MELANCON, SR. HAROLD
A retired employee of Supreme Sugar Refinery and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he died Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at Prevost Memorial Hospital, Donaldsonville. He was 78 and a native of Paincourtville. Visiting at Pilgrim Baptist Church, Paincourtville, from 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, until religious service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Percy Truehill. Survived by a son, Harold Lloyd, Jr. and wife, Diane T. Melancon; a daughter, Sylvia Fay and husband, Kenneth Popleon; a foster daughter, Tina and husband, Raymond Comeaux, Sr.; a granddaughter, Pedra LaNeé and husband, Torrian Cutno; two grandsons, Torris Averis Kelly, Sr. and Devon Cleveland Melancon; a great-grandson, Torris Averis Kelly, Jr.; two foster grandsons, Rayburn and Raymond Comeaux, Jr.; a foster granddaughter, Ranita Comeaux; three sisters, Louise Matthews, Ida Mae and husband, Joseph Pearly, and Venola and husband, Milton Robinson; a sister-in-law, Loretta Sanford; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his parents, Cleveland and Fannie Alsay Melancon; wife, Melba Sanford Melancon; a sister, Martha Melancon; and two brothers, Oscar and Cleveland Melancon. Williams & Southall Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
PARKER, JAMES CALDWELL "CAP"
A retired logging contractor and a resident of Denham Springs, he died at 2:45 a.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at Summit Hospital, Baton Rouge. He was 88 and a native of Clark County, Ark. He supervised German prisoners for the federal government during World War II. Visitation was at Seale Funeral Home, Denham Springs, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. Visitation at First United Methodist Church, Denham Springs, from 1 p.m. until service at 3 p.m. Friday, conducted by the Rev. Webra Price. Burial in Denham Springs Memorial Cemetery, Denham Springs. He is survived by his wife of 65 1/2 years, Louise S. Parker of Denham Springs; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Martha P. and Donald R. Latimer, Patsy P. and Donald R. Hutches, and Sue Ellen Gray; two sons and daughters-in-law, Joe and Carol Sue Parker and Jimmie S. and Suzie B. Parker, all of Denham Springs; a sister, Mildred Kent of Denton, Texas; two brothers, Paul Parker, Sr. and Bill Parker, both of Whitesboro, Texas; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Wiley and Zella Mae Williams Parker; two brothers, J.W. and Winfred Parker; a sister, Martha Parker; and a grandson, Jeffery P. Latimer. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Don Michael Latimer, Les Parker, Mike Hutches, James Gregg Pickens, Steven Parker and Clint Parker. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Men's Bible Class of First United Methodist Church in Denham Springs. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Denham Springs, since 1951. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to your church, favorite charity or local Multiple Sclerosis Society.
SHARP, NEVA HOOVER "JANIE"
A resident of Hammond, she died Tuesday, July 29, 2003, at North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond. She was 92 and a native of Ponchatoula. Visiting at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, from 11 a.m. Saturday until religious service at 1 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Donnie Carter. Interment in Ponchatoula Cemetery. Survived by her two daughters, Peggy Sharp, Ponchatoula, and Tommie Jane Sharp Dunaway, Slidell; a son, Henry Philip Sharp, Baton Rouge; 12 grandchildren, 24 grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents, Henry Peter and Emma Perrin Hoover; husband, Forrest Philip Sharp; seven brothers and three sisters. Mrs. Sharp was the first woman carpenter hired at Higgins Shipyard in 1942. Her picture is on display at the D-Day Museum in New Orleans.
TORRENCE, SR. ROOSEVELT "SONNY MAN"
A former laborer, he died Friday, July 25, 2003, at his residence in Napoleonville. He was 64 and a native of Magnolia, Miss. Visiting at St. Paul Baptist Church, Napoleonville, from 10 a.m. Saturday until religious service at 1 p.m., conducted by the Rev. David Gilton. Burial in church cemetery. Survived by his wife, Iola Torrence; two daughters, Phyllis Smith Wiggins of Napoleonville and Sharleen Boyd of Thibodaux; three sons, Roosevelt Torrence, Jr. of El Paso, Texas, Troy Torrence of Las Vegas, and Carl Torrence of Napoleonville; five sisters, Josephine Isaac, Luberda Nathaniel, Lula Burton, Carolyn Torrence and Dorothy Tunson; two brothers, Clarence and Grover Torrence, Jr.; a stepbrother, Charlie Watson; 14 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his parents, Georgia and Grover Torrence, Sr.; two brothers and a sister. Williams & Southall Funeral Home, Napoleonville, in charge of arrangements.
