Advertising Salesperson wanted.  Immediate opening for a person to market local businesses using the Journal.  Digital news is the platform a rapidly increasing number of people look to for their information.   Your future success could be marketing your clients products and services on the Journal’s digital platforms.

The successful candidate should possess:

-a friendly smile and helpful attitude

-knowledge of the area and local businesses

-reliable transportation

-be a self-starter

-desire to earn a quality salary

This is a commissioned sales position.  The Journal offers high commissions coupled with bonuses and incentives based upon performance.

Send your resume and contact information by email to:  DeSotoParishJournal@gmail.com

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The DeSoto Parish Journal has experienced tremendous growth in the past year.  Therefore, an Assistant Publisher is needed to supervise the gathering and production of local news items.

This is an immediate opening for a newly created position.  Salary and benefits to be negotiated.

Skills the successful candidate should possess include:

Covering local news events and boiling down the important aspects of the event into a news article.

Photographic skills to portray the event.

Research skills to supplement coverage of an event, including preparation prior to an interview, meeting, etc.

Journalistic ethics including being able to distinguish between the facts of an event and the “spin” of the event. 

Acute observation and note taking to assure accuracy of reporting, especially quotations from individuals involved in the story.

The ability to ask relevant questions and keep the subject of an interview on track.

And the appreciation of hard work and diligence in the gathering, writing, and disseminating local news.

Interested candidates should submit a brief resume, photo, and all contact information.  All submissions should be via email should be addressed to:  DeSotoParishJournal@gmail.com.

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This week’s report covers one week period ranging from October 23RD – October 29TH of all arrests made by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Helen Francis Wells Reynolds

June 12, 1950 to November 2, 2022

View full obituary here:

https://desotoparishjournal.com/2022/11/05/helen-frances-wells-reynolds/

The DeSoto Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $70. The obituary will be included in the emails sent to subscribers.  Contact your funeral provider or DeSotoParishJournal@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above with no link to the obituary are FREE of charge.)

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The monthly luncheon of the DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce is scheduled next Tuesday, November 15^th.  The notice sent to chamber members noted it will be the last chamber luncheon of the year.

Happy National School Psychology Week to DeSoto Schools school psychologists. You can always find Mr. Lowe, Mrs. Ezernack, and Dr. Poole working hard to make each student’s school experience the best it can possibly be.

North DeSoto High said the Griffin Band looked and sounded amazing in the Many Marching Competition.  They earned all superior ratings and most outstanding band in their class.

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Helen Frances Wells Reynolds was born June 12, 1950, in York County, South Carolina, to Otis and Annie Sneed Wells. She married Henry Presley Reynolds on November 7, 1967. She entered into rest on Wednesday, November 2, 2022.

Helen was survived by her three sons, Charles Edward, and wife, Michelle, David Paul and wife, Rachel, Daniel Otis and wife, Denise; sister, Patsy Crocker, and husband, Tab; brother, Otis Wells, Jr.; and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Henry Presley Reynolds; four brothers; and two sisters.

Helen was an amazing mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She will be missed by all of those who love her.

We will lay her to rest at New Rockdale Cemetery, Mansfield, Louisiana, at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 7, 2022, which would have been their 55th wedding anniversary.

Honoring Helen as pallbearers will be Daniel Reynolds, David Reynolds, Charles Reynolds, Melvin Manson, and Daniel Register.

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North DeSoto’s perfect season came to an end Friday night as Northwood-Shreveport edged out the Griffins.  Final Score Northwood 20 and North DeSoto 19.

Mansfield concluded its regular season with a narrow road victory over Red River.  Friday night the Wolverines edged by the Bulldogs 32 to 30.

The Tigers of Logansport sounded a triumphant note Friday night.  They soundly defeated Montgomery in a shut-out.  Final score Logansport 54 and Montgomery 0.

LHSAA playoff opponents will be released this weekend.  We will find out the playoff status of all three teams in the new Division brackets.

