Chaconne Klaverenga, daughter of James and Julia Klaverenga, of Living Hope Fellowship in Lafayette, IN, recently won the Rantucci International Classical Guitar Competition, youth division, in Buffalo, NY. The competition was held from 22-25 March and included participants from Europe, South America, the Middle East, Asia, Canada and the United States. Chaconne is 14 and studies guitar with her father and Denis Azabagic at the Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in Chicago. She also studies classical piano with her mother. She recently won the senior division of the Society of American Musicians, Classical Guitar Division, in Chicago in January. Chaconne is homeschooled and enjoys competing in guitar and performing special music at church.

Matthew Keneson Rakestraw, a member of Grace Family Fellowship, Tallahassee, FL, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, scouting’s highest rank, on March 20. Matthew’s service project was organizing his troop, troop 104 of Tallahassee, to clear undergrowth on a dangerous, blind curve on a roadway near his home, making it safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. They also built benches and a biking/walking trail along this curve, creating a small park for residents to enjoy. Matthew was honored at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor on May 19.

Rebecca Deuel, Fox Valley, WI

Ines Cante, Moreno Valley, CA

Sarah Faulkner, Fort Myers, FL

Linard Johnson, Gainesville, FL

Ed Kitt, Calgary, Alberta

Bonny McQueary, Fort Myers, FL

Zita Mickens, Tucson, AZ

Ted Millhuff, Tucson, AZ

James Nicholson, Honolulu, HI

Reynaldo Salayon, Daet, Philippines

Paul Volpe, Gainesville, FL

Dan and Barb Shenton (right) celebrated their 40th anniversary on April 28. They attend Grace Community Fellowship in Hartville, OH, and have been with the Worldwide Church of God since 1974.

“100 Years of Excellence”

Long-time member Margaret (Meg) Glasgow celebrated her 100th birthday on March 4 as about 70 people gathered at the Tuscany House Hotel in Egg Harbor City, NJ, for a joyful dinner celebration put on by her son Roy.  Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, other relatives, neighbors, a former employer and friends came from as far away as California, Oregon and Arizona. Meg was radiant as her loving relatives and friends surrounded her with hugs and praise. Someone commented “she made an impression wherever she went.” Her love, hospitality, cheerfulness, quick wit and ready smile continues to touch many people in her community as she invites friends and neighbors for meals, bakes cookies for neighbors, knits caps for newborn babies, and continues to inspire others with cheerful notes and letters.

Meg attended the Portland, OR, congregation for many years until 2000, when she moved to Mays Landing, NJ, to live with son Roy. —Paul Hailey

Donald Ray Benningfield, 70, of Big Sandy, TX, died at his residence on March 3 after a courageous battle with cancer and kidney disease. Paul Smith of the New Beginnings Church in Big Sandy, TX, conducted services March 6. After the services at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater, burial was in the Gladewater Memorial Park. Born Dec. 27, 1936 in Owensboro, KY, he was baptized in 1967, and ordained a deacon in 1981. He retired from the maintenance department of the Union County Kentucky school system in 1993 and moved to Big Sandy. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Bernice; daughters Donna and husband Charles Scott of Big Sandy, Annette and husband Aaron Atteberry of Hawkins, TX.; sons, Wendell and Jeanna (Ahl) Benningfield, Wayne and Cleta (Devine) Benningfield, all of Murray, KY.; four grandchildren, Ashley, Dylan and Jared Benningfield and Jess Atteberry. He was preceded in death by grandson Cole Atteberry. His unwavering devotion and belief in God will continue to be an inspiration to all who knew him.

E.C. Davis, 83, of North Platte, NE, died March 17 from a stroke. He was a member of the WCG for 43 years, serving as an elder many of those years. He is survived by Jean, his wife of 64 years, two sons, Fred and Nolan, their wives, Bev and Karen, and a daughter-in-law, Joyce. One son, Larry, is deceased. He is survived by 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, a brother-in-law, Neal Keim, and his family of Loa, UT.

