LCJ newsletter 9-28-2024

Saturday's newsletter

Bible verse of the day

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Matthew 16:24

Obituary for Linda Ward

Linda Jane (Johnson) Ward of Hodgen was born April 2, 1952 in Paris, Texas to Elijah and Dortha (Taylor) Johnson and passed away Sept. 25, 2024 in Hodgen at the age of 72.

Funeral service is 11 a.m. Monday at Oasis Community Church in Poteau with Pastor Nick Hess officiating. Burial will follow in the Muse Cemetery, under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

Linda was a longtime resident of the area and a member of the Oasis Community Church in Poteau. She was a CNA at the Talihina VA Center. Linda enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She also loved working in her flower beds and garden, baking, and being around her children and grandchildren. Linda will be deeply missed.

She is survived by three sons Brad Ward and wife Val of Hartshorne, Daren Ward of Tulsa, and

Justin Ward and wife Kristin of Panama; her brother and sister-in-law Larry Carter and wife Kathy of Sperry; her best friend, Bernice Rainwater; six grandchildren Kyle, Whitney, Conner, Colin, Aliyah and Gavyn; numerous other loved ones and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Elijah and Dortha Johnson; her husband, Raymond “Butch” Ward, Jr.; and two brothers Clifton and Earnest Johnson.  

Pallbearers are Brad Ward, Daren Ward, Justin Ward, Conner Ward, Scott Horstman, Kyle Ward, and Gavyn Ward. Honorary pallbearers are Reverend Clyde Hess and Larry Carter

Viewing is noon until 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

To sign Linda’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

Funeral service set for Odessa Baxter

Funeral service for Odessa Faye Baxter, 87, of Pocola is 10 a.m. Monday at Evans and Miller Chapel in Pocola with Brother Joe Silva officiating. Burial will follow at Steep Hill Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Pocola.

She was born Feb. 4, 1937 in Pocola to Millie (Phillips) Perkins and Buddy Perkins and passed away Sept. 26, 2024 in Pocola. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, George "Bo" Baxter; parents Buddy and Millie Perkins; brother, Leonard Perkins; and sisters Linda Bly and Kathy Perkins.

Survivors include her daughters Pamela Jacobs and husband Jimmy, Kelly Reano and husband Bobby, and Marilyn Johnson; son, Curtis Baxter; sister, Lorene Williams, 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Andrew Nichols, Craig Schleiff, Kevin Reano, Bobby Joe Johnson, Kendal Riggs, Shane Riggs and Christopher Riggs.

Viewing and visitation is Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. with family greeting friends from 4 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home in Pocola.

You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.