Tommy Pendergrass (03-09-2010)
Tommy Pendergrass, 81 of Dubach passed away Saturday, March 6, 2010 at LSU Medical Burn Center Shreveport following an accident at his home. Tommy owned Tom’s Small Engine Repair in Dubach and he also owned Midwest Door and Window in Midwest City, Ok.. Tommy was preceded in death by Darleen Pendergrass his wife of 23 years. Tommy is survived by his children Mignonne Pendergrass, Spring, TX, Rene Pendergrass, Oklahoma City, OK, Thomas Michael Pendergrass, Hurst, TX, Pamela Pendergrass, Oklahoma City and his brother Bill Pendergrass, Dubach. Seven grandchildren, five great grand children and 3 great great grandchildren. His family & friends will hold a memorial celebration of his life at the Methodist Church in Dubach at 2 pm, Saturday, March 13, 2010. In lieu of flowers, donations to 4 Paws Rescue, Inc., PO Box 101, Ruston, LA 71273.
Sarah Alice Norris (03-08-2010)
Graveside services for Sarah Alice Norris, age 88, of Ruston, LA will be held on Monday, March 8, 2010 at 11 a.m. in Greenwood Cemetery with Rev. Dale Oden officiating. Miss Norris, 88 died March 5, 2010 at Ruston Nursing and Rehab in Ruston after a short illness. Miss Norris was bom on November 18, 1921 in Farmerville but moved to Ruston with her family in 1922. Sarah was educated in local public schools and graduated from Louisiana Tech in 1942 and later from Draughon Business College in San Antonio, TX. She lived in EI Dorado, AR for over 50 years working as a secretary at Murphy Oil Company and then for Moble C. Hoover, Independent Oil Producer, EI Dorado, AR before retiring in 2000. In 2008, she moved to the Ruston Nursing and Rehab Center in Ruston to be closer to her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude A. and Bessie Lewis Norris; three brothers, Elgin Norris, Homer Norris and Cecil Norris; three sisters, Paulyne Lain, Claudie B. Cargill and Barbara Jo Amick. Miss Norris is survived by her sister, Mary Frances Lott, of Ruston, a brother-in-law, Carl Amick of Longview, TX and five nieces and six nephews. Her family would like to thank Matt Machen and especially Sarah's caregivers at Ruston Nursing and Rehab and also Dr. Sheila Mariano. Serving as pallbearers are her nephews, Gary Lain, Jerry Norris, David Cargill, Larry Lott, Marc Amick and Harold Naff. The family requests that memorials be made to the charity of your choice. Visitation will be at Kilpatrick Funeral Home on Sunday, March 7, 2010 from 4-6 p.m. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com
Clarence Eugene Faulk, Jr. (03-08-2010)
The Ruston Community and the wider spheres of journalism, radio, real estate, self storage warehousing and philanthropy lost a friend with the death of Clarence Eugene Faulk, Jr. Mr. Faulk passed away at his residence on Friday, March 5, 2010. Services will be held for Mr. Faulk at Trinity United Methodist Church on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Jerry Hilbun officiating under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel in Ruston. "Mr. Clarence" as he was affectionately called in later life, was born January 9, 1909 in West Monroe, Louisiana. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Clarence Eugene Faulk, Sr. and Mrs. Josephine McClendon Faulk of West Monroe. Mr. C.E. Faulk Sr. was a founder, President (1934-1945), and Chairman of the Board of Delta Air Lines from 1948 until his death in 1951. Mrs. Josephine Faulk died in 1962. His sister, Eleanor Faulk Cone of Falls Church, VA, was a graduate of Cornell and Tulane Law schools and died in 1993. His brother, Robert McClendon Faulk of Vero Beach, FL, was a Fighter Pilot in WWII and a career commercial pilot for Delta Air Lines and died in 1988. "Mr. Clarence's" much loved wife, Louise Page Faulk, originally from Topeka, KS, died in 2003. Mr. Faulk is survived by two sons, Clarence Eugene "Gene" Faulk III of Canandaigua, NY, and Dr. W. Page Faulk of St. Simons Island, GA, and a daughter, Amelia Faulk Rauser of Rockville, MD. In addition, Mr. Faulk leaves ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. His grandchildren are: by Gene, Alec Faulk of Ruston, who manages Westside Self Storage, Andrew Faulk of Worcester, MA, and Jolly Faulk of Framingham, MA, who has two daughters, Jessica and Jane; by Page, Robin Faulk of Studio City, CA, Josie Faulk Comerford of Chicago, IL, Saskia Faulk Antonakis of Pully/ Lausanne, Switzerland, who has two daughters, Athena and Artemis, and Holly Faulk Chevalier of St. Felix de Lodez, France, who has a daughter, Leopoldine; and, by Amelia, Christy Rauser Johnson of Alexandria, VA, who has two daughters, Carolyn and Leigha; Katy Rauser Barnum of Annapolis, MD, and Henry Rauser of San Diego, CA. "Mr. Clarence" will be missed by his many friends and family and by his longtime caregiver, Mr. Johnifer Evans of Ruston, who is like family. Mr. Faulk's remarkable life could be organized into four main interests: newspapers and attendant publishing, radio broadcasting, commercial and residential real estate and one of the first mini-warehouse businesses in Ruston, Westside Storage, which he built at the age of seventy. Mr. Faulk served for many years as the president of the Louisiana Press