Sunday was Parents’ Day, a time to celebrate and honor the people who raised us and helped shape us into who we are. So, here I am, belated (I’m sure you’re not surprised) but totally thankful (which I hope you realized during your time here on Earth).
Even though this national day of parental recognition has been around since 1994, I never actually paid attention to it until recently. But now that I have – and maybe because Saturday would have been your 110th birthday, Mama – I thought today would be a good opportunity to tell you both how much I appreciate and miss you.
And, Daddy, you may have noticed that this year I wrote another letter on Father’s Day – to the ultimate Father. I’m sure you won’t mind that your message is coming six weeks later.
Mama, you’ve been gone for 23 years, and Daddy, you’ve been gone for 38. As the song says, “Sunrise, sunset … swiftly flow the years.”
You were both part of the Greatest Generation, although I’m sure you would never have labeled yourself as such. But you were – the ones who lived through the Great Depression and World War II, those who persevered and endured and worked hard to build a better life for yourselves and your children. With the rest of the world, I thank you profusely.
Your backgrounds were similar, even if your personalities were not. You both taught school, and you both grew up on cotton farms just north of Spearsville, almost within sight of the Arkansas line if there hadn’t been so many trees. You dedicated your lives to education, not only in the classroom, but also at home.
Mama, you taught for 43 years and served as principal at Rocky Branch School for 25 of those years. You left your mark on generations of students who learned from your wisdom, kindness and discipline. You cried in the classroom when Kennedy was shot, and 30 years prior to that you undoubtedly hauled in firewood to heat up a one-room schoolhouse.
You were a true steel magnolia, an unshakeable Southern woman whose sweetness was surpassed only by your strength and resilience. You marched diligently in the Lord’s army, a Christian with a beautiful voice worthy of singing with the angels – and I’m sure they’re enjoying your rendition of “Home of the Soul” right about now. I’m planning to join you one day, and we’ll belt it out together again.
Daddy, you taught, too, of course, and were also principal at Rocky Branch before serving in the Army Air Corps. After the war – unable to stay cooped up anymore after so many blackouts in Europe – you worked as a biologist for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and managed to go down in history for at least two things: writing the book that served for decades as the “bible” concerning Louisiana’s wild turkeys and helping restore the state’s deer population by trapping deer in Wisconsin and bringing them here for release.
People are probably tired of hearing me mention these two accomplishments, but I don’t care. I’ll forever be proud of you for achieving these things.
A peach orchard, a grocery store and a return to the classroom were in your future as well. You had a passion for nature and agriculture, and you could grow absolutely anything. Even though you and your cousins couldn’t wait to get off those cotton farms, the soil never left your veins. You loved to ride that old poppin’ John Deere in the garden and watch the dirt turn beneath the blades. I think you liked to smell it as well.
Both of you faced challenges in your later years. Daddy, you weren’t healthy for quite a while and, Mama, you felt the sting of dementia. But I try not to dwell on those memories. I prefer to remember you from your prime.
Mama … Daddy … I feel your presence every day. I still hear your voices in my mind, giving me advice or encouragement.
You weren’t perfect; no one is. But you gave me what’s most important: a legacy of love and a foundation of values that guide me through life.
Thank you for being my parents. Thank you for being my heroes.
I love you always,
Your daughter, Sallie Rose
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Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.
A motorist was arrested on a traffic stop Thursday after a deputy sheriff found marijuana and hydrocodone in her car.
Marion E. McCann, 22, of Ruston was stopped for an inoperable brake light about 3 p.m. Thursday. McCann stepped out of the car and approached the Lincoln Parish deputy, a move he recognized as sometimes intended to keep an officer away from the vehicle.
McCann appeared extremely nervous and during the investigation, a search was conducted. The deputy found a small amount of suspected marijuana and a tablet of hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance in the vehicle.
McCann was booked for possession of a controlled substance and improper tail lamps.
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.
M.L. Woodruff made history in 27 seasons as a high school coach at Parkview Baptist recording a mark of 603-163-2 which included 11 LHSAA titles and two LISA titles. (Photo courtesy of Baton Rouge Advocate)
This is one part of a series on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023. The Induction Celebration in Natchitoches is July 27-29, with information and tickets available at LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255. The Lincoln Parish Journal is a proud supporter of the LSHOF.
By ROBIN FAMBROUGH, Written for the LSWA
Many things about M.L. Woodruff’s life paint the picture of an old-school baseball coach.
His meticulous focus on fundamentals and love of working a natural grass field paved the way for 13 state titles at Parkview Baptist.
As he contemplates induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Woodruff is filled with wide-eyed wonder and poignant true confessions.
“This is a story about God putting me in places I never belonged,” Woodruff said. “I never wanted to be a coach. But I needed a job, so I became a coach.
“And now, a guy who went to Robert Livingston Academy is going into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. How crazy is this? It’s wild … beyond my wildest dreams.”
Woodruff made history in 27 seasons as a high school coach. He built the Parkview baseball program from scratch and won 79 percent of his games. His 603-163-2 record included 11 LHSAA titles and two LISA titles.
“In my mind, the first thought is why did this take so long,” former PBS player Kyle Hawthorne said. “No doubt coach Woodruff deserves this. He won and he made us better players and people at the same time.
“The lessons I learned – and the drills we did – I have my own kids do every day. That is what a coach is supposed to do: develop better players and people. I think he did it as well as anyone.”
Woodruff and the Eagles often made it look easy. But looks can be deceiving. Woodruff’s life and career prove that point, and have earned his place in the LSHOF Class of 2023. The Induction Celebration is July 27-29 in Natchitoches, with information and tickets available at LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255.
Now-defunct Robert Livingston Academy was located on Plank Road near the Baton Rouge airport. The sky was seldom the limit athletically speaking for the Louisiana Independent School Association member.
“A big part of my story is this – I don’t necessarily love to win … but I do hate to lose,” Woodruff said. “I went through that. My junior year I played basketball and baseball and both teams finished 1-20. I never wanted my players to feel that way.”
Despite those negatives, Woodruff spent a couple of years on the LSU baseball team. Future LSU coach Paul Maineri was part of the program at that time. Future LHSAA commissioner and Hall of Fame member Tommy Henry was a graduate assistant coach who put young players through drills one season.
