The Advocate

John Randolph Taylor was born on August 24, 1937 and passed away on August 1, 2022 at the age of 84. He was raised in Magnolia, MS and graduated from Magnolia High School. Visitation will be on Friday, August 5, 2022 at Terry's Creek Baptist Church in Magnolia, MS from 9:00 am until service time at 11:00 am conducted by Rev. LaVerne Summerlin. Burial will follow at the Terry's Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. In 1958, John Randolph began his law enforcement career with the Baton Rouge Police Department. Upon his graduation from the Training Academy, he began foot patrol in the city of Baton Rouge, followed by several years of service as a Motorman in the Traffic Division. He then transitioned...

Gerald P. "Jerry" Schwalb, 88, of Abilene, passed away on Monday, July 18, 2022, in Abilene. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 27, 2022, with prayer service and rosary to follow at 5:30 p.m., at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. Funeral Mass will be held at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, July 28, 2022, Holy Family Catholic Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap Road. Burial will follow with Full Military Honors in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery at 2:15 p.m. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Jerry was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Edvidge Zuline (Pollet) and Jacob Peter Schwalb on Monday, January 22, 1934. He...

Sharon Caston Melancon, born April 6, 1957 in Natchez, Mississippi passed from her earthly home to her heavenly home June 18, 2022 surrounded by family and friends. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 24, 2022 at Hartman Jones Funeral Home in McComb from 9:00 AM until services at 11:00 AM. Rev. William R. Johnson Jr. and Reverend Keith Lilly will officiate. Burial will be in the Lilly Family Cemetery in Liberty, MS. She is preceded in death by her father, Barney W. Caston Jr.; mother, Lola Mae Lilly Hall; brother, Edgar W. Caston; brother-in-law, Ken Allan (Winky) Walters. She is survived by her husband, Errol (Chuck) Melancon Sr.; daughter, Cynthia Tharp and Travis; Son, Joshua Sibley...

Sidney Vincent Arbour, IV, age 42, died unexpectedly on June 15, 2022. Sidney is survived by his wife, Marissa Jennings Arbour and their children: Ann Kathryn, Sidney Vincent, V, Emily Grace (Emmy) and Robert Brooks; parents: Sidney Vincent Arbour, III, and Kathryn Acree Arbour; brothers: Joseph O'Neal Arbour (Rebecca) and Jonathan Bryant Arbour; niece Ella Kathryn Arbour and numerous cousins. Sidney was the hard-working Operations Manager for Innovative Metals Company, Inc. ("IMETCO") and was known for his love of life, love of his family, and for the good times he had with his wide circle of friends and relatives. He was the "spark plug" for creating good and frequently memorable times...

Charles "Chuck" Erwin Stauff, 85 years old, a resident of Aiken, SC died on June 8, 2022. He was a beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. Chuck served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army for 27.5 years and was an SFC/E7 rank. He was a lifetime member of the Submariners Veterans and VFW of Aiken County. In his retirement, Chuck enjoyed wood working and playing pinochle with his friends. He is survived by his daughter Patricia Lynn Stauff of Aiken, SC; his son Mark Andrew and wife Laura Cacciatore Stauff of Philadelphia, PA; his grandchildren Katherine Lindsay Kimery and husband Patrick of Zachary, LA, Marissa Leigh Stauff and Drew Charles Stauff of Philadelphia, PA; and...

Robert Christopher Thomas was born in Greenville, MS on December 1st, 1970. He unexpectedly passed away on June 7th, 2022 in Madison, MS. He is survived by his parents, Robert and Janie Thomas; brother, Todd Thomas; niece, Morgan Thomas; his adoring wife, Allison Thomas; his beloved children, his son, Thomas Cothren, two daughters Kristen Breigh and Mary-Kate Thomas; father-in-law, Larry Puma and his wife, Glenva; brother-in-law, Todd Oglesbee; sister-in-law, Aliscia Oglesbee; and nephews, Logan, Landon, and Lawson Oglesbee. Chris had a strong faith in God and a passion for outdoors. He dearly enjoyed his time spent at his camp in Centreville, Mississippi, where he taught his children the...

