Louisiana, Ouachita Parish Obits, Week of March 4, 2004
Pete Bailey
Services for Pete Bailey, 90, of Monroe, were held March 2 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in West Monroe with Rev. Eugene Brown officiating.
Interment was held at Rocky Branch Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in West Monroe.
Bailey was born August 26, 1913, in Union Parish and died Feb. 29 in Monroe.
Bailey was a retired welder and an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, fish and go camping. He was preceded in death by his parents, D.L. and Ada Bailey, son Duane Bailey and nine brothers and sisters.
Survivors include six children, Peggy Dixon of Sterlington, Darline Smith and husband Dr.William Smith of West Monroe, Pete Bailey Jr. of West Monroe, Darvin Bailey and wife Sandy of West Monroe, Kelvin Bailey of Calhoun, Darren Bailey of West Monroe; brother, Elder Bailey of Quitman, Miss.; sister, Elizabeth Bailey Malone of Rocky Branch; 16 grandchildren; six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.
Pallbearers were Pat Carroll, William H. Dew, Barney Harris, J.C. Honeycutt, Dean McGrew, Henry Minchew. Honorary pallbearers were Larry Bailey, Charles Drader, Billy Kvaternik, Joe Kvaternik.
James Thomas Breland
Services for Mr. James Thomas Breland, 96, of Monroe, were held Feb. 29 in Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe, with John Dowd officiating. Burial was in Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery.
Breland died Feb. 27, at Avalon Place. He was preceded in death by his parents, LeBarden and Emma Whatley Breland and his wife, Lula Knapp Breland.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Pat Breland of Monroe; grandchildren, Gregory and Cathy Breland of Calhoun, and Gretchen and Rick Pettis of Monroe; and great-grandchildren, Ryan Breland, Kelsey Breland and Grace Pettis.
Jim was born in Jena and grew up hunting and fishing at Catahoula Lake. He had a commitment to education and took advantage of the opportunity to enroll at Northwestern College in Natchitoches. For eight years, he worked his way through school and helped support his mother and young family. He worked at a dairy farm throughout college and in 1937 graduated with his bachelors degree in agriculture/science. He taught school for a few years, where he met and married the love of his life, Lula Knapp. Upon graduation, he went to work for the State of Louisiana serving in many capacities in the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture. Throughout World War II, he served his country and state in public health by supervising the Barksdale Field Area. After the war, Jim became a dairy inspector for the state. He was blessed after retirement with many years of good health. James' faith was real and he was active serving the Lord. He taught Sunday School for over 25 years and was a deacon at both Calvary Baptist and First Baptist Church of Monroe.
He and his wife had the opportunity to travel both across the country and back to their second home in LaSalle Parish following retirement.
He was a regular at Pecanland Mall, Wal-Mart and the Piccadilly where he loved greeting people with a positive word. Following his wife?s admission to the nursing home with Alzheimer?s, Jim found a way to touch others and be a witness for the Lord. He had business cards printed with his name, address, phone number, favorite scripture and message, "You are Important. God Loves You. Worry about Nothing. Pray about Everything." Jim gave out over 40,000 cards over several years and continuously looked for ways to inspire others. Even after he was unable to drive, he began a mail campaign of witnessing and reminding others of God?s Love and Grace. He wrote lessons and letters which he then sent to friends and family faithfully. These are tucked in drawers and books as a tangible piece of one man?s love for his Lord. He also wrote many letters to the editor of the local paper over the years sharing his perspective on the world we live in and God?s Love. Jim was always dressed in a suit and tie with a firm handshake, smile and quick word of encouragement for everyone he met.
His family will forever be blessed by his legacy of faith, his shining example of love and his strength of character. He will forever be missed as he leaves us to carry his message forward. Truly, Jim has heard the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant" as he rejoices in Heaven with his loved ones and he awakens in the Presence of the Lord he loved.
Pallbearers were Doug Thompson, Jack Doles, Pete Battaglia, Jr., William H. Moore, Duane Humphries, Mo Porter and Charles Puckett.
Mary Elma Simons Becton
Services for Mary Elma Simons Becton, 87, of Monroe, were held March 2 in Mulhearn Funeral Home Chapel, West Monroe, with Dr. Randy McGee and Dr. John Traylor officiating.
Burial was in Hasley Cemetery, West Monroe.