Still, nothing fueled a desire to coach within Woodruff. A major life change did.
“I was a P.E. teacher at Freshwater Elementary in Denham Springs,” Woodruff explained. “I took the place of a guy who moved to a high school for one year. He came back after that year. I needed a job.
“They had a position open at Doyle. I would teach coed middle school P.E. They told me I would be an assistant football coach and head baseball coach. I had not played football since seventh grade, so I was not sure about that. Since I played baseball at LSU a couple of years I figured ‘Baseball, well, maybe I can do that.’ ”
But the reality was more complicated. At age 23, he was just a few years older than the seniors he coached. As a single parent with two young children, Woodruff had more than high school players counting on him.
The trajectory of Woodruff’s life and career changed after one “coaching moment” that counted as neither a win or loss could.
“I had a catcher named Mike Stovall. He had a strong arm but could not throw anybody out. The reason I did not want to coach is because I thought the older kids would disrespect me … I was fearful,” Woodruff said. “He was about 6-foot-3 and I’m 5-9. I was only about five years older. I knew I had to coach him. I was not sure he was going to listen to me.
“So, I told Mike to see me before practice. I told him what he needed to do. To my amazement, he listened to every word I said. I felt on that day, God saying, ‘You can do this.’ I knew I could teach P.E., but that was the first time I thought I could coach. I have not seen him or talked to him since, but he is part of my story. This is why I say God put me in places I never belonged.”
Another life-changing moment happened months later. Woodruff got a call from legendary Baton Rouge coach/administrator Leon McGraw, who was building an athletic program at Parkview, then a new school.
“I get this call from coach McGraw and he says, ‘Can you come in for an interview now.’ I told him I had been running errands and I had my daughter with me,” Woodruff recalled. “And he said, ‘Well, bring her on … bring her with you.’
“He told me he wanted to start a baseball program and that in another spring sport, he had hired Boots Garland, a track coaching legend. When I got up to leave, coach McGraw said, ‘You know, I like you. I am going to hire you.’ ”
Just like that, Woodruff became head baseball and boys basketball coach at Parkview, a school without a baseball field or a team. The Eagles finished 1-20-1 the next spring. Back-to-back LISA titles followed as the number of students in the school grew. The Eagles were 45-2 in those two seasons before PBS joined the LHSAA.
Moving to Parkview was another divine intervention moment. His children came to Parkview where a welcoming group of players’ parents and coworkers helped care for his son and daughter for several seasons before he remarried.
“Parkview was a very special community and place that gave me what I needed as a teacher, coach and a parent,” Woodruff said. “Coach McGraw was a great mentor for me.
“My children sacrificed a lot in those days because I spent so much time coaching and building a program. I do think about that. Really, I am not sure I would have survived anywhere else.”
Woodruff and the Eagles thrived. Among the 11 LHSAA titles, were five Class 3A titles in a row between 2002-06. Woodruff’s efforts were consistent and painstaking. Fundamental drills and attention to detail were program ideals, not merely ideas.
“I remember when the dugouts did not have roofs on them,” Freddie Joseph said. “I put my initials in the first concrete that was poured. Those were the best times of my baseball career. I learned a lot from coach Woodruff.
“We did drills every day. I did not realize the importance of it at the time, but I was part of the first championship team at Parkview. Then, I understood all that work paid off.”
Joseph’s role in Woodruff’s story is unique. His father was Woodruff’s assistant coach at Doyle and he played on that team as an eighth-grader. Joseph transferred to Parkview for his final two high school seasons.
Stories about the drills and Woodruff’s love of working the Eagles’ natural grass field are as legendary as the things Parkview did on that field. There was a fielding drill in which a wooden glove with a felt strap was used. No stone was left unturned in the Eagles’ scouting reports. The same was true for the PBS field.
“We would spend Friday night at school in the gym, get up in the morning to practice and then we would work the field,” Hawthrone recalled. “We stood side-by-side and checked the dirt. Any pebble or rock was removed.”
It is no surprise that Woodruff is not fond of artificial turf fields. A neighbor made a child-sized mower for Woodruff when he was six, so a love for working the field came naturally.
“Turf is great for a lot of things I’m sure,” Woodruff offered. “Nothing builds toughness and teamwork like having your players put a tarp on the field and then take it off.”
There was more to Woodruff’s methods than being a taskmaster.
“When he coached, he always reached out to mentor young coaches. He still does that now through his (Istrouma) sports ministry and Bible study for coaches,” said Darron Mitchell, who succeeded Woodruff at Parkview after spending 11 years as an assistant.
“I tell people all the time now that I was spoiled by being his assistant. I used to say ‘M.L., you delegate everything.’ And he would say, ‘No, Mitch, I empower people.’ What he was doing was preparing us for the future. When I got to be a head coach and later an athletic director, I was prepared for it.”
There were lighter moments too. When Woodruff gave players a stern lecture, Mitchell says he would turn around and smile, asking, “How did I do?” There was a time when Woodruff took off his uniform pants to give them to an embarrassed player who had left his pants at home. Or those times when he forgot his belt, one sock or his baseball cap.
The story no one knew involves a postgame speech Woodruff never had to give and the photo taken afterwards. PBS fell behind Catholic-New Iberia 4-0 in the 2006 Class 3A title game. Their catcher fainted due to the heat. The Eagles made some miscues.
“We lost to Teurlings (in 1990) and I made a mistake. I said things after the game I should not have said,” Woodruff explains. “So, I wrote this get-beat speech and I kept it with me. I wanted to say the right things if it happened again. I had it (speech) in my pocket. It did not look like it was going to be our day.
“Those guys believed in the process, (and) each other and won. They were amazing. There’s this picture of me smiling ear to ear – but not because we won. Yes, I was just glad we did not get beat. That represents who I am.”
The City of Ruston announces, weather permitting, N. Bonner St. between. E. Alabama Ave. and E. Georgia Ave. will be closed to through traffic Tuesday, July 25, 2023, beginning 5:30am until further notice. The closure is necessary for utility repairs.
The City of Ruston regrets any inconvenience this necessary work may cause residents and motorists. We appreciate your patience, and any questions can be received by the Public Works Department at (318) 242-7703.
