On Sunday morning, Feb. 10, 2013, E.M. Rayborn left with God’s arms wrapped around his shoulders at the age of 86. His angels took him home to rest.
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Tag Archives: Sunday
Oree to preach Sunday at Mt. Carmel
Bogalusa City Councilman Michael Oree will take on a new role this Sunday when he is set to preach his first sermon at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.
Oree said he got his first calling about 12 years ago when he was a senior in high school. He was surprised at being selected to attend a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Camp in Shreveport, since he was always in trouble until his senior year, he said. But while he was there, a preacher approached him and told Oree God was calling him into the ministry, and it was something he needed to pray about.
“From that point on I was having visions and I was having dreams and people were always reminding me and telling me that I’ve been called to preach,” he said. “After dealing with it for the past couple of years, the calling was more intense on my life, and I had to go ahead and submit to God and accept the calling.”
After accepting the calling in November, Oree met with his pastor, and the date for his first sermon was set. Oree is a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, under the leadership of the Rev. Christopher Matthews, but since his church has burned down he will be delivering his sermon at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 841 E 6th St., where Tom Bailey is pastor.
Oree has been a member of Bethlehem since 2009 and a deacon for the past two years. He was raised in that church but moved away from it with his mother when he was about 10, he said. He returned to Bethlehem after college.
Oree completed a master’s degree in sports administration at Grambling State University in 2006 and is a 2001 graduate of Bogalusa High School. In addition to his work with the City Council, Oree is a counselor for YouthBuild Bogalusa, a program of Northshore Technical Community College.
Oree said he has been called at a critical time because of “what’s going on in our world, what’s going on in our city” and that strong and solid people are needed to “stand up for the word of God.” He has also come to the conclusion that he is going to become a preacher and is getting prepared for that.
“I know God’s got something bigger and better for me to be doing, and I always knew it,” he said. “And I’m just happy about it now.”
He plans to enter school in August and further his divinity education.
As a minister, Oree will not be preaching every Sunday. Instead, he will “be ready when the opportunity presents itself.”
“My job right now as a minister is to be prepared to preach,” he said, adding that he will get his youth ministry program, aimed at teenagers, going again next month.
The average person in Bogalusa, Oree said, does not know he has been arrested nine times, expelled from school twice and suspended from school about 40 times from kindergarten from 11th grade, or that he was involved in things like fights as a teenager.
“My life was really headed downhill,” he said. “I was actually facing some serious criminal charges at one time in my life and was looking at the possibility of some long jail time.”
Thus, the experience of becoming a minister has been meaningful to Oree.
“It means that God is everything,” he said. “I realize that no matter where you come from, what you’ve done or where you’ve been, God can still use you.”
Oree said he is appreciative of the support he has received from his family, including his wife, Christa Oree, and his children, Mighonna, Michael Jr., Mikel, Mighelle and Milaya Oree.
“I’m real thankful for my family and all my friends and everyone who’s offered a kind and encouraging word to me,” he said.
As of the time of his interview, Oree said his sermon was almost prepared and will come from the book of Second Timothy.
The church service will take place Sunday at 3 p.m., with food to be served afterwards. The public is invited to attend, Oree said.
See the original article at The Daily News:
Oree to preach Sunday at Mt. Carmel
Cook-Richmond expands to Franklinton
Having branched out to Franklinton, Cook-Richmond Funeral Home will host a grand opening celebration at its new facility Sunday, Dec. 30.
In choosing to open a Franklinton location, Vice President and assistant manager Jamal Richmond said he and his father, Roscoe Richmond, president and manager, wanted to expand the company’s services from Bogalusa to the other side of Washington Parish and offer people another choice for their funeral service needs. He noted the funeral home can also accommodate customers in Mississippi, as it is licensed in that state.
In addition to funeral package plans, which Jamal Richmond said are affordably priced, the company offers life insurance plans.
“Through our insurance, our goal is to make sure everyone is insured so they can afford a professional, dignified funeral, because everybody deserves a professional service,” he said.
With a staff of more than 20 between its Bogalusa and Franklinton locations, Cook-Richmond Funeral Home is well prepared to accommodate customers’ needs, Richmond said.
Cook-Richmond Funeral Home was founded in Bogalusa more than 50 years ago by Moses and Alvia Mae Richmond, Jamal Richmond’s grandparents.
“We come to Franklinton with generations of experience dealing with funeral service and also life insurance,” he said.
Richmond invites people in Franklinton, as well as Bogalusa, Hackley, Clifton and all surrounding areas, to attend the grand opening celebration.
From 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., those attending can tour the new location at 939 Cleveland St., which has been open for a couple of weeks. Roscoe Richmond said it is an “outstanding” facility that includes a spacious chapel and two viewing rooms and can accommodate up to four viewings at one time.
“It’s a step beyond the norm, if you will, for an average funeral home,” he said.
Licensed insurance agents, as well as the entire funeral home staff, will be on site to answer questions or offer advice, Jamal Richmond said.
“Give us an opportunity to present to you what exactly we have to offer,” he said. “Every funeral home is different, so please come in and take a tour of the building or give us a chance to speak with you.”
