Martha Gene Franklin (02-05-2010)
Martha Gene Franklin, 87, of Ruston, Louisiana died Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at the North Louisiana Medical Center in Ruston. She was born March 17, 1922 in El Dorado, Arkansas, to the late William Marshall and Arletta (McGahan) McPherson. Martha was a food court manager for Murphy’s Five and Dime, a business woman, and a self- taught cake decorator. She enjoyed being a homemaker and was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Julius Vernon Franklin; brother, Calvin Lee McPherson; granddaughter, Stacey Amanda Treece; and son-in-law, Kenneth Treece. Survivors are her daughters, Vernitta Gene Plunkett of Ruston, Louisiana, Billie Treece of Shongaloo, Louisiana, and Martha Jeanette Atkinson and husband Dwight of Dardanelle, Arkansas; great granddaughter, Allison Treece of Shongaloo, Louisiana; great grandsons, Matthew Treece and Christopher Treece both of Shongaloo, Louisiana; sisters, Esther Watson of Haughton, Louisiana and Joyce Brown of Bossier City, Louisiana; and a host of other friends and relatives. Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, February, 5, 2010 at the Hillcrest Cemetery with Bro. Tim Everett officiating under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. of Springhill. Honorary pallbearers will be Chuck Franklin, Gary Franklin, Eugene J. “Buddy” Watson, Jr., Jerry Watson, David Watson, and James Reed. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the nurses and staff of Alpine Guest Care Center, Dr. Arthur Wayne Owens, and the North Louisiana Medical Center, Nurses and staff, all of Ruston, Louisiana for their compassionate care. www.lewisfuneralhome.bizFlora Ashford Malone (02-05-2010)
Mrs. Flora Ashford Malone affectionately known to most as “Aunt Flo” was born on May 6, 1932 in McCool Mississippi to the late Jerry and Clara Ashford. She was united in Marriage to Albert “Joe” Malone on January 6, 1978 in Detroit Michigan. Flora and Joe lived in Detroit where she was employed by Ford Motor Co. until June 1979 when they moved to Grambling, LA. After moving to Grambling, Flora united with Harmony Baptist Church in Arcadia, LA. Flora was a faithful member of the church serving on the Kitchen Committee and as a member of the choir until her illness. Flora was a faithful and devoted employee of Don and Martha Durrett of Simsboro, LA for over 20 years. Flora was a loving member of the Grambling community known by most people simply as “Aunt Flo”. “Aunt Flo”, was a loving and kind person always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. After a lengthy illness, “Aunt Flo” made her transition to join the angels on Wednesday, January 27, 2010. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jerry and Clara Ashford, three brothers, Howard Ashford, Robert Ashford, and Clyde Ashford and one sister, Bobbie Kate Ashford. She leaves to honor and cherish her memories, her loving husband; Albert “Joe” Malone; her son; Bobby Kirkwood of Detroit, MI, her step-son; Reginald (Celeta) Robinson of Cleburne, TX; her step-daughter; Lisa Louise Lewis of Detroit Michigan; her grandchildren, Reginald Robinson II, and Tormeshia Robinson of Cleburne, TX; two sisters; Deora Kennedy and Mamie Ashford; one brother Floyd Ashford her nieces and nephews; Billy (Annie) Ashford, Julia Hamilton, Bobby (Stephanie) Hamilton, Jackie Hamilton, Terry (Noel) Hamilton, Mark Hamilton, Sharon Hamilton, Sheila (Darrel) Bradley, Michael (Linda) Ashford, Felecia Ashford, Maurice Ashford, Gloria Kennedy, Clarice (Labaron) Hall, Nancy Kennedy, Timothy Kennedy, all of Detroit, MI - Floyd Ashford Jr. of McCool, Mississippi.Charles Franklin Turner (02-04-2010)
Charles Franklin Turner, retired Assistant Band Director of Grambling State University, made his transition at 2:00 a.m., Monday morning, February 1, 2010. Visitation hours will be held Thursday, February 4, 2010, from 6:00-8:00p.m. at the Miller’s Funeral Home, 998 Woodward Avenue, Ruston, LA. The celebration of his life will be held Friday, February 5, 2010, 11:00a.m. at South Parkway Church, 3000 South Vienna Street (3 miles south of I-20; Hwy 167 South). Interment will be be held at Grambling Memorial Gardens, Grambling, LA. Mr. Turner was a lifelong resident of Grambling, Louisiana. He studied music under the late “Sarge” King, who was the Band Director at, the then, Grambling College and the late Conrad Hutchinson. After completing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education, he matriculated at the Vanderbilt School of Music in Chicago, Ill. He served as Band Director at the Washington K-12 School in Lake Charles, LA; Lincoln High School in Ruston, LA; and Ruston High School, Ruston, LA. As a young man growing up in Grambling, Mr. Turner had the opportunity to participate in sports under the legendary Coach Eddie G. Robinson and Coach Frederick Hobdy. He played basketball while studying to play his trombone with his mentor and teacher, Conrad Hutchinson. Mr. Turner was greeted at his heavenly home by his parents Grady and Wilhelmina (Thomas) Turner, his sister Alice Mae and brother Huey P. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife Ruby Marie; two sisters: Kay F. Turner Hunter (Dallas, TX) and Lindelle Turner (Grambling,LA); Two sisters-in-law: Ann Pedescleaux (Victor), Darrow, LA; Crystal Iris “Dutch” Carter, Chicago, IL. Four nieces: Greta Turner Burton, LaQuisha Weaver McGlothen, Kaylin McGlothen and John Marie Carter. Three nephews: Garren Burton, Leon Carter and Tyrone Carter and many other relatives and friends. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.
Edward Lamar Willis, Jr. (02-03-2010)
Funeral Services for Edward Lamar Willis, Jr. of Baton Rouge, Louisiana will be held on 10:00am Thursday in the chapel of Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., in Baton Rouge with Reverend Tommy Middleton presiding. Visitation will be 5:00pm to 9:00pm Wednesday and after 8:00am Thursday. Burial will follow in Ansley Union Church Cemetery, Ansley, Louisiana near Ruston at 3:30pm. Edward was born on September 29, 1954, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and passed away on Monday, February 1, 2010 in Baton Rouge. He was an employee with Entergy Gas Services in Baton Rouge for 28 years. He was a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church of Baton Rouge where he served as a Deacon. Edward grew up in Ruston and was a member of Barnett Springs Baptist Church. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Lamar Willis, Sr., and Edith Yocum Willis Cash; and one brother, Donald Eugene Willis. Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Jeanette Leigh Woods Willis, and one daughter, Bridget Charline Willis, 17, of Baton Rouge; one sister, Lillian Marie Willis Williamson; two brothers, David Lee and Steven Dale Willis of Ruston; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Deacons of Woodlawn Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Woodlawn Baptist Church Building Fund or Ansley Union Church Cemetery Association. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40: