Obituaries

Betty Dees, of Florien, Louisiana, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the Many Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center. She died at the age of 96. Betty was born on September 14, 1926 to her parents Amos and Ruth McLanahan. She also had two brothers, Milton and Ralph McLanahan. Betty attended Florien High School and furthered her education at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. During college, she met her sweetheart, W. L. Dees, Jr., and they were married on June 4, 1948. Betty and her husband resided in Florien and were married for 55 years. Her time in Florien was spent teaching, which she did for 33 years. She was known for loving her students and pushing them to greater heights. Betty had three children, Phil Dees, Vic Dees, and Sara Dees Goss as well as many beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Martin Garcie, Jr., 94, of Zwolle, LA, will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Warren Meadows Funeral Home, Zwolle, LA with Rev. Benny Crittenden officiating. Burial will follow in the Zwolle City Cemetery. Visitation will begin on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 4:00 PM at Warren Meadows Funeral Home, Zwolle LA.

Martin Garcie, Jr. was born on Tuesday, July 17, 1928 in Matson, MS. He passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Toledo Nursing Center in Zwolle, LA.

Mr. Garcie was a truck driver for numerous years. He was very faithful to the Church until his health wouldn’t permit any longer. He was a very loving and caring person to those who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin Garcie, Sr. and Lucy (Meshell) Garcie; first wife, Josephine Garcie; second wife, Arcell Garcie; two sisters, Trudy Parrie and Elvie Parrie and one brother, Wilson Garcie.

Funeral services for Dale Gordon Britt, Sr., 87, of Bossier City, LA, will be held on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Cyle Clayton and Rev. Tommy Patton officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethsadia Cemetery. Visitation will begin on Friday, December 30, 2022, at 5:00 PM at Warren Meadows Funeral Home, Many, LA.

Dale Gordon Britt, Sr. was born on Thursday, February 7, 1935 in Many, LA. He passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Old Brownlee Community Care Center in Bossier City, LA.

Dale served his country as a US Marine during the Korean Conflict. He was a retired state police sergeant and a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Festervand Britt; parents, Andrew Jackson Britt and Anna Belle (Mc-Cormic) Britt; brother, A. J. Britt, Jr, and sisters, Vivian Bea Heard and Dorothy Palmer.

JoAnn Youngblood, 80 of Many, Louisiana went to be with the Lord on December 23, 2022 at Many Healthcare in Many, Louisiana. A visitation will be held for her on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel, 9891 Texas Highway, Many, Louisiana 71449 from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Her funeral will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 30, 2022 at Aimwell Baptist Church, 1892 Highway 1215, Zwolle, LA 71486, with Bro. Buster Jordan and Bro. Ronnie Sandifer officiating. Interment will follow in the Aimwell Church Cemetery in Zwolle, Louisiana.

She was born to Dennis W. Armstrong and Ollie Belle (Gass) Armstrong on November 23, 1942 in Zwolle, Louisiana. Jo Ann was a homemaker who devoted her life to taking care of her family and making sure to put their needs first.

A graveside service for Howard Stewart will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, in Self Cemetery in Hornbeck with Reverend Joey Remedies officiating under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Pallbearers will be Johnny McGraw, Ryan Alford, Wayne Burns, Bogie Mitchell, Edward Lee Rubar, and James Semon. Honorary pallbearers will be Doug Hale, Mike Carpenter, Floyd Parker, and Reed Alford.

A visitation will be held at Jeane’s Funeral Service on Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Graveside services for Daniel Wayne Leone, 70, of Keithville, LA, will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Zwolle City Cemetery. Visitation will begin on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 5:00 PM at Warren Meadows Funeral Home, Zwolle LA.

Daniel Wayne Leone was born on Monday, October 6, 1952 in Converse, LA. He passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2022 in Shreveport, LA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Simon Leone and Elvie (Parrie) Leone; wife, Maxine Leone; granddaughter, Kelsi Dall; daughter, Leslie Leone and his brothers, Tom Leone and Tony Leone.

William Anderson, Jr., also known as “Bob” or “Dad”, 79, of Zwolle, Louisiana, gained his angel wings Saturday morning on December 17, 2022. After a long hard battle with cancer, Robert passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his children. Robert was born on January 23, 1943 to William Robert Anderson, Sr. and Grace Doris (Jarvis) Anderson in Shreveport, Louisiana.

A celebration of life with close friends and family will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at his residence- 752 Hess Road, Zwolle, LA 71486. All family and friends are invited and welcome to attend to say a final goodbye to William and to pay their respects to his family and loved ones.

Thomas Andrew Groce, III, age 60, of Converse, Louisiana, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 11, 2022. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and follower of Christ. Thomas, known to his family and friends as Trey, was born on October 27, 1962 in Shreveport, Louisiana to the late Loretta Rabon Groce of Converse, Louisiana and the late Thomas Andrew Groce, II of Newberry, South Carolina. Trey grew up in Converse with his two brothers, Phillip and Joseph. Trey graduated from Converse High School in 1981. Trey was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed being outdoors.

Trey lived with epilepsy most of his life but his spirit was never daunted. His devotion to family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.

Kenneth Doyle Strickland, age 84, passed away December 10, 2022, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, surrounded by his loving family. Kenneth was born February 21, 1938, to Richard Cleveland Strickland and Hazel (Clark) Strickland. He is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Michael and Richard “Andy” Strickland.

Kenneth enlisted in the Army National Guard for two years and then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. On May 29, 1959, he married the love of his life, Audrey Jean Beckwith. They then welcomed their first son, Mark D. Strickland. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and retired after 22 years of service. During that time Kenneth and Audrey welcomed their other children, Karen L., Douglas J., William D., and Jennifer J. Strickland After retirement he traveled full time in a RV until 2007.

Graveside services for Ross Gordon Williams, 79, of Many, LA will be held on Friday, December 16, 2022 2:00 PM at Florien Cemetery. Services will be officiated by Wayne Chance, Brian Copeland and Bill Williams.

Ross Gordon Williams was born on the Ides of March, March 15, 1943 to Gordon and Eddie Mae Williams (Cook) at Highland Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. He entered eternal rest peacefully at his home on December 12, 2022.

Ross was a native of Florien, LA where his parents owned a general store. Ross enjoyed sharing stories of delivering goods to the people of Florien. He graduated from Florien High School in 1961 where he played Center for the Florien Black Cats basketball team. He would later graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Northwestern State University in 1966.

He married Ann Coleman, the love of his life, on January 17, 1964. This January they would have celebrated 59 years of marriage.