BATON ROUGE, La. – The Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL) and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser welcomed 80 teachers from 9 countries around the world, including the United States, this week to work in Louisiana public schools starting in the 2023-2024 school year.
In collaboration with the Consulate General of France in New Orleans and the Ministry of Education of Spain, CODOFIL and the Louisiana Department of Education conducted an annual International Associate Teacher Orientation in Baton Rouge. The event assists teachers from France, Belgium, Canada, Senegal, Cameroon, Lebanon, Spain, and Mexico as they settle into Louisiana and begin contracts to teach in French and Spanish immersion programs in public schools across the state.
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser welcomed the teachers to Louisiana in remarks delivered during the orientation on Wednesday.
“I’d like to thank all of these French and Spanish teachers who chose to come to Louisiana from around the world to work in our schools,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “We’re fortunate to have them and hope they have time to get out and explore Louisiana while they are here to experience everything our state has to offer that will Feed Your Soul, from our food and music to our festivals and scenery.”
In 2016 and again in 2020, Lt. Governor Nungesser signed and renewed the French-Louisiana Accords, which are instrumental in growing the state’s French immersion programs in education from elementary school through university studies. In 2018, under his leadership, Louisiana became the only state in the U.S. granted observer status in the International Organization of the Francophonie.
“We are very grateful for all the new international teachers. It is not easy to leave your country, pack up your life, move across the Atlantic Ocean, and start a new adventure, but the lucky ones are the Louisiana children who will be in their classrooms, learning in French and Spanish, and at the same time, learning a different culture. This will enrich their lives and make them better global citizens,” said CODOFIL Executive Director Peggy Feehan.
The Council for the Development of French in Louisiana is a state agency in the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism tasked with the development and promotion of the French language in Louisiana. For more information on CODOFIL, visit CODOFIL.org.
ConnectLA has announced the first volume of Louisiana’s draft of the state’s Digital Equity Plan. With the public comment period closing in about one week, ConnectLa has asked the public to review the document with a critical eye and provide as much constructive feedback as possible.
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance defines digital equity as “a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy and economy.”
In partnership with the Blanco Public Policy Center, ConnectLA has developed the following plan which outlines Louisiana’s first coordinated effort to assess the state’s digital divide and move the state toward digital equity. The plan lays out strategies for how to make internet affordable and accessible and how to equip residents with the skills needed to fully participate in today’s digital world.
The public comment period will close on Aug. 1, at which point we will use the public’s suggestions to create an updated plan.
Read the draft Digital Equity Plan here. Comment on the draft Digital Equity Plan here.
Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie, defensive lineman Deshon Hall and wide receiver Smoke Harris will join head coaches and student-athletes from around Conference USA at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, today at the 2023 CUSA Football Kickoff.
This will be the second year the annual media event will be held at Globe Life Field, home of the MLB Texas Rangers. All representatives will participate in a live ESPN+ show hosted by ESPN’s John Schriffen. The show starts at 10 a.m. and LA Tech is slated to appear on the show at 11 a.m. for a 20-minute segment.
Hall, a 2023 Athlon Sports Preseason Second Team All-Conference USA selection, has appeared and started in 24 consecutive games on the LA Tech defensive line. The senior has tallied 101 total tackles (54 solo, 47 assisted), including 13.5 for loss and four sacks in addition to an interception and a forced fumble during his Bulldog career.
Harris enters the 2023 season with one of the most accomplished careers among all FBS players. The senior is one of two returning FBS players with 500+ kickoff return yards and 200+ punt return yards in 2022. Harris enters the 2023 season among NCAA Active career leaders in receptions (3rd, 224), receptions per game (6th, 4.57), receiving touchdowns (6th, 19), punt return average (3rd, 11.2), punt return yards (4th, 605). The St. Francisville product has tallied a reception in 32 consecutive games, the seventh-longest active streak nationally.
Louisiana Tech will play a fast, exciting brand of football when Head Coach Sonny Cumbie‘s Bulldogs open the 2023 season with an 8 p.m. CUSA showdown against FIU on August 26 inside Joe Aillet Stadium.
LA Tech has six home games at Joe Aillet Stadium during the 2023 season. After the week zero conference matchup with FIU (August 26), LA Tech will host non-conference foes Northwestern State (September 9) and North Texas (September 16). Tech closes out the home slate in conference play with Western Kentucky (October 5), New Mexico State (October 24), and a homecoming bout with Sam Houston (November 11).
Season tickets for the 2023 Louisiana Tech football season are on sale now. Fans can purchase season tickets online at LATechSports.com/tickets or by calling the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631.
Smoke Harris was named the CUSA Special Teams Player of the Year on the league’s preseason team. (Photo courtesy of LA Tech)
Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech senior return specialist and wide receiver Smoke Harris was named the 2023 Conference USA Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year as chosen in a vote among the league’s nine head coaches, the conference announced on Monday.
Harris enters the 2023 season with one of the most accomplished careers among all FBS players. The senior is one of two returning FBS players with 500+ kickoff return yards and 200+ punt return yards in 2022. Harris enters the 2023 season among NCAA active career leaders in punt return average (3rd, 11.2), and punt return yards (4th, 605). As a kick returner, he has accumulated 867 yards on 35 returns during his five seasons in Ruston.
Additionally, as a receiver, he ranks among the active career leaders in receptions (3rd, 224), receptions per game (6th, 4.57), and receiving touchdowns (6th, 19). The St. Francisville product has tallied a reception in 32 consecutive games, the seventh-longest active streak nationally.
The other specialty award winners were the Western Kentucky duo of quarterback Austin Reed and linebacker JaQues Evans who were selected as the preseason offensive and defensive players of the year, respectively.
Louisiana Tech will be represented by Head Coach Sonny Cumbie, Harris and defensive lineman Deshon Hall tomorrow at the Conference USA Kickoff at Globe Life Field. All representatives will participate in a live ESPN+ show hosted by ESPN’s John Schriffen. LA Tech is slated to appear on the show at 11 a.m. for a 20-minute segment.
Louisiana Tech will play a fast, exciting brand of football when Head Coach Sonny Cumbie‘s Bulldogs open the 2023 season with an 8 p.m. CUSA showdown against FIU on August 26 inside Joe Aillet Stadium.