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Funeral services celebrating the life of Curtis Mae Wells will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 7, 2022, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield, Louisiana with Rev. David Permenter and Rev. Toby Shaw officiating. Interment will follow at Grand Cane Cemetery, Grand Cane, Louisiana. A visitation for family and friends will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, November 6, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Curtis was born on January 30, 1935, to Clarence and Zada McCain Cannon in Martin, Louisiana.  She entered into eternal rest on November 3, 2022, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Curtis is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, DeLynn Wells; her daughter, Delana Eads; her sister, Betty Kernaghan; and her granddaughter, Shea Cortez.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Garry Caston, and wife, Joyce, Daryl Wells and wife, Dana; her daughter, Judy Freeman and husband, Joe; her grandchildren, Kristin Hildebrand and husband, Waylon, Kole Caston, Chase Wells, and wife Samantha, Crystal Crecink and husband, J, Gordon Eads and wife, Kristen, Zach Eads, Amanda Pharris and husband, Danny, Karina McCracken and husband, Maxwell; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Honoring Curtis as pallbearers will be Kole Caston, Gordon Eads, Zach Eads, Chase Wells, Waylon Hildebrand, and Joe Freeman.

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Early voting ended Tuesday evening.  Information from the Secretary of State’s office indicated 15.5% of registered voters in the parish cast ballots early for the November 8^th election.

DeSoto voters could cast ballots at the Registrar of Voters office in Mansfield or at the municipal building in Stonewall.  A total of 2,950 voters cast ballots during the early voting period.  There were 2376 who voted in person and 574 who submitted absentee ballots.

The demographic breakdown by race:

White 1844, Black 1041, and other 65.

Male 1243 and female 1706

Democrat 1302, Republican 1207, and other 441

The election will be Tuesday, November 8^th.  The US Senate race and several constitution amendments are the statewide issues.  Locally there are municipal offices and seats on the DeSoto Parish School Board on the ballot.

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North DeSoto High posted that they were trying to beat the weather.  The football game with Northwood.  It is the last game of the regular season. Kickoff time has been moved up an hour to 6:00 pm.  Senior Night activities will now begin at 5:30 pm.  North DeSoto is trying to complete a perfect 10 and 0 season, with only the Falcons standing in the way.

Geaux Preps describes the match-up this way:

North DeSoto has waited a year for this game. It’s a rematch of last year’s district title game and second-round playoff matchup with Northwood of Shreveport. The Falcons took both meetings last season and have won five of the last six in the overall series. In its best start in school history, North DeSoto hopes to cap off the regular season with a perfect mark when it takes on Northwood at home in what is expected to be a capacity crowd. A victory also gives the Griffins the No. 1 seed in the Non-Select Division II while Northwood continues to battle for a first-round bye in the Select Division I bracket.

Mansfield High is on the road for their last game of the season.  The Wolverines will play the Red River Bulldogs.  The kickoff has also been moved forward an hour.  The game will start at 6:00 pm.  It is Red River’s Senior Night with activities scheduled both before the game and at half time.

Logansport’s Tigers wrap up the regular season schedule on the road also.  They travel to Montgomery.  Logansport can stretch their record to 7 and 3 with a victory tonight.  Scheduled kickoff is at 7:00 pm.

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By Nicole Tull

Halloween was celebrated in Logansport on the riverfront with River City Fest and the Logansport Chamber of Commerce. “A Night Treat on Elm Street” was the theme for the evening. Booths were set up for trick-or-treaters to visit.

Hot dogs, popcorn, water, and candy were available for all to enjoy. The event had something for everyone: games to play, music for dancing, decorated pumpkins, and lots of varied costumes.

Kids that dressed up could enter the costume contest. Kinley Kinman, Brentlynn Straus and others were awarded for their superb skills for recreating their favorite character. While many adults portrayed great skill, only the children received accolades.

