L’Observateur / July 14, 1999

BECNEL RESERVE Nathan James Becnel, 42, a native of Reserve and resident of Watson, died July 10. He was the husband of Linda Shibell Becnel, father ofJennifer Becnel and step-father of JuLee Graham, Travas Glascock and Chris Graham.

He was also the son of Audrey Berthelot Becnel and the late Fernand Becnel and brother of Daphne Hebert and Fernand Jr., Michael, Dale, Glenn,Brian, Kent and Shawn Becnel.

He is also survived by one grandchild.

Services were held July 12 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Reserve, withinterment at the church cemetery.

BYRD LAPLACE Henry L. Byrd, 75, a native of Richton, Miss., and resident ofLaPlace for 27 years, died July 9. He was the husband of Roberta DavisByrd and father of Carolyn Ladner and Rhonda Bordelon.

He was also the son of the late Henry and Winnie Bradley Byrd and the brother of Winnie Byrd, Isibell Elmore, Sadie Rae Roberts. He was precededin death by three sisters and one brother.

He is also survived by six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Services were held July 12 in the chapel of Millet-Guidry Funeral Home, LaPlace, with interment at St. John Memorial Gardens, LaPlace.DUNN LUTCHER Ceola Scott Dunn, 74, a native of Lutcher and resident of Baton Rouge, died July 5. She was the mother of Norma Borskey, Geraldine”Frith” Watkins and Jessye Dunn.

She was also the sister of Alzetta Ackers.

She is also survived by eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Services were held July 12 at King Triumph Baptist Church, Lutcher, with interment at Golden Wreath Cemetery, Lutcher.

EMORY MARINGOUIN Marie Edrington Emory, 96, a native of Reserve and resident of Maringouin, died July 10. She was the wife of the late Harold Emory andmother of Mildred Starr.

She was also the daughter of the late 28th District Judge and Mrs.

Prentice Ellis Edrington Sr.

She is also survived by eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Paul VI in 1979 for her work with Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

Services were held July 13 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Maringouin, with interment at the church cemetery.

HODGESON BATON ROUGE Augusta Marie Hodgeson, 86, a native of Zachary and a resident of Central, died July 12. She was the wife of 61 years of the lateWilliam Wesley Hodgeson and mother of Nita Sides, Jean Nauman, Sue Hallaiday, Linda Hodgeson, the late Bobbye Kimbrough, Elaine Gardner, Judith Ann and Jimmie Hodgeson.

She was also the daughter of the late Leon and Mary Woodard Law, the sister of Leona Arbour, Helen Bagley, Katherine Pelletier, Faye Bevell, Yvonne Warren, Charles Law and the late Louise Miller and Walker and Dan Law.

She is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren and was preceded in death by one grandchild.

Services are today at 3 p.m. at Zoar Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, withinterment at the church cemetery. Visitation starts at 1 p.m.KNIGHT GARYVILLE Charles Ellis Knight, 76, a native of Mt. Airy and a resident ofGaryville, died July 9. He was the husband of the late Rose Minor Knightand father of Claudie Schexnayder.

He was also the son of the late Jeffery and Octavia Bardell Knight and the brother of Gilbert and Claude Knight, the late Vivian Stevens, Olga Mae Pearson and Wesley “Roy” and Aaron Knight.

He is also survived by one grandchild.

Services were held July 12 at St. Hubert Catholic Church, Garyville, withinterment at St. Peter Mausoleum, Reserve.SMITH CONVENT Bernard J. Smith, 72, a native and resident of Convent, diedJuly 7. He was the father of Darlene Johnson, Mary Louise White andDarrell Nicholas.

He was also the son of the late Walter Sr. and Harriet Smith and brother ofRuby Vanallen, twin Bernice Dorsey and Walter Sr., Aurther and WillieSmith Sr.

He is also survived by six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Services are today at 10 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Convent,with interment at the church cemetery. Visitation starts at 9 a.m.VEDOL LIONS Mary Washington Vedol, 85, a native and resident of Reserve, died July 10. She was the wife of the late Junius Vedol and mother of DeloresWashington and Charles Vedol.

She was also the daughter of the late Septine and Augustine Washington and sister of George and James Washington. She was preceded in death byseveral brothers and sisters.

Services are today at Zion Travelers Baptist Church, Lions, with interment at the church cemetery. Visitation starts at 9 a.m.VICKNAIR NEW ORLEANS Joseph Melvin Vicknair, 70, a native of Reserve and resident of Metairie, died July 8. He was the husband of Nancy DeMunnickVicknair and father of Brenda Aucoin and Kenneth and Kevin Vicknair.

He was the son of Justine Brady Vicknair and Denis J. Vicknair and brotherof Peggy Teen, Catherine Ducote, Love Joy Catoir, Anita Abreo, Susan Kinney, Nancy Duhe and Joseph “J.D.,” James, John and Carl Vicknair.He is also survived by two grandchildren.

He was a Korean War veteran with the U.S. Marine Corps and received theKorean Service Medal with one star and the Purple Heart.

Services were held July 10 in the chapel of All Faiths Funeral Home, New Orleans, with interment at Metairie Cemetery.

Return To News Stories