The Vicksburg Post prints obituaries in news form for area residents, their family members and for former residents at no charge. Families wishing to publish additional information or to use specific wording have the option of a paid obituary.

Anthony Joseph Conti

METAIRIE, La. — Anthony Joseph Conti, beloved husband of Avis Greene Conti, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007, at the age of 83. He was the father of Mark Edwin Conti and Claire Adrienne Conti; son of the late Anthony William Conti and Victoria Palmer Conti of Vicksburg; brother of Evelyn Conti White, the late Helen Victoria Conti and the late Vivian Conti Coleman, all of Vicksburg.

He is survived as well by nieces, nephews and cousins who were all very dear to him. After graduation from St. Aloysius High School in Vicksburg, A.J. served in the U.S. Army and later received a business degree from Loyola University. He retired from Entergy Corp. in 1986 after many years of service.

A.J. was a member of the original choir of St. Mary Magdalen Church when the parish was formed in 1956 and has sung with the choir for 51 years. He also performed in musicals and plays with the early NORD Theatre and, since then, had been an enthusiastic patron of many local theaters.

Funeral services were at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home Chapel, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. (in Metairie Cemetery) on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007, at 12 noon. Interment followed at Garden of Memories.

Visitation began at 10 a.m. To sign and view the Family Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.

George Freeman Sr.

George Freeman Sr. died today, Nov. 14, 2007, at River Region Medical Center. He was 59.

Mr. Freeman was retired from the U.S. Government’s Mat Sinking Unit. He was a Vietnam veteran.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ned and Georgia Freeman.

He is survived by his wife, Demmer Lee Freeman of Vicksburg; four sons, George Freeman Jr. of Pensacola, Fla., and Marvin Freeman, David Minor and George Scott, all of Vicksburg; three daughters, Angela Scott of Alpharetta, Ga., Yolanda Freeman of Atlanta and Tatiyana Freeman of Vicksburg; a brother, Wayne Freeman of Vicksburg; and three sisters, Dorothy Dee, Velma Williams and Mary Jo Freeman, all of Vicksburg.

Lakeview Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Lynn Pennebaker Birdsong Strate

MISSOULA, Mont. — Lynn Pennebaker Birdsong Strate, age 66, died Sept. 27, 2007, at her home in Missoula, Mont., following a long illness.

Lynn, formerly of Edwards, was employed for many years with the State of Mississippi in Jackson and Vicksburg, Blue Cross Blue Shield in Helena, Mont., and the state of Montana in Missoula when she retired.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest Lee and Velma Lord Pennebaker of Edwards.

She is survived by her husband, David M. Strate of Missoula; her three sons, William Birdsong Jr. (Dorothy), Jon Pennebaker Birdsong (Robyn) and Lee Birdsong; and grandchildren, Jason, Jack, Mary Beth, Austin and Colton, all of Hinds County; a stepson, Scott Strate (Amy) and their children, Brayden, Cassie and Dallin of Monument, Colo.; a stepdaughter, Shari Strate Brown (Wade) and their children, Garrek, Ailli, Jenna, Maika and Neleh of Orem, Utah.

Lynn is also survived by three brothers, Lee (Barbara), Jon and Claude (Lisa) Pennebaker of Warren and Hinds counties in Mississippi; many local nieces and nephews and other relatives; and her father- and mother-in-law, Sherman and Barbara Strate of Bigfork, Mont.

Funeral services were held Oct. 2, 2007, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Missoula, and interment was at Lone Pine Cemetery in Darby, Mont.

A “Celebration of Life” service is planned for Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007, with visitation at 10 a.m. to the 11 a.m. hour of service at Fisher Funeral Home chapel, 1803 Cherry St., Vicksburg, MS. No flowers please, just memorials to a charity of your choice if you wish.

Emanuel Whitley

Emanuel Whitley died Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, at Vicksburg Convalescent Home. He was 91.

Born in the Ballground community, Mr. Whitley was a retired logger and farmer. He was an Army veteran, serving in World War II. He was a deacon at Mount Zion M.B. Church at Ballground.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Whitley; his parents, Dan and Carrie Whitley; one brother, Will Whitley; and a grandchild, Emmanuel Aziz.

Survivors include a son, Wali Aziz of Vicksburg; a daughter, Claudette Williams of Clarksdale; one brother, Leon Whitley of Vicksburg; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

Robbins Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.