A pumpkin contest was also offered for kids showing off their painting or carving skills. Some of the winners for the pumpkins were Jolee Brittan for the carved pirate ship and Carter Wilkerson for the painted deer. Rep. Larry Bagley supported his community with a pumpkin advertising his office.

It was a great community effort. Thank you to all that participated from the Chambers members and River City Fest. Special thanks to Dairy Queen, Whataburger, Big Zach’s, and Joaquin Truck Stop for their donations.

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By Brad Dison

During his lifetime, Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, had more than his share of admirers.  People waited for hours outside the gates of Graceland in hopes that they might get a glimpse of and maybe an autograph from Elvis.  There were also many people who disliked him for a variety of reasons.  It was for reasons such as this that Elvis’s home, Graceland, was protected by a solid stone wall fence with a set of large metal gates.   

On the morning of November 22, 1976, a 41-year-old man and his wife drove up to the gates of Elvis’s Graceland and asked the security guard to see Elvis.  Naturally, the security guard refused entry and sent the man on his way.  Just a few minutes later, at about 9:30 a.m., the man was driving at the corner of Powell and Peterson Lake Road in Collierville, a suburb east of Memphis, when he took the curve too sharply and flipped his car.

Police arrived and found the man and his wife standing beside the overturned car.  The man, they noticed, was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech.  They arrested the man and charged him with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and having no driver’s license.  At Collierville police headquarters, the man took and passed a breathalyzer test.  Collierville Police Chief H.A. Goforth Jr. administered further tests to determine the man’s incoherence.    The man posted a $250 bond and was released from jail.  That should have been the end of this story.

The man had a lengthy history with police.  As far back as 1963, the man was sentenced to thirty days in jail for drunk driving.  Earlier in 1976, the man shot a coworker in the Collierville city limits.  Police determined the shooting was an accident but charged him with discharging a firearm within city limits.  Police released the man when he posted a bond, but he failed to appear at his court date.  A little over a month before the man’s visits to the gates of Graceland, he was arrested for shouting obscenities at his neighbors in Collierville.  He had various other run-ins with law enforcement officers.

In the very early morning hours of the next day, November 23, 1976, the man went to a bar called The Vapors.  The bar owner knew the man well, and for some unknown reason, the bar’s owner loaned the man a small .38 caliber derringer pistol.  Just before 3:00 a.m., the man returned to the gates outside Elvis’s Graceland.  As the man’s car pulled into the driveway, a different security guard, Robert Loyd, approached.  The man pointed the derringer pistol at the security guard as he approached.  The shocked security guard refused entry just as the security guard had done on the previous day.  The man screamed, cursed, verbally threatened, and waved the derringer pistol around wildly.  The security guard calmly returned to the guard shack and called the Memphis Police Department.

Patrolman B.J. Kirkpatrick arrived at the gates of Graceland and found the man sitting in his car.  Patrolman Kirkpatrick noticed that the derringer pistol was lying on the man’s left knee.  The patrolman took the pistol and inspected it.  It was then that he realized the man was not making empty threats.  The gun was “cocked and fully loaded.”  Another patrolman arrived as backup.  The officers noted that the man’s speech was slurred, he reeked of alcohol, and he was unsteady on his feet.  At 3:07 a.m., Patrolman Kirkpatrick arrested the would-be killer.  On the way to the city jail, the man turned his threats from Elvis and the security guard to the policemen.  Three hours later, the man was released after posting a $250 bond.  The derringer pistol was kept as evidence.

Millions of people still visit the gates of Graceland each year.  After paying an admission fee, they are admitted through the gates.  But on those two dates in November, 1976, it was a killer who tried to force his way through the gates.  He died last week on October 28, and although he was prevented from entering the gates of Graceland, hopefully he was accepted into the gates of Heaven.  The man was not actually a killer, he was The Killer.   Jerry Lee Lewis.

