•Part 2
"The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude." ----Thornton Wilder, playwright and novelist.
Continuing with the lamentable loss of locals last year --- I pick up with the parents of Rodney's childhood friends and mine. And there were also our peers, who succumbed long before their time.
A Texas native and Korean War veteran Donald Fontenot (1930-2023), husband of Joy McElroy Fontenot, resided in Lynnwood in Franklinton, moving here in 1954, for forty-nine years before returning to Texas. The couple raised their family ---- Jeff, Kyle, and Jay --- here, and Mr. Donald was a successful businessman, owning and operating Earl L. Martin, Inc., a powerline contractor business begun by his uncle Earl Martin. My husband Rodney was son Kyle's classmate.
We also grew up with the Jenkins children --- Rhonda, Sondra, and Roger --- born to William A. "Bill" Jenkins (1938-2023) and wife Nellie Ruth Rogers Jenkins. From Controller to Wood Allocation Manager, Mr. Bill enjoyed a long-time career with Crown Zellerbach Corporation and successors. After retirement, he began Forestry Consulting, managing massive timber sales. His outstanding work in forestry spanned over sixty years. He attended Pine Baptist Church and later First Baptist Church of Franklinton.
We knew the Stewart children, the offspring of Robert Alton Stewart and Eva Pearl Campbell Stewart who often served as a substitute teacher at Bowling Green. Mark Stewart (1961-2023), brother of Phillip and Stephen and husband of Margaret Harrell Stewart, passed away far too soon in the spring. An active member of Lawrence Creek Missionary Baptist Church and a 1979 graduate of Bowling Green, he was the father of Philip Zachary Stewart and Vincent Reid Stewart. He owned and operated Stewart Pallet.
Another 1979 Bowling Green graduate, Steve Wise (1961-2023), the son of J. D. and Lutha Mae Varnado Wise, also succumbed too early. The husband of Jackie Jones Wise and father of Cody, Ashley, and Alan Wise, he was with Associated Grocers, working as a merchandiser and supervisor, for thirty years. But Rodney and I remember Steve from BGS where he was on the Jolly Green Giant football team before we became the Buccaneers.
Richard Bert Newman, Jr. (1955-2023), husband of Marsha Dick Newman and father of Scott and Ricky, was well known in local law enforcement, with the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office, the Franklinton Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police, as a Trooper, detective, and Master Trooper. The son of Bert and Fran Newman, his dad was a fixture at the Franklinton Country Club where he was the golf professional and teacher. And Mr. Richard was the son-in-law of Carl and Jerry Dick.
I knew Elaine Magee Husser (1937-2023), wife of Huey Seal Husser, from Bowling Green where I attended school with her children Tammy, Chanda, Shane, and Clint. A longtime resident of the Canaan community and active member of Fisher Methodist Church, Canaan Baptist Church, and Sunlight Baptist Church, Ms. Elaine --- a most kind and generous lady --- worked on the family dairy farm, was a nurse, and drove a school bus. I would be remiss if I did not note that her late granddaughter Jessica Troutman was also the granddaughter of the late Marcia Magee, from last week's column.
Brad Orman (1947-2023), the wife of Kaye Ard Orman and father of Susannah "Susie" and Blake, was often in "The Era-Leader" office when I was there. A civic activist, he had served two terms as Town Alderman and was the co-founder of Orman & Bickham Real Estate, which he operated for over forty years. But how I best knew Mr. Brad was as the brother of my dear friend Elizabeth Bickham. How I miss her in yellow. But I cherish shades of green, in a jade bowl she gifted me.
Back to "The Era-Leader," Flavius Michael Sharp (1938-2023), was the husband of Beryl Jo Wood Sharp, and father of Michael, Ron, and Karen Sharp Thigpen who is a fellow columnist at the newspaper. While I cannot claim to have known Mr. Flavius, a long-time resident of Enon and a well-known Washington Parish school bus driver, I was fortunate to meet his wife Beryl at Mile Branch Settlement where the couple avidly volunteered. Mr. Flavius was also an active, devout member of Enon Baptist Church.
And long-time receptionist at "The Era-Leader" Loretta Booty lost her husband Gordon J. Booty (1936-2023), a native of Mt. Hermon. She was at the newspaper when I got this gig and helped get me going. While I did not really know Mr. Gordon, father of Shelia, Pamela, Cheryl, Dana (Michel Scott), and Aaron Michel, I wish I had. From what I read, he was the salt of the earth - a former truck driver, farmer, and community activist.
I also became acquainted with Irma Bond Pettitt (1927-2023) through my work with the newspaper. The wife of World War II veteran James D. Pettitt, she was the loving mother of Sandra and Judy and was a member of Sunlight Baptist Church. Ms. Irma and Mr. James traveled extensively in their motorhome, exploring our great country.
And Marilyn Hooper Williams (1932-2023), a long time English teacher at Enon School, was the wife of Zeke Williams, a jovial fellow I featured in my column. While my writing was primarily about him, I truly enjoyed meeting Ms. Marilyn, the mother of Francine, Cindy, Jeannie, Melinda Sue, Michael, and Alan. A native of Winnsboro in North Louisiana, she found her place in Washington Parish where she enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, and cross-stitching. Kind and gracious, Ms. Marilyn was an active member of Enon Baptist Church.
•Stay tuned for the conclusion next week.