Free limousine rides will also be available from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. The company’s limousine service is available not only for funerals, but also for weddings, proms or any other occasion, Richmond said.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 2:30 p.m. A celebration service will begin at 3 p.m., with Rev. Johnny Causey of New Jerusalem Baptist Church as guest speaker, Richmond said. Refreshments will follow.
The Franklinton location can be accessed 24 hours a day by calling 839-7221.
“If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call,” Richmond said.
See the article posted at The Daily News:
Cook-Richmond expands to Franklinton
Burned church not asking for donations
The pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, which was totally destroyed by fire last Sunday, said the congregation is not currently asking for donations.
The Rev. Christopher Matthews said the requests that are circulating around Bogalusa are not official and may be scams.
The church does plan to rebuild but is still in the process of deciding its course of action, he said.
When a plan is formulated, it will be made public.
Bethlehem Baptist is the oldest African-American Church in Bogalusa. The church building on E. Seventh Street, where the congregation moved in 1958, burned in the early hours of Dec. 16. The cause is still under investigation, but on Tuesday the Louisiana fire marshal’s office reported that at that time it had found no indication of foul play.
Continue reading at The Daily News:
Burned church not asking for donations
Community can help Bethlehem come back stronger
Early Sunday morning, on Dec. 16, some shocking news came to me that the Bethlehem Baptist Church was on fire. I got up from my bed and went down to the church and was shocked like never before to see the church that I once was a member of going up in flames. It was disheartening to me to have experienced the oldest historical Black church reduced to rubble.
Pastor Christopher Matthews, along with some members of his congregation, watched as the building that they came to worship in was totally destroyed. By 6 p.m. the news had traveled through the various media sites and by word of mouth.
My plan had been to attend Mt. Zion Baptist Church after having been invited by Pastor A.J. Luter to be a part of the church’s Christmas program. It was a challenge for me to get ready to go to Mt. Zion after hearing of Bethlehem catching on fire, but with the help of God I made it to the church.
Rev. Luter and I talked about what had happened, and he was saddened like I was as he was once a member of Bethlehem. Pastor Luter asked his congregation to keep the Bethlehem church family in their prayers.
I had the opportunity to view the damage, and it brought chills to me. Several of us from the community were at the church that Friday evening for their Christmas program, which was really good. I thank God no one was in the church when the devastation took place. God does move in mysterious ways, as we can see.
On the Channel 4 news, Pastor Matthews expressed that he had been teaching on the topic “Trusting God.” I believe God was then equipping the congregation with the spiritual tool to triumph over this troubling situation. God will equip his children with what’s needed to overcome any problem that we’re facing and may come across in the future.
Later that Sunday night, I had the opportunity to offer some encouraging words to Rev. Matthews, and he informed me that a lot of people had called and came by to comfort him. That is one great thing — the citizens of Washington Parish will come to help someone in need from a heart of love. God expects us to help one another in love and loyalty to each other.
God has a way of bringing a lot of good out of a bad situation for his glory. I know we don’t always understand why God allows certain things to happen, but He will manifest himself in due time. You’ll see. I believe this experience will bring the church community closer together, putting away differences to accomplish the good in which God prompts us to do.
Pastor Matthews said that he is trusting God, putting into practice what he’s been preaching and teaching. God knows what He is doing, He knows what He’s going to do to bring the church back bigger, better and stronger, in due season.
I can recall several times that I visited the church on Sunday morning and for revivals, always getting some inspiration and motivation for my life’s journey.
I remember a sermon Rev. Matthews preached that was a tremendous blessing to me. He preached about the apostle Paul and his thorn in the flesh. His subject was, “If you can take it, you can make it”!
God knows how much we can bare, and He is our strength and a very present help in the time of trouble. Now is the time for us as communities to put our faith in God into action. I know the great people of Washington Parish, along with the people from other areas, will continue to support the Bethlehem church family during this time.
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Community can help Bethlehem come back stronger
Doris Standridge McLanahan
Doris Standridge McLanahan, 94, a resident of Franklinton born July 20, 1918, died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012 at 12:58 a.m. at Heritage Manor Nursing Home.
She was a longtime employee at Magee Financial in Franklinton. She loved to read. She was also an avid golfer and enjoyed golfing with her friends. She was a member of Centenary Methodist Church.
She is survived by three grandsons, Timothy McLanahan and Debbie of Metairie, Christopher McLanahan of Denver, Colo. and Matthew McLanhan; and three great-grandchildren, Chase Elizabeth McLanahan, Molly Ann McLanahan and William Ted McLanahan.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ham McLanahan, and a son, Ted McLanahan.
Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 14 at Crain Funeral Home beginning at 10 a.m. with a funeral service to be held at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Steve Bush officiating. Burial will follow in the Ellis Cemetery.
Obituaries can be viewed online at www.crainfh.com.
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Doris Standridge McLanahan’s Obituary
Johnnie Alice Godwin
Johnnie Alice Godwin, 82, born July 11, 1930 in Poplarville, Miss., passed away Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012 at the New Country Living Center in Picayune, Miss.