LA Tech has six home games at Joe Aillet Stadium during the 2023 season. After the week zero conference matchup with FIU (August 26), LA Tech will host non-conference foes Northwestern State (September 9) and North Texas (September 16). Tech closes out the home slate in conference play with Western Kentucky (October 5), New Mexico State (October 24), and a homecoming bout with Sam Houston (November 11).
Season tickets for the 2023 Louisiana Tech football season are on sale now. Fans can purchase season tickets online at LATechSports.com/tickets or by calling the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631.
Beginning August 1, Dr. Derrick V. Warren will bring his business and technology expertise to Grambling State University (GSU) to serve as Dean of the College of Business. A Louisiana native, Dr. Warren previously served as Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Programs for Southern University and A&M College of Business.
A Louisiana native, his arrival at Grambling State will signify a return to his roots. With parents that are both graduates of GSU and a host of other alumni among family members – including his uncle Simmie Holland whose name adorns one of the residence halls, Warren will come full circle to the place where he also spent the first early years of his life.
“We’re incredibly grateful to have someone of Dr. Warren’s amazing skill set and experience to lead our college of business,” said Grambling State President Rick Gallot. “His extensive career with IBM and work in higher education speaks volumes about his approach to effective leadership and impact on student success.”
“I am excited about Dr. Warren joining the College of Business as Dean,” said Dr. Connie Walton, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “His corporate experience, training, and track record in higher education will be beneficial in taking this great College to the next level. Dr. Warren will lead the College of Business faculty in expanding the training that is offered to students. He has a reputation for making sure students have a set of experiences that equips them with the skills that industries are seeking.”
Growing up in a small town, Bastrop, La., taught Dr. Warren the importance of relationships, results, and resilience. From a young age, his parents, Calvin and Idell Warren, instilled in him the reality that a quality education is extremely important for success.
“In accepting the role of Dean, I am filled with unceasing optimism for the future of the Grambling State University College of Business and thank my predecessor Dr. Donald White for his leadership,” said Warren. “I look forward to infusing technology into our offerings and leveraging industry partnerships that will help not only the College of Business, but every part of Grambling State thrives. Together, we will uphold the institution’s rich legacy while embracing a forward-thinking, inclusive, and interdisciplinary approach to education. I firmly believe that our collective efforts will not only benefit our immediate community but also contribute positively to the global society as we prepare the next generation of business leaders.”
A self-described “Global Life Learner,” Warren drove positive transformation for the Southern University System (SUS) through his roles as Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Programs for the Southern University Baton Rouge College of Business and Academic Director of the LA2BSET (Law.Agriculture/Art.Business.Science.Engineering.Technology) initiative through the SU Law Center. He also served as the IBM – SU System Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for IBM Global University Programs where he led the implementation of the IBM Academic Initiative, IBM Academic Awards, and IBM Skills Academy programs for the university system. This powerful partnership provided technology, research opportunities, and grants and supported the advancement and acceleration of in-demand skills such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Design Thinking, Internet of Things, and Quantum Computing for students, faculty, and key stakeholders of the university.
A technology enthusiast (specifically in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cybersecurity and Data Science), Dr. Warren is passionate about sharing his knowledge with learners especially those from underrepresented communities. He executes this goal through social/digital engagement, technology transformation, strong communication strategies, and innovation.
Prior to his roles with Southern, Dr. Warren spent over 32 years with IBM and was responsible for the overall client satisfaction, financials, and delivery execution of large accounts ranging in size from several hundred million to over a billion dollars in total contract value. While at “Big Blue”, Warren achieved success living abroad leading teams that provided complex technology solutions for corporations in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. He also developed compelling value propositions, created innovative tactical/strategic plans, executed roadmaps for effective execution, resolved complex escalated issues/disputes as well as guided the participation of all IBM Lines of Business. He has published articles in industry magazines and is an accomplished speaker at business symposiums, conferences, and universities globally.
Warren is a cum laude honor graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA, with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science. He earned an MBA from the University of South Florida in Tampa, and his Doctorate in Business Administration from Georgia State University – Robinson College of Business in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Warren is certified in Online Teaching from Quality Matters, has his Master Teaching Certificate from Georgia State, Blockchain Technologies certification from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion certificate from the University of South Florida and a Careers in Real Estate Certificate from the University of Alabama.
He and his wife (college sweetheart), Anita, currently reside in Baton Rouge, La. They are the proud parents of two sons, the late Derrick II and Dillon; daughter, Dhalyn; and granddaughter Emersyn.
Laurel Nerren will begin her new role with the City of Ruston on August 1.
By Kyle Roberts
Laurel Nerren loves Ruston, no question.
She’s also an avid reader and a history buff, with a passion and talent for communication.
And she understands the importance of local politics, growing up in a household with a district judge as her father and spending a lot of time knocking on doors in neighborhoods to remind voters to head to the polls.
Combine those ingredients, and you can easily see why Ronny Walker felt she will be a good fit for her new role as director of communication for the City of Ruston, set to begin Tuesday, Aug. 1.
“I’m super excited to be able to bring things back to my hometown because, you know, I live here now and this is my home. I’m excited to just bring opportunities and to be able to communicate to everybody in the area that I live in, and just help us grow through knowledge and understanding,” Nerren said. “And, you know, I have a bunch of ideas and I’m super ready to just try out, and I’m just I’m very excited.”
Walker understands the importance of a role like Nerren’s as she gets ready to start in the coming weeks.
“We are very excited to have someone of Laurel’s caliber and experience taking over a very important position in our city,” Walker said. “We look forward to great things happening in our communications department.”
Originally from Benton, La., Nerren started her collegiate career at Louisiana Tech before graduating from LSU-Shreveport. Not long after, she earned her master’s degree in communication from Loyola in New Orleans.
Nerren spent time afterward working with United States Representative Julia Letlow on her comms team, and while she admits that at one time she believed she would work in our nation’s capitol full-time, it is the policy and bureaucracy that ultimately quashed that desire.
“Laurel is handling just the retail piece,” said Walker. “But that’s just a small piece of her overall responsibilities with us. She will be the contact person for retail. Every week she will have a list of all the restaurants that are trying to come to Ruston, and she will call every one of them every week to check and see if they need anything.
“If they need something they will call her. If she can’t provide it, then she will come to me for more direction. I think she will be a great part of our team.”