Dorothy Adams Harwell, 91, passed away Thursday, May 19, 2022, at her residence in Baton Rouge. Services will be on Wednesday, May 25, at 12:00 p.m. at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka. Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 25, from 10:00 a.m. until service time at Cutshall Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.

Kenneth Anthony Bailey Sr., died, Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 at peacefully at home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am. Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the Venue at Pinelake Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM Saturday in the Venue. Mr. Bailey was born on August 4th, 1936, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the son of the late Clarence Bailey and Willlimina Bougerios A graduate off Catholic High School, he was a standout member of the football team where he played offensive and defensive guard. He continued his education at Southeastern University, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration. and continued to excel on f the football field playing offensive and defensive...

Born November 24th, 1950 in Gainesville, GA to Bascome Lavonia Osborne and Dorothy Catherine Hudgens, and survived by her husband Guy Gregory Guzzardo of 42 years of marriage. Additionally, she is survived by her daughter Jan Frisch-Strickland, 54; her son Jason Guzzardo, 40; her granddaughter Destiny Threadgill, 32; grandson Luke Guzzardo, 8; grandson Samuel Guzzardo, 3; her great-grandson Braxton Moss, 10; and great-granddaughter Addison Moss, 8. The funeral mass celebrating the life of Laura Catherine Guzzardo will be held Monday, May 9, at 1:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research...

Jerry Linden Foster, 74, of Denham Springs, LA, formally of McComb, MS, gained his wings and met our Lord and Savior on Monday, April 11, 2022, surrounded by his family at home. He was born October 10, 1947 in McComb, Mississippi to John T. Foster Sr. and Francis Erwin Foster. He graduated from McComb High School in 1966. He served in the United States Navy. He married Cheryl Sterling Foster on September 20, 1969. He was the father of two sons, Travis and Mitchell Foster. Jerry was an active member of South McComb Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. For the last 25 years, he has been a member of Northside Baptist Church in Denham Springs, where he...

Lynn Hugh Wallace passed away on April 9, 2022 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. He was born on June 29, 1947 in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana to the late Malvin Daniel "M.D." and Elna Mobley Wallace. He was a graduate of Clinton High School, as well as Louisiana State University with a degree in Agriculture. He spent his early career in farming and agriculture, then in his later career, traveled the world for environmental work with a focus on geophysical safety resources. Lynn had a lifelong passion for farming, gardening, and the outdoors, and was an avid LSU fan. He was a member of Brentwood United Methodist Church, and volunteered as the Production Manager of...

A wonderful lady passed the morning of April 7, 2022. Judith McFerran Robertson was born in Ft. Smith, Arkansas in 1947. Judi was the daughter of Jack and Mary Sue McFerran and the sister of Steve McFerran and was raised in Texas, primarily in Corsicana. She then graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Education. While in school at Austin, Judi met Ron Robertson and they were married in 1970. Ron worked for an oil company and they began a life of travel that lasted 51+ years in which they lived in 14 homes. Judi taught school in their first two stops, Houma, LA and Lagos, Nigeria. Their daughter Beth was born in Corsicana while they were in Lagos the first time. They...

Gene Theodore Schrader passed away on March 5, 2022 in Houston, Texas at the age of 90. He was born on August 28, 1931 in McCamey, Texas. Gene graduated with a Bachelor's and Masters Degree of Science in Microbiology from Louisiana State University. He served in The Korean War as a Sergeant First Class in the United States Army. Gene and his late wife were members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe, Texas. He enjoyed volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry for many years. He also enjoyed watching football and spending time with his grandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Jessie Ferguson Schrader, and wife Rose Marie Maranto Schrader. He is...

Robert Kenneth Carstens, passed away on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at the age of 71. He was born on February 5, 1951, in New Orleans to the late Frederick A. Carstens, Sr and Lucille Kreiger Carstens. Robert resided in Metairie, La. for many years before moving to and becoming a current resident of Lexington, Kentucky. Robert was a graduate of the University of New Orleans and was employed by the United States Postal Service until he retired. After retirement, Robert moved to Lexington Kentucky to fulfill a dream of working at Keenland Racecourse. Robert was a kind and generous man who touched the lives of everyone he met . Robert is the brother to the late Carolyn Carstens Cyrus (husband...

