On Christmas Eve, First United Methodist in Alexandria has two worship experiences to choose from. At 4pm on December 24th, Traditional worship by candlelight will be held, when together we will celebrate the birth of Christ as the Light of the World. As part of this candlelit celebration, we will light the Advent Candle, sing in praise together, and share in Holy Communion in our beautiful sanctuary, nearing dusk and lit up by candles and torches unlike any other time of the year.

  
 
Later in the evening, at 7pm, the whole family is invited to our casual, family-focused Grace Life Christmas Eve. This celebration of the birth of Christ will include glow-in-the-dark and musical accessories for the kids, plus we will light the Advent Candle, sing carols in praise together, and share in Holy Communion. If you’re really in the spirit of a cozy, family Christmas Eve, come dressed in your Christmas PJs!

 
 
On Sunday, December 28th, we will worship in a 10am for a blended Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, a service of scripture and song tracing God’s redemptive story from Genesis to the Gospel of John. Through nine readings and beloved carols, the service moves from promise to fulfillment, culminating in the proclamation of the Incarnation: “And the Word became flesh and lived among us.”

 
 
We will celebrate the Christmas Season all the way to January 4th, 2026 when we have a Three Kings themed Sunday during our Grace Life (8:30am) and Traditional (11am) worship services to mark the arrival of the Magi, from Matthew 2:1-12, who sought to give worship to baby Jesus as the “King of the Jews”. 

Rapides Fire District No. 7 has announced a series of live burn training opportunities scheduled for January 2026, offering firefighters hands-on instruction in a controlled, realistic environment designed to strengthen essential firefighting skills.

The RKFD Live Burn Drill will take place at 1217 Palmer Chapel Road in Pineville. Training sessions are scheduled for January 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; January 19 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and January 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Participants are encouraged to register in advance to assist organizers with planning, staffing and resource coordination.

Training will include hands-on evolutions using a Class A burn prop, allowing participants to gain practical experience in fire behavior and fire dynamics. The sessions will focus on proper hose loads and advancement techniques, effective pump operations, and coordinated ventilation practices, emphasizing safe, efficient and disciplined fireground operations.

Required equipment for participation includes a full set of turnout gear, an SCBA with mask, and a spare SCBA bottle.

Rapides Fire District No. 7 is based at 163 Palmer Chapel Road in Pineville. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the district at (318) 448-4017 or by email at rapidesfd7@gmail.com.

To register go online to bit.ly/3Nf0Slv

Arrests are accusations, not convictions

Dec. 23

Ashley Racheal Allen, 38, Pineville – aggravated cruelty to animals, $1,000 bail;

Crystal Mae Gordon, 37, Boyce – simple assault, disturbing the peace, resisting an officer, no bail data.

Dec. 22

Michael Brew Jr., 33, Colfax – four counts contempt of court, $150,000 bail;

Tycarius Jerome Davis, 29, Pineville – possession of fentanyl, possession of CDS, paraphernalia, bicycle reflectors, three counts contempt of court, probation violation, $4,100 bail;

Noah Thomas Carr, 19, Trout – criminal conspiracy, $1,000 bail;

Roderick Irvin Celestine, 35, Alexandria – criminal trespass, possession of drug paraphernalia, parole violations, $1,000 bail;

Pedrick Alphred Harris Sr, 51, Lecompte – theft, criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, parole violations, $26,000 bail;

Kevin Craig James Sr., 56, Pineville – switched license plate, no insurance, brake lamp required, driving under suspension, expired MVI sticker, open container, $3,000 bail;

Kenneth Dewayne Johnson, 45, Alexandria – theft, four counts contempt of court, $9,000 bail;

William Alexander Land, 27, Montgomery – disturbing the peace, simple assault, threatening a public official, $850 bail;

Tillman Eugene Monk, 44, Cheneyville – second degree battery, $25,000 bail;

Travis Wade Newman, 31, Alexandria – aggravated assault domestic abuse, aggravated assault, two counts contempt of court, $56,000 bail;

Sunny Leanne Nye, 43, Pineville – theft, possession of CDS, possession of paraphernalia, four counts contempt of court, $18,500 bail;

Nathaniel Reeder, 18, Ball – possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, use of CDS in presence of person under 17, $1,500 bail;

Kiara Lynette Williams, 29, Plaquemine – OWI first offense, open container, flight from an officer, Louisiana fugitive, driving on right half of road, $1,715 bail;

Tavirus D. Wilson, 44, Colfax – possession of CDS, possession of paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, improper parking, improper display vehicle license plate, $2,700 bail.

