LCJ weekly newsletter 10-3-2024

Thursday's newsletter

Good morning. It's Thursday, Oct. 3. Subscribe above for only $5 per month or give us a test run free for seven days.

Don’t keep us a secret: Share the newsletter with friends (copy URL here)​.

And, as always, send us feedback at craig@heavenerledger.com.

Daily Bible verse

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Matthew 5:8

Guess who

One of the most popular features from back during our printing days was the guess who? feature we ran weekly. Since we changed to this format, it has not continued. But we are bringing that feature back for every Thursday, starting this week. If you can identify this young man, send an email to craig@heavenerledger.com and your name will be listed next Thursday.

Blast from the past

Hembree Chevrolet, as shown in the 1972 yearbook. The Family Dollar is now located at this location.

Jo Ann Billy

Jo Ann Billy of Poteau was born March 29, 1937 in Magazine, Arkansas to William Barrett and Gertrude (Garlington) Simkins and passed away Sept. 29, 2024 in Heavener at the age of 87.

Funeral service was Wednesday at Trinity Baptist Church in Poteau with Reverend David Billy, Barry Bruton, and Nathan Billy officiating.  Burial will follow in Vaughn Cemetery in the Gilmore community under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

Jo Ann was a devoted Christian, who ministered alongside her husband, Pastor LeRoy Billy, at Hontubby Baptist Church in Hontubby for 10 years and at Trinity Baptist Church in Poteau for 49 years. Together, they owned and operated KPRV Radio, serving area communities for over 36 years. Jo Ann was Chief Director of Operations for her family, the CEO of Coleman Broadcasting, and the Director of Jo Ann’s Lazy J Plantation near Gilmore.

Jo Ann’s legacy is evident in the number of people she loved and served through Sunday School and Wednesday night Bible classes, summer Kiamchi Baptist Assembly Church Camps, and Vacation Bible Schools. She knew the piano accompaniment by heart to every hymn in the book. She made the best homemade cinnamon rolls and gave the best hugs. She was the greatest “Grannie JoAnnie” and the most “Worrisome Nana.” And as the verse in Proverbs says, “her children arise up, and call her blessed.” She left an indelible stamp on this Earth, but she missed her sweetheart.

She is survived by her daughter Belinda Westfall and husband Joe; her sons Barry Burton and wife Julie, David Billy and wife Lisa, and Nathan Billy and husband Stacy; her grandchildren Ashlee McBride, Michael Billy, Curtis Bennett, Thomas Westfall, Laura Westfall, Chris Hackett, Daniel Bruton, Robyn Rivera and Aidan Billy; great-grandchildren Zoey Westfall, Lily Westfall, Jeremiah Hackett, Noah Hackett, Cade Klusmeyer, Raymond Klusmeyer, Sophia Klusmeyer and Mia Klusmeyer.

Jo Ann is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, LeRoy Billy; her parents; six brothers Roy Simkins, William Simkins, John Simkins, Gene Simkins, Robert Simpkins and Glen Simkins; three sisters Mildred Barker, Ruth Sims and Katherine Mikles; and granddaughter, Alison Hackett.

Pallbearers were her grandsons.

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

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 was Monday at Oasis Community Church in Poteau with Pastor Nick Hess officiating. Burial followed 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 were Brad Ward, Daren Ward, Justin Ward, Conner Ward, Scott Horstman, Kyle Ward, and Gavyn Ward. Honorary pallbearers were Reverend Clyde Hess and Larry Carter

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

Odessa Faye Baxter

Funeral service for Odessa Faye Baxter, 87, of Pocola was Monday at Evans and Miller Chapel in Pocola with Brother Joe Silva officiating.

Burial followed 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 were Andrew Nichols, Craig Schleiff, Kevin Reano, Bobby Joe Johnson, Kendal Riggs, Shane Riggs and Christopher Riggs.