Nerren is excited about this aspect of her new job.
“We want to make sure the community is in the know and that residents understand what is going on,” Nerren said regarding new businesses coming to Ruston. “And we want to make sure all these new businesses feel welcome
“We want to be a thriving city. One way to do that is to make sure that business that are coming here feel like they are needed. I’m very happy to serve in that role. I love stepping outside myself, and serving is a huge thing for me. So I’m very excited for that.”
These solar panels are installed on the roof of the home owned by Jayne Archer-Jenkins and her husband Rupert. (Courtesy photo)
By T. Scott Boatright
A Lincoln Parish couple has found somewhat of a sunny treasure thanks to installing solar panels on their Dubach home.
Jayne Archer-Jenkins said the idea was the brainchild of her husband, Rupert.
“My husband has always acknowledged – embraced – different ways of doing things and was intrigued by it,” Jenkins said. “But I have to say, it was purely a financial decision. We’re not trying to give the impression that we’re trying to make a ‘green statement’ or anything like that, so it was very much financially motivated.
“We knew that we had a home that would make it easy to install solar panels and get the maximum benefit from that just because of the type of roof we have and the aspect with east-west facing. We don’t have many overhanging trees, so we knew we would probably do well by going solar. We looked at the number and figured it would be a very good financial move.”
Jenkins said the fact that she and her husband grew up in the United Kingdom and moved to Ruston when they bought out her father’s business here, played a role in her husband’s idea to make the move toward solar-produced electricity.
“In the UK and Europe, there is a lot more thinking about and use of alternative energy sources,” Jenkins said. “So the idea of solar came from over there, which is really kind of ironic because they really don’t have the weather for it over there.”
After installing the solar panels on their roof, the Jenkins made a move to further the benefits of their solar panels by purchasing an electric car to join their gas-powered V8 truck..
“Just because of the practicality of the limited range of electric cars we knew it would be best to have both,” Jenkins said. “My husband drives the big, gas-guzzling V8 truck, and I drive the electric vehicle.
“It’s just a standard plug-in electric car. We have an electric car charger at the house. It looks like the device you use to put gas into a car tank. But when you open the flap, instead of sticking the gas spout in there you plug the charger into the car. So the car is using the same energy we’re drawing for our roof solar panels.”
Jenkins said the conversion process of adding the solar panels on to the family’s house did take some time.
“The company was very thorough with the assessments and studies they did before actually installing the panels,” Jenkins said. “You have to consider things like roof pitch, which can affect the solar draw the panels are bringing. Then there’s the consideration of how many pounds (of panels) can be placed on the roof within a given area without causing damage to the roof itself.
“We have 43 panels, we have a good-sized array all up on our roof. So there’s assessments and calculations drawn from those assessments. And then there’s the interface with Entergy, which still provides some of our electricity.”
Jenkins said tying together a home solar system with electricity sent into a home by the electrical provider can be a tedious process.
“The whole process from start to finish takes about five months,” Jenkins said. “Part of our game plan is to get our own batteries and almost go off-grid. But at the moment you still have to pass that energy you produce through Entergy.
“One of the things people should be aware of is that unless you’re going to be able to go off-grid, you’re not going to get away from it (relying on an electrical provider for at least some energy). They’ve been really cheeky. I don’t know if this is the same as with other electric providers. But they buy the electricity we don’t use from us. So what we use during the day when we’re still producing solar – we still use that. But any excess, and of course there’s a lot during the summer, goes up the line and is banked for us.”
So Entergy technically pays the Jenkins for that excess electricity, but when the Jenkins draw that electricity back, they are charged a premium.
But even during multiple days of overcast skies and rain, Jenkins said they have not run out of solar-produced power.
“It produces enough where that’s not a problem,” Jenkins said. “We’ve been on solar power for about two years now and we’ve built up about $700 credit. They don’t give that back in monetary value, they give you that electricity back (with the premium).”
But in the end, Jenkins said it’s all been worth it.
“It’s definitely beneficial,” Jenkins said. “But my word of advice for people thinking about it is that they really need to do their homework and do their math to make sure it would be beneficial for them.
“If we didn’t have the electric vehicle, it would not be worth it because we don’t use enough electricity in the house to benefit from it. That was a big change in a positive direction – when we got the car about a year ago.”
Jenkins said that was because during that first year producing solar power without the electric car, the family was producing so much excess solar energy they weren’t getting any benefit from it.
“We weren’t seeing a benefit because we weren’t receiving any monetary value for it. But gas prices were going up at that time. So now, with my vehicle and the house running on the power we’re producing, with all the outstanding charges and little things thrown in, our energy bill is running about $35 to $40 per month.
“That’s running both the car without paying for gasoline and the house.”
Even better, there have still been more benefits than that.
“We got a $13,000 tax rebate for installation of the solar panels, and on the electric vehicle we got a $7500 tax rebate,” Jenkins said. “This has all been very much financially motivated.”
Joseph Henderson will run for another term in District 9 of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury.
I am Joseph Louis Henderson, Sr., and I am humbly announcing my candidacy to continue to serve as Police Juror to Lincoln Parish and the citizens of District 9. I am appreciative of the trust you have placed in me over the years, and it has been my honor and privilege to be at your service. During my time of service, I have been influential in obtaining roads and sewage systems for the constituents of District 9. I have also served and chaired on various committees including:
Jury President
Jury Vice President
Finance Committee
Insurance Committee
Personnel Committee
Health and Welfare Committee
Public Works Committee
I am deeply committed to Lincoln Parish because it is the place, I have called home for 42 years. My wife and I have grown our small business and built a life centered around our faith, family, and friends. I love Lincoln Parish and I thank you for allowing me to serve YOU! I humbly ask for your continued support as I embark on this journey of continuing to serve as Police Juror of District 9.
The New Teacher Experience project, funded by the Louisiana Department of Education, aims to tackle teacher retention challenges by introducing Affinity Groups. Affinity Groups are teacher-led monthly virtual meetings designed to foster support, collaboration, and discussion among educators across the state.
“Teacher retention is critical right now, not only in our country but specifically in Louisiana,” said Molly Rainwater, Coordinator of Strategic Learning Partnerships for the Science and Technology Education Center (SciTEC). “Affinity Groups provide a space for new educators to network, collaborate, and address shared challenges they may encounter in their first years in the classroom.
