Calcasieu Parish Obituaries

Rosa Nell Bumpers Lawrence, a native of the Winn community of Jackson and a resident of Houston, Texas died Dec. 24, 2008 at Methodist Hospital in Houston.

She was born to the parentage of Minister Asarie Bumpers and Donald McGill (Air Force Retiree). Preceding her in death is her brother, Amos Bumpers Jr., and her husband, Ronald Lawrence.

Rosa attended Tuskegee Institute and graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Business Management. She retired as a Business Manager from Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company in Cincinnati, OH. She was a member of Eternity Full Gospel Fellowship under the leadership of Dr. A. Marie Carrier, Lake Charles, Louisiana.

She leaves to cherish her memories her mother, Minister Asarie Bumpers, her father, Donald McGill and her children, Rekale (Sheldon) Brown, Randall Town, MD; Ronnell Lawrence, Lake Charles, LA, a devoted son, Ronald (Stephanie) Lawrence, Lake Charles, LA; one brother, Alvin Thomas, Lake Charles, LA; two sisters, Linda Sinquefield, Spring, TX and Jackie Sinquefield, The Woodlands, TX; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one aunt, uncle and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; two devoted friends, Shirely Coaston and Jean McMillian, Cincinnati, OH.

The service was Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 at 12 noon at Berry's Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Winn. The Reverend Edward Seabron, pastor, Dr. A. Marie Carrier, eulogist. Viewing was one hour prior to the service. Burial was in the Bumpers Family Plot of Berry's Chapel Cemetery in Winn. Arrangements were entrusted to Andrews Funeral Home, Jackson.

The Clarke County Democcat

January 8, 2009

Submitted by: Sabrina Roberts

Jeremiah O'Brien. [Special to the Picayune] Lake Charles, La.. March 8.—Mr. Jeremiah O'Brien died at his home In this city at 7:30 o'clock this morning, aged 61 years and 6 mouths. The deceased was a native of New Brunswick, but had been a resident of this city for many years— since 1880. He conducted a furniture and undertaking establishment. He leaves a wife and four children.The Daily Picayune, (New Orleans, LA) Thursday, March 09, 1899; Issue 44; col F

HAVENS BABY OF GED BURIED IN LOUISIANA

ORANGE, Aug. 18.—The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Roland L Havens, Jr., died at the family residence in Ged, La., Sunday morning. Funeral services were conducted in  In Nibblett's Bluff cemetery in Louisiana Sunday, under the direction of Fuller funeral home of |Orange. Besides parents, the baby is survived by grandparents. Mr. and  Mrs. Roland L. Havens of Galveston and Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Guidry of Ged. MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 1941. The Port Arthur News.

C.A.BELILE VINTON <Spl> — Cyrel A. Belile, W, of 1303 Stevenson street, Vinton, died at 11:45 p.m. Sunday at his home. The body will remain at the Hixson funeral home in Sulphur until time of services which will be held at the First Methodist church in Vinton with Rev, Garland C. Dean, Jr.. pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Niblets Bluff cemetery. Date and hour of services will be announced by the funeral home. Mr. Belfle was a native of Niblets Bluff and had lived in Vinton 35 years. He was a retired oil field worker. He was a member of the First Methodist church of Vinton and a member of the Independant Order of Odd Fellows. Survivors include his wife. Mrs. Bujard Ludee Belile; one daughter, Mrs. H. S. Gennuso of Ras Tamura, Saudi Arabia; two sisters. Mrs. George Willey and Mrs. Nettie Nosek, both of Niblets Bluff; one brother. R. S. Belile of Beaumont, Tex., and one granddaughter. Monday June 19, 1961 Lake Charles American Press

MRS, A. B. HOLDEN VINTON (Spl) - Funeral service tor Mrs, Amanda Belile Holden, 86, of 1038 Horridge Street will be held fit 2 p.m. Friday here at the Hixson funeral home chapel with Rev, Garland Dean, pastor of the First Methodlst church of Vinton, officialting. Burial will be in Niblett's Bluft cemetery in charge of the Hixson funeral home. Mrs. Holden was a native and a lite-long resident of Vinton, She died at 11:25 p.m. Tuesday at her home after a lengthy illness. Site was a member of the First Methodist church and belonged to the Women's Society of Christian Service. Thursday January 11, 1962 Lake Charles American Press

Times Picayune Dec. 30, 1899

 Lake Charles, La., Dec. 29. – Luella Sale, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Sale, died this afternoon of blood poisoning. The funeral will be conducted tomorrow at 1:30 o’clock. Mr. Sale is the Southern Pacific agent.submitted by Marla Zwakman

 Times Picayune Dec. 7, 1914

 Lake Charles, La., Dec. 6. – Funeral services were held today over the remains of Sam W. Rohrer, who died yesterday of heart disease just after he had returned to his place of employment from dinner. The deceased was a native of Royce, where an aged mother and a sister now reside. He is survived by his wife and the following children: Mathilde, Jules, James, Sam, William, Marie and Edith. submitted by Marla Zwakman

Welsh, La.