Dec. 21

Jarvis Jarrell Flanagan Sr, 49, Alexandria – possession of CDS, marijuana, possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, $107,000 bail;

Crystal Dawn Jonda, 40, Lecompte – theft, criminal trespass, criminal conspiracy, $2,000 bail;

Tardarius Lemon Lott, 31, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, $3,000 bail;

Cedric Shane Pierce, 43, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $202,000 bail;

Dontavious Demond Sanders, 25, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, two counts contempt of court, $9,000 bail;

Crystal Nicole Vallery, 41, Alexandria – aggravated battery, $50,000 bail;

Jacquanette Antionette Warden, 36, Alexandria – two counts contempt of court, $28,000 bail;

Joseph Marshall Winborne, 45, Pineville – possession of CDS, bicycle reflectors required, $1,600 bail.

On December 24, 1914, the frozen battlefields of World War I witnessed one of the most astonishing and unlikely events in military history. Along multiple points of the Western Front, thousands of British and German soldiers climbed out of the trenches, exchanged greetings, and celebrated Christmas together—forming an informal truce that defied commanders and surprised the world.

By late 1914, the war had already produced staggering casualties. Trenches stretched for hundreds of miles. The ground was cold, muddy, and riddled with shell craters. Yet on this particular Christmas Eve, something unplanned and extraordinary unfolded.

As evening approached, British troops near Ypres reported seeing small lights flickering across no-man’s-land. At first, soldiers feared a trap. Soon, however, they realized the lights were candles set atop Christmas trees placed along the German parapets. Moments later, voices rose in carols. British soldiers recorded hearing the familiar tune of “Silent Night,” sung in German, followed by cheers.

What happened next defied military expectations. Soldiers on both sides began shouting holiday greetings, some in broken English or German. Eventually, individuals cautiously emerged from the trenches. As more men followed, the two forces met between the lines, shaking hands and exchanging small gifts, including tobacco, buttons, and preserved sweets.

Remarkably, several eyewitness accounts describe soldiers organizing impromptu soccer matches. Using makeshift balls and marking goals with military caps, they played in the center of the devastated battlefield. Others used the moment to bury fallen comrades who had been unreachable due to sniper fire in previous weeks.

The truce spread along stretches of the front, though not uniformly. In some areas, fighting continued. Commanders on both sides issued orders forbidding such contact, fearing that fraternization would undermine discipline. Despite this, the Christmas Eve Truce held through much of the night and into Christmas morning, with soldiers exchanging food, repairing trenches, and even assisting wounded opponents.

By December 26, leadership reasserted control, and combat recommenced. Military authorities quickly worked to prevent any repeat truces, implementing stricter guidelines and reorganizing units. Yet the memory of Christmas 1914 lived on in letters and diaries, providing future generations with a rare example of humanity amid war.

Each December 24, historians revisit this moment when soldiers facing the horrors of trench warfare chose peace, if only briefly. The Christmas Eve Truce stands as one of history’s most striking reminders that even during conflict, ordinary individuals can defy expectations to find common ground—even if just long enough to exchange a gift, share a song, or kick a soccer ball across the frozen mud.

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A beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend, Mertie Burlette, age 66, passed away on Friday, December 19, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength, and unwavering devotion to her family. She was truly one of a kind-the most wonderful mother anyone could ask for, with the sweetest soul and the kindest heart.