The New Teacher Experience addresses teacher retention issues caused by a lack of support and feelings of isolation among teachers. Educators from all over Louisiana can collaborate, creating a common purpose to empower new teachers to succeed and build professional networks with educators statewide.
The primary focus of these groups is to support new teachers; however, the offer is open to educators of all experience levels in need of additional support. Experienced educators can also apply to become Affinity Group Leaders, guiding groups with support and assurance for their peers.
“I have been an educator for 12 years and have seen teachers leave the profession for various reasons,” said Rainwater. “Many of them feel as if they’re on an island all alone in their first few years. The Affinity Group Leader can provide mentorship and the fellow group members can offer strategies and support through these first few critical years of a teacher’s professional life.”
In the first year, more than 330 teachers from 40 parishes were connected through this program. Continuing into the second year, more than 500 teachers from across the state are anticipated to attend.
“Our focus is to help early career Louisiana educators feel supported, heard, and valued through the Affinity Group work,” said Dr. Lindsey Vincent, Associate Dean for Research, Outreach, and Innovation. “Playing a small part in supporting and encouraging these everyday heroes is one of the greatest privileges of our team in the College of Education and Human Sciences at Louisiana Tech University.”
For more information on the work of this program and how to get involved in Affinity Groups, visit here or contact Molly Rainwater at mhill@latech.edu.
SciTEC is a division of the College of Education and Human Sciences. To learn more, visit the link here.
Ruston High School will host its annual summer Bearcat football camp for kindergarten through ninth graders on Tuesday, July 25, and Wednesday, July 26 from 9 a.m. to noon both days.
“We look forward every year to see the upcoming Bearcats,” Ruston High head football coach Jerrod Baugh said. “We have been doing it long enough now that we have kids playing for us that have come up through the camp every year or just about every year. I think it has helped to create an excitement about being a Bearcat.”
Registration will be Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. on the first day of camp at James Field at Hoss Garrett Stadium on Ruston High School’s campus.
Registration for campers will be $50 and will be due when campers arrive which will cover the camp cost and get each participant a camp t-shirt.
Participants will need to wear shorts and t-shirts and bring cleats with them.
Contact Jerrod Baugh for more information at (903)918-2359.
A Grambling woman is accused of battering her boyfriend of two years and destroying some of his property in connection with an incident Tuesday.
Latisha L. Paul, 47, was arrested by Grambling Police last Tuesday afternoon after officers investigated a domestic disturbance on Ruston Avenue.
A man told officers Paul battered him several times throughout the day and broke items in the house that belonged to him, including two television sets, a microwave, kitchen cabinets, and a picture frame. The man said the abuse had been ongoing for months and he was tired of it.
The man staid he was sitting in his neighbor’s yard talking when Paul walked up to him and hit him on the head with a large bag of items. When he grabbed the bag, Paul allegedly slapped him in the face, causing two large scratches. Officers saw that the scratches were still bleeding.
The neighbor verified the man’s account, adding that after Paul slapped the man, she broke a beer bottle on the side of the house and chased the man with it attempting to cut him.
Police located Paul about a block away and was taken into custody. She was booked for domestic abuse battery and criminal damage to property valued over $500. Bail was set at $3,500.
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.
Ron Washington left the Ninth Ward of New Orleans to play baseball as a skinny kid at age 18 and now 53 years later he will be enshrined into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. (photo courtesy of Texas Rangers)
This is one part of a series on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023. The Induction Celebration in Natchitoches is July 27-29, with information and tickets available at LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255. The Lincoln Parish Journal is a proud supporter of the LSHOF.
By Gil LeBreton, Written for the LSWA
The summer of 1970 was a trying and turbulent time to be young and growing up in America.
The military draft was sending high school and college graduates off to war. Vietnam had become a four-letter word.
The air was yet rife with National Guard tear gas and the memory of students gunned down at Kent State.
The Beatles had broken up. Jimi Hendrix died of an overdose. Ford introduced the Pinto.
And in New Orleans, 5-foot-11, 140-pound Ron Washington was about to go off and become a baseball player.
His measurables are pertinent because Washington, at age 18, reported to the inaugural class of the Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy expecting to be a catcher.
The Royals organization had scoured the nation and held tryouts in 41 states for 7,682 kids between the ages of 16 and 21. Washington was one of the 42 selected for the academy’s first class.
“I was well-rounded,” Washington recalled. “I could hit. I could field, I could throw. I could run. And I was cocky. I talked a lot of trash.”
Coming from a family of 10 kids, Washington had learned the power of speaking up.
Now 71 and third base coach of the Atlanta Braves, Wash smiled and shook his head at the memory of the skinny kid from the Ninth Ward of New Orleans who left home to play baseball 53 years ago.
That trip began an incredible career that will bring him into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame during its 2023 Induction Celebration July 27-29. Information and tickets are available at LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255.
He was one of three (Frank White and U.L. Washington being the others) from the original Royals Academy who made it to the big leagues.
“I caught. I threw people out. I led off. I stole bases – that’s what I did,” Washington said on a recent visit to Texas.
“I was a bad ass behind the plate. If I could have put on some weight . . .”
In 1973 the Royals decided he was too small to make the big leagues as a catcher.
He became an infielder. And Ron Washington’s life was changed forever.
He is not being inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame because he had a championship or all-star playing career. But rather, he has coached and managed championship teams and helped to make all-stars of so many of his players.
Oakland shortstop Miguel Tejada won the American League MVP award in 2002. A’s third baseman Eric Chavez won six Gold Gloves. He gave one of them to Washington with a note attached — “Wash, not without you.”
He helped turn Michael Young and Ian Kinsler into all-star infielders when he managed Texas to American League championships in 2010 and 2011.
Two seasons ago in Atlanta, Washington finally got his ring as the Braves won the World Series.
Washington gives credit to longtime Dodgers infield coach Chico Fernandez.
“He was pretty hard on us as infielders,” Wash said. “He used to get me out of bed at 7 in the morning. Of course, as a youngster I complained. Then one day I realized what that was about. None of those other guys were being pulled out of bed. So I realized he saw something in me.
“My mindset changed.”