 Julia Broussard

 Julia Broussard was born at Mermentau, La., Nov. 10, 1873; died at her home in Welsh, La., Dec. 3, 1919, at the age of 46 years and 23 days.

            She was married three times. Her first marriage was to Mr. Thompson, to which union was born one son, Andrew Thompson. Some years after the death of her first husband she was married to John Graves. To this union were born two son, Albert and Felix Graves, and one daughter, Mrs. Louis Ranguet. All of these children live in Welsh.

            Being left a widow again, she lived with her children and under trying circumstances provided for them and reared them to manhood and womanhood in an honorable way.

            On October 30^th, 1919, she was united in marriage to Mr. Clopha Beniot, one of Welsh’s most respected pioneer citizens. The happy married life was cut short by her untimely demise.

            Besides her husband and children she leaves her aged mother, Mrs. Jennie Broussard, who has always lived with her, three brothers, Gus, Joe and Lucien Broussard of Lake Arthur and one sister, Mrs. Mary Shelton of Houston, Texas.

            She was converted and joined the Methodist church under the ministry of Rev. T. E. Webb in April, 1915. She lived a most consistent member of this church to the time of her death.

            The funeral services were held in the Methodist church of Welsh, Rev. R. L. Weldon, pastor, officiating. He was assisted in the service by Rev. Mr. Pettipal, a French Missionary. Much of the service was rendered in the French language. Rev. Pettipal sang “Nearer My God to Thee” very effectivel in the French language, also making a splendid funeral address and offering a prayer in the same language.

            Is not een death a gain to those

            Whose life to God was given?

            Gladly to earth their eyes they close

            To open them in Heaven!

             Then let our sorrows cease to flow;

            God has recalled his own;

            But let our hearts in every woe

            Still say, “Thy Will be Done.”

                                    (Her Pastor)

 The Rice Belt Journal – Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, LA – December 6, 1919 – Transcribed by D. Donlon

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Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, LA

Ezra Porter

 Ezra Porter was born Sept. 11, 1852 in Noble County, Ohio. He was married to Elizabeth Jane Steadman of Noble County Nov. 13, 1883 at Guthrie Center, Iowa, where they lived five years. In the spring of 1888 he came to Louisiana to seek a home, taking up a homestead about eight miles north of Iown Station, where he resided up to the time of his death, near the place now known as Woodlawn.

            In the fall of 1888 they erected a log house, where the first Sunday School was held in this community. He was a bible student, read and studied his bible daily; a teacher in the Sunday School; always in his place at public worship, upholding the right and opposing the wrong, and he belonged to the church of the first born whose names were written in Heaven. He became a Christian in his youth.

            Mr. Porter passed away November 13, 1919, it being 31 years since his settlement in Louisiana, it being also his 36^th wedding anniversary. He leaves a wife and two sons, Spurgeon Porter of Kinder and Harold O. Porter, a daughter, Lena E. Porter, having gone before. Other relatives surviving are three sister, Mesdames, Viella Cooper and Sarah Springer of Colorado Springs, Col, and Mrs. Estella Moch of Des Moines, Iowa.

            He will be missed by his loved ones and many friends.

            The burial services were held at the home of Rev. Leeds of Kinder.

The Rice Belt Journal – Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, LA – December 6, 1919 – Transcribed by D. Donlon 

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Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, LA

 Sarah Elinor Litchfield

 Died, near Rice, La., Sarah Elinor, the second daughter of Gershom and Mollie England Litchfield. She was born Jan. 11, 1903; died Feb. 9, 1907.

            The patient little sufferer was called to endure her illness less than a week and then the Lord permitted death to claim its victim.

            From early infancy Elinor was taught by her papa and mama to love Jesus and to pray to Him each day. With the simple faith of childhood which knows no doubt, she grasped the promise of the Saviour’s return to this earth, often expressing the wish that the angels might come to take her to heaven.

            Elinor has been a member of the Sabbath School ever since she was two years old. She always came in with a smile and listened very attentively to her teacher.

            Like a blossom, little Elinor was unfolding, shedding the sweet perfumes of her life; but he work just begun, was cut off. We may ask, why? Eternity alone can give us the reason. Now we can say, “Thy Will Be Done.”