Visitation for Mertie will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025, from 10:00-12:00 pm at Gallagher Funeral Home. Services will follow at 12:00 pm at the funeral home with Brother Lloyd Bye officiating.
Mertie is preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Burlette, Sr.; father, Boyd Martin; son, Kyle Burlette; granddaughter, Evangeline Brocato; and siblings, Justin Martin, Carrol Clark, and Kathy Maricle.

Those left to celebrate and cherish her memories are her loving daughters, Christal Brocato (Joseph) and Bonnie Adams (Charles); son, Charlie Burlette, Jr. (Andrea); bonus son, Marcus Hudson; grandchildren, Kylie Ponthieux (Kenny), Aaliyah Brocato, Chelsy Stilley (Jarrod), Joe Brocato, Jr. (Brittany), Jathan Brocato (Virginia), Stephanie Hitt (Tazz), Steven James (Kayla), Dylan Burlette, Logan Burlette, and Sophia Burlette; great grandchildren, Kenlie Ravare, Aiden, Gabriel, Jake, Luke, Eric, Macy, Easton, Joseph, Addaleigh, Kenzie, Lainey, and Hazley; special nieces, Melanie Lee (Dewayne) and Becca Toney (Jesse); siblings, Scooter Martin, Brenda Filasek (Larry), and Lisa Hagan (Garry); and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, extended family and friends, including her two best friends, Christy Boudreaux and Mary Kyle.

A fighter in every sense of the word, she faced every challenge placed before her with courage and determination, always coming through with quiet strength. Gentle and kind, yet strong and fierce when it mattered most, she embodied resilience. To know her was to love her, and her presence brought comfort and peace to all who were blessed to be part of her life.

She was the glue that held Christal together-her “sugarbear”-and her love for her family was the foundation on which everything stood. For many years, she selflessly served as the devoted caregiver to her husband, giving of herself with patience, compassion, and endless love.

In her downtime, she cherished spending time with her family. In recent years, her favorite moments were the simple ones-snuggling up with her grandkids and watching a movie, creating memories filled with warmth and laughter. She also found joy in reading, crocheting, cooking, and loved watching HGTC with her Sugarbear.

Above all else, she loved deeply and gave endlessly. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her family and all who knew her. She will be profoundly missed and forever remembered for her loving spirit, her strength, and the unconditional love she shared so freely.

Graveside services were held on December 19, 2025 for Caleb A. Bihm, age 32, who passed away Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at his residence in Lecompte.

Interment was in First Pentecostal Cemetery of Bayou Rouge.

Caleb was a native of Opelousas; he loved to travel and was a free spirit.

Survivors included his parents, Barry Willard Bihm and Grace Ingo Bihm, of Port Barre; two brothers, Matthew Bihm of Krotz Springs, and Barry Willard Bihm, II, of Texas; three sisters, Hannah Morain and her husband, Dakota, of Port Barre, Haley Levet of La Porte, TX, and Sheree Marcotte and her husband, Will, of Lecompte.

Phonetic: /ˈyulˌtaɪd /
Part of Speech: noun

Definition

The Alexandria Police Department responded to the 5600 block of North Bolton Avenue on Dec. 23 around 12:57 am in reference to a single-vehicle crash involving a pedestrian. The pedestrian, 35-year-old Amanda Perry, was pronounced deceased at the scene. No impairment is suspected; however, routine toxicology tests were conducted on the driver.

This is currently an ongoing investigation.

If anyone has any information about this incident or any other type of crime in the Alexandria area, please contact the Alexandria Police Detective Division at the phone number (318) 441-6416, or APD Dispatch (318) 441-6559. You may also email information to detectives at: APDDetectives@cityofalex.com.

For a cash reward, call Crime Stoppers of CenLa at (318) 443-7867. The Crime Stoppers P3 Tipster App can also be downloaded to leave tips and get a claim number for a cash reward at http://www.p3tips.com/community/mobile.

By JIM BUTLER

After two years of turmoil the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority continues doing a primary function under its enabling legislation — putting heads in beds.