Becton died Feb. 28, at Landmark Nursing Home in West Monroe after a lengthy illness. She was a long time resident of Monroe and a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Monroe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; parents, Bunyan and Anna Simons; brother O.V. Simons; and great granddaughter, Taylor.
She is survived by two sisters, Chloe May and Ozza Bullen; one daughter, Ethel Moore and husband Fred of Start; two sons, Fred Dale Becton and Briggs Becton and wife Julia, all of West Monroe; nine grandchildren, Burton Becton, Mary Crouse and husband Mike, Dustin Becton, Tanya Stone and husband Jeff, Tasha Moore, Eric Becton, Kevin Becton and Carrie Becton; seven step-grandchildren, Sharon David, Randy Snodgrass, Jerry Horn, Tammy Seay, Debbie Morton, Gene Becton, and Troy Tillman; six great grandchildren and 15 step great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Vernon Whitlock, Wheat Nelson, Dan Trimble, Chuck Denham, Billy Roach, and Jimmy James.
Herbert Boone Halbach
Memorial services for Herbert Boone Halbach and his wife Carolyn Ramagos Halbach were held March 1, at First Baptist Church of Tallulah.
Boone was born on Sept. 4, 1930 and died Feb. 29.
He was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church in Tallulah and he was a respected member of the community. His life's work included a position as teacher and coach at Tallulah High School, principal of Tallulah Elementary School, and parish supervisor. He retired as superintendent of Madison Parish schools. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Ramagos Halbach; parents, Joe and Jane Halbach of Memphis, Tenn.; and brother, John Crenshaw Halbach.
He is survived by his three daughters, Jody Hemphill and husband Tommy of Monroe, Holly Barrett and husband Carey of Little Rock, Ark., and Cally Hyams of Lafayette; two grandsons, Boone and Hayden; and brothers, Joe Douglas Halbach of Hardy, Ark., and Robert Thomas Halbach of Brandon, Miss.
Weldon Emerson Hamilton Sr.
Funeral services for Mr. Weldon Emerson Hamilton Sr., 76, of Monroe, were held Feb. 27 in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home West Monroe, with Rev. Ralph Endsley and Rev. Lindle Stewart officiating.
Burial was in the New Light Baptist Church Cemetery in Monroe.
Hamilton died on Feb. 24 at the LSU Medical Center in Monroe after a brief illness. He was retired from Selig Manufacturing Company of Monroe. Emerson was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Louise.
Survivors include his six children, Weldon E. Hamilton Jr. and wife Catherine of West Monroe, Alvin Hamilton and wife Sherry of Swartz, Michael Hamilton of Monroe, Samuel Hamilton and wife Linda of Swartz, Marilyn Robert of Monroe and Sherry Foster and husband Wayne of Eros; twenty-one grandchildren; twenty-seven great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were David Patterson, David Guynn, Roger Trichell, David Trichell, Jeremy Escolon and Ben Folden.
Armour Scott Miller
Services for Armour Scott Miller, 83, of Monroe, were held Feb. 29 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home with Rev. Lindel Stewart officiating.
Interment was held in the Twin City Memorial Gardens in West Monroe.
Miller was born June 22, 1920, in Monroe and died Feb. 27 in West Monroe.
Miller served in U.S. Navy during World War II. He retired from the city of Monroe as a night watchman and was also a farmer. Miller attended New Light Baptist Church in Monroe. He was preceded in death by his daughter Vivian Rogers.
Survivors include his wife, Vertie Miller; Mrs. Miller's son, Cecil Fletcher and her grandchildren Kim Fletcher, Carl Fletcher Jr. and Joy Brazelle; four daughters, Armadine Wright and husband Norman, Anita Brinson and husband George, Vara Starr and husband Henry, Jo Ann Owens and husband Gene; 13 grandchildren, Angela Wright Haacker and Christian Norman, Edward Wright Jr. and Allison, Linda Wright Bailey and Jim, William Scott Wright and Tammy, Joey Starr, Thomas Starr and Terry, Recce Starr, Mark Starr and Amanda, Mona Thomas and Rick, Wendy Ilardin and Tim, Steve Owens, Latisia Mills and Paul; 25 great grandchildren, Eric Hansen Haacker, Clifton Edward Haacker, Walton Colton Haacker, Elliese Marie Wright, Emily Ann Wright, Sophie Ruth Wright, Ruby Grace Wright, Lee Sims, Anthony Sims, Melissa Thomas, Michelle Thomas, Jacob Hardin, Curphy Hardin, Zachary Hardin, Timothy Starr, Margareet Starr, Christopher Starr, Megan Starr, Ashley Starr, Stormie Wyrick, Hunter Wyrick, Chelsea Starr, Katelyn Starr, Logan Starr, Michael Owens; niece, Reccie Futch; nephews, Jody Miller, Scotty Miller, Eric Miller and Andy Miller.