The lessons learned from his early days with Fernandez have endured. Both his message and methods have largely remained the same.
“A lot of it for me was just the passion he brought every day,” said Kinsler, second baseman on Washington’s championship Rangers teams.
“He loves the game of baseball, and it was evident. He wore that on his sleeve. He was a very hard worker and he brought that instantly.
“Day One in spring training when he was hired here, we were doing early work. We were taking ground balls. He threw batting practice every day. He hit fungoes every day.
“He loved the game. I think that’s how he made all of us better.”
After resigning from Texas in 2014, Washington was out of work less than a year before general manager Billy Beane asked him to return to Oakland to work with young infielder Marcus Semien.
“He wanted me to straighten him out,” Washington said. “When I got there Marcus had close to 30-something errors. But week by week, month by month, he became what he is today.
“He absorbed it all. He came to work every day. He developed because he believed in me and I believed in him. So all he had to do was believe in Marcus — and the rest is history.
“It’s the two Ls – when you listen, you learn. And anyone that learns they’ve been listening.”
Semien headed towards July batting over .300 and playing Gold Glove defense for the Rangers.
Semien was asked to discuss Washington’s secret in dealing with young infielders.
“His secret sauce is something everybody could have in them — it’s work ethic,” Semien said. “It’s how hard you want to work, how often you want to show up.
“He has a good eye to look at players and see what they may be struggling with, and he has certain drills that help them immediately.”
Somewhere along his 53 years in the game, Washington said, somebody has taught him something that helped to mold his teaching foundation. His confidence in that has never wavered.
In his season-ending press conference after his first season with the Rangers – a 75-87 season, good for fourth place – Washington was asked to give a grade to the managing job he had done.
Unabashedly Wash gave himself an A.
“Well, that caused a stir,” Washington remembered. “But what am I supposed to say? That I did a C or a D job?
“I came in an A and I’m still an A. I believed in what we were doing.”
Three seasons later, the Rangers were in the World Series.
“See the word ‘belief’? It’s powerful,” he said.
A knee injury cut short his Dodgers career and led to a trade to the Minnesota Twins. It took him four years, but Wash made it back to the big leagues in 1981.
His modest playing career ended in 1989 with a career .261 batting average.
By then, though, he already knew that he wanted to remain in baseball.
He was an instructor in the New York Mets organization for five seasons before joining manager Art Howe’s coaching staff with the Athletics.
His 11 seasons in Oakland were the Moneyball years, memorably titled by author Michael Lewis and forever made infamous by Brad Pitt and Hollywood.
The movie version of Washington was played by actor Brent Jennings. On a recruiting visit to sore-armed Scott Hatteberg, Billy Beane’s character (Pitt) brings Wash along to convince Hatteberg to sign with the A’s and play first base.
A skeptical Hatteberg had never played first base.
“Oh, it’s not hard,” Beane says. “Tell him, Wash.”
To which Washington promptly replies: “It’s incredibly hard.”
The line, as with a lot of Wash-isms, has become part of baseball’s lexicon.
Washington’s offensive philosophy: “You see ball, you hit ball. You get on base. You run base.”
Reflecting on the game’s sometimes unfair turns, Washington remarked one night, “That’s the way baseball go.”
The phrase turned into a T-shirt and a mantra for the Rangers’ first World Series teams.
He remains a beloved figure in north Texas. His Rangers teams had four consecutive 90-win seasons and six times finished either first or second in the American League West.
On a recent trip back to Texas, Wash reflected on his time as Rangers manager.
“It fits high on everything I’ve ever done in this game,” he said. “It started with a lot of talk. But you’ve got to believe. If you are a leader and you believe, the next thing is your followers have to believe. Those players believed because I believed.”
He admits he wishes he could have won a championship in Texas instead of a sudden resignation.
“But you know sometimes in life things happen that you wish you could take back,” Washington said. “You look at it and you say, ‘Why?’ But you can’t take it back.
“I’ve been blessed, though … I’m still blessed. I’m still making a difference. And to be honest with you, that’s all I want to do in the game of baseball – to make a difference.”
In 2017 he was in the mix as the Braves searched for a new manager. The job instead went to Brian Snitker. Washington became Atlanta’s third base coach.
“I would like to manage again,” Washington said. “It might not happen now. I’m 71 years old.
“But you know if opportunity presents itself, I’m still interested. And if it doesn’t, I’m still happy.”
San Diego spoke with Washington about its managerial opening after the 2021 season. Kansas City came calling last year, as did the White Sox.
“Toronto called and offered me to come interview for the bench coach job,” Wash said. “But if I can’t get the managing job, I’m comfortable here.
“I’m not going to chase money. I’m only chasing a managing job. Other than that, I’m settled here in Atlanta. I’m good.”
Washington still calls New Orleans home.
His wife Gerry, whom he met in 10th grade at John McDonogh High, comes from a family of 14 kids. Wash himself is one of 10. Their families are in New Orleans, and so home is New Orleans, Washington said.
His house in New Orleans East, at the corner of Dorcester and Perth, was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. But Washington rebuilt, patiently overseeing the work himself in the off-seasons.
Sitting in the dugout recently before a game in Texas, Washington said he is humbled by his selection to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
“It was certainly a surprise to me,” he said. “I was just a young kid in New Orleans, running behind a baseball because I loved it. I love baseball. I just love baseball.
“I never dreamed or even thought of being in anybody’s Hall of Fame. I think I was just blessed to be someone who informs, who teaches, who believes that he can help.”
The City of Ruston announces, weather permitting, Cedar Creek Road between Post Oak Dr. and Road Camp Road will be closed to through traffic Monday, July 24, 2023, beginning 7:00am until further notice. The closure is necessary to complete the road overlay project.
The City of Ruston regrets any inconvenience this necessary work may cause residents and motorists. We appreciate your patience, and any questions can be received by the Public Works Department at (318) 242-7703.
The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) is assisting citizens affected by a serious data breach that occurred earlier this year. The aid includes providing a 24-hour call center to respond to questions and free credit monitoring and identity theft protection for a year.
In May, a managed file transfer platform notified all customers across the globe, including OMV, that an unauthorized party acquired data without authorization. An investigation determined an unauthorized acquisition of OMV files.