Boosting extended-stay visitor numbers through funding assistance for meetings, conventions, and other events, the theory is, puts new money in play in the community.

Critics assert most of the activity would occur regardless the subsidies, that helping with meals, marketing and advertising is not truly economic development.

The current four commissioners (three other seats are unfilled) this month approved 16 requests totaling $86,000 for assistance, each of which went through a protracted application process.

Three are Cooperative Endeavor Agreements, each getting up to $10,000. They are:

Alexandria Museum of Art, for 2026 exhibition series; Rapides Symphony Orchestra, for 2026 concert series; Central Louisiana Juneteenth Association, 2026 celebration, June and October, throughout city.

Three events are defined as actual statewide gatherings:

Louisiana Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mid-Winter Conference, January 22-25, Hotel Bentley, $5,000; VFW State Convention, May 14-17, Randolph Riverfront Center, $10,000; Grand Lodge of Louisiana F&AM 215th Annual Session, April 17-18, Randolph Riverfront, $5,000.

Sports events were allocated $24,500. They are:

LSU Alexandria – Red River Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament, February 27-March 1, Coliseum, $5,000; NAIA Basketball Tournament, March 12-14, $1,500; tennis tournament, April 8-12, city courts and Alexandria Athletic & Racquet Club, $5,000; Manna House, AmPro Tour Golf Tournament, Links on the Bayou, April 13-18, $10,000; Friends of Bringhurst, Bayou Rapides Invitational, Links on the Bayou, March 21-22, $3,000.

Religion-related events are allocated $16,500:

Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons, Hotel Bentley, February 26-March 1, $2,000; United Educational Missionary Baptist Association NBLA Great Commission Church Summit,  Holiday Inn Downtown and Randolph Riverfront, February 23-25, $2,000; St. Matthews Baptist Church, An Evening of Spirituals, February 12, $2,500.

It’s a time when we sing about “peace on earth and good will to men.”

Is this message still relevant today?

Yes, I think so, and here’s why. If you can think of at least one act of kindness someone has done for you in the last six months – which I can – I think that’s evidence enough that good people are still out there. Many of them.

It may not seem such a big deal if one person has been kind to you in the last six months, but one can never tell of the ripple effect. A pebble skipped in a pond can make many waves.

I’ll just tell you one act of kindness in my life, and it happened just the other day.

I was at the grocery store staring into the freezer section that contained coffee creamers. My assignment was to get a particular brand of coffee creamer with a caramel macchiato flavor for my visiting daughter-in-law. She doubts if she could survive without her morning dose, or, to be more accurate, she doubts if the rest of us in the family could survive her having a morning without coffee. She’d settle for straight black coffee, no doubt, but a creamer by just any other name isn’t as sweet.

At this point, in my struggles to find this, I started to get a twitch in my eye, thinking about the mayhem that might happen if I return saying I couldn’t find it.

I left the area temporarily to look for a clerk or attendant, but seeing none within shouting range, I returned to look for the coffee creamer again. As I was staring into a conglomerate of choices, including a seeming empty tunnel space, out of the corner of my eye I noticed a kind customer patiently standing behind my right shoulder. She was looking at the same shelf where I was looking.

She hadn’t been there three seconds before, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

I smiled nervously, apologized for hindering her view and moved out of her way, urging her to take a closer look. I explained what I was looking for in vain.

“Here it is, baby,” she said in that friendly way that Southern women are known to do, gesturing to the bottom shelf where there was a creamer with caramel flavor.

“No, that’s not it,” I said, repeating the brand I was needing. She studied the area and, in a flash, had read the small identifying print and told me it had been “here,” in that empty area of the shelf.

“Oh, well,” I said with resignation, ready to move on, and she said, “Wait a minute. Look back here.”

Way in the back, lying on its back rather than standing upright, was what I wanted, what my daughter-in-law preferred. This angel reached back there and rescued it from ignominy and handed it to me with a warm smile.

“You’re my hero!” I said.

That she took time to help me was a genuine act of kindness.

