Obituaries

Funeral services for Evelyn Dees, 101, of Lafayette will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. James Tidwell officiating. Burial followed in the Many Cemetery.

Evelyn Dees was born on Sunday, May 16, 1920. She passed away on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at Maison de Lafayette in Lafayette.

She was preceded in death by her husband, J. E. (Buddy) Dees; and her parents, William Monroe Hildebrand and Sarah Emma (Stewart) Hildebrand. She was the youngest of seven siblings, Clarence R. Hildebrand; Noah Hildebrand; Oda Walters; Mittie Weldon; Leah McGaha; and Josephine Leach; who all preceded her in death.

Emma Ebarb of Noble was born on December 16, 1938 to Joe William Procell and Sylvia Rivers Procell in Shreveport. At the age of 82 her work on Earth was done and she entered into eternal rest on October 14, 2021 from cardiac arrest at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria.

A mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Ebarb. Father John Paul Crispin will preside over the mass. Burial followed in the St. Ann Catholic Cemetery.

Emma Jean was a devout Catholic. She was the loving mother of five children, four grandchildren, six great grandchildren, one great, great granddaughter, and a great, great grandson on the way. She loved each of them unconditionally. Her maternal instinct began as the oldest of seven siblings. She continued mothering her children, grandchildren, and great grands ending with her very special great granddaughter Nicolette Ebarb.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, October 16 at 10:00 am at St. Terrance Catholic Mission, Florien for Jeanette S. Polson. Her son, Fr. Mikel A. Polson, Pastor of St. Michael the Arch Angle Church in Crowley, Louisiana will preside.

Born July 25, 1936, in Ville Platte, Louisiana, as Marie Jeanette Soileau, to parents Ariel Soileau and Melicia Fontenot Soileau. She had six brothers, all deceased, all served in the United States military: Rodney, Horace, Vernel, Irving, Roy Ariel, and Joel. She is survived by one younger sister, Geneva Limoges of Ville Platte, Louisiana.

Charles Williams, Jr. of Many passed away on September 21, 2021, following a sudden illness.

Charlie is preceded in death by his parents, Janet Eason and Charles “Marvin” Williams, Sr. Charlie leaves behind his brother, John Arthur Williams; sister, Rebecca Adams; nephews, David “Trey” Adams; Scott Adams, wife Martha and sons, Thomas and William Adams; sister, Mary Alice Williams; nephew, Alexander Sikorski; niece, Terra Sikorski; brother, Harold “Hal” Williams; nieces, Hollan and Camille Williams; brother, Theodore “Ted” Akers, Jr.; nephews, Ryan and Aaron Akers; uncle and aunt, Robert “Bobby” & Lola Jean Williams; aunt, Mrs. Wayne “Martha” Eason; and many cousins from the Williams, Allums, and Eason Families. Charlie, a life long resident of Many, was a private person who helped many people as a local handyman.

A graveside service will be held at McCormick Cemetery at a later date.

Kelvin Matthews was born into a loving home on November 23, 1967. He was completely healed of covid and went on to be with the Lord on October 3, 2021. He is survived by his devoted wife of 27 years, Cissy Leach Matthews; his beloved children: daughter, Caroline Matthews Chandler (husband, Dustin), son, Colby Matthews (girlfriend, Korie Kreps); mother, Linda Rutherford Matthews, parents-in-law, Jimmy and Janis Leach; brother and sister-in-law, Jim Brady and Lisa Leach; and a host of extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Matthews; sister, Laura Matthews O’Connor; and infant niece, Ashtin Jade Noel O’Connor.

Kelvin graduated from Florien High School in 1985. He started his career at Watco (Zwolle) Rail Car where he would continue working for just shy of 32 years. Kelvin was the definition of an exemplary employee. He continued to advance until his current position as Inbound Inspector.

Nadine Wooley was born into a loving Christian home on June 23, 1936, in Mason City, Iowa. She went on to be with the Lord on October 8, 2021. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Lynn Wooley; four children: Debbie Merritt (husband, Lavan), Dean Wooley (wife Janet), Donnie Wooley (wife Cheryl) and David Wooley (wife Stacy) and daughter of the heart, Theresa Lewis; 16 grandchildren: Dr. Jason Merritt (wife, Christy), Jami Parks, Justin Merritt (wife Mary), Joel Wooley (wife Amber), Matthew Wooley, Meghan Evans (husband Gary), Dr. Dana Botsko (husband George), Cody Wooley, Zac Wooley (wife Kaci), Bobbie Lewing (husband Timothy), Jennifer Tarpley (husband Grant), Duncan Craft (wife Laura Ann), Will Fathree (wife Sara), Tabitha Chamberlin (husband Cade), Jana Gould (husband Calin) and Laura Fredieu (husband Wesley), twenty four great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Agnes Gunter, 98, of Mansfield passed away on Monday, October 4, 2021, surrounded by family at Toledo Nursing Center in Zwolle.

Agnes was born on September 23, 1923, in Many. She was one of 13 children born to William and Mary Alice Dew Cooper. She graduated from Many High School in 1942 and married her husband of 41 years, Tom E. Pilkington, on Christmas Eve of that same year. They went on to have five children.

After 21 years of service, Agnes retired from the Zwolle Schools cafeteria in 1986. She stayed involved in square dancing where she met her second husband of 26 years J.O. Gunter. After retirement she continued to remain active in her volunteer work at the Christian ministry Feed & Seed, Clara Springs Baptist Encampment, the First Baptist Church Esther Sunday school class, the DeSoto Parish Quilters and women’s auxiliary, the Mansfield line dancers, the Lakeside twirlers, the Mansfield Friends of the Library, and the DeSoto Council on Aging.

Barbara Sepulvado, 62, passed away in Shreveport on October 4, 2021 after a lengthy illness. She was born on March 21, 1959 in Zwolle to William “Jack” Garcie and Wilma Bernice (Parrie) Garcie.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zwolle with Father Francis Kamau officiating; burial followed in the church cemetery.

Funeral services for Dedrah Parker, 58, of Robeline were held on Monday, October 11, 2021 at Rocky Mount Congregational Methodist Church with Rev. Butch Bruce officiating. Burial followed in the Rocky Mount Cemetery.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Miller; parents, Glenn and Barbara Jordan; brother, Phillip Jordan; infant brother; sister, Michelle Soileau and her nephew, Delane Bell.

She is survived by her son, Carl Ferrier, Jr. of Robeline; daughter, Callie Whittington and husband Bobby of Marthaville; sisters, Lisa Johnson and husband Chris of Rangley, Colorado; Connie Bell and husband Gary of Zwolle; Carolyn Wells and husband Jeremy of Natchitoches; Laura Procell of Robeline; Magen Berry and husband Zach of Robeline; grandson, Parker Whittington of Marthaville; granddaughter, Lillian Whittington of Marthaville; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Huey Merritt, age 65, passed away September 28, 2021 due to cancer. He went by Paul during his adult life. Paul was born Feb 5, 1956 in Converse to Cicero and Verna Cochran Merritