Lucile P. Hands

Lucile P. Hands died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2005, at her home in Vicksburg. She was 91.

Born in Napoleonville, La., Mrs. Hands attended elementary and high school in Independence, La. She entered Louisiana State University at 15 and received a bachelor of arts degree in Latin and a master of arts degree in library science. She also did graduate work at Columbia University of New York.

She worked as a public librarian in Monroe and Shreveport before moving to Minden, La., in 1940. She operated the Rex, Tower and Drive Inn theaters and also served as a librarian in the city, parish and Minden High School libraries and Webster Parish Materials Center.

Mrs. Hands was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church for 60 years. She was named Minden’s “Woman of the Year” in the 1950s for her work in helping found the Minden Association for the Retarded and service to other community organizations. She moved to Vicksburg in 2000.

She was honored by Alpha Chi Omega sorority with a plaque and pin for 75 years of loyal membership.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar Beach Hands Jr.; her brother, Thomas Bryan Pugh; and her parents, Thomas Bryan Pugh Jr. and Lucile Wilson Pugh.

Survivors include two sons, Edward Bryan Hands of Vicksburg and Ernest R. Hands of Bossier; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Minden with the Rev. Robert Dandridge officiating. Burial will follow at Minden Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 tonight at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Minden.

Memorials may be made to the Minden Association for Retarded Citizens, The Webster Parish Library or the Voice for the Retarded, 5005 Newport Drive, Suite 108, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008.

Riles Funeral Home has charge of local arrangements.

Johnie C. Scott

Johnie C. Scott died Monday, Jan. 10, 2005, at St. Dominic Memorial Hospital of Jackson. He was 84.

Mr. Scott was a member of Pleasant Green M.B. Church, M.W. King Hiram Grand Lodge A.F.&A.M and Mount Nebo No. 37. He was retired from Waterways Experiment Station.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Estella Scott; his parents, Joe Scott and Lenoir Edwards Scott; a sister, Willie B. Scott; and two brothers, Isaiah Edwards and Thomas Scott.

Survivors include a son, Sean McRavin of Houston, Texas; a daughter, Georgia Spiller of Jackson; one brother, Bob Scott of Chicago; one sister, Elsie Mae Scott of Vicksburg; and two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and friends and other relatives, including members of the Larkins family of Vicksburg.

Williams Funeral Service has charge of arrangements.

Charles Edward Thornton

Charles Edward “Charlie” Thornton died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2005, at his home in Vicksburg. He was 70.

Mr. Thornton was a native of Leake County and a member of Wiggins Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Thornton.

He is survived by a brother, William W. “Bill” Thornton of Vicksburg; a sister, Jan Whatley of Vicksburg; and other relatives, including Angel Whatley Smith and Scooter Whatley.

Services will be at noon Wednesday at Wilcox Funeral Home in Carthage with the Rev. Huey Dedmon officiating. Burial will follow at Wiggins Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the service at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Ronnie Taylor, Danny Thornton, David Herrington, Mike Thornton, Brent Thornton and Tommy Thornton.

Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Thornton, Kent Brown, Dr. Clark Williams, Dr. Daniel Edney and Dr. Steven Zachow.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.