“Thank you so much!” I shouted as I hustled away, feeling a bit like George Bailey when he realizes he’s alive again in Bedford Falls.

It also reminded me of the time in September when a friend rescued me in the AEX parking lot – not once, but twice (arrival and return) – when I couldn’t figure out the cursed parking scan thingamajig.

And that reminded me of the kindnesses of three separate “Free Now” taxi drivers, each from a different nationality (Nigerian, Polish and Irish) that we encountered on a trip to the Emerald Isle.

And that reminded me of the kindness of top-shelf comedian Jon Reep of Hickory, N.C., coming to Alexandria to do a stand-up routine for a reasonably priced ticket last August.

See what I mean about a ripple effect, from the seemingly empty shelf of a grocery store to a top-shelf comedian — kindnesses all around.

It even inspired me a few weeks ago to turn my car around and return to visit a homeless man I spotted lying on the ground behind the CVS store in our neighborhood.

He wasn’t your average showboat panhandler on a busy intersection by a stoplight. After a brief conversation with the man, I could see he was down on his luck, not seeking the spotlight but embarrassed by it all.

I asked him if there was anything he wanted that I could get him.

“You know,” he said, pausing with a half-smile shadowed by a dark mustache and beard, “I’ve always liked McDoanld’s.”

What would you have done in that situation?

I think you can guess what I did — a bit reluctantly at first but ultimately with joy, because it is in giving that we receive.

The Rapides Parish Police Jury announced the appropriation and allocation of state funding for multiple road improvement projects across the parish through Act 461 of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session and Act 776 of the 2024 Regular Legislative Session. The projects are funded by the State of Louisiana, with additional matching funds in select areas.

Police Jury officials expressed appreciation to Governor Jeff Landry and the Rapides Parish Legislative Delegation for their continued support of infrastructure improvements throughout Rapides Parish.

Funding approved under Act 461 of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session will support miscellaneous road repairs in the following areas:
Police Jury District C
Elmus Paul Road – $650,000
Paul Road – $200,000
Barron Chapel Road – $900,000
Kastanek Road – $210,000
Hooper Road – $600,000
Police Jury District A
Hickory Hill Road – $726,000
Oaklane Road – $451,000
Hines Road – $330,000
Police Jury District B
Baywood Drive – $85,540
Palmer Chapel Road – $140,000
Williams Lake Road – $245,000
Police Jury District H
Fish Hatchery Road – $1,600,000

In addition, the Police Jury announced funding for repairs to Philadelphia Road through the State of Louisiana Capital Outlay Program administered by the Division of Administration, Facility Planning and Control. The project is funded under Act 776 of the 2024 Regular Legislative Session, along with matching funds from Road District 2B-1 property tax collections.

The funding breakdown for Philadelphia Road includes:
Capital Outlay Act 776 (2024 RLS) – $3,450,000
Road District 2B-1 matching funds – $1,150,000
Additional Road District 2B-1 contribution – $500,000

Police Jury officials stated the funding will address much-needed repairs to parish roadways and improve transportation infrastructure for residents. Appreciation was again extended to the Rapides Parish Legislative Delegation and Governor Jeff Landry for their continued dedication to Rapides Parish.

The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal (SFM) has launched a renewed effort to support fire safety across the state by distributing more than 10,000 smoke alarms to fire departments. The initiative is part of Operation Save-A-Life, a program in which fire service partners install smoke alarms in homes at no cost to residents.

This program comes in response to alarming statistics: so far in 2025, 83 people have died in 64 residential fires in Louisiana, and only two of those homes had working smoke alarms. Last year, 73 people lost their lives in house fires statewide.

Residents in need of a smoke alarm are encouraged to contact their local fire department to request a free smoke alarm and installation through Operation Save-A-Life.

Fire Marshal Bill (Billy Frietch) personally delivered the smoke alarms to participating departments, emphasizing the critical role of smoke alarms in saving lives and encouraging communities to work together to protect families and neighbors.

