ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Births
• Weddings
• Anniversaries
• Obituaries

Births

Chris and Holly (Reamy) Foster would like to announce the birth of their first child. Brody Aaron was born Oct. 8, 2007. He weighed 9 pounds and was 21 inches long. He is a smiley and happy baby all the time! Chris, Holly and Brody live in Phoenix, Arizona, and attend the Phoenix Northwest congregation.

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Caleb and his parents Alix and Dan Fitzpatrick are thrilled to announce the birth of Naomi Wendyam Fitzpatrick. She was born on July 1, 2007, weighing in at 7.5 pounds and was 21 inches in length.

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Charles and Markera Dupuch Sr. are pleased to announce the birth of Chaela Jolann Dupuch. Born Dec. 4, 2007, she weighed 8 pounds 1.5 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. Mom Markera Dupuch, grandmother Eureka Smith and aunt Markelle Smith are members of the Nassau, Bahamas congregation. Chaela makes the third child (big sister Cherith Jalynn Dupuch, born Sept. 8, died Dec. 15, 2003) and 13th grandchild.

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Jennifer Jeremiah, of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, congregation, and her husband Ross are happy to announce the birth of their son Jaiden Reese Jeremiah on Jan. 13, 2007. He was born prematurely and was only 1 pound 3 ounces and 12 inches long. He spent his first 107 days in the hospital.

"Seeing this child who has defied all odds is to surely believe in miracles," wrote Renira Pachuta in the local newspaper Jan. 10, 2008, just before Jaiden's first birthday. He was then up to 16 pounds.

The article quotes Jennifer as saying, "Jaiden's doctors and nurses are truly amazed at how well he's doing. Since August, he no longer needs a monitor at night and he's even moved into his own bedroom. He's a happy, interested little boy who laughs easily, says ‘Mama' and ‘Dada,' listens intently when he knows you're trying to teach him something and he's recently started clapping his hands…He's a very happy little boy, and we're so blessed to have him."

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Weddings

Fred and Sue Whitlark of the Fort Worth, Texas, congregation, together with Howard and Sarah Baker of East Texas, are pleased to announce the marriage of their children, Debbie Whitlark and Greg Baker. The couple was united in marriage on Dec. 23, 2007, at lovely Quant Ranch near Fort Worth, with David Blue of Boise, Idaho, officiating. Debbie was attended by Davina Whitlark and J'Non Whitlark, with Emily Quant as maid of honor. Greg was attended by Jared Weinbrenner and Bryan Yergo, with Brent Baker as best man. While Debbie completes her graduate studies, the couple will continue attending in both Worcester, Massachusetts, and Columbia, Maryland.

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Anniversaries

The New Orleans, Louisiana, congregation honored Maurice and Pearl Ledet on their 60th wedding anniversary, Feb. 9, 2008. Maurice was baptized by Vernon Hargrove on the 4th of July in 1965. Pearl followed five months later.

Jim Servidio ordained Maurice as a deacon in 1982. Four years later he was ordained an elder. They have diligently served God's people for many years and are stalwarts in the congregation to this day.

They have two children, Kenneth Ledet and Linda Presgrove (Linda attends the New Orleans congregation), 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

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Obituaries

Lewis Y. Williams, age 83, died at his home in Fredericktown, Missouri, on Jan. 9, 2008. Lewis and Patricia, members, had moved from Ocala, Florida, in the summer of 2007. Lewis was able to attend services in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, from June 2007, until just shortly before his death.

Lewis was a native Floridian, born in Sarasota in 1924, and lived most of his youth in and around St. Petersburg, considering it his hometown. He served in the 66th Infantry Division in Europe during World War II. After a few years as a St. Petersburg firefighter, he re-enlisted and served in the USASA until he retired in 1966 with 21 years of service. He was stationed at Okinawa; Fort Devens, Massachusetts; Bad Aibling, Germany; and Hakata, Japan.

After retiring from the Army, he spent most of the next 27 years driving heavy trucks around the country. Leslie, his first wife, and mother of his four children, died in 1977, after which he moved to Missouri.

In 1983 he discovered The Plain Truth magazine and was baptized into the Church of God shortly after. While attending Sabbath services in Springfield, Missouri, he met Patricia Abraham-son, whom he married in late 1989. Between Lewis and Patricia, they have 10 children, 27 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren, scattered about Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, Washington and Germany.

Lew (or "Willie") was known by his children as having instilled in them their love of God, family and country; by his grandchildren as being "bigger than life"; by his Army buddies as "a man's man"; by his readers as the author of more than a few alligator stories; and by all who knew him as a faithful servant of God.

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H. Don Griffith, a longtime member and deacon in the United Church of God, died peacefully at his home in Grand Junction, Colorado, on Jan. 23, 2008, after a long battle with lung disease. He faithfully served God's Church for many years as he was able. He was well known for his outgoing concern for others and provided stability in those difficult years.

He was in the plumbing and heating business until he became too weak to continue in 2003. Don worked as a plumber and trade instructor at Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, from 1967 to 1977. He will be missed by many who have known him.

Don is survived by his wife Mary (Caldwell) Griffith of 42 years; sons Jon of Parker, Colorado, Daniel of Grand Junction, Paul of Bloomfield, New Mexico, and Richard of Cincinnati, Ohio; and daughter Nicole Borkholder of Grand Junction. Don is also survived by his sisters Annette Norman of Roswell, New Mexico, and Lynette Grant of Cypress, Texas; and brother Curtis Griffith of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

A memorial service took place in Grand Junction on Jan. 27, conducted by Jon Pinelli, pastor of the Salt Lake City, Utah, and Grand Junction congregations. It included a PowerPoint slide show and professional Welsh bagpiper playing several moving hymns in honor of Don's Welsh background.

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James (Jim) Murphy's life spanned a short 76 years (Aug. 3, 1931, to Oct. 29, 2007), until he died from sudden death syndrome. Mr. Murphy was born in Bronx, New York, and graduated from New York University in 1953 with a degree in electrical engineering. He served in Army Intelligence as a first lieutenant stationed in Germany.

After being discharged, he moved to California in 1958 where he began a Silicon Valley career as an engineer at Fairchild. His brilliant mind drove him to invent and hold a U.S. patent for a current-gauge filter. He loved math and engineering and for a decade prior to retiring worked in the computer science field for the IT department at De Anza College.

Mr. Murphy was a longtime member of the Church of God. Though he never married, Mr. Murphy shared his life and energy with his church family in the San Jose, California congregation. Mr. Murphy was steadfast in the faith and looked forward to God's Kingdom with confidence.

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Albert Barrett, 78, of Ozark, Arkansas, died Jan. 4, 2008, in Van Buren, Arkansas. Born July 7, 1929, in Mountain Top, Arkansas, he was retired from Southside Turkey Farm and was a member of the United Church of God. He was baptized into God's Church in October 1954. His mother was baptized a year later. Albert was a member of the Fort Smith, Arkansas, congregation.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Gladys Dickerson Barrett, and a niece, Donna Wofford of California. Survivors include a brother, Vendor Barrett, of Ozark; a sister, Floy Wofford; a niece, Debbie; and nephews David Wofford of California and Sam Wofford of Altus, Arkansas.

Graveside services were Jan. 7.

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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.