African American Obituaries

HOLT, John Earvin Sr.

  Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at 11 a.m., at New Unity Baptist Church, 6332 Bonnieview Road, Dallas TX, with the Rev. Shank Robinson officiating. Interment followed at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Dallas TX.
  On March 21, 2003 God called Earvin home. He was the second child born to the late Esaw and Ola B. Holt in Carthage TX. He attended Carthage Public schools and accepted Christ at an early age.
  He met and married Viola M. Alexander on November 27, 1948. She preceded him in death on September 28, 2002.
  He retired in 1997 as a jet mechanic at Avall after 42 years of service. He was a faithful member of New Unity Baptist church under the leadership of the Rev. Shank Robinson and was an active member of the Usher Board.
  Also preceding him in death were two grandchildren Tyron Kemp and Roderick Holt, one sister Eunice Chadwick and one brother Clyde Holt.
  Cherishing his memories are two daughters Nora Lewis and her husband Clint, and Jackie McFail; one son John Holt, Jr. and his wife Dannette; one grandson Jazz McFail; one sister Gloria Owens, all of Dallas; three brothers-in-law Billy James Alexander and Joe Ned Alexander of Dallas, Willie Williams of Carthage; three sisters-in-law Ruby Alexander of Dallas, Floral Williams and Dorothy Holt both of Carthage; special neighbors Lloyd and Gwen Jackson; and a host of other relatives and friends.
  Active pallbearers were Billy J. Alexander, Jr., Clyde Holt, Julius Nichols, Ronnie Williams, Aubra Williams and Wayne Williams. Honorary pallbearers were Robert McFail, Lloyd Jackson, Jazz McFail, Fred Lewis, Jerry Allen, Preston Ceasor and John Holt, Jr.

Submitted by Barbara Bonner

RAYSON, Willie B.

  Services for Willie B. Rayson, 98, of Dallas, formerly of Carthage, are set for 10 am Thursday at Pine Grove Baptist Church in Hollands Quarters with the Rev. Feldon Black and the Rev. Byron Mack officiating. Burial will follow in Hollands Quarters Cemetery. Arrangements are by Jimerson Funeral Home where visitation is 6 - 8 pm on Wednesday.

Submitted by Barbara Bonner from Longview News-Journal, Tuesday, April 30, 2002

BENTON, Loston Ree Sr.

  Services for Loston Ree Benton Sr. will be held at 11a.m. today, Feb. 9, 2002, at Stanmore Funeral Home Chapel with evangelist Elzie Williams Jr. officiating. Burial will be in New Hope Cemetery. Mr. Benton, a chef, was born in Panola County to Frank Sr. and Ida Briggs Benton. Survivors include two sons, Lawrence Benton of Lake Charles, La., and Loston Ree Benton Jr. of Lewisville; two sisters, Dorothy Fuller of Lexington, Ky., and Bertha Carr of Longview; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; niece Evelyn Sentell of Longview; and a host of other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Submitted by Barbara Bonner

HAMILTON, Ja Leena Sarae
SMITH, JaLeesa Mona

  Funeral services fo JaLeena Sarae Hamilton, age 4, and JaLeesa Mona Smith, age 2, of Gary were held January 28, 2002 in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in the Woods Post Office Community.
  The Rev. Michael Darden officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of Black's Carthage Funeral Home. The girls died January 22 at their home.
  JaLeena was born Jan. 20, 1998 in Palestine and was the daughter of LaRena Brown Smith and Charles Hamilton. She attended Carthage Primary School.
  JaLeesa was born August 15, 2000 in Marshall and was the daughter of LaRena Brown Smith and Albert Smith.
  Survivors include their parents, LeRena Brown Smith of Carthage, Charles Hamilton of Center and Albert Smith of Center; three brothers Joshua Hamilton of Carthage, Charles Hamilton, Jr. of Lufkin and Tyrese Smith of Center; sisters JoshLynn Hamilton and Alberta Smith of Carthage, Sharonda and Annette Hamilton of Lufkin and Aleix Smith of Center; grandmothers Lizzie M. Calloway-Brown of Gary and BBetsy Jackson of Center; grandfather Johnny Penson of Galveston and great-grandmother Sallie Bryant Caoolway of Gary.
  Also surviving the girls are their uncles Jesse Brown, Jr. of New Orlenad, Ernest A. Brown of Tucson, Arizona, Curtis, Mack and Jesse Ray Hamilton all of Center; Ivan Hamilton of Beaumont and Mackauthur Hamilton of Garrison; aunts Lona J. Francis of Houston, Mary Alice Moore of San Antonio, Laronda Shawn King, Delores Johnson, Alice Johnson and Carolyn Smith all of Center; also many cousins, great-uncles and aunts and many other relatives and friends.
  Pallbearers were Ernest A. Brown, Gonzales Calloway, the Rev. Ray Francis, Curtis Hamilton, Joe Jackson and Darrel McColster.

The Panola Watchman, Wednesday, February 6, 2002

JOHNSON, Alma R. H.

  Black's Carthage Funeral Home announces services for Alma "Maria" Ree Harris Johnson, 62, of Marshall. Services were held February 2, 2002 at Pine Bluff Church in Marshall. The Rev. Michael Black officiated. She died January 28, 2002.
  Born January 22, 1940, she was the youngest of three children born to the late Ernest and Martha Harris. She attended Marshall public schools where she specialized in cosmetology. Her early Christian training was done in Pine Bluff Baptist Church. She later moved to Dallas where she made many friends.
  Survivors include her nephew, Harold Lovely; many close cousins and a host of friends.
  Active pallbearers were her friends and family.
  Honorary pallbearers were Asa Durley, Vernon C. May, John L. May, Herbert L. Moore, Sr., Herbert L. Moore, Jr., Jemmell Sherman, Lorenza "Jelani" Williams, Jr. and Wendell Yancy.

The Panola Watchman,Wednesday, February 6, 2002