Sources:

1. The Memphis Press-Scimitar, November 23, 1976, p.1.
2. Best Classic Bands Staff, “Nov. 23, 1976: Jerry Lee Lewis Arrested at Graceland,” Best Classic Bands, July 31, 2015, bestclassicbands.com/jerry-lee-lewis-arrested-graceland-11-23-155/.

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The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office announced, “We have welcomed a therapy dog to our team.  Elleigh, a 4-year-old Border Collie, will work with the Criminal Investigations Division to assist with special victims. In addition to victim advocacy, Elleigh will also offer overall support to members of the sheriff’s office.  Elleigh hopes to provide comfort during challenging times for first responders and citizens.  Angela Bandy, the Lieutenant over the Criminal Investigations Division who has worked with special victims for many years, will be Elleigh’s handler.”

Elleigh is a rescue, has had extensive obedience training, and is an agility competition dog.  Elleigh has been a part of many competitions resulting in awards.

We want to thank Connie Philipp with Ruh Roh! Dog Training, who was fostering Elleigh and graciously released her to the sheriff’s office for Elleigh’s new journey in law enforcement. A special thank you to Steve Hill with K-9 nation as well. Connie and Steve assisted with transitioning Elleigh and will remain involved.

Elleigh has already put smiles on faces around the sheriff’s office and we are so excited that she is a part of our department.  And yes, she was a pumpkin for Halloween at the office as well!

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This is the tenth week of the regular local football schedule.  And this is the last week of the High School Football Pickers contest.  The clock is ticking.  Deadline is 4:00 pm today to get your entry in.

Pictured with this article is Wayne Williams of Mansfield. He correctly predicted 8 out of 10 game outcomes and the Journal presented him with $100.

Someone will win this week’s $100.  Here is the link to the entry form.  The person with the best record of picking the winning teams gets the money.

CLICK HERE

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By Steve Graf

Last week we focused on some of the fishing etiquette issues pertaining to today’s up-and-coming anglers. We looked at “cutting off another angler” and “asking for permission to share a spot.” Today, we’ll continue to spotlight more of the etiquette issues that are taking place on all our lakes and waterways. In the world we live in today, there’s a wealth of ways to gain knowledge…reading, the internet, video archives, or someone actually teaching and showing you what you need to know. By going to school, we learn or at least have the opportunity to learn and become educated. In the bass fishing world, 75% of what anglers learn is by someone teaching them or showing them how, why, and when…how to find fish, how to catch fish, how to maintain your boat, what techniques to use, and when, along with why bass react the way they do in certain situations. But the one area we have failed as older generation anglers is teaching these young anglers fishing etiquette.

In this article, we’ll focus on a couple more of the unwritten rules of bass fishing. Let’s look at how to handle angry dock or landowners. Nothing gets my blood boiling quicker than a private dock owner who comes out of his lake house and tells me I can’t fish his dock. Legally, as long as you stay in your boat and never step foot on his dock, you can fish it.  It’s a public body of water and the dock owner does not own the water underneath his dock, despite what he thinks. When I come across this scenario, I always have to take a deep breath before responding to his aggressive statement. I do much better when the dock owner “asks” me not to fish his dock. If he’s doing maintenance work on his dock or the family is out on the dock enjoying themselves, it is best to pass it up anyway because of all the noise they’re making. While trolling by, it is nice to always make a point to speak and say hello and wish them a good day. It is better to leave a dock owner with a pleasant experience rather than a negative one. But when the owner comes at you with aggression and threats, try to calm him down by saying hello and asking him why he doesn’t want you to fish his dock. The bottom line is this… it’s a good practice that if you see the dock owner, ask him if it’s okay for you to make a couple of casts in and around his dock. With this approach, you’ll meet some really nice people who don’t have a problem with you fishing their dock. But there is that 1% out there that will be total buttheads and make all kinds of threats from shooting a hole in your boat to calling the local authorities. Either way, it usually ends in a war of words between the angler and the dock owner. The best advice I can give on this topic…be nice and move on.

