Obituaries

Willie Maddox Has Died

This past Saturday evening, Willie Maddox was sharing his testimony in a church service. His final words were, "I just want to get closer, and closer to Jesus." When he finished, he sat down, and he did. Willie and Cynthia Maddox were long-time members of Christ Community Church before moving to Hayes 12 years ago, and they have continued to stay in touch with our church family across the years.

Willie was an offshore oil worker until MS forced him into retirement. Many of our long-time members will remember his quiet, but steady faithfulness. A few years ago, Willie had a stroke. In recovering from the stroke, Willie's relationship with God deepened, and his shy, reserved manner seemed to fade away. In these recent years, he would go anywhere he could tell others what Christ had done in his life. And this was what he was doing at the time of his death. In the process of sharing with others, Willie became very active in jail ministry here in Calcasieu Parish and in ministry through the Gideons.

The viewing is on Monday, January 8, from 2-9 PM; and the service will take place on Tuesday, January 9, at 10 AM. All services and arrangements are being handled by Johnson's Funeral Home here in Lake Charles.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Cynthia, Aaron, and other members of the family.

You can link to Willie's full obituary at Johnson's website by clicking this link: Willie Maddox's Obituary 

Frank Balke Has Died

Frank Balke, father of Cindy Shrewsberry, passed away Sunday evening, November 26, in a Houston hospital after a long battle with cancer. Tuesday visitation is at Johnson Funeral Home from 5 PM — 9 PM. Wednesday visitataion and the funeral will take place at Frank’s home church, St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church (across from K-Mart): visitation is from 12 PM to 1:30 PM and the funeral is at 1:30 PM. Our hearts and prayers are with Cindy and her family.

The link below is to Frank Balke's obituary as published on the Johnson Funeral Home website.

Frank Balke Obituary

Mercedes Landry LeJeune Funeral

The funeral of Mercedes Landry Lejeune, was Sunday November 26, 2006, at the Hixson Funeral Home In Welsh, Louisiana.She was the mother of Danny LeJeune and the mother in law of Darlene LeJeune. Her grandchildren are Daniel LeJeune and his wife Mandi as well as Angie Ewing and her husband Scott.She  went home to meet her Lord & she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Sonny Fendley Passes Away

Christ Community Church lost a good friend Saturday, April 30. Sonny Fendley was the founder and director of the Oak Park Food Pantry since its inception 17 years ago. Many of us worked closely with Sonny in that role. We appreciated his commitment to that ministry, his humor, and his dedication to the poor in our community.

Sonny was in good health until a sudden stroke about a month ago.

The Oak Park Food Pantry is a cooperative ministry sponsored by 7 churches in the Oak Park area, including Christ Community Church. Through Sonny’s leadership, this ministry has served literally thousands of families in our community. The food pantry has also served as a major point of contact for Christians from each of these churches, helping us to see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ and as allies in the Christian mission.

Sonny’s obituary can be read by clicking the link below. It is in PDF format, and it requires Adobe Reader. Adobe Reader can be obtained for free through the link to the right.

Download Sonny_Fendley_Obituary.pdf

LeRoy Longo Dies

LeRoy Longo, husband of longtime member, Nell Shrewsberry Longo, died this past Monday evening, February 14.

LeRoy, 84, had lived in Los Angeles most of his life, and he retired as a superintendent for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. He was also a veteran of World War II, serving his country in the Navy. LeRoy retired to Salt Lake City a number of years ago. He and Nell were married 6 years ago, and since then, they split their time between Salt Lake City and Lake Charles.

Other family members who are a part of our church family include Keith, Cindy, and Kevin Shrewsberry. LeRoy is also survived by two daughters Jeanna Pick of Pasadena, CA, and Elaina O'Very of Hawaii.

A gathering of family and friends will take place from 5:00 to 9:00 pm, Thursday, February 17, at Johnson Funeral Home. A graveside service will he held at a later date in California.

Rev. Raymond Cheeks Goes to be with the Lord

Only seven weeks after retiring, Rev. Raymond Cheeks went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 26. For the past 12 years, Rev. Cheeks served as Director of State Ministries for Louisiana Ministries of the Church of God. As such, Rev. Cheeks led the organization that included ministries such as Camp Pollock, children’s camps, youth camps, and the state youth convention. He was a good friend to Christ Community Church, and he last attended worship with us in October.

Rev. Cheeks entered pastoral ministry in 1965, and he pastored three churches in Louisiana and one in Mississippi. He became director of Louisiana Ministries in 1992, and he retired effective November 1 of this past year. At the time of his retirement, he insisted that he was simply “refocusing” his ministry. As such, he agreed to serve as the interim pastor of his home congregation, First Church of God, Laurel, MS. Rev. Cheeks shared the message Sunday morning, and then he sat in his recliner after lunch. Later, his wife, Faye, thought that he was taking a nap, but instead, he had died very suddenly of an apparent heart attack. Rev. Cheeks was 65 years of age.

His funeral took place this past Wednesday in Laurel, Mississippi with the McClains in attendance. Wava McClain said of Rev. Cheeks, “He was the sweetest man,” and so he was.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 41 years, Faye, and by his children, Hope and Marty. Although Rev. Cheeks was prepared to meet the Lord, sudden death is especially difficult for the family. Let’s remember them in our prayers.