‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there any more pain; for the former things are passed away.’ Revelations 21:4
John D. Self, a resident of Ollie Steele Burden Manor in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away July 19, 2007 at 7:25 pm. His funeral will be held at North Hardin Baptist Church on Monday, July 23 at 2:00 pm with visitation at Farmer Funeral Home on Sunday evening, July 22, beginning at 5:00 pm. He will be buried at Franks Branch Cemetery in Fred immediately following the service. Reverend Neal Riley, church pastor, will be conducting the services.
John was born on August 29, 1912, at Florene, Louisiana to Rev. Samuel Coleman Self and Fannie Lou Prater Self. He lived most of his life in southeast Texas in the towns of West Orange, Vidor, Silsbee and Fred.
Mr. Self worked for the Texas Highway Department for 32 years. When he retired in 1969, he became a full-time farmer, as he had always wanted. He was well-known for the abundance of his crops, especially his corn and peas. He also operated a gristmill for many years at his home.
A Christian man, John served the Lord faithfully for 80 years as a deacon, Bible teacher and leader of several church related organizations and ministries. He was a member of North Hardin Baptist Church of Silsbee at the time of his death.
Survivors include his wife, Helen Hawkins Baber Self of Silsbee; a daughter, Johnnie Bess Self Cothern and son-in-law Floyd Ray Cothern of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a sister, Josie Mae Weldon of Shreveport, Louisiana. Other survivors include daughters-in-law, Judy Self and Emma Self of Silsbee; nieces Ann Odell and her husband Albert; and Dody Breaux, all of Beaumont, Texas. Surviving grandchildren are Donald Ray Cothern and Nancy McFarland and husband David of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Bessie Self Bonneau and husband Jean Luc of St. Luc, Canada and Cheryl Owens and husband Kevin, John Self and wife Ying, Rebekah Simental and fiance’ Michael Romans, Paul Self, Coleman Self, Robert Simental and Joyce Self, all of Silsbee. Surviving great grandchildren are Kris Smith, Kurtis Smith, Lacie Owens, Harlan Self, Joshua Shavers, Zachary Simental, Tristan Simental, Jerry Self II, Philip Self, Crystal Simental Welborn, Cory Simental and Anthony Simental, all of Silsbee, Texas.
John was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Franklin Coleman Self and Jerry Dale Self; wives Bessie Mae Scarborough and Ruby Rose Daily and sisters, Midge Nelson, Mary McKinny, Opal McKinny and Janice Self.
In the sweet by and by, Daddy, we shall meet on the beautiful shore.