Katherine McGehee Bryan 91, of Kentwood, LA passed away February 22, 2022 at her son's residence in Denham Springs. Visitation will be Saturday March 5, 2022 at East Fork Baptist Church 17278 Hwy 1054 Kentwood, LA from 9:00 AM until services at 11:00. Rev. James Avance will officiate. Hartman Jones Funeral Home of McComb will be in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Bryan was born on April 20, 1930 in Tangipahoa Parish, LA to Holt and Gladys McDaniel McGehee. She was a telephone operator many years ago for Southern Bell Phone Co. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Serving her family was what she lived for. She was a homemaker and longtime member of East Fork Baptist Church in...

Mr. Francis Raymond LaBauve. age 83, of Griffin passed away Monday, February 21, 2022 at Eternal Hope Hospice. Mr. LaBauve was born in Morrow, Louisiana on May 21, 1938. He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Francis and Alma LaBauve, and brother Vernon Perry LaBauve. He was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, and was owner/operator of Cajun Construction prior to retirement. Francis was a volunteer for Ruston's Hope Ministries and a member of Rock Springs Church. Survivors include his wife, Patricia LaBauve, children, Deanna Tassin, Darius LaBauve and wife, Melinda, Andrea Mistretta, Suzanne Cumming and husband, Barron; grandchildren, Jason Tassin, Melanie Tassin,...

Tom grew up in Baton Rouge, graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, and then from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Business. Geaux Tigers! After college, he joined The Travelers Insurance Employee Benefits and climbed the ladder to become a manager of the Corpus Christi office, and then the San Antonio office. After 25 years, he joined Aon as a Vice President and then PIA in the same role. He then became a Vice President and Manager for Alexander and Alexander, but ended his career by retiring from Frost Insurance Agency in San Antonio as a Vice President/Manager. He was a diehard sports fan and an avid hunter who also competed in shooting events. He...

John (Fritz) Peters passed away on Friday, February 4, 2022. He was born to George Marion and Carolyn Gay McGraw Peters on July 28,1960 in Baton Rouge, LA. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and Southeastern Louisiana University. He was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity. Fritz and his brother Clint owned a construction company in Baton Rouge for many years. Fritz then moved to Marietta, GA where he met Cynthia Baker, whom he married in May of 1999. Fritz was a home builder and long-time employee of Barry Holder and Associates. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed being in the woods deer hunting. Fritz also loved to fish and was a great cook and boiler of crawfish. He is...

Mrs. Donna Sue Goff, 72, a resident of Magnolia, died at the Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center on Thursday, February 3, 2022. She was born January 6, 1950 in Kentwood, Louisiana, the daughter of the late J C and Marie Petty Downs. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Goff; two brothers, Donald and David Downs and one sister, Christine Saragusa. She was a housewife. Mrs. Goff is survived by one brother, Johnny Downs and wife, Charolette of Baton Rouge; two sisters, Joyce Schram of Zachary, Louisiana and Nora McCulley and husband, Joe of McComb; three sisters-in-law, Peggy Miller of Zachary, Louisiana; Denise Morris and husband, Paul of Magnolia;...

Pamela Russell Harris, passed away on January 21, 2022, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Hartman Jones Funeral Home, McComb, MS is in charge of the arrangements.

Brandon was born on October 6, 1964, in Los Angeles, CA to the union of Gaynell Elaine and Henry H. Valentine, and was called home to be with the Lord on January 10, 2022 in Fort Worth, TX. Brandon accepted Christ at an early age at Mt. Zion First Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA, and was baptized by Rev. Theodore J. Jemison. Brandon received his formal education in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. He earned his high school diploma at Baton Rouge Magnet High School in 1982. After high school, Brandon matriculated at Southern University, where he majored in Computer Science. He graduated from Southern in December 1987. After graduation, he was immediately hired by Texas Instruments...