She was a member of First Baptist Church of Bogalusa.
She is survived by one son, George (Ann) Cowart; a stepdaughter, Pat Godwin; two stepsons, Michael (Tammy) Godwin and Rodney Godwin; two sisters, Jo Ann Penton and Rose Gentry; one brother; Tommy Roy (Lollie) Amacker; one grandchild, Kelly Buras; three great-grandchildren, Sidney, Carley and Brady Buras; and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
She preceded in death by her husbands, Truitt Cowart and M. C. “Bill” Godwin; a son, Truitt Cowart Jr.; her parents, John Floyd Amacker and Agnes Fornea Amacker; and two brothers-in-law, Louis Penton and William Shelby Gentry.
Visitation was held Tuesday, Dec. 11 at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home from 9:30 a.m. until time for the funeral services at 11 a.m. at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Paul Watts officiating. Interment followed at Amacker Cemetery in White Sands, Miss.
To view and sign online, visit pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.
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Johnnie Alice Godwin’s Obituary
Elvin Miller
Elvin Miller, 75, born June 26, 1937 in Bogalusa, passed away Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012 at his residence in Bogalusa.
He is survived by two daughters, DeAndrea Wager of Bush and Patricia Liuzza of Mandeville; three grandchildren, Chad Miller, Justin Hunt and Brittany Wager; one great-grandchild, Cayden Miller; one sister, Inez Mullins of New Iberia; six brothers, Clyde Miller of Globe, Ariz., James Miller of Varnado, Glenn Miller and Lofton Miller, both of Bogalusa, William Earl Miller of Covington and Herbert Culbreath of Bush; a step-granddaughter, Stephanie Robinson; and a step-great-granddaughter, Myleigh Robinson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Mildred Miller; one sister, Marie Miller; and two brothers, Dobie Miller and Shelton Miller.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Nov. 29 at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Visitation will continue Friday in the funeral home chapel from 9 a.m. until time for the funeral services at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Pete Bennett officiating. Interment will follow at Pounds Cemetery with military graveside services by Magic City American Legion Post No. 24.
Active pallbearers will be his nephews, Terry Miller, Laverne Spears, Elton Lee Lacey, Paul Miller, Gregg Miller and Craig Miller.
To view and sign online, visit www.pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.
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Elvin Miller’s Obituary
Juanette Kennedy Thomas
Juanette Kennedy Thomas, 47, a resident of the Stateline community, died at her home Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012. She was born Sept. 1, 1965, in Bogalusa, the daughter of Jay “JB” and Joan Pace Kennedy.
She graduated from Columbia Academy in 1983 and Southeastern Louisiana University in 1998. She was a teacher at Thomas Elementary for 14 years. She was a member of Briarwood Baptist Church. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister.
She is survived by her husband, Bryan Thomas of Stateline community; two daughters, Megan (Jody) Hebert of Franklinton and Leslie (Andrew) Hinton of Pine; a sister, Jackie (Donald) Williams of Denham Springs; six grandchildren, Ben Hinton, Emilyn Hebert, Destin Hebert, Breanna Hebert, Camryn Hebert and Aleia Hebert; her parents, Jay “JB” and Joan Pace Kennedy of Angie; her mother-in-law, Leadette Thomas of Sandy Hook, Miss.; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who loved her dearly.
She is preceded in death by her brothers, Justin Ben Kennedy and Jeffery Kennedy; grandparents, Winfred “Dutch” and Betty Pace; and father-in-law, Dan Thomas.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Nov. 20 at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Visitation will continue Wednesday at Statline Baptist Church from 11 a.m. until time for the funeral services at 2 p.m., with Bro. Eric Williams and Bro. Chris Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at Seals Cemetery in Stateline.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Briarwood Baptist Church.
To view and sign online, visit pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.
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Juanette Kennedy Thomas’s Obituary
Leon Cornelies Barber
Leon Cornelies Barber went home Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012 after 79 years as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was a veteran of the Korean conflict in the U.S. Air Force.
He was born March 9, 1933 in Franklinton and was a mechanic and operator of Barber’s Texaco for 40 years. He retired to drive big trucks across the country enjoying the scenery and began a hobby of cedar works. He loved life and his family, which was his pride and joy.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Louise Calhoun Barber of Franklinton; four children and spouses, Leanne Rushing of Tickfaw, Loretta and Anthony Wright of Baton Rouge, Lisa and Jeff Thomas of Slidell and Leon David Barber of Foley, Ala.; four grandchildren and spouses, Chris and April Rushing, Jason and Melissa Smith, Eric Smith, Melissa Brown and Kristine Wright; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Bettie Boutwell of Jackson; a special nephew, John Landry; a dear friend, Roy Penton; his “Thursday Buddies”; and a host of nieces, nephews and other dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman W. Barber and Ora Strahan Barber, and a sister, Dorothy Landry.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, Nov. 21 at Crain Funeral Home from 1 p.m. until time for the Celebration of Life service at 3 pm in the funeral home chapel.
Obituaries can be viewed online at crainfh.com.
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Leon Cornelies Barber’s Obituary