ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Births
• Engagements
• Weddings
• Anniversaries
• Obituaries

Births

Alyssa Anne McDuffie entered this life on March 22, 2005, weighing in at 6 pounds 4 ounces and 20 inches long. She was awaited with much anticipation by her big brother, Lucus Matthew McDuffie; her parents, Lucus Matthew Sr. and Julie McDuffie; and grandparents Dunwoodie and Cheryl McDuffie of the New Orleans, Louisiana, congregation.

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Douglas and Merry Stewart would like to introduce their two children. Samantha Mae was born Feb. 22, 2004. The new addition to the family is Spencer Avery, born May 17, 2006. He was 9 pounds 10 ounces and 21 inches long. Proud grandparents are John and Joanne Rutis of the Portland, Oregon, congregation and Christi Stewart of Modesto, California; and great-grandparents are George and Kathy Kiehn of the Hood River, Oregon, congregation. The Stewarts attend the Portland congregation.

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Tony, Kari and Joshua Kardell of the Minneapolis, Minnesota, congregation are happy to announce the birth of Ryan James Henry on March 10, 2006. He weighed 9 pounds 8 ounces and was 22 inches long. Ryan is welcomed by his big brother, Josh; his grandparents, Vern and Anita Kardell of the Mankato, Minnesota, congregation, and Tom and Ann Rademacher; and his great-grandma Sally Peters; along with his uncles, aunts and cousins.

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Rion and Hannah McClelland of the St. Paul, Minnesota, congregation joyfully announce the birth of their first child, Rowan Paul. Rowan was born on April 20, 2006, weighing 6 pounds 9 ounces and measuring 19 inches long.

Proud grandparents are Bob and Dianne McClelland of Menomonie, Wisconsin, and Mike and Marilyn Hiott of Clinton, Tennessee.

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Jeff and Amy (Joseph) Welch of Lansing, Michigan, are happy to announce the birth of their son, Thomas Jay Joseph. He was born May 3, 2006, weighing 8 pounds 2 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. Big brothers Sam, 12, and Jacob, 10, are thrilled with the new addition to the family. Proud grandparents Mike and Barb Joseph also attend the Lansing congregation.

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Sam and Amy (Warrington) Vierra of El Monte, California, would like to announce the birth of twins, Isaac Thomas and Adelina Amanda Vierra. They were born on May 25, 2006, at 7:12 a.m. and 7:13 a.m. respectively. Isaac weighed 6.15 pounds and was 19 inches long and Adelina weighed 5.12 pounds and was 18 inches long.

Isaac and Adelina are the first grandchildren for Herb and Ann Vierra of the Los Angeles, California, congregation, and they are "very, very pleased."

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Steve and Anna (Wright) Burgett of the Mansfield, Ohio, congregation are thrilled to announce the birth of their third child, Emily Rose Burgett. She was born Jan. 3, 2006. She weighed 8 pounds 15.8 ounces and was 21 inches long. Her big brothers, Steve (8) and Caleb (6), are excited about their little sister and are always eager to help. The proud grandparents are Marvin and Rita Wright of the Poplar Bluff, Missouri, congregation and Steve and Susan Burgett of Ohio.

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Joel and Kristin Brunick of the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, congregation are pleased to introduce their son, Kade Edward Brunick, who was born on Aug. 23, 2005. Kade joined his two big sisters, Jaden (6) and Kaylee (4), who have kept him entertained from the start. Proud grandparents are the late Edward Brunick and Claudia Brunick of the Watertown, South Dakota, congregation and Robert and Alane Arneson of Hayti, South Dakota.

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Jeff and Tracy (Werner) Strnad of the Salina, Kansas, congregation are happy to announce the birth of their beautiful son, Seth Alexander. Seth was born on June 30, 2006. He weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces and was 21 inches long. Seth has one older brother, Alex. His grandparents are Bruce and Judy Werner of Wakefield, Kansas; Dave and Glenna Barker of Junction City, Oregon; and Shirley and Phyllis Strnad of Scandia, Kansas.

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Mark and Lori Holladay are thrilled to announce the birth of their first child, Andrew Mark. Andrew was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 24, 2006. He arrived two weeks early weighing 7 pounds 4 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long.

He is the 10th grandchild of Roy and Norma Holladay. Andrew and his parents are moving back to the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas, area where Randy and Tina Hooser can spoil their first grandchild.

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Engagements

Jim and Lorinda Springer of Sacramento, California, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Kimberly Marie Springer, to Kyle Aidan Mullen, son of Gerald Mullen and the late Carmel Mullen of Portland, Oregon. The couple plans to reside in Corvallis, Oregon, where Kyle will work as a high school biology teacher and Kim will work as a process engineer. A June 2007 wedding is planned.

