Obituaries

Mary Witherington, of Montgomery, Alabama, passed away on January 16, 2022, at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Terry Witherington. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Witherington Thomason, and husband David Thomason; grandchildren Kimberly Thomason and husband Jason Bond; Matthew Thomason and wife Jenny Thomason; great granddaughters Emmaline Bond, Anna Thomason and Sara Thomason; sister, Patricia Lewing Byles, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She led a wonderful life and dearly loved her family and friends, and was kind to everyone. Louise always tried to keep the commandment to love thy neighbor as thyself. And she never met a stranger.

She will be remembered for her love and kindness and her love of singing praises to the Lord.

Memorial services for Blake Allen Taylor, 39, of Many, Louisiana will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Fort Jessup. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM.

Blake Allen Taylor was born on Saturday, January 16, 1982 in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He passed away on Friday, January 14, 2022 in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Since his graduation at Many High School, he has been employed in the oilfield. With his energetic laugh and personality, he never met a stranger and was loved by many. Everyone that knew Blake knew that he loved his children. He would light up when he spoke of them with a smile that was contagious to the whole room.

He was preceded in death by his sister Brittainy “Sommer” Taylor of Many, Louisiana; maternal grandparents, WC and Doris Wright of Negreet, Louisiana and paternal grandparents Gaylon and Anice Taylor of Many, Louisiana.

Philip Bruce Salter, 61, of Many, Louisiana entered into eternal rest on January 18, 2022. Bruce was born on December 5, 1960, in Many, Louisiana to Philip Salter and Rita Wright.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2022, located at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Florien, Louisiana with Bro. Dennis Bignar officiating. Interment will be held in the church cemetery.

Bruce retired from Dolet Hills AEP Swepco as a Master Electrician. He was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Florien, Louisiana and a member of the Masonic Lodge. In his free time, Bruce enjoyed watching LSU football, fishing, and hunting.

A funeral service honoring the life of J.B. Richards, 79, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at Blue Ridge Methodist Church in Ajax, Louisiana. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Officiating the service will be Reverend David Hill.

J.B. was born to Elmer Ross Richards and Lula Pernissia Richards on March 19, 1942, in Center, Texas, and entered into eternal rest on January 16, 2022, in Converse, Louisiana.

J.B was a resident of Converse and worked many jobs throughout his life. For 37 years, he spent time working in the oilfield. He also worked construction for a period of time; and raised chickens for Conagra. J.B. then retired to the lake and worked for the state as a local trash compactor, up until the day he passed. He enjoyed working in the garden and helping his wife hunt or fish, visiting garage sales, and spending time with his family.

Roger Cryer, 60, was born on September 3, 1961, and entered into rest on December 10, 2021. Roger was born in Zwolle, graduated from Negreet High School and was a resident of Tomball, Texas for the last 15 years.

Roger worked in construction and plumbing and enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, karaoke and being around his friends and family.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Volney and Annie Mae Cryer; his nieces, Annie Cryer and Krystal Greer.

He is survived by his three children, Kaleb and wife, Nichole; Cassidy; and Falan and husband, Stephen; his grandchildren, Bailey; Kason; Addilee; Jaicee; and Abigail; his siblings, Beverly with husband Rodney; Karen with husband Buddy; Victor; Ricky with Lucy; Derrell with Karen; and Rhonda.

Thelma Rivers, 78, of Many, Louisiana entered into eternal rest on January 13, 2022, in Leesville.

Funeral services honoring Thelma will be held on Monday, January 17, 2022, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Bro. C.M. Kelly. Interment followed at Beulah Cemetery in Many.

Thelma was born on July 28, 1943, in Zwolle to Burl Smith and Carmen Lovelady Smith. Thelma enjoyed reading and listening to music, especially Elvis. She was a member of Beulah Baptist Church in Many.

Sherry Ebarb departed her loving earthly family on January 8, 2022.

Sherry Louise Golden was born in Belmont on March 17, 1946, to Jim L. Golden Sr and wife Truman Crain Golden.

Sherry married Lawrence F. Ebarb, and they had three children, Michael; Kevin; and Allen Ebarb. Sherry and Lawrence raised their children with love and devotion in Zwolle.

As a Certified Nursing Assistant, Sherry was known for the love and compassion she showed all residents. Sherry was proud of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and family. Sherry’s love for her family and music often came together on her sister, Lottie Ott’s front porch. Sherry spent many very happy Friday nights visiting and listening to the music she loved.

“…A Father’s legacy is not riches, possessions or worldly goods of any kind, it is the way he lived, the lives he touched, and the promises he kept. It is the kind of man he was.”

Amen.

John Bradas, age 86, passed away peacefully at home in Alexandria on January 12, 2022. Funeral services celebrating his extraordinary life were held on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at the Chapel of Hixson Brothers in Alexandria with Pastor Janis Anthony officiating. Burial followed in Alexandria Memorial Gardens, Woodworth.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Linda McKenzie Bradas; Janice Bradas; his beloved wife of 64 years, Juanita; sisters, “Snookie” Downing; and Linda Ann Shaw; and brother-in-law, Richard Shaw.

John graduated from Bolton High in 1953 and married his high school sweetheart, Juanita in 1955. Both played in the Bolton High Band and he continued his musical career with a dance band while attending La. Tech.

Funeral services for Glen Knippers, 69, of Many were held on Monday, January 17, 2022 at Friendship Church of the Nazarene with Rev. James Ericson and Rev. Daniel Lowe officiating. Burial followed in the Friendship Nazarene Cemetery.

Glen Knippers was born on Thursday, February 7, 1952 in Many. He passed away on Friday, January 14, 2022 in Natchitoches.

He was preceded in death by his father, Curtis Glen Knippers; daughter, Sara Knippers; son, Eric Knippers; wife, Rosella Knippers; paternal grandparents, Curtis and Thelma Knippers; maternal grandparents, Clarence and Virginia Patton.

A funeral service honoring the life of Mrs. Patricia Faye Richey Cooper, 75, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5th, 2022, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, Louisiana. Interment will follow at Pelican Cemetery in Pelican, Louisiana. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Officiating the service will be Reverend Jonathan McManus and Reverend Ricky Wead.

Patricia was born to Marion Abram Richey and Velmer Morse Richey on August 17th, 1946, in Pelican, Louisiana, and entered into eternal rest on January 2nd, 2022, in Mansfield, Louisiana.