Deaths Elsewhere

Former La. Baptist president
NATCHITOCHES – Services for former Louisiana Baptist Convention president Dr. James “Sonny” Carter will be Jan. 30. He died Jan. 26 at age 80.
Dr. Carter began his ministry in 1955 as the pastor of Wise Memorial Baptist Church in Lena. He served as the pastor of four other churches in Louisiana and Texas over the next 33 years, including the First Baptist Church of Natchitoches (1964 -1977) and the University Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas (1978 - 1988). He completed his ministry as a “minister to ministers,” serving as the Director of Church-Minister Relations for the LA Baptist Convention, Alexandria, from 1988 to 2000. He also served twice as the interim pastor of the First Baptist Church of Shreveport and wrote the sesquicentennial history of the church.
He authored 19 books and wrote the weekly Sunday school lessons in the “Baptist Message,” the paper for Louisiana, from 1967 - 1978 and the “Baptist Standard,” the Texas state paper, during 1979. He also served as the President (1973) and Vice-President (1970) of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and served on its Executive Board from 1968 - 1977.
Survivors include three children.
Arrangements are by Blanchard-St. Denis.

Former fire chief
WEST MONROE – Services for former fire chief E.L. “Butch” Roark will be Jan. 30. HE died Jan. 27 at age 72.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. After retiring from the West Monroe Fire Dept. he joined Coburn’s Supply, retiring after 20 years.
Survivors include his wife Rita and several children and grandchildren.
Arrangements are by Kilpatrick.

Long-time school board member
CHALMETTE – Services for teacher and long-time school board member Herman “Shrimp” Bonnette, Sr. will be Feb. 2. He died Jan. 27 at age 83.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and a 35-year teacher of history and P.E. He served on the St. Bernard School Board for 24 years.
Survivors include a daughter.
Arrangements are by St. Bernard Memorial.