Annetta Gray, 77, of Vancouver, WA, passed away April 14. She was born Nov. 9, 1929 in Romania. She immigrated with her family to Canada in about 1930. In 1948, she married Lawrence Gray and then immigrated to the United States. Annetta always maintained a huge vegetable garden along with fruit trees and berries. She found fulfillment in her family. Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Lawrence Gray; daughters, Laurel Glasgow and Sheila Saunders; sons, Brad and Jesse Gray, and chosen daughter, Tina Coad, as well as four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. At Annetta’s request, no services were held. Burial was completed April 17 by Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

Glenn Earl McCall, Sr., 79, of Pioneer (Stinking Creek Community), TN, passed away Feb. 28 at U.T. Medical Center. He became a WCG co-worker in 1975 and was baptized Dec. 17, 1976, in Atlanta along with his wife, Ethel Jean McCall. In 1980 he started attending the Knoxville, TN, congregation. He was active in fundraising, Spokesman’s Club and many other activities.

As a member of the U.S Army in World War II, he served in Alaska and Japan, and spent his 18th birthday in the Philippines. He was an electrician and attended electronics school in Detroit, MI, for two years. He retired from the Square D Company after 22 years. He also worked at Lockheed, owned a service station that employed about nine people and once worked on an off-shore oil rig in Louisiana, and worked at Boeing for 7˝ years.

     He was preceded in death by his first wife Iona McCall; parents, Ralph O. McCall and Frances Edith Howell McCall; brothers, Robert, Roy and Joe McCall. He is survived by wife Ethel Jean Johnson McCall; sons, Glenn Earl McCall, Jr., of Sterling, KS, Eldon Dale McCall of Marietta, GA; daughters Betty Westbrook of Acworth, GA, Sarah McCall of Williamsburg, KY; sisters Edith Chaput and Ruth Ann Toman of Concordia, KS, Hazel Marie Laubach of Morgan City, LA; grandchildren, James McCall, Barry Glenn McCall, Janice Mustard and Jennifer McCall, great-grandchildren, Diana McCall, Myra and Emily Mustard, several nieces and nephews and many friends. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery with military honors by Campbell County Honor Guard.

Christopher Todd Parsons, 40, of Big Sandy, TX, died Feb. 20 at his home. Todd is survived by his parents, Frank (Sonny) and Jane Parsons, two daughters, a sister, niece and nephews, aunts and uncles. Todd loved to serve others and was a Special Skills EMT worker until diabetes kept him from serving. His memorial service on Feb. 23 was conducted by Pastor Paul Kurts, lifetime family friend.

Truman Allan Lorne Slack, 72, beloved husband and patriarch of the family, passed away peacefully at the home he built on Pasqua Lake, SK, on May 21, following a courageous battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Lorne was born on April 3, 1935 in Folly Lake, NS, to the late Truman and Susan “Lila” Slack (nee Moore). Lorne served as a Military Policeman with the Canadian Armed Forces, which later led to work in security including work with Pioneer Security and the Commissionaires. On Oct. 16, 1953, he was married to the late Dorothy (nee Grosse).

Lorne worked 31 years as a custodian and heating/cooling plant engineer for the Regina School Board, where every faculty member and student knew him by his witty stories and practical jokes. He was always known to lend a hand to friends and neighbors, expecting nothing in return—an attitude towards life he attributed to his parents. No one will forget his spicy chili that he said would “cure what ails ya!”

     Lorne was a devoted member of the WCG in Regina for many years, and spoke fondly of the friendships he made there. On Feb. 7, 1987, Lorne married Audrey Hutchinson and in a few years started work on the house that he loved on Pasqua Lake.

Lorne is survived by his wife, Audrey, his children: Kevin and Heidi of Vernon, CT, Susan and Peter McClung of Blue Bell, PA, Lorna and Brody Rushfeldt of Frobisher, SK, Warren Slack and Wendi James of Regina, SK; his step-children Brenda Gross and Garth Gross. He will be lovingly remembered by his two sisters, Elna Scott of NB, Elaine and Don McGill of Truro, NS; and his brother, Gary and Pearl Slack of Folly Lake, NS, as well as his sister-in-law, Ida Grosse of Fort Qu’Appelle, SK. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Crystal, Dustin, Lauren, Olivia, Cameron, Kaleb, Megan, Ashton, Chelsey, Ian, and Ryler, and by many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, and an infant son John Robert Reid.

