T.E. — C.E. Champion. [Group Sheet]

1. J.P. Champion
2. R.A. Champion

Notes:

Obituary:

John William Parks, 89, of Jacksonville left this world to be with his wife and forever Valentine, Rita, on February 14, 2021. He was born in Vilonia, Arkansas on July 15, 1931 to Opie John and Winnie Lois Waller Parks. In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Rita Davis Parks; sisters, Leonda (Hester) Mattison and Valda (Joe) Skipper and great-grandson Kyle Patrick McWilliams Jr.

John Parks played for Jacksonville's first football team before joining several of his classmates to enlist in the Air Force during the Korean War. After his active-duty military service, he served his community as a Captain at the Fort Roots VA Fire Department, and as a volunteer firefighter for the City of Jacksonville. He continued his service in, and retired from, the Arkansas Air National Guard. He will be remembered as a model of steadfast courage, kindness, and integrity by all who were privileged to know him.

He is survived by his children, David Parks and Theresa (Charles) Champion of Jacksonville and Donna Smith of North Little Rock; grandchildren, Shelly (Shane) Smith, Krystie (Ryan) Ellis, Jon (Lori) Champion and Rebecca (Kyle Sr.) McWilliams; great-grandchildren, Presley and Kolton Smith, Madyson and Rylee Ellis, Shaun and Aaron McWilliams, as well as extended family and friends.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at the funeral home. Interment will be immediately following the service at Rest Hills Memorial Park. Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home, (501) 982-2136.

Memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation or Catholic High School for Boys in Little Rock.

(Published by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home of Jacksonville, AR)

John married Rita Theresa Davis 6 Feb 1954, Jennings, Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, USA. Rita (daughter of Robert Charles Davis and Theresa LeBleu) was born 17 Apr 1933, Rayne, Acadia Parish, Louisiana, USA; died 22 May 2013, Jacksonville, Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA; was buried 28 May 2013, Rest Hills Memorial Park - North Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Obituary:

Rita Parks, age 80, of Jacksonville, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, May 22, 2013.

She was born April 17, 1933 in Rayne, Louisiana to the late Robert L. Davis and Theresa Lebleu Davis. She worked as Executive Director of Sales Audit for Dillard's Department Stores of Little Rock, Arkansas. Mrs. Parks was a member of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Jacksonville.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, John L. Davis.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years John W. Parks, children; Theresa E. Champion and husband Charles, David J. Parks, Donna M. Smith, grandchildren; Shelly Smith and husband Shane, Krystie Ellis and her husband Ryan, Jon P. Champion and his wife Lori, Rebecca McWilliams and husband Kyle, great-grandchildren; Madyson Ellis, Rylee Ellis, Presley Smith, Kolton Smith, extended family; JC Crook, Bridget Norton, Lenora Davis, Sherry Long, Evelyn Harris, Christy Harris, and one sister Nancy Thomas of Houston.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Heart Association www.heart.org or the American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Rest Hill Memorial Park.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday, May 27, 2013 at the funeral home with a Rosary following at 7:00 p.m.

Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home & Crematory (501) 982-2136.

Robert married Theresa LeBleu 17 Jan 1931, Rayne, Acadia Parish, Louisiana, USA. Theresa (daughter of John LeBleu and Celina Clement) was born 3 Jan 1891, Rayne, Acadia Parish, Louisiana, USA; died 17 Dec 1951, Rayne, Acadia Parish, Louisiana, USA; was buried 19 Dec 1951, St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery #1 - Rayne, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Obituary:

Lifetime Resident of Rayne Succumbs At Home Today

Rayne, La - Mrs. Theresa LeBleu Davis, 60, lifelong resident of Rayne, died at 6 p.m. today at her home on 2nd St. following an illness of about three months.

Funeral rites will be held in St. Joseph's Catholic church of Rayne at a time to be announced later. The body will be at the home until the hour of the services. Gossen Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Davis is survived by her mother, Mrs. John LeBleu of Rayne, a son, John Louis Davis, U.S. Air Force, Sherman, Tex.; two daughters, Nancy and Rita of Rayne, and two sisters, Mrs. Laurent Boudreaux of Rayne and Mrs. C.J. LeBlanc of Scott.

(Published in the Crowley, La. Daily Signal on December 17, 1951)

Notes:

Obituary:

Old-Time Resident Succumbs

Friday, Nov. 18 marked the passing of another of Rayne's old time residents, Mr. John LeBleu, who died at the age of 66 years. Mr. LeBleu had lived here 44 years having raised all his family here. On Dec. 1, Mr. and Mrs. LeBleu would have been married 43 years.

He is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Celina Clement; four children, Mrs. L. Boudreaux, Mrs. C.J. LeBlanc, Miss Theresa LeBleu and Ben LeBleu; seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and four brothers and three sisters, all of whom live in Lake Charles.

Funeral services were held Saturday evening from St. Joseph's Catholic church with interment in St. Joseph's cemetery.

Mr. LeBleu had been ill for several years and his death came not unexpectedly, but as a merciful relief from his earthy sufferings. He was a devout Catholic, his religion being his greatest comfort in his last hours when all else except spiritual things count as but dross.

The Tribune bows its head in sympathy with the bereaved family, and may the Blessed Comforter be very near to those who mourn and help them as only He can help.

(Published in The Rayne Acadian Tribune on November 26, 1927)

John married Celina Clement 20 Nov 1884, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, USA. Celina (daughter of Don Louis Clement and Calisse Zelonise LeBlanc) was born 22 Aug 1869, Rayne, Acadia Parish, Louisiana, USA; died 28 Dec 1952, Rayne, Acadia Parish, Louisiana, USA; was buried 29 Dec 1952, St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery #1 - Rayne, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Obituary:

Mrs. John LeBleu Succumbs Sunday

Mrs. John LeBleu, the former Celina Clement, 83, lifelong resident of Rayne, died Sunday at 8:45 a.m. at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Laurent Boudreaux, after an illness of six months.

Mrs. LeBleu was born August 22, 1869.

Last rites were held at 10 a.m. today at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Col. L.C. Habetz officated the last rites and burial was in the old St. Joseph's cemetery.

Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Laurent Boudreaux of Rayne, Mrs. C.J. LeBlanc of Lafayette and many grandchildren.

Geesy Ferguson Funeral home of Crowley was in charge of arrangements.

(Published in the Crowley Daily Signal on December 29, 1952)



Obituary:

Mrs. John LeBleu, the former Celina Clement, 83, lifelong resident of Rayne, died Sunday at 8:45 a.m. at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Laurent Boudreaux, after an illness of six months.

Mrs. LeBleu was born October 31, 1869.

Last rites were held at 10 a.m. Monday at the St. Joseph's Catholic church. Col. L.C. Habetz officiated at last rites and burial was in the old St. Joseph's cemetery.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Boudreaux and Mrs. C.J. LeBlanc of Lafayette; 8 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Sylvest Boudreaux of Rayne.

Pallbearers were Leo Trahan, C.J. Petitjean, Edgar Devillier, Walter Bremer, Louis Clement and R.L. LeBlanc.

Geesey-Ferguson Funeral home of Crowley was in charge of arrangements.

(Published in The Weekly Acadian of Rayne, LA on January 1, 1953)