Obituaries

Linda Champion, 73, of Zwolle, Louisiana entered into eternal rest on May 14, 2022 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Linda was born on October 29, 1948 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Mertie Mae Ebarb McKinnon.

Preceding Linda is her mother, Mertie Rosado; her husband, Jerry Champion; and her son, Slade Champion. She is survived by her stepfather, James Rosado of Oklahoma; her grandchildren, Haylee Sowell and husband Brent of Bossier City; Victoria Root and husband Zachary of Pineland, Texas; and her great-grandchildren, Slade Sowell, Annie Sowell, and Lexi Root.

Linda’s interests included gardening and working with her flowers, playing bingo, and spending time with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family, and friends.

The family is honoring Ms. Linda’s wishes for her to have a private direct burial. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 307 Hammond Street, Zwolle, Louisiana 71486.

Funeral services for Billie Hammond, 94, of Florien, LA, will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Matt Warren and Rev. Wayne Chance officiating. Burial will follow in the Florien Cemetery. Visitation will begin on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at 9:00 AM at Warren Meadows Funeral Home, Many, LA.

Billie Doris Corley Hammond was born on Monday, November 14, 1927 in Florien, LA. She passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2022 at Sabine Retirement & Rehabilitation Center in Many, LA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William Thomas Horton and Nancy Exa (Randolph) Horton; first husband, Willie J. (Bill) Corley, Sr.; son, Dr. Jack Corley, Jr.; son-in-law, Johnny Stephens; grandson, Brett Gardner; granddaughter, Patti Stephens; and six sisters.

She is survived by her husband, Jimmie S. Hammond; daughters, Veda Gay Corley and Christy Kay Stephens; step-daughter, Stephanie Hammond Barineau; sister,

Rosalie departed this life on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at the age of 93. She was born December 10, 1928 to John Griffith and O’Reallye Burch Griffith in Orange, Texas.

Rosalie was preceded in death by her husband, Harold M. Alford, her parents, her sister, Thelma Jinks, and two brothers, John Henry Griffith and Walter Hark (Billy Boy) Griffith.

Left to cherish her life are two daughters, Linda G. Carmichael and husband Bob of St. Augustine Beach FL and Kay Anthony and husband Darryl of Florien LA. Three grandchildren, Taiji Carmichael (Steve), Clintt Corley (Tara), and Caroll Corley (Stefanie). Eight great grandchildren, Callee Corley, Garret McGann, McKenzie Welch, Kristian Welch, Arianna Holloway, Preston Holloway, Cannon Corley, and Sailor Corley. Also, two very special friends, Linda Wilbanks and Dale Terrell.

On May 7, 2022, an angel gained her wings. Saylor Gatti, age 11, of Zwolle, Louisiana entered into her Heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary to begin at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Many Chapel. Funeral services honoring the life of Saylor will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 13, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zwolle, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Fr. Keith Garvin. Interment will be held at St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery in Noble, Louisiana.

Saylor was born on October 4, 2010, in Natchitoches, Louisiana to Richard Thomas Gatti and Amanda Lynnette Ebarb Gatti.

Mavis Stephens of Belmont, Louisiana went home to be with the Lord at the age of 87. She was born February 22, 1935 in Belmont, Louisiana to Carl and Velma Skinner.

She graduated from Belmont High School where she was an all-state basketball player, a sport she loved and excelled in. After graduation she attended Norton Business School in Shreveport, Louisiana and spent her working years as a legal secretary. She married the love of her life, Edgar Lavon Stephens on July 7, 1956 and they were married for 50 years until the time of his death. Her major role in life began when she became a mother to her twins Karl and Kandace.

She was an active member of Pinecroft Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana for many years. After moving back home to Belmont, Louisiana she continued to be an active, devoted member of Belmont Baptist Church where she grew up.

Funeral services for Benjamin W. DuBose, 77, of Florien, LA, will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Union Baptist Church, Florien, LA. with Rev. John Thompson and Rev. Rusty Silvertooth officiating. Burial will follow in the Union Baptist Cemetery. Visitation will begin on Monday, May 2, 2022, at 6:00 PM at Union Baptist Church, Florien, LA.

Benjamin W. DuBose was born on Monday, July 24, 1944 in Florien, LA. He passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Sabine Retirement & Rehabilitation Center in Many, LA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J.O. and Reba (Ware) DuBose; brothers, Jennings DuBose, Bryan DuBose, Bill DuBose, Dave DuBose and J.O. DuBose, Jr.; sisters, Claudia Harper, Martha Byrd, Emma Jean Ballard and Mary Sue Chreene.

William Stewart of Many passed away April 25, 2022, at Sabine Medical Center. Buddy loved fishing, reading, and music. Born August 6, 1945, to Marion and Udell (Oliver) Stewart in Houlka, Mississippi, he moved to Provencal/Many area as a small child with his mother and siblings following the death of his father. Buddy went on to serve his country in Vietnam before living in Natchitoches and finally settling in Toledo Bend. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Ella Faye and Della Ray Pullam, his brother Bobby Lee Crowley, nephews John Crowley and Robert Manasco, and his great-nephew Dalton McQuillin.

Buddy is survived by his sons Stacy Stewart and his wife Crystal of Natchitoches, Scott Stewart and his wife Qiqi of Shanghai, China, granddaughters Haley, Emma, and Lindsey Stewart of Natchitoches, grandson Jason Stewart of Shanghai, special nephew James Crowley of Marthaville, friend Tom Young of Many, La., and his beloved fur companion, Blanca.

A graveside service for Philip Wayne Hoosier will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 9, 2022, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, 2038 W. 4th St. Pleasant Hill LA under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Pallbearers will be Cody Benoit, Caiden Benoit, Donald Armentor, Robby Hebert, Tommy Bult, and Waylon LaRoux. Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Benoit, John Bult, and Grayson Skaggs.

Barbara Thomason, 86, of Moss Bluff, passed away on Friday, April 29, 2022 at Cornerstone Specialty Hospital in Lake Charles. She was born on October 27, 1935 in Liberty, MS. Barbara worked for BellSouth/AT&T as a dispatcher and retired after nearly 40 years of service. She enjoyed cooking, feeding her birds, watching basketball, and most of all, she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They were all her favorite in her eyes.

She is survived by her sons, Roger Thomason (Dorothy) of Ragley, LA, Perry Thomason (Karen) of Sulphur, LA, Kerry Thomason (Gwen) of Westlake, LA, and Raymond Thomason (Pam) of Florien, LA; one brother, Ed Hughes of Baker, LA; fourteen grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; and one on the way. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Eugene Hughes and Aubrey Hughes; two sisters, Francis Frazier and Claire McLendon.

Johnnie Maxie of Fisher, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 3:30pm.