MYERS COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME

“For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand. 

I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith;

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord,

the righteous judge, shall give at that day.”         II Timothy 4:6-8

    Elder James Piper, Jr. was born on October 9, 1941 to the late Deacon James Piper, Sr. and Mrs. Carrie Worthen Piper in DeRidder, Louisiana.  He departed this life on March 22, 2011.  Elder Piper was the seventh of twelve children; two sisters and nine brothers. 

            On October 14, 1966, James Piper, Jr. and Isadora Mayes united in Holy Matrimony and through this union they were the parents of three sons; James Spencer Piper, Zachery Glenn Piper, and John Marcus Piper.  They were also legal guardians of Tiffaney Janette Piper (niece) and Brian Darnell Piper (nephew).

            Elder Piper graduated from George Washington Carver High School in DeRidder, Louisiana and attended Grambling College and McNeese State University.  He worked as a salesman for Manitlas Furniture Store and Foremost Dairies.  He also worked as an insurance agent and a Forestry Genetics Technician.  Other work experience includes a truck driver for 27 years, a bus driver for the Beauregard Parish School Board, a developmentalist for the state of Louisiana for 6 years, and an Administrative Specialist and Auxiliary Policeman for the U.S. Air Force.  He served as a member of the Long-Range Planning Committee for the Beauregard Parish School Board, and was a member of the Beauregard Association of Support Employees.  Elder Piper had additional training in the Literacy Tutoring Program as a substitute teacher, a Certified Medical Technician, a Boy Scout Leader, a coach for Little League Baseball, an electrician, a mechanic, and a carpenter.  He also organized a Community Boys Club.

            Elder James Piper, Jr. was baptized at the age of 7 in 1948 by the late Superintendent C. B. Norris.  He was very active in the Church of God in Christ.  He was the Junior Sunday School Superintendent, a musician and trainer for the Sunday School Choir, a Junior Deacon and Usher at Zion Hill Church of God in Christ and a guitar player for 11 years.  As his life continued, he continued to work in the church arena.  He was very instrumental at St. Mary as the van driver, the first musician, an ordained Deacon, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, an Usher, and a teacher for the Men’s Sunday School Class.  He joined the Gospel Ever Readies in 1971 under the leadership of Deacon Fred Williams.  In 1976, he was saved and called to preach the Gospel (but had not confessed to the calling).  In August 1984, Elder Piper was ordained by Bishop Roy L. H. Winbush.  He later organized and pastored the Trueway New Testament Church of God in Christ in Florien, Louisiana for 3½ years.  He then worked and reorganized the St. Mary Church of God in Christ Church and was appointed Assistant Pastor in 1985.  On September 29, 1996, Elder Piper was appointed Pastor of Saint Mary.  On the district level, Elder Piper served as Chairman of the District, Choir President, and Evangelist President.  God gave him a vision and that vision has been fulfilled as we worship in our new facility; Salvation Center, Saint Mary Church of God in Christ which was dedicated on November 15, 2009.

            He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, First Lady Isadora Piper and five children:  James Spencer Piper, Zachery Glenn Piper (Shelia), John Marcus Piper all of Houston, Texas; Tiffaney Janette Piper of Leesville, Louisiana; and Brain Darnell Piper of Virginia; one brother, Rufus Piper of DeRidder, Louisiana, and one sister, Jimmy Ann McCarter (Edward) of Alexandria, Louisiana; eleven grandchildren, fifteen God children and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and precious friends.

Visitation will  begin at 6:00 P.M. on Friday, April 1, 2011 at Salvation Center St. Mary Church of God in Christ in DeRidder, Louisiana. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Salvation Center St. Mary Church of God in Christ in DeRidder at 11:00 A.M. with Bishop Alton Gatlin officiating. Interment will follow at Community Cemetery in DeRidder.

After a full and wonderful life, George went to be with the Lord on March 13, 2011. Born near Fortson, Louisiana on March 18, 1918, he spent his early years in Natchitoches before moving to Shreveport. The fifth of eight children, he was the son of Joseph Willis Clanton and Margaret (Maggie) Anna Fluker of Coffeyville, Alabama.