            Father, mother, one sister, a baby brother, and a host of relatives mourn their loss. They deeply mourn, but not without home; but they await the trumpet call of Jesus when the grave ceases to hold its victim. It shall be said in that day: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” I Cor. 15:55

            Clad in immortality the little one will then come forth to live in that land where she can pluck the ne’er fading flowers, so unlike the ones she so much loved on this earth.

            The funeral services were conducted at the home by Prof. W. E. Straw, whose remarks were based upon. Eccl. 6:1-3

 The Rice Belt Journal – Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, LA – February 15, 1907 – Transcribed by D. Donlon

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Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, LA

 Roswell P. Willard was born in Pittsberg, N. H. May 2^nd, 1839, and died in Houston, Texas, February 16, 1910 aged seventy years, nine months and fourteen days. He moved from New Hampshire to Wisconsin in his early life. After residing there for four years, in 1871 he moved to Sac, Co., Iowa, where he made his home for 21 years. The esteem with which he was held as a neighbor and citizen in this community is indicated by the fact that only words of commendation are heard from those who knew him.

            He was married to Miss Prudence Prentice January 1, 1874. To this union was given four children, one daughter and three sons, two of the sons having preceded their father to the land of the blest. His wife died May 19, 1890 leaving the husband and children broken hearted.

            In 1891 he moved his family to Welsh, La., where he has made his home ever since. His friends in this community are numbered by those who knew him, for such was his character and disposition that to know him was to respect him and love him. Indeed every one seems to exclaim with one voice “He was a good man.”

            In the month of March 1908 he returned to his old home in Iowa on a visit. While there he was married to Mrs. Ida Derby, Sept. 2^nd, 1908. His visit was prolonged, due to the illness of his wife’s father Hosea Prentice (who was the only living brother of Nathaniel Prentice of this city.) During this illness, which proved fatal, he was as devoted and faithful as though it had been his own parent.

            He started with his wife for his home in Welsh, La., January 25^th, visiting friends in Kansas City, Enid, El Reno and Houston, reaching the latter place February 11^th where he was taken seriously ill. Everything which medical skill and kind friends could do was done but of no avail. It was a source of great comfort to him to have by his bedside during his last moments his son Elwin and daughter Mrs. Evelyn Bower.

            His remains were brought to this city where the funeral service was held February 19^th, in the First Methodist Episcopal Church, conducted by Reverends J. A. Carruth and J. A. Jeffers, respective pastors of the Methodist and Congregational churches, and was one of the largest ever held in this community. The body was taken by his son to Early, Sac Co., Iowa, where it was placed in the family plot with that of his first wife and two sons.

            Mr. Willard was converted and united with the Congregational church of this city December 4^th, 1904, of which he remained a consistent member until his death. The grief stricken wife, children and other relatives have the deepest sympathy of the many friends of the deceased.

The Rice Belt Journal – Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, LA – February 25, 1910 – Transcribed by D. Donlon

Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, LA

Carrie May Stewart

 The subject of this sketch was Mrs. Carrie May Stewart, wife of Dr. W. L. Stewart of Welsh, LA. Her maiden name was Hathaway. Mrs. Stewart was born near Ruston, La., April 26^th, 1884, and died in Pollock, La. Friday May 22^nd, 1914 at 10 o’clock p.m.

            She was converted and joined the Baptist Church at thirteen years of age, and her many friends can testify to the beautiful Christian life she lived.

            On October 31^st 1906 she was married to Dr. W. L. Stewart, at her home in Ruston, LA. To this union was born two sweet little daughters, Marion Elizabeth now six years old, and Evelyn May now five months.

            In 1909 she removed with her husband to Welsh, La. In order to be with her husband she joined the Methodist Episcopal Church of Welsh, La., and continued her active Christian work as a member of that church, as her health would permit. She professed the blessings of full salvation some years before her death. Her husband gratefully acknowledges the benefits of her Christian influence over him in his daily contact with the trials and disappointments of life. Being afflicted with Tuberculosis she was often hindered in Sunday School and other Christian work, because of her own or her friends fear lest eh disease might be transmitted to the children, and sometimes she was unable to stand the exertion necessary to attend the meetings.

            Before her departure she talked calmly of death, and expressed herself as having no fear of the grim monster. She craved to live, but it was for the sake of the sweet little children and the husband of whom she loved so tenderly. She leaves her husband, her little ones, father, one brother and five sisters, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn her loss. She was buried in the family cemetery at Ruston, LA May 24^th.

            We will miss her but we sorrow not as those who have no hope. We are fully confident that she is at rest with loved ones who have gone before.