Pallbearers were Tommy Starr, Mark Starr, Joey Starr, Chris Haacker, Bill Wright, Jim Bailey, Paul Mills, Tim Hardin, Lee Sims, Chris Starr, and Glen Turnage.
Sidney L. Scott
Services for Mr. Sidney L. Scott, 76, of Monroe, were held March 3 at First Baptist Church of Swartz, with Dr. Collin Wimberly and Rev. Byron Boykin officiating. Burial with Masonic Rites was in Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home in Monroe.
Scott, a World War II navy veteran who served aboard Aircraft Carrier USS Hollandia in the South Pacific, died Feb. 29, at North Monroe Medical Center. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Swartz, charter member and Past Master of Walker George Lodge #467 F&AM, Past Master of Relief Lodge #1, member and ast president of Swartz Lions Club, and member of Woodmen of the World Lodge #10. He retired from Mississippi River Fuel Transmission Co. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. His parents, S.R. Scott and Nannie Dees Scott and sisters, Christene and Rivers Scott preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Shirline Scott of Monroe; sons Sidney A. Scott and Sara and Dennis L. Scott and wife Ronnie of Swartz; grandchildren, Steven A. Scott and wife Crystal, Nicholas D. Scott, Monica Scott Swinea and husband Nate, Tyler L. Scott, and Blake McMilleon; great grandchildren, Emma Grace Swinea and Mason Ray Scott; sisters, Dorothy Gray and Kathleen Johnson; brothers, Archie Scott, Harold Scott, and J.D. Scott and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Curtis Boykin, Carl Boykin, Roger Boykin, Bud Balch, Steven Scott and Nicholas Scott. Honorary pallbearers were members of Walker George Masonic Lodge and Swartz Lions Club.
Yvonne Godfrey Walter
Services for Mrs. Yvonne Godfrey Walter, 86, of Monroe formerly of Winnsboro, were held Feb. 27 at First United Methodist Church, Winnsboro with Rev. Bill Moon and Rev. Heath Kahlbau officiating.
Burial was in Old Winnsboro Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe.
Walter died Feb. 24 at Avalon Place. Her husband, Edwin D. Walter; sister, Carice Godfrey King; brothers, Cicero Godfrey, Brewer Godfrey and Sonny Jim Godfrey preceded her in death.
Survivors include her daughters, Ellen Walter Bowen of Monroe and Gay Walter Swindell and husband Jim of Decatur, Ala.; sisters, Marjorie McLemore and Mabel Bennett; brother J. E. "Bubba" Godfrey; grandchildren, Kimberly Bowen Peterson, Benjamin Walter Bowen, Stephanie Bowen Smith, David Edwin Swindell, Shawna Swindell Kahlbau, and James Ryan Swindell; and great grandchildren, Benjamin Kade Bowen, Ty Garrett Bowen, Jonathan Edwin Swindell, and Anna Elizabeth Swindell.
Pallbearers were David Edwin Swindell, James Ryan Swindell, Benjamin Walter Bowen, David Erskine, William David Smith, and John Cox.
Lillian Irene Irvin Williams
Services for Lillian Irene Irvin Williams, 92, of West Monroe were held Feb. 28 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel in West Monroe with Rev. Connie Ward, Rev. Clyde Sanchez and Rev. Tim Williams officiating.
Interment was held at New Chapel Hill Baptist Church Cemetery West Monroe under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in West Monroe.
Lillian Irene Irvin Williams was born on April 29, 1911, in Paragould, Ark. She died on February 26 at the West Monroe Guest House. She was preceded in death by her husband, Perry Earl Williams. They lived all their married lives in the New Chapel Hill Community of West Monroe. She and her husband were members of New Chapel Hill Baptist Church for most of their married life and there Perry served as a deacon until his death in 1978.
Survivors include three children; Rev. Earl Williams and wife Jane of West Monroe, Marian Marsalis and husband Bill of West Monroe, John Raymond Williams and wife Mary of Graham, N. C., 13 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Darren Harrell, Glen Pepper, Irvin Sills, Gerald Don Coker, Charles Haynes, and Tommy Saxon.