OMV determined the files involved contained the personal information of individuals who applied for and/or were issued a Louisiana driver’s license, identification card, and/or vehicle registration. The information varied by individual but included name and one or more of the following: address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license, learner’s permit, or identification card number, height, eye color, vehicle registration information, and handicap placard information.
OMV has established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the breach and to describe actions Louisianans can take to mitigate its harm.
If you believe your information was involved and have any questions about this incident, please call (866) 861-8717. The call center will be open 24 hours per day and seven days a week.
OMV is also offering 12 months of free credit monitoring and identify theft protection from LifeLock. OMV has retained LifeLock to provide impacted Louisiana residents one year of complimentary LifeLock Standard™ identity theft protection. Louisiana residents should follow the instructions below to register for this service.
To activate your membership online and get protection at no cost, see enrollment instructions available at https://nextsteps.la.gov.
OMV encourages all Louisianans whose information was involved in this incident to actively monitor for the possibility of fraud and identity theft by reviewing financial statements and credit reports for any unauthorized activity. If you notice any unauthorized activity, contact the relevant financial institution or the credit bureau to report the activity immediately.
To help prevent something like this from happening again, additional safeguards and technical security measures have been implemented, according to OMV.
Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Monday, July 24 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 2-4 p.m.: NCLAC Summer art workshops for students going into 2nd and 3rd grades 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
Tuesday, July 25 10 a.m.: Story time: Kindness (Lincoln Parish Library) 10:30 p.m.: “Brave” shown at the Dixie Center for the Arts 2 p.m.: Ribbon cutting for Novi Te Medical Esthetics, 206 Reynolds Dr., Suite J1 2-4 p.m.: NCLAC Summer art workshops for students going into 2nd and 3rd grades
Wednesday, July 26 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 2-4 p.m.: NCLAC Summer art workshops for students going into 2nd and 3rd grades 7-9 p.m.: Dog Days of Summer (Downtown Ruston)
Thursday, July 27 2-4 p.m.: NCLAC Summer art workshops for students going into 2nd and 3rd grades 2 p.m.: Tween art: String Art (Lincoln Parish Library)
Friday, July 28 2-4 p.m.: NCLAC Summer art workshops for students going into 2nd and 3rd grades
Saturday, July 29 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 7 p.m.: Russ-Town Jazz Band Benefit for the Dixie (Dixie Theatre)
An employee of a contractor performing work within a Lincoln Parish residence was arrested Thursday for theft from the home.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Chartavius E. Thomas, 26, of Ruston after the victim reported approximately $1000 missing.
According to LPSO, a company was hired to perform work within the residence, and it was suspected an employee took the cash from inside a dresser drawer. When the victim noticed the money missing, LPSO and the company owner were notified. Thomas reportedly confessed to the company owner.
After investigators attempted to contact Thomas at his residence, he appeared at LPSO where he was questioned. Thomas admitted taking the money from the drawer while he was performing work for his employer. Thomas said he took about $400 to help his girlfriend pay her car note and rent for their residence.
Thomas was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for theft of property valued over $1,000. His bail amount was not immediately available.
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.
It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of a remarkable man, whose life was a beautiful tapestry of kindness, gentleness, and humor. He entered this life on March 18, 1969 and on July 15, 2023, our beloved Michael Thomas Folk, left this world, leaving behind a legacy of warmth and joy that will forever be etched in the hearts of all who knew him.
Michael received his education in Ruston, Louisiana graduating from Cedar Creek High School in 1987. He attended Louisiana Tech University and graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He began his career at T.L. James and Company, which was founded by his great-grandfather, and it was there that he met his wife, Laurie. He was later employed with Folk Law Group, Lowe’s, and most recently the State of Louisiana Office of Child Support and Enforcement Services.
His genuine care for others knew no bounds, and he always found a way to brighten someone’s day with a heartfelt smile, a kind word, or a ready joke. He offered a listening ear and a comforting presence in times of sorrow and celebration alike.
One of Michael’s defining traits was his unmatched sense of humor. With a quick wit and an infectious laugh, he had a unique ability to turn even the most challenging situations into moments of lightheartedness. His humor was a gift he readily shared, lifting the spirits of all fortunate enough to be in his company.
Friends and family knew Michael as a dependable pillar of support, always ready to lend a helping hand without hesitation. He found joy in simple pleasures, cherishing the beauty of nature, listening to music, and savoring every moment spent with loved ones. He was a private pilot, a certified scuba diver, enjoyed boating and water sports, building Lego, gaming with his children, and all things aviation and weather-related.
As we bid farewell to Michael, we find solace in the cherished memories he leaves behind. He was a rare gem, a person whose gentle nature, kind heart, and laughter enriched the lives of those fortunate to know him. Though he may be physically absent, his spirit will forever reside in our hearts, guiding us to be better, more compassionate individuals.
Michael is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 28 years, Laurie L. Folk; his children, Alexia Folk, Elizabeth Folk Cochran and husband Guy, Christian Folk, Jonathan Folk and wife Brittney; his grandson, Blaine Folk; his mother, Mary Folk; his father, Tommy Folk and wife Marion; his sister, Sarah Copes and husband Clint; his brother Stephen Folk and husband Charles; his mother-in-law Brenda Bright; his father-in-law, John Brown; his brothers-in-law B.J. Ruth, Matt Brown and wife Lindsey, Michael Brown and wife Tania; and numerous nieces and nephew, cousins, relatives and friends who will carry his memory with them throughout their lives.
Michael is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents John Thomas and Frances Folk, and his maternal grandparents, Sam and Mary Sharp, as well as his aunt Fran Folk.
On Tuesday, July 25, 2023, a memorial service will be officiated by Pastor Tom Lowe in the Chapel at Christ Church, 208 Lincoln Street, West Monroe, Louisiana, where we will gather to remember the incredible life of Michael Thomas Folk and bid him a heartfelt farewell.
As we mourn the loss of our dear Michael, let us also celebrate the joy he brought into our lives. May his spirit forever inspire us to be kind, gentle, and full of humor, keeping his legacy alive in our actions and hearts. He will be profoundly missed and forever loved.
Special thanks to Dr. Keith Calhoun; Dr. Blaine Borders and his staff who became like family to us; and to the myriad of surgeons and caregivers at Baylor St. Luke Hospital in Houston, Texas.