                                                (A Friend)

 The Rice Belt Journal – Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, LA – December 6, 1919 – Transcribed by D. Donlon

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Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, LA

 Lee Thomas

 Lee Thomas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Thomas, was born in September, 1902, and died at Roanoke, LA., Tuesday, September 10, 1918, aged 16 years. She is survived by her mother  and the following named brothers and sisters, James, Nelson, Nellie, Mrs. Howard Wilson, Carol, Phoebe, Martha and Catherine. Her father preceded her last August, one year ago, to the better shores of God’s living land. She was converted in early childhood, and had been a member of the United Brethren Church at Roanoke nearly all her short life in this world. She was a girl of exceptional amiability of disposition, and a consistent Christian in her manner of living. Her life had within it the beauty of the morning, and the fragrance of a flower. She had gifts and graces that promised a queenly womanhood, and a future life of blessed service for Jesus Christ; but the springtime of her spirit in the lap of summer treading scarcely shed it orchid blossoms ere the angel of God’s love with the veiled face whose name is death summoned her to the fair fields of glory that are always in bloom, and to the measureless joy of the pure in heart, who see God face to face.

            She loved music, and she hears now the melodies that have no discord. She loved flowers, and she gathers the garlanded roses of God that fade not with the passing seasons. She loved the joy and lightness of life, and were she has gone there is no night, and joy flows like a river through the since God is good that these will be there to meet her in the glad day of Jesus Christ. She suffered much, but fought a good fight, and the pain and the fever are forever done, and the weary heart forevermore is still, but the Lord with gently cry will awake us by and by, and we’ll meet again on Zion’s hill. The memories that we cherish in our hearts of her are holy memories of a lovely life. For still the actions of the just smell sweet, and blossom in the dust.

            O little one, to glory led

            The beryl beauty on your brow,

            The perfect light is on you shed of heaven now

            And every sun you loved the best.

            But every touch of every flower,

            And every grace in every hour

            That you confest,       

            They form to meet the perfect day,

            And in the light of glory shed.

            We walked in the pilgrim’s way

            Are comforted.

                        For you the sunset and the storm,

            The pain and passion all are past,

            A child of morning you have gone

            Into the day at last.

             And in the morning glory there,

            With all the dear ones we shall see

            The lovely child of spring we knew

            On earth as Lee.

                                                            (W. Lomax Childress)

 The Rice Belt Journal – Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, LA September 13, 1918 – Transcribed by D. Donlon

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 Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, LA

 Clifton Winchel

Clifton Winchel, son of Rev. and Mrs. J. F. Winchel was born in Kentucky May 5^th, 1870 died May 22, 1919, at Mineral Wells, Texas. He was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Berry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Berry at Crowley, La., in 1900. Shortly after his marriage he located in Roanoke, LA. He has been a resident of this state and section for nearly twenty years. Two of his children, boys, died in infancy, he is survived by his wife and two children, Alice and Eureth, also by his aged father and two brothers and four sisters. He was converted in the U. B. church at Roanoke seven years ago connected himself with the membership of it and has been a consistent member ever since. His character as a citizen was above reproach, he was continually concerned about all that related to the welfare of his community, and showed a willingness at all times to promote any interest that had for its object the public good, possessed a faculty for forming many sincere friendships. This was not an acquired art, but seemed to be a part of his very nature, the number of his friendships was only limited by the number of his acquaintances, and if he had enemies he did not find them out, he radiated an atmosphere of good cheer and vivacity and the sarkle of his personality created an atmosphere of optimism wherever he went. He had the human touch at its best, and in his sympathy and understanding was indeed a friend to men. Such characters are not common and when the personal presence is removed from the community they leave a vacancy indeed hard to fill. He had a prominent part in making the church and social life of the community congenial and kindly, and a thousand times we shall think of him. “And sigh for the touch of the vanished hand and the sound of the voice that is still.”

            He was a faithful husband and a fond father, a number of times he told the write that as he got older and as each sunset came, he wanted more and more to be at home where the lamps were lighted and he could look upon the faces of the ones he loved. He was a good son and often spoke in affectionate terms of his aged father, a retired minister of the gospel, living among the green hills of Kentucky, he never forgot his mother’s love nor what his Godly father taught him, and was no doubt the beginning influence of that early training that reaches across the years and at last led him to Christ, and the fellowship of God’s people in this village. But even before he professed faith in Christ as his Savior he had a deep seated respect for the church as an institution and attended the services of the sanctuary and gave to the support of the gospel.

            The funeral services were conducted at the U. B. church in Roanoke Monday May 26^th at 10 a.m. in the presence of a large number of friends and neighbors after which the remains were interred at Welsh, the floral tributes were numerous and very beautiful.

                                    (W. Lomax Childress)

The Rice Belt Journal – Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, LA September 13, 1918 – Transcribed by D. Donlon

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