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Weddings

Dave and Peggy Severns, of the Flint, Michigan, congregation, are happy to announce the marriage of their son, Jason Allen Severns, to Keshia Jo Newsome. The wedding took place on June 17, 2006, in Olivet, Michigan, with the reception following in Springport, Michigan. The groom's brother, Shawn Severns, was the best man, and the bride's sister, Kara Newsome, was the maid of honor. The rest of the wedding party consisted of close friends. The happy couple resides in Springport.

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Mr. and Mrs. Rick Shoemaker are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Sarah Rebecca Shoemaker to M. Scott Howard, son of Tina and John Howard on June 11, 2006. Though wet and dreary outside, the day was filled with warmth, joy and happiness. Mallory Newberry (close friend of the bride) was the maid of honor, with Nathan Dailey as best man. Other close friends and family to represent the bride and groom were Sarah Beth Shoemaker, Lee-Ann Shoemaker (sister of the bride), Anna Helterbrand and Jody Evans (as junior bridesmaid); along with Randy Shoemaker (brother of the bride), Andy Howard (brother of the groom), Jeff Foster and Joe Shoemaker (as junior groomsman). The officiant for the ceremony was Mike Arritt from the Portsmouth, Ohio, congregation.

Currently, the couple live in Peebles, Ohio, allowing Sarah to finish her college and Scott to continue working.

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Mr. and Mrs. Tony Carreiro of the West Palm Beach, Florida, congregation are happy to announce the marriage of their daughter, Kimberly Carreiro, to Justin Mark Rivers. With over 170 guests in attendance, the ceremony and reception took place on June 18, 2006, in Hutchinson Island, Florida, at the Pelican Yacht Club.

The following day the newlyweds left for their Caribbean cruise honeymoon. The ports of call were highlighted by stops in Belize City, Belize, and Cozumel, Mexico.

The couple currently live in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, until this fall when the construction of their new home will be complete.

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Anniversaries

On the Sabbath of July 22, 2006, the Orlando, Florida, congregation honored Harold and Frieda Sikes, who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Cake and punch were enjoyed after services, along with hearty fellowship. Harold and Frieda were married on July 10, 1956. Harold came in contact with the Church through Herbert Armstrong and the radio program in the early 1960s. Eventually, Harold and Frieda began attending the Washington, D.C., congregation and were both baptized in 1967. They have five children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

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Obituaries

Daphne Doreen Scheepers, aged 73, died on May 30, 2006, in Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. Daphne was the eldest of Dinah and Martin Abrahams' six children. She grew up in Cape Town and was baptized on Dec. 6, 1982. Daphne was a mother of four children—Leanor, Hilton, Dawn and Jenny—and a grandmother of eight, as well as great-grandmother of one.

Daphne's memorial service was held on June 1, 2006, with many friends and family present to honor her. Daphne is greatly missed by the Cape Town congregation and especially by her husband of almost 50 years, Frank Scheepers, who was ordained as a deacon on July 9, 2005. We look forward to seeing Daphne again soon, at the last trumpet, in her glorified spiritual form. Until then, she will be remembered for her gentle presence, humble spirit, enthusiasm to serve and warm, encouraging smile. Frank wishes to express his appreciation to everyone for all the prayers, kind words, flowers and cards he has received.

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Funeral services for Maxcy Paul Brown Sr. were held Aug. 1, 2006, in Elgin, South Carolina, where he was born 79 years ago. He had lived in Jenkinsville, South Carolina, for many years, and faithfully attended the United Church of God congregation in Columbia, South Carolina. Mr. Brown was baptized in 1971, and was ordained a deacon in 1988. He served the Church in this capacity for as long as he was physically able and continued to serve by his wonderful example. Due to serious injuries in Korea, he had to make extra effort to come to services. His faithful wife, Micki, drove him to Sabbath services even when inclement weather kept others from attending.

Before he was called by God, Mr. Brown served with honor and bravery in the U.S. Army for 26 years. He saw service in both WWII and in Korea, and received many decorations for his service. Among the many medals Mr. Brown received were the Purple Heart for Valor, for which one must be wounded in action. He also received the Bronze Star for Heroism and the National Defense Medal for Honorable Active Service, and the Good Conduct Medal. On the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, Mr. Brown received a letter of appreciation delivered by Major General Seung Woo of the Army of the Republic of Korea.