WILLIAMS, ALEXANDER
A retired laborer with Stupp Corp. and a resident of Baker, he died Tuesday, July 29, 2003, at his home. He was 79 and a native of St. Francisville. Visiting at Winnfield Funeral Home, 7221 Plank Road, from 8:30 a.m. Saturday until religious service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Briscoe Pierre. Interment in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Baker. He is survived by his daughter, Flordine Williams; a devoted nephew, Donald Kyer; a devoted great-niece, Lenail Sims; and four grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
WILSON, BESSIE SMITH
Bessie Smith Wilson was born on Nov. 23, 1935, to the parentage of Anna Brady and Isaac Smith of Sorrento. She departed this life on Tuesday, July 29, 2003, in Baton Rouge. Bessie Smith Wilson was baptized at Jeremiah Baptist Church and later joined the Christian Assembly, where she served in the choir. She was a teacher's aide with Ascension Parish school system for 25 years. Bessie Smith Wilson was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be greatly missed. She leaves to cherish her precious memory her husband of 46 years, James Wilson, Jr.; four daughters and sons-in-law, Marilyn and Herbert Foster, Carolyn and Gregory Brown and Wanda and Darryl Coleman, all of Sorrento, and Stephanie and John Heatly, Baton Rouge; and two sons and daughters-in-law, Anthony and Andrea Wilson and James, III and Janice Wilson, all of Sorrento. She has 15 grandchildren and one expected; a great-granddaughter; two sisters, Theresa Kelson and Augustine Wilson; three brothers, James, Henry and John Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a son, Cloyd L. Wilson. Funeral service at Christian Assembly Full Gospel Church, Gonzales, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003, with the Rev. Richard Rayborn, Sr. officiating.
ALFORD, BILLY R.
A resident of Baton Rouge and a native of Washington Parish, he died at his home on Monday, Oct. 13, 2003. He was 72. Visiting at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until religious service at 2 p.m. Interment to follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park. He is survived by his wife, Bettie Breland Alford; a son, Billy Alford; and two brothers, Donald and Floyd Alford. Preceded in death by his parents, Audice and William Alford; two brothers, Lloyd and Bobby Alford; and an infant sister. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph's Hospice, 5215 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.
ALLAIN, JR. JAMES J
Died at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at his residence in Port Allen. He was 93 and a native of Brusly. Visitation at Holy Family Catholic Church, Port Allen, from 9 a.m. until religious service at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, conducted by Rev. Henry Vavasseur. Interment in Roselawn Memorial Park, Baton Rouge. Survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Beth and James Wester, McHenry, Ill.; a son, Jim Allain, Port Allen; a sister, Beverly Dupuy; a brother, Bert Allain; six grandchildren, Katherine Wester McNichols, Suzanne and Jennifer Wester, and Michelle, Michael, and Stephen Allain; and three great-grandchildren, Judy Jabbour, Lucy and Patrick McNichols. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Bessie Pecquet Allain; parents, James and Evy Allain; and a sister, Elaine Landry. A retired accountant with Exxon, his joy was found in reading, music and woodworking. Memorial donations may be made to Sister Emma's Ministry, 319 N. Jefferson, Port Allen, LA 70767.
BANKSTON, LEO V.
Died Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at 2:15 p.m. at his residence.
He was 88.
Arrangements are pending with Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St.
BORNE, DAISY LeBLANC "MIMI"
A resident of Baton Rouge, she died Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at 11:40 a.m. at her daughter's residence in Baton Rouge. She was 78 and a native of Labarre. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Visiting at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2025 Stuart Ave., from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Wednesday, celebrated by the Rev. Arun John. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Wayne Martin of Baton Rouge; two sons and daughters-in-law, Roger, Jr. and Linda Borne of Houston and Ray and Jan Borne of Baton Rouge; a brother and sister-in-law, Robert J. and Pat LeBlanc, Houston; three grandchildren, Kelly and Lindsey Martin and Carrie Borne, all of Baton Rouge; two sisters-in-law, Kathryn LeBlanc of Greenwell Springs and Ione LeBlanc of Sorrento; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Roger Francis Borne; parents, Clebert and Alida Achee LeBlanc; two brothers, Ruffin and Bert LeBlanc; and a sister, Kitty Dispenza. She was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church for 43 years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Hospice, 5215 Essen Lane, Suite 10, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.
BROUSSARD, ALGERNON "AL"
A resident of Baton Rouge, he died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, at The Retirement Center. He was 80 and a U.S. Army veteran. Visiting at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Visiting at the funeral home from 8 a.m. until service at noon Wednesday. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. He is survived by his wife, Leona Miller Broussard; five sons, Michael, Marvin, Rodney, Darrell and Kenneth Broussard; two sisters, Betty Guidry and Elaine Louviere; three brothers, Harold, Lawrence and Russell Broussard; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emile and Zada Broussard; his brother, Gilbert; his sister, Vickie; and a son, Leornard Broussard.
CATOIRE, GREGORY CHARLES "GREG"
A self-employed carpenter and a resident of Prairieville, he passed away at 8:09 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003. He was 51 and a native of Reserve. Visitation at Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. until religious service at 10 a.m. Wednesday, conducted by the Rev. Jason Labbe. Interment in Prairieville Community Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Judi Polito Catoire, Prairieville; mother, Dorothy Bergeron Catoire, Baton Rouge; a son, Jason Catoire, Prairieville; a sister; a brother; and a grandchild, Bailey Justice Catoire, Prairieville. Preceded in death by his father Leroy Charles Catoire and a brother. He was a member of Baton Rouge Home Builders Association and a 1970 graduate of Woodlawn High School.