     A memorial service for family and friends was held on June 24 at the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Melville, SK. Pastor Eric Warren officiated. Donations may be made in Lorne’s honor to any WCG congregation. His family also requests that persons so wishing make a blood donation in his honor. His last months would have been impossible without the many transfusions he received.

Thelma Smith, 73, of Hernando, MS, died Apr. 5. Thelma was a member of the Community of Faith (WCG) in Memphis, TN, since 1961. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Lee, two daughters, five sons, 17 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Ann Louise Tucker, 93, of Dayton, OH, died Jan. 28. She was born Nov. 4, 1913, to Guy and Louise Tucker. Her parents and James, an older brother, and Tom, her twin brother, preceded her in death. Ann lived a long and productive life. She and her twin brother, Tom, a medical doctor, traveled extensively, visiting such places as China, Brazil and Africa. Ann never married.

     Her places of employment included Wright Patterson Air Force Base, where she developed their first telephone directory and their first training manual. Her last place of employment was Siebenthaler’s Garden Center, where she once supplied them with Peonies from her vast Peony patch.

     Ann was a long-time member of the WCG congregation, CrossRoads Christian Fellowship, where she once served on a prayer chain for seniors and was adored by all who knew her. Her ability to laugh, when all was not well with her physically, was indeed precious and a good example for others. She is survived by a nephew, Dr. Tom Tucker (and wife Marilyn) of Florida, a nephew Johnnie Tucker (and wife Peggy) of Pennsylvania, two great-nieces Tammy and Angie Tucker, caring neighbors, Linda Katz and Kathy Tully, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Doris Elizabeth Blackerby Walton, 77, wife of Gene Walton, of San Augustine, TX, died March 15. She would have been 78 on March 17. We are grieved and saddened that she will not be with us anymore, but are glad that she is in Jesus’ care. We are thankful that she was able to live in the comfort of her own home and take care of herself (with the help of her lovely daughter-in-law) until the very end. Doris was baptized in the San Jacinto River in 1957 and was a loyal Christian. She was a very good homemaker—”clean and organized” was her motto. She was the mother of four boys; she kept them sparkling clean and well fed. She did her best to teach them good Christian morals. We love you Doris and will miss you very much.

Teresa L. “Sis” Wise, 37, of Aleppo, PA, died May 19 from injuries received in an auto accident. She was born June 26, 1969 in Glen Dale, WV, a daughter of Joyce Elaine Wright of Aleppo, and had lived in Aleppo Twp. all her life. Mrs. Wise was a member of the Fountain of Life (WCG) Church of God in Washington, PA.
     She was a 1987 graduate of West Greene High School and had attended California University of Pennsylvania and the ICM School of Business in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Wise was a former employee of Kyowa of America in Waynesburg and Sam’s Club in Washington, where she was the produce lead and had been employed by Wal-Mart in Washington for the past three years in the bakery department.
     She enjoyed photography, camping and the time she was able to spend with her family. On July 4, 2001, she married Harley Howard Wise, Sr. who survives. Surviving in addition to her husband and mother are three sons, Harley H. “Skippy” Wise, Jr., Hayden O. “Howddy” and Hudson M. “Maddie” Wise, all at home; a stepdaughter, Valerie (Michael) Bender of Warren, PA; a brother, Charles “Tag” (Jamie) Conner of New Freeport, PA; a sister, Michelle (Charles) Kiger of West Finley, PA; a stepfather, James Hostutler; two nieces, Sadie Conner and Rachael (Pat) Pester; two nephews, Matthew and Chaz Conner; a step granddaughter, Nicole Bender; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Deceased are her maternal grandparents, Herb and Wilda Faye Fox Wright; paternal grandparents, Calvin and Emma Elson Conner.
     The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Make-a-Wish Foundation or the Washington Family Center, 62 E. Wheeling St., Washington, Pa. 15301.

Copyright 2007