The City of Pineville is inviting local artists to design the official 2026 Mardi Gras Poster with a special theme celebrating the city’s Community Heart (pictured above). Artists are encouraged to creatively incorporate both sides of the heart:
Side A: The iconic “Pineville” typography and decorative flourishes.
Side B: A detailed map of historic Downtown Pineville.

Artists can integrate the map into a parade route, frame the “Pineville” script with traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold, or interpret the elements in their own unique style.

The winning artist will receive a $250 cash prize and the honor of having their work represent the City of Pineville throughout the Mardi Gras season.

Submission Details:
Theme: Must incorporate the Pineville Community Heart (reference photos provided).
Format: Initial submissions should be a clear, high-quality sketch or digital draft.
Who Can Enter: Open to all local artists, students, and residents.
Deadline: January 15, 2026.

Digital Submissions: Email a photo or file of your sketch to mayor@pineville.net.

Physical Submissions: Hand-drawn sketches may be dropped off at Pineville City Hall during regular business hours.

Artists are encouraged to celebrate Pineville’s landmarks and community spirit while creating a vibrant Mardi Gras masterpiece.

As families across Louisiana prepare to celebrate the Christmas and New Year holidays, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is urging motorists to make safe decisions behind the wheel during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

December is consistently one of Louisiana’s higher months for traffic fatalities, driven by a combination of increased travel, holiday events, and risky behaviors such as impaired driving, speeding, and failure to wear seat belts.

“Holiday celebrations should never end in tragedy,” said DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet. “I encourage every driver to slow down, buckle up, and never drive impaired. By making smart choices and looking out for one another, we can all arrive safely and enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season.”

DOTD Offers the Following Safety Reminders:

Never drive impaired. Alcohol, drugs, and prescription medications can affect driving ability.
Buckle up—every seat, every trip. Seat belts remain one of the most effective ways to prevent death in a crash.
Slow down. Speeding reduces reaction time and increases crash severity.
Eliminate distractions. Put phones away and keep full attention on the road.
Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver or arrange alternative transportation if celebrating.
DOTD encourages all motorists to take extra precautions during the Christmas and New Year holidays, especially with extended travel periods expected this year due to the holiday falling closer to the weekend.

“Let’s make safety part of every holiday plan,” Secretary Ledet added. “From my family to yours, I wish all Louisianans a Merry Christmas and a safe, Happy New Year.”

For more information on highway safety initiatives, visit dotd.la.gov or destinationzerodeaths.com.

Sending text messages has become an integral part of life for most of us.  It has become such a common activity that we instinctively reach for our phones and begin tapping out a message rather than placing a voice call.  The most common text messages today are, “I love you,” “when will you be home,” and “where are you,” respectively.  The birth of our modern text messaging system can be traced back to December 3, 1992.

In 1992, 22-year-old Neil Papworth was working as a software engineer for the now-defunct Anglo-French information technology company Sema Group Telecoms.  For about a year and a half, Neil was part of a team that was searching for a way to transmit short text messages for Vodafone, a British telecommunications company.  At the time, the only function cell phones could perform consisted of making and receiving telephone calls.  Telecommunication companies knew that cell phones had the potential to do more, and they knew adding functions would lead to huge profits.  Vodafone wanted to add a pager feature (remember pagers?) into cell phones.  Neil and his team spent months testing and troubleshooting the one-way messaging system.  The main problem was that they had to create a text messaging system that would interact flawlessly with any cell phone on the market.    

Vodafone had invested a lot of money in the system and wanted to show the world that it worked.  On December 3, 1992, Neil sat in his office in Newbury, England, hoping that the text messaging system he and his team created would function as expected.  After checking and rechecking the team’s programming, Neil typed in the cell number of Richard Jarvis, the director of Vodafone, who was hosting a Christmas party on the other side of town at the time.  He typed in a short message and, as he later explained, had two thoughts: “God, I hope this works,” and “what am I going to have for dinner?”  Neil explained, “for me, it was just another day at work.”  This was far from a random test; Vodafone had planned to reveal their technology to the world at this party if it worked.  Vodafone had numerous members of the press present to be sure the word got out.  The company had planned every detail of the reveal except for what the text message would say.  Without much thought, Neil typed a two-word message and sent it.  Because it was a one-way text messaging system and Richard could not send a reply, Neil had to call Richard to ensure that the test was successful.  Neil said, “there was a lot of relief when it worked.”  By the end of 2000, cell phone users sent an average of 35 text messages per month.  Today, users send an average of 52 text messages per day.  Neil had no idea that text messaging would make such an impact on our daily lives.  

