A Call Home

We thank God and celebrate the victorious lives of the children and chosen ones of God; our brother, sister and daughters...Professor Elijah Oladuni Kehinde, Dr. Olufunmilola Olugbemigba Ajibona Kehinde, Rachel Mojoyinoluwa Kehinde, and Grace Omolayo Kehinde.
We celebrate the lives of a loving and exceptional husband and father, of a faithful wife and loving mother and of the most wonderful daughters one could ever have.
We celebrate lives full of faith and Godliness. They loved God passionately and their lives brought glory to the Father.
We celebrate lives full of purpose, love, laughter, joy and accomplishments.
We celebrate lives of excellence in all things, a life full of testimonies and unquestionable Blessings of God.
We celebrate lives that used their God given talents to produce more than hundred folds - Hallelujah!
We celebrate lives that gave more than they took.
We celebrate lives, though short BUT IMPACTFUL...
WE LOVE YOU ALL SO DEEPLY BUT GOD LOVES YOU MORE.

Mahmoud Eid

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعون

"Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return"


The extremely respected, beloved and talented Dr. Mahmoud Eid suddenly passed away on the night of Tuesday, February 14th, 2017, in Ottawa, Canada.

Dr. Eid was an Associate Professor in the department of Communication at the University of Ottawa. His scholarly expertise lies in both qualitative and quantitative methods as it pertains to the effects of mass media and social development. He has taught courses in international communication, media ethics, communication research methods, terrorism, crisis management and conflict resolution, modernity, and the political economy of communication.

Through books, chapters, articles and conference papers, Dr. Eid has contributed extensively to research and publications on these topics as well others including the relationship between media, race, religion and terrorism; Middle Eastern politics and Islamic culture; and War and Peace studies, to name a few.

From Egypt to Ottawa, his scholarship encompassed cosmopolitan and global concerns. His was a scholarship dedicated to rectifying the maligned representations of Islam. In this work, both as a singular scholar and in collaboration with others, he sought to represent the humanism that is inherent to Islam and the nuances, self-reflection and intellectual commitment that infuse the ethos of Islam.

Dr. Eid’s work and relationships are testament to his deep compassion and conviction in the best of all the people he encountered and helped during his short life, and in the power of the intellect to resolve conflict. Several of his students remember Dr. Eid as being a convivial, passionate and caring instructor. His collaborators are continually reminded of his generosity of spirit and his dedication to humanity.

He leaves behind his wife and three children as well as friends and colleagues, all of whom remember him fondly as an exceptional Communications’ scholar and human being. His work will have a lasting impact on contemporary and future scholarship in the areas of Religion and Media, Peace Journalism, and Islamic studies. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Laura was born in Lockney, Texas January 30, 1976 but grew up in Waco, Texas. She was a loving, stay at home mother who enjoyed cooking, working at local smoke and gift shops. She enjoyed spending time with her niece and loved every moment with her children.

Proceeded in death by parents:
Jessye Ruth and Epifanio Navarro Arellano and two brother, George Deleon and Moses Marrujo

Survivors include:
7 brothers, Robert, Raul, Rowdy, Ronald and Epifanio Arellano Jr., Danny and Robert Flores. 2 sisters, Lisa Arellano and Lorraine Vargas.

Her 5 children; Joe Paul Torres, LaDamien, LaDajah, Novah and Anjelika Betters and 1 step-daughter Juanita Betters, several nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Still missing our Sammy.

Neil Ivan Parsons, 90 years young, passed away peacefully on June 14th, 2017 after complications from a stroke.

Neil was born on a dairy farm in the small community of Lowell, Iowa on June 11, 1927. He attended Iowa State University where he received a degree in Industrial Psychology.

In the winter of 1954 Neil met his perfect partner, Alice Louise Topping. They were married in June of 1955 and soon after, moved to Texas.

Neil was an active community member having served on various committees within the Spring Branch ISD and his neighborhood civic association.

Table tennis and bridge were two of his passions. He also loved to be outdoors tending to his plants and birds or visiting with neighbors.

Best known for his kind, jovial spirit, Neil loved being around people; especially family. He was preceded in death by his son, Russell Parsons. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Alice Parsons; Daughter, Julie Parsons; Grandchildren, Ava Pope, Emma Pope, William Parsons and Brandon Parsons and great grandson, Onyx Terran.

No services are planned, however, Neil’s ashes will be inurned at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038.

To honor his love of the great outdoors, charitable donations may be made to the The National Parks Foundation.
--
"Life is a gift for which I am grateful. I celebrate the glories and mysteries of this great gift."

Their Story / Eulogy

When I come to the end of the road
and the sun has set on me,
I want no rites in a gloom filled room,
why cry for a soul set free.
Miss me a little--but not too long,
and not with your head bowed low,
Remember the love that we once shared,
miss me--but let me go.
For this is a journey that we all must take,
and each must go alone.
It's all a part of the Master's plan,
a step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart,
go to the friends we know.
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,
miss me--but let me go.

Timothy Dale Sykes,55, of Collinsville il born May 4,1962 passed away at his home on June 1,2017. He is the son of the late George B. Sykes and Doris A. Sykes(Poise). He was married to Joetta Sykes(Wells) on September 14,1997.
He is survived by his loving wife Jodi and 2 brothers Phillip Sykes and George Sykes of Collinsville. 7 children, Brian Sykes, Todd Wells, Daryl Sykes and Mason Sykes all of Collinsville. 3 daughters Michelle Sykes and Sarah Sykes of Collinsville and Jennifer Winters of Decatur. He also had 20 grandchildren.

His true enjoyment was and always will be riding harleys.

Memorials may be made to the donors choice and condolences may be made directly to the family or through Herr Funeral Homes website.



A gathering of all Tim's friends and family will come at a later date to celebrate his life.