One thing that’s actually making our lakes and waterways more dangerous is speeding boats! I’ve had a few near misses on the water and 100% of all these incidents involved speed. Today’s bass boats are literally high-speed water bullets that young anglers have no experience or the skills to drive. Most tournament bass rigs today are 18-to-21-foot boats with motors ranging from 200 to 300 horsepower engines. Most tournament trails today have a motor size limit of 250 HP. But today’s young anglers think they need to run 80 MPH to get to their next fishing spot. I get it…when you’re young, you love speed and think it’s cool. But there are two people you need to be conscious of when running across the lake…the partner in your boat and the other anglers you’re running by. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. It’s no different than driving a vehicle, you can be distracted and lose control quickly. SLOW DOWN!!! There’s no reason to drive at top-end speed when moving around the lake. Be smart and conscious of other anglers on the water. 

To wrap this up, I hope everyone who reads this article will take the advice I’ve given free of charge. The only way we can expect the younger generation to do things the right way is to teach them the right way. Most of the issues we’ve discussed are basically common sense. But as I’ve learned over the years, even common sense must be taught. Till next time good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to apply your sunscreen… Melanoma does not discriminate.

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The Shreveport office of the National Weather Service issued an alert to possible severe weather beginning later today.

The Weather Service said, “There will be a significant risk for our Four State Area to see Severe Thunderstorms beginning late Friday Afternoon and continuing all evening, and into the early overnight hours. Damaging winds from bow echoes along with some tornadoes will be the main threats. Also, some with large hail and heavy rainfall will be possible. If Thunder roars, go indoors.

According to the map, our parish is in the Slight Risk area.  Here is the local forecast:

Friday – A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1:00 pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Friday Night – Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1:00 am. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 54.

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Charlotte Miller of the Historic Grand Cane Association said “Tickets for the upcoming 2022 Front Porch Tour of homes will be sold at HGCA Car Show/Fall Market on Saturday in Grand Cane. Miller said to look for their booth near 4C Coffee.  The Front Porch Tour is December 3, 2022.

Starting next week, tickets for the tour will be on sale at Grand Cane Village Hall from 8:00 am until 12:00 Noon Monday-Thursday.  Also see downtown merchants for tickets.

Tickets are $20 for the Front Porch Tour.  Homes feature are the Lifford Cook House, the Dowling House, the Cowdin House, and the Griffith House.  Light refreshments will be served at Cook Hill House B&B on 5^th Street.

The Grand Cane Christmas parade will be the morning of the tour, December 3^rd.  Mark your calendars for a Saturday of fun in the Village tomorrow.

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The DeSoto Parish Journal is the parish’s digital newspaper.  You get all the local news, sports and events happening in our parish from one source.  And it comes to your favorite device.

The DeSoto Parish Journal is published each Wednesday and Friday morning at 6:55 am.  But you don’t have to get up and bring it in out of the mailbox or from your front lawn.  And you don’t have to go to the store and pay.  We’ll deliver it directly to your email inbox.

Email subscriptions are free.  The Journal doesn’t want a bunch of your private information, just your name and email. Click the red banner on any Journal article to go to the sign-up form.

Click it NOW!  Get the next edition.  Now you are informed of DeSoto Parish news.

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Kervin Campbell

December 11, 1968 to October 27, 2022

Service: Saturday, November 5, 2022 @1:00 p.m. Mansfield High School Gymnasium.

William “Will” Richardson Sr.

October 22, 1946 to October 26, 2022

Service: Saturday, November 5, 2022 @10:00 A.M. Zion Hill No. 2 B.C. Mansfield, LA.

Billy Adams

October 21, 1955 to October 30, 2022

View full obituary here:

https://desotoparishjournal.com/2022/10/31/billy-thomas-tommy-adams/

The DeSoto Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $70. The obituary will be included in the emails sent to subscribers.  Contact your funeral provider or DeSotoParishJournal@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above with no link to the obituary are FREE of charge.)

