Funeral services for Monk Phom Thongdivong, 96, of Baldwin will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 22 at the Wat Lao Buddharam Khambouneheuang Temple in Baldwin with monks from Wat Lao Buddharam Khambouneheuang and leaders of the Lao Families Association of Habersham County officiating.

Mr. Thongdivong died Saturday, November 24, 2012.

Born on May 3, 1916, in Laos. He was a monk for all of his adult life and was the first head of monks to serve in the United States.

Survivors include his godchildren, Vichai Sarivong, Somboun Pharaphanh, Bounmy Vongphakdy, Monk Khamtanh Chandavong and Lucky Khambounehuang.

The body will lie in state at the temple on Friday, December 21, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour on Saturday.

For online condolences, go to www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.

Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.

The Northeast Georgian

December 19, 2012