Neil Papworth, the 22-year-old software engineer who helped change the way the world sends and receives information, who is credited with sending the first commercial text message, did not own a cell phone.  He bought his first cell phone three or four years later.  Although it’s been said many times, many ways, I want to share the same message with you that Neil sent the director of Vodafone.  The first commercial text message in history consisted of just two words, “Merry Christmas.”

Sources:

1.     The Daily Nonpareil (Council Bluffs, Iowa), June 30, 2006, p.57. 

2.     Ivan Blagojevic, “23+ Texting Statistics on Modern Messaging Habits,” 99firms, August 11, 2025, https://99firms.com/research/texting-statistics/#gref.

3.     “The History of SMS – Neil Papworth w/ Bonin Bough | Messaging Summit 2019,” Bonin Bough, YouTube.com, July 9, 2019, https://youtu.be/odvj7CDGHys?si=cApKpHu6tnQyuTd9.

4.     “Meet the Legend Behind the first ‘Merry Christmas’ SMS,” MoreThan160, YouTube.com, December 4, 2023, https://youtu.be/1EQffh6-Y2Y?si=DpndYabbyoLNtHhl.

Graveside services for Mr. Cecil Ray Renfrow will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Greenwood Memorial Park, Pineville, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Pineville.

Mr. Renfrow, 75, of Pineville, entered eternal rest on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Oak Haven Community Care Center, Center Point, LA.

He adored cats, especially his beloved, “Baby Girl.” He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Willie Lee Renfrow; and one brother, Gene Renfrow.

Those left to mourn his loss and cherish his memory include one niece, Trish Sikorski (Bill) of Pineville; one great nephew, Sean Sikorski; and one great niece, Kayli Sikorski (Brock).

A time of visitation will be held at Rush Funeral Home, Pineville, on Friday, December 26, 2025, from 12:00 noon until time of service.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are: Jay Clarius, Sean Sikorski, Brock Allen, Lewis Tuma, Robert Lemoine, and Preston Lake. Honorary pallbearers will be David Paulk and Phillip Ducote.

Mrs. Katherine King Holmes, age 84 of Winnfield, Louisiana, entered eternal rest on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Autumn Leaves Nursing Home in Winnfield, Louisiana.

Visitation for Katherine will be on Monday, December 22, 2025, from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Bethel Church of Christ in Calvin, Louisiana. Services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at the church with Pastor Author Robinson officiating. There will be additional visitation held prior to funeral services beginning at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Bolton Teagle Cemetery in Winnfield, Louisiana.

Katherine is preceded in death by her husband, Bill Holmes; sons, Jeffery Bruce Holmes and Charles Phillip Holmes; parents, Johnnie W. and Alma Eloise Thompson King; and sisters, LaJaun Austin and Peggy King.

Those left to celebrate and cherish her memories are her children, William Steven Holmes (Denise), John Perry Holmes (Phyllis), and Edward Vincent Holmes; daughter, Kathy Yvonne Terrell; daughter-in-law, Tammy Holmes; grandchildren, Kristy, Trina, Seth, Heather, Derrick, Sara, Jordan, Chip, and Hunter; fourteen great grandchildren; and six great great grandchildren.

Katherine was born March 8, 1941, in Winnsboro, Louisiana to Johnnie and Alma King. She was one of three daughters. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend and will be missed by all that knew and loved her.

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Steve Holmes, Perry Holmes, Seth Holmes, Derrick Holmes, Jeremy Davis, and Elijah Holmes.