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The 4th and 5th grade 4-H club members from Logansport High School enjoyed the AgMagic Tour at the State Fair recently.  They posed for pictures under the big “Start Your Engines With 4-H” banner.

Cruisin’ in Grand Cane car show is this Saturday in Grand Cane.  Also Saturday will be the Fall Market.  There will be food, fun, vendors, live music, and some spectacular old rides.

The Krewe of Demeter Bingo will be Saturday evening beginning at 5:00 pm.  It will be held at the 4-H building near the airport.

The Pelican Branch Library was full of little ghosts and goblins last Saturday night.  We had such a good time from painting pumpkins, playing mummy bowling, to eating some yummy cotton candy.  Watching Hocus Pocus 2 was the icing on the cake.

The state health department said the parish health units will be CLOSED on Tuesday, November 8 for Election Day and Friday, November 11, for Veterans Day. They will be open on the 7th, 9th and 10th of next week.

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Sunday morning early while most of us are asleep Daylight Saving Time will come to an end.  And our sleep will be shrunk by an hour as we revert to Central Time.

NBC News reported that the change often renews the longstanding debate about the tradition. In March, the Senate weighed in, unanimously voting in favor of the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent year-round for all states but Hawaii and most of Arizona, which would continue to observe year-round standard time. But the bill has stalled in the House.

The National Conference of State Legislatures said, “State legislatures have considered at least 450 bills and resolutions in recent years to establish year-round daylight saving time as soon as federal law allows it. Much of the legislation would stop the disruption-causing, twice-yearly clock switching. Inherent in the debate is whether to enact either permanent standard time or permanent daylight time. The federal Uniform Time Act allows the former option but not the latter. A CBS News poll in March 2022 found that 46% of U.S. residents preferred daylight saving time all year round, 33% preferred standard time year-round and 21% were okay continuing to clock switch twice a year.”

Regardless of the conversations sparked by the twice yearly ritual of resetting clocks, we will fall back an hour at 2:00 am (DST) this Sunday morning.  So set the clock back before going to bed and don’t be late for church.

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The Journal congratulates Wayne Williams of Mansfield.  He is the week #9 winner of the High School Football Pickers contest.  The Journal will present him with a check for $100.

This is the final week of the regular season, and the final opportunity you have to cash in and predict the winners of ten local football games.  And your final opportunity to take home the $100.

Still plenty of time to enter, but don’t put it off too long.  Entry deadline is 4:00 pm Friday.

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On Thursday Night, the Griffins attempted to dodge both the rain and a massive letdown against the winless Bossier Bearkats. The undefeated Griffins passed both tests with flying colors with a 56-16 win to take their record to 9-0 as well lock up a portion of the District 1-4A district championship.

The scrappy Bearkats were lights out for the first 6 minutes of the game with their young defense causing the Griffins fits in the run game.

Sam Odom opened the scoring midway through the 1st quarter with the first of his two touchdown receptions from 10 yards out. John Lewis added a 1 yard touchdown plunge and a special teams miscue for Bossier led to Odom’s second touchdown from 35 yards out.

The Griffins special teams unit blocked another punt in the endzone, and Drake Wadsworth fell on it for another score. Luke Delafield had another outstanding night passing completing touchdowns to both Landon Falls and Cole Cory and ending the night with 276 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The Griffins finished their scoring with rushing touchdowns from Trysten Hopper and Kenny Thomas as the mercy clock rule was in play.

The Stonewall Faithful were in great spirits as they continued their best start in school history while immediately turning the page and looking forward to the Northwood Falcons on Friday Night in Griffin Stadium.

A number one power rating, first round playoff bye and undefeated regular season are at stake as the Griffins begin preparations to face their bitter rivals that handed the Griffins their last two losses of the 2022 season.