George attended Fair Park High School and following the loss of both his Mother and Father by age 18, went to live with his brother, Joseph. Mentored by Joseph, he began a career in the construction industry, highlighted by 38 years with Fluor Corporation that included assignments throughout the US and abroad.

In early 1940, George met the love of his life, Eva Lea Cryer of Vernon Parish. They were married in Rosepine on April 6, 1940. He was drafted into the Army in mid-1944 and was assigned to the 5^th Army, 85^th Infantry Division, after basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida. The 85^th Division participated in the final offensive in northern Italy, culminating in the Po Valley Campaign. Following V-E Day in May, 1945, George was assigned to the 345^th Engineer’s Battalion in Livorno for another year prior to coming home.

After retiring in 1980, George and Eva Lea settled in Rosepine and enjoyed 16 more wonderful years together before her death in 1996. During this time, they were members of Rosepine First Baptist Church, where he was ordained and served as a deacon.

In 1999, at age 81, George married the second love of his life, Ruth Arlene Baham Moreau, on March 27 and moved to De Ridder where they were able to complete almost 12 happy and fulfilling years together. George and Ruth moved their memberships to the First Baptist Church of De Ridder, where he again served as a deacon.

Other activities and memberships of note include Gideon’s International, member and past Master of Masonic Lodge 290 in Rosepine and member of the Joy Singers at First Baptist in De Ridder.

George is survived by one son, Jerry Stephen and wife Judy of Katy, Texas, sisters Dorothy Helen Morris of San Antonio, and Ruth Claire Jean of Shreveport, and a brother John Ray of Pattonville, Texas. In addition, he has three step-children, Bridget Denise Player of Charleston, South Carolina, Keaven James Moreau of Huntsville, Alabama and Garth Ovead Moreau of St James City, Florida. George’s grandchildren include Stephen Hardy Clanton of Parker, Colorado, Robert Lee Clanton of Humble, Texas, Jeri Lynn Phillips of San Diego, California and Joseph William Clanton of Katy, Texas. Step-grandchildren include Alexander Michael and Katherine Jamie Player of Charleston, Makenzie Blaine and Madison Tyler Moreau of Huntsville and Lily Kate and Anna Grace of St. James City. Great grandchildren are Jace Ryan and Anjolie Shea Lynn Clanton of Littleton, Colorado, Brody James Clanton of Katy, Texas and Bryson Lee Clanton of Humble. Texas.

We’re going to miss him but we can take comfort in the fact that there’s a welcoming celebration going on in Heaven. He was a wonderful example and an inspiration to all of us. George was truly a man of faith, conviction, love, compassion and joy who subscribed to the values of honesty, integrity, loyalty and hard work. His philosophy was simple – always do the right thing.

Family is invited to the viewing at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in De Ridder on Wednesday, March 16 from 4 to 5 pm, with public viewing to follow until 9 pm. Services will be held at First Baptist Church of De Ridder at 11 am March 17^th followed by burial at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery near Spring Ridge, Louisiana. Graveside service will begin at 3:30pm.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Gideon’s International or the Building Fund at First Baptist Church, De Ridder.    

He is preceded in death by his father: Bobby Fred Lewis
 and his grandparents: Mr. & Mrs. Fred Lewis and Mrs. Ruth Sides.

He is survived by his parents: Dr. Richard & Lani Liggett of San Antonio, TX; uncles: Charles & Tressa Lewis of DeRidder, LA and Arless & Rowena Lewis of DeRidder, LA; aunts: Rev. Tommy & Linda Magee of DeRidder, LA and Ms. Wanda Nell Lewis of DeRidder, LA; cousins: Charlie & Mandy Lewis & daughters Charley & Amelia; Jeremy Lewis; Christi & Aaron Grant & daughter Melanie; Robby Lewis and Richie & Amie Lewis & daughter Abigail.