Obituaries 07-18-24

WILLIE B. ORR

May 12, 1940-July 12, 2024

Funeral services for Willie B. Orr, 84, of Smithdale, were conducted on

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 from Oak Grove Primitive Baptist Church in

Smithdale, with Elder P.J. Walters and Brother Chris Smith officiating.

Interment followed at Oak Grove Primitive Baptist Church cemetery.

Born on May 12, 1940 in Webster County to William Marion Orr and

Beatrice Mims Orr, he proudly served his country in the United States

Navy. He was a faithful member of Oak Grove Primitive Baptist Church,

serving as a Deacon since May, 1984. He enjoyed sitting on his front

porch, reading his Bible, loving on his cat and taking care of his yard

work.

He died on Friday, July 12, 2024 at his residence with his loving family

by his side.

He is survived by his nieces and their respective spouses, Annette and

Randall Wicker, Beverly and Rick Johnson, Margaret and Dale Graves,

Samantha and Luke Baughtman and Jessica Wilkinson and Chris Smith; his

nephew and his wife, Wade and Glenda Harris; 12 great-nieces and

nephews, a great-great-nephew, his brother- and sister-in-law, William

"Buddy" and Cynthia Wilkinson; and a host of family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice Wilkinson Orr; his parents,

William and Beatrice Orr; his sisters, Lovella Ray, Eutell Hays, Johnnie

Estes and Linda Harris; and two brothers, Jim S. Orr and Marvin D. Orr.

Pallbearers were Daniel Wicker, Andrew Wicker, Luke Baughtman, Rick

Johnson, Larry Sasser, Chris Smith, William Wilkinson and Kirk

Schilling. Honorary pallbearers were Cody Graves, Dale Graves, Wade

Harris, Kevin Wicker, Rusty Schilling and Ricky Johnston.

To share condolences, please visit www.franklinfh.com.

Franklin Funeral Home of Meadville was in charge of arrangements.

JANIE HESTER ROMERO

June 22, 1943-July 6, 2024

Memorial services and funeral mass for Janie Hester Romero, 81, were

conducted on Saturday, July 13, 2024 from E.J. Fielding Funeral Home in

Covington, La..

Interment followed at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Hamburg.

Born on June 22, 1943 in Hamburg, she graduated from Baton Rouge High

School in 1960 at the age of 16, attended Louisiana State University for

two years and transferred to the University of Southwest Louisiana

(USL), where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social

Studies.

Her vocational interests were diverse, beginning as an Elementary

Teacher in Jefferson Parish before working for the Louisiana Department

of Social Services in St. Charles and St. Bernard Parishes, the last

being the most demanding involving abused children. She willingly and

eagerly volunteered her time to school activities at St. Francis Cabrini

Elementary School and Brother Martin High School.

She served in a fund raising capacity for the Juvenile Diabetes

Foundation for years and was a Louisiana delegate to the International

Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Convention in Toronto, Canada in 1981. She

also devoted endless hours to the family support program of the 377th

TAACOM Army Reserve United as a Family Support Coordinator in resolution

of issues affecting soldiers of the reserve unit. She was extremely

proud of her work in the family support organization, for which she

received numerous achievement awards.

In 1998, she and her family moved to rural St. Tammany Parish, where she

envisioned and directed the construction of the family home. She was a

parishioner of St. Jane de Chantal Catholic Church and St. Michael the

Archangel Mission in Bush, Ala.

She was the loving matriarch of the Romero family, dedicating her life

to her family and providing guidance, advice and counsel to her whole

family. She was a cherished wife and a treasured, loving mother. She was

a true friend to all who knew her and never met a stranger. Her

children, grandchildren and great-grandchild were truly the light of her

life and she loved them beyond measure.

She enjoyed attending the children's and grandchildren's sporting

events and was an avid LSU Tigers fan for every sport and also enjoyed

watching the New Orleans Saints win any games.

She died on Saturday, July 6, 2024 in Covington, La.

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Lee J. Romero, Jr.;

her children and their spouses, Lee Jay and Sandy Romero III and

Christopher Spencer and Dana Romero; her grandchildren, Spencer Romero,

Leigha Romero Lumley, Katherine Romero, Nathan Romero and Chase Romero;

and her great-grandchild, Beckham Smith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Spencer James Hester and

Bessie Ruth Hester; and her brother, Larry Hester.

God saw you breathlessly labored and a cure was not to be, so he put his

arms around you and softly whispered "come with me." With tearful

eyes we watched you slowly fade away. Although we loved you dearly, we

could not make you stay. A beautiful and compassionate heart stopped

beating, your loving hands put to rest, God broke our hearts to prove to

us he only takes the best.

Please share a memory, thoughts and condolences on the Tribute Wall at

www.ejfielding.com.

E.J. Fielding Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

WESLEY HAWKINS

Nov. 21, 1978-July 4, 2024

Wesley Hawkins, 45, of Smithdale, died on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

Born on Nov. 21, 1978 in Natchez to Roy Hawkins and Charlotte Ann

Hawkins, he loved to cook. He was always trying new things and cooking

with his family. He owned a restaurant in Summit for more than a year,

and he enjoyed cooking and the planning of his menus. He always said he

was happiest when he was behind a big pot and a table full of

ingredients.

He loved to build and enjoyed sharing his pieces with everyone. He

built, painted and finished off many pieces. His love of working with

wood started when he was young when he worked with his dad at their

lumber yard. He later became a partner/owner with his father in the

construction business. He loved being outside.

In his spare time, he was a tinkerer, loving to fix all things. He was

always helping someone fix or repair something. His love for people kept

him active, even after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

He is survived by his parents; his daughter, Chloe White; and a host of

family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Hollis and

Earline Hawkins; his maternal grandfather, James Hall; and four uncles.

In memory of Wes, friends and family are encouraged to make any

donations to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX

75284-0692.

To share condolences, please visit www.franklinfh.com.

Franklin Funeral Home of Meadville is in charge of arrangements.