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By Nicole Tull

Stonewall Community Center opened its doors last Tuesday to over 250 folks in the community that came to hear US Senator John Kennedy.  US Congressman Mike Johnson welcomed the constituents for their turnout and introduced Kennedy. Along with Johnson, a full table of local officials flanked Kennedy as he spoke; Rep. Larry Bagley, Rep. Barry Milligan, Sherriff Jayson Richardson, Mayor of Stonewall Ken Kaffka and DeSoto Republican Party representative Layne Huckabay.

Kennedy has served previously as Secretary of Dept. of Revenue and State Treasurer before becoming a US Senator.  He is currently running for reelection this year.

Kennedy was named one of eight most effective republican senators by Center for Effective Law Making. He serves on the Appropriations committee currently.

Kennedy boasts of fighting for Louisiana’s fair share of federal monies without being wasteful or greedy. He spoke on being careful to scrutinize bills brought before him. He compared a recent bill that was being pushed with “buying a car for the cupholders”.

Kennedy spoke on his accomplishments that affect Americans concerning jobs, healthcare, crime, inflation, military and several more line items.  He spoke on choosing not to allow hatred to influence his office and life. He believes in the dignity of able-bodied people working. He believes in support of law enforcement. He believes that the future of America can be better that its present or past. He ended with saying we are only as good as our dreams and as valuable as our children.

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By Teddy Allen

 “And they compelled one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear His cross.” — Mark 15:21 (KJV)  

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace …” — Original words and music, Helen Lemmel; additional words by Sovereign Grace Worship, 2019. 

Charles Foxworth, 90, passed away peacefully at home in north Louisiana in mid-October after a long illness. “He loved the Lord and always gave him the glory for his joy-filled life,” his obituary read. 

Any of us who knew him could have written that. 

Dr. Foxworth was asked to bear Jesus’ cross when he was a young man. He accepted and didn’t put it down until a couple of weeks ago. In February 2020, he wrote this to a friend:  

“I’m singing, ‘Someday the silver cord will break, and I no more as now shall sing. But oh, the joy when I shall wake, within the palace of the King. And I shall see Him face to face, And tell the story, saved by grace!’ 

“See you at the house!” 

The song he referenced was written by the legendary and prolific Fanny Crosby in 1891. “See you at the house!” was always Dr. Foxworth’s timeless reference to his heavenly home. 

No need for him to say that anymore. 

“Turn your eyes to the morning
And see Christ the Lion awake
What a glorious dawn, fear of death is gone
For we carry His life in our veins …” 

Charles Foxworth became an ordained minister at 18, began a career in education, pastored several churches in Texas and Louisiana, eventually earned his Ph.D., and earned a significant amount of recognition for the impact he had on the thousands of students he served, including those he taught, mentored and influenced at Louisiana Tech from 1971 until his retirement in 1996. 

Along the way, he was a Sunday School teacher, music director, supply minister, devotional writer, and most importantly, an authentic encourager and example of a godly man, now survived by Lois, his wife of 72 years, and by their daughter and grandchildren and families and so many friends who will miss him — but only for a while.  

“Turn your eyes to the heavens
Our King will return for His own
Every knee will bow, every tongue will shout,
‘All glory to Jesus alone!’” 

That long-ago day among the pines in Southeast Texas around his hometown of Silsbee, the teenage son of Steve and Mamie Foxworth was asked to carry a cross. Centuries before, Simon had been asked to do the same on the Via Dolorosa. Neither man could not have known that his life would change on those appointed days. They were both, after all, just passing through. But by divine circumstance, their paths crossed the path of the beaten and bleeding Savior.  

Few people run toward the cross.  Most of us have to be compelled by the soldier of misfortune, suffering, disease, and any of a thousand other pains and problems.  Even then, we pick it up kicking and screaming.

Not Charles Foxworth, and not Simon the Cyrenian. After looking into Jesus’ eyes, after seeing Christ’s shredded back, His crown of thorns, each man knew that, in comparison, the yoke was easy. Jesus always does the hard part, walking with us to the house.  

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu 

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