Delvin Demoine Fountain-Guy, 25, was educated in the Madison Parish School District, a God-fearing family man and working at Cooper Lightning in a career as a welder.
Those were just some of the ways family and friends described Fountain-Guy during his funeral at Tallulah Elementary School on Sunday. Fountain-Guy was fatally shot at the Wyche Apartments on Oct. 24. The Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office, Tallulah Police Department and Louisiana State Police are still investigating the homicide.
Fountain-Guy’s life being cut short did not take away from the positive impact family and friends felt he had on their lives. He was born on Nov. 8, 1998, lived in Vicksburg, Miss., was the son of Denika Fountain and the late Melvin Guy and a member of The Israel of God church in Jackson, Miss.
After graduating from the Madison Parish School District, Fountain-Guy received his GED and many other certifications. Survivors include his mother, Denika Fountain; daughter, Ava Samone Fountain; fiancée, Ashley Pendleton and her children, J’Niya Williams and JD Tyler IV.
Several tributes were read in Guy-Fountain’s memory during the funeral.
One was from the Fountain, Guy and Cooper families and beloved in-laws. Another was from family members Candice, Mane, Delvin, Bubba Jr., Phat, Fallon and Farron. Another was from his fiancee, Ashley. Other tributes were from the high school classes of 2013, 2024 and 2027. Tallulah Mayor Charles Finlayson, the city council, citizens and Police Chief Buster McCoy had a resolution of condolences.
A tribute from Fountain-Guy’s mother, Denika, on the program for the funeral read, “Delvin, you were my protector. I should have held you longer, I should have held you tighter. When you were a baby, I rocked you to sleep and put you down because there was work to be done, but I should have held you longer, I should have held you tighter because I can’t hold you anymore.
“Then you were a toddler; you wanted to squirm and run, so I put you down because you wanted to go have fun; but I should have held you longer, I should have held you tighter because I can’t hold you anymore.
“You grew and became a little boy, and the times I could hold you became less and less but still so dear. I should have held you longer, I should have held you tighter because I can’t hold you anymore. “You grew to be a young man. I wanted to hold you near but you just wanted to run clear. But I should have held you longer, I should have held you tighter; I had no idea I wasn’t going to hold you anymore.
“Now I hold you longer, tighter in my heart for all eternity, wishing and wanting more...until I hold you again.”
Clergy and family did the processional “Let The Church Say Amen,” Brother Anthony O’Neal did the scripture reading and Lord’s prayer, The Israel of God choir did the selection “It Is a Journey,” Elder Mary L. Reed-King read words of consolation, Godfather De’meAnte’ Thompson Sr. and Godbrother De’meAnte’ Thompson Jr. also said some words, Louvenia Kyle did the special selection “Well Done,” Brother Ervin Bradley Jr., facilitated acknowledgments and condolences from family and friends present; “Amazing Grace” was the congregational hymn, Brother Patrick Chapman Sr. did the eulogy while Rarequo Hicks did some of the reading during the eulogy, Beckwith Golden Gate Funeral Home, which handled arrangements, did the parting view “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye,” and the recessional was “We’re Going Home to Jerusalem.
“Ms. Denika, you’re one of the sweetest students I ever had,” Reed-King said. “And when I mention that, you’re so darling and you’re so sweet and you do so many things for us. We love you.” Reed-King said she had not been sick in the past 50 years, but the loss of Fountain-Guy caused her to feel sick for two-to-three days. She prayed for God’s blessings on Fountain-Guy’s family. “The Lord is Good,” Reed-King sad.
“We see that our brother Delvin was one of God’s own. He did not die alone.”
Thompson Sr. and Thompson Jr. spoke together. “Normally, I have a lot of words,” Thompson Sr. said. “I’ve been struggling with this ever since. I’m bombarded with memories, I start crying every time I try to think of something to say.” Thompson Sr. said that stood out to him the most was Fountain-Guy was a God-fearing man. Thompson Jr. said there were times he was getting away from God, but Fountain-Guy made sure he came to church. “He was my little brother but he was like my big brother,” Thompson Jr. said. Several comments about Fountain-Guy’s faith came when guests had an opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings.
One individual speaking on behalf of Fountain-Guy’s church family said, “Brother Delvin was a shining light. He was like a son to me. Every time he gave me a hug, he would call me Ma and that meant so much to me. We will never forget him and we’re here for you guys and we’re here for you all and we’re praying for you all. And be strong.” Another individual talked about Fountain-Guy witnessing the homeless through an outreach ministry. It was said Fountain-Guy prayed and read the Bible with the homeless. Ervin discussed how active Fountain-Guy was in the church. Fountain-Guy was trying to make improvements in his life. “The more I would look at him, I saw not just a spiritual change, but a physical change,” Ervin said. “He was trying to leave that old life alone. “Wanted to move closer to the church so he could be more involved.”
Chapman Sr. said Fountain-Guy was baptized in the church. Just recently, Chapman Sr. said Fountain-Guy went with an outreaching evangelizing team to Pine Bluff, Ark.
“This is a time and an opportunity to comfort this family and one another showing the fruits of the spirit,” Chapman Sr. said. “I want to let the family know that I am honored to have this responsibility today to do the eulogy. Today, I am going to let the true and living word of God do the eulogy.”