Due to his impeccable military service and numerous decorations, Mr. Brown was awarded full military honors at the funeral conducted by Don Waterhouse.

Mr. Brown is survived by his loving and loyal wife of almost 55 years, Mitsuko "Micki" Inoue Brown. She was and is a wonderful example to many women in the Church. Also surviving are his sons, Maxcy P. Brown Jr. (wife Carter) and Stephen L. Brown; and his daughter, Shirley Ann Gregg (husband Tom). Mr. Brown also leaves five beautiful grandsons and three loving great-grandchildren to honor his memory.

Mr. Brown was a pillar of strength and wisdom, and his presence in the congregation in Columbia was a steadying influence on all. The void left by his death will be felt for years. We will miss him immensely.

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Gladys Jenkins Ducker, age 72, died June 7, 2006, at home in Graham, North Carolina, two weeks after a diagnosis of brain tumors.

Married to the late Garvin Javan Ducker for 43 years, she worked as a housewife, bookkeeper and manager for family businesses. Her husband often referred to her as the "Proverbs 31 woman" and "the neck that turns the head."

She served as a Girl Scout leader for five years and with other service organizations over the years. At the time of her death she worked as a volunteer as a reading tutor in a public elementary school.

Gladys's scriptural study motivated her husband to prove or discredit her conclusions. Both were baptized in 1970. Together they traveled extensively and found visiting brethren inspired passion for the Church and work.

They enjoyed motorcycles, beekeeping, reading, studying, gardening, handicrafts and fishing in Alaska. They loved camping and boating with their grandchildren.

Survivors include five siblings of Asheville, North Carolina; three daughters (Diane Jeffords of Franklin, Tennessee, Linda Fuhrman and Marlene Ducker, both of Graham, North Carolina); six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

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Mary Antonia (Parisi) Mazzie of Wilmerding, Pennsylvania, died on Aug. 15, 2006, at age 86. Mary was a member of the United Church of God (baptized in 1968), the Women's Civic Club of Wilmerding and the Wilmerding Historical Society. She was a daughter of the late Antonio and Consiglia (Baccari) Parisi; wife of the late Nicholas Mazzie; beloved mother of Dr. William N. Mazzie and the late Nicholas Mazzie; dear sister of Clara (the late Carl) Tuskan, Edith (Lou) Botti, Dominic (Clara) Parisi, Joe (the late Joy) Parisi, Jerry (Barb) Parisi, Millie (the late Tom) Morris, Dr. Frank Parisi and the late Rose Ruffo; also numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Mazzie was highly respected by all who knew her. She had a well-earned reputation of being energetic, enthusiastic, strong-willed and determined in everything she set her hand to do. She was a faithful member of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, congregation (as is her son, Dr. William Mazzie)—filled with love for God, for her brethren and dedication to her calling.

The funeral was conducted on Aug. 17 at the New St. Joseph Cemetery in North Versailles, Pennsylvania, by Don Henson.

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Douglas Hulings, a deacon in the United Church of God, died July 13, 2006, after a brief illness. Doug and his wife, Nohemi, faithfully served as host and hostess of the United Church of God in Harlingen, Texas, since the start of that congregation.

Doug also helped with the visiting speakers program in Monterrey, Mexico. John Bald, Doug Hulings and several members of the Harlingen and Corpus Christi congregations, their wives and children, made regular visits to the church and brethren in Monterrey to fellowship and serve the brethren there.

Doug is survived by his wife, Nohemi; children, Tammy Reed, Jaime, Douglas, Freddy and Erica; seven grandchildren; two brothers; and two sisters. He will be greatly missed by his family and the congregation in Harlingen. Doug's trust in God, his service to the brethren and his appreciation of the area characterized his leadership in south Texas.

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Jerry and Tambra (Pritchard) Hawkins would like to announce the birth of their fourth son. Garrett Emery Hawkins was born at 34 weeks on May 7, 2005. He weighed 5 pounds 11 ounces and was beautiful. Sadly, Garrett was only with us for two short days and went to sleep on May 9, 2005. Jerry and Tambra, along with their three other sons, Ethan (11), Blake (7) and Grant (31/2) greatly miss Garrett and look forward to seeing him, and all the others who've been lost, in God's Kingdom.

The family attends the Wichita, Kansas, congregation.

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Announcements: Members are welcome to submit announcements of the births, engagements, weddings, significant anniversaries (25, 40, 50, 60, etc.) and obituaries in their families. Please include a self-addressed envelope if you would like photos returned. Most items are 50 to 100 words and should not exceed 250 words. Please e-mail (preferred) or give them to your local pastor to forward to United News.