Association and the Louisiana Broadcasters Association. He was well suited for these positions because he owned the Ruston Daily Leader and radio station KRUS for decades. These endeavors were familiar to him, for he had grown up in a publishing family where his father was publisher of the Monroe News Star before selling the newspaper and going into the airline business. After two years at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, he transferred to the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri where he met Miss Louise Page, who also was studying journalism. They were married in 1931 and had 72 years of happy life together. That same year Mr. Faulk became the publisher of the Ruston Daily Leader, a position he maintained for thirty one years until 1962. In addition, overlapping this period, in 1947 he brought Ruston its first radio station, KRUS, and managed it for 21 years (i.e., 1947-1968). Those who knew him best in business and in his personal life recognize that his love for Ruston and his place in the community were major driving forces of his life. Together with Mrs. Faulk, he owned numerous rent houses, a sixteen-unit apartment complex and several commercial buildings in Ruston. In 1988, he was awarded the highest honor a Ruston resident could receive when he accepted the Russ Award from the Ruston-Lincoln Parish Chamber of Commerce for his tireless efforts on behalf of the Ruston Community. Of great importance to him were his memberships in Trinity Methodist Church, where he served many functions, including teaching Sunday school for 12 years; and the Ruston Kiwanis Club, where he was a member for 70 years and served as a president. Other entities to which he was devoted include the Ruston-Lincoln Parish Centennial, the Peach Festival, the Lincoln Parish Housing Authority, which he chaired for twenty-nine years, and the Lincoln Parish Library. Also, in good times and in bad, he was a faithful supporter and contributor to the Department of Journalism at Louisiana Tech University, where he founded the Clarence and Louise Faulk Chair of Journalism. Mr. Faulk's one hundredth birthday in January 2009 was the occasion of a festive party at his home in Westwood Hills in Ruston. He accepted many honors that day with grace and humor, while also acknowledging the role of his late wife in each award. He expressed particular pride in the honorary doctorate degrees that Louisiana Tech University awarded him and Mrs. Faulk in 1985. During his one hundredth birthday party a framed Certificate of Honor was presented to Mr. Faulk by President Dan Reneau of Louisiana Tech University for his contributions to the University; a proclamation designating January 9 as "Clarence Faulk Day" was presented to Mr. Faulk by Ruston Mayor Dan Hollingsworth; an Expression of Commendation along with a Letter of Special Recognition from Louisiana Governor Jindal were presented to Mr. Faulk by Representative Hollis Downs, a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. Also, United States Congressman Rodney Alexander presented Mr. Faulk with a Letter of Congratulations and a United States Flag that had flown over the Capital in Washington. "Mr. Clarence" was a well recognized source of oral history about Ruston and North Louisiana, and he greatly enjoyed telling stories that were filled with historical gems. In fact, he became known as an expert on the 1934 ambush of Bonnie and Clyde, since as a young newspaper reporter he covered the story on the scene. He had many stories about this area during WW II. Classified 4-F due to serious eye problems, nevertheless, he served as a First Lieutenant in the Home Guard. He also was a member of the War Price and Rationing Board, and was chairman of the Lincoln Parish effort for the United States Savings Bonds Program. He was a detailed source of information about Camp Ruston, a Prisoner of War Camp located just west of Ruston that held thousands of German and Italian prisoners during WW II. "Mr. Clarence" loved to travel with his wife and was full of stories about their adventures throughout nearly all the world. However, the thing that he perhaps enjoyed as much as anything was to escape to a hunting lodge in Tensas Swamp with a few friends, just being in the woods, swapping stories around a camp fire and communing with nature. He was a wonderful man and a real repository of our past and "Old Ruston." He will be deeply missed. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com. Rev. George M. Elmore (03-08-2010)
Graveside services for Rev. George M. Elmore, age 82, of Ruston, LA will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. at the Beulah Cemetery in Calhoun, LA. James Burns will be officiating under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston, LA. Rev. Elmore was born on March 10, 1927 in Prescott, AR and passed away on March 6, 2010, in Ruston, LA. He was a Pastor of The Church in Ruston and was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy F. Elmore. Survivors include: his daughters: Denise Coon and husband, Joe of Calhoun, LA; Susan Burns and husband, James of Colfax, LA; Elise Salsberry of Ruston, LA; six grandchildren: Christina Canterberry, Heather Stuart, Jill Crocker, Elizabeth Richardson, Jeremy Salsberry, April Salsberry; 2 great grandchildren; siblings: Ralph Elmore, Mary Johnston, Syble Borne, Helen Ates, and Donald Elmore; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 8, 2010 from 5 - 8 P.M. at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston, LA. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.Bobbye M. Dennard (03-05-2010)
