert, Texas, at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Special thanks to all at Ollie Steele Burden Manor, St. Clare Manor, Dr. William P. Gahan and a very special friend, Carolyn Abernethy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Scholarship Fund of First Presbyterian Church or to a favorite charity. Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., in charge of arrangements.