Graveside services for Bobbye M. Dennard, 85, of Ruston, LA, formerly of Monroe, LA, will be at 1:00 PM Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Mulhearn Memorial Park with Rev. Dale Oden officiating under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mr. Dennard was born on August 18, 1924 in Hamburg, AR and passed away on March 4, 2010 in Ruston, LA. Mr. Dennard was a member and deacon of Parkview Baptist Church while a resident of Monroe, and was currently a member of the Temple Baptist Church in Ruston. He was retired from the paper industry in both sales and manufacturing and was also a veteran of World War II having served in the United States Army. Mr. Dennard was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine White Dennard. Mr. Dennard is survived by his children: Linda D. Kinnison and husband, Ed of Memphis, TN, Terri D. Kavanaugh and husband, Jay of Ruston, LA, and David E. Dennard and wife, Elaine of Memphis, TN; grandchildren: Christy Barker, Jennifer Staggs, Kimberly Kavanaugh, and Jason Kavanaugh; 6 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Juanita Dennard and Binnie Farmer. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday, March 5, 2010 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. The family would like to express their special thanks to Dr. Tom Morris for the care and concern shown to Mr. Dennard during his illness. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com
William Elton Ferguson (03-05-2010)
Graveside services for William Elton Ferguson, age 80 of Ruston will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston with Rev. Leroy Skipper officiating under the direction of Owens memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Mr. Ferguson was born March 28, 1928 in Clay, LA and passed away March 3, 2010 in Ruston, LA. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Minnie Mae Goss Ferguson; his son: William Michael Ferguson; his parents: Marvin C. Ferguson and Effie Mae Pye Ferguson; brothers: Monard C. Ferguson and Willis A. Furguson; sister: Sybil F. Snipe. He is survived by his children: Sheila Spillers and husband Bruce of Ruston; Bobby Ferguson and wife Jung IM of Watauga, Texas; four grandchildren; one great grandchild; sisters: Alma R. Hogan, Linda J. Skipper, Mary Ferguson and Barbara A. Tibbs and husband James all of Ruston; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Ferguson was a bulldozer operator during his early years of employment and later worked for Highlines Construction Company and Fuqua Mobile Homes before starting his own business doing service work on mobile homes until his retirement. He served in the Korean War in the 84th Engineer (Construction) Battalion where he helped with the construction of the Freedom Bridge over the Imjin River. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in October of 1952. He was an avid gardener and cook and loved to share his stories with just about anyone he met. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends. Visitation will be held Friday, March 5, 2010 from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston. To leave an on-line memorial message for the family please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.comMr. James D. Cole (03-04-2010)
Funeral services for Mr. James D. Cole, 91, of Ruston will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, March 4, 2010 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel of Ruston, La with Rev. Wendell Sellers and Rev. James Coburn officiating and interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruston, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Mr. Cole was born September 1, 1918 in Louisville, Mississippi and passed away on March 2, 2010 in Ruston, LA. He was a member of Northview Baptist Church where he served as deacon for over 30 years. He was Song Director at Longleaf Nursing Home for over 17 years. Mr. Cole served in the U. S. Army during World War II and was a retired Communications Operator with Southern Natural Gas. He was preceded in death by 2 wives: Margaret Crowson Cole and Jearline Whitman Cole and a son: David Cole. Mr. Cole is survived by a daughter: Diane Kirby and husband, John; 4 grandchildren: Tony Kirby, David Kirby, Tina Cole Boyett, and Amy Cole Silvey; 5 great-grandchildren: Cole Boyett, Daniel Boyett, David Hendershott, Bret Silvey, and Jake Silvey. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions may be made to Northview Baptist Church, P.O. Box 473, Ruston, LA 71270. Pallbearers will be: Tony Kirby, David Kirby, Troy Whitman, David Doss, Earl Whitman, and Bill Kirby. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until the time of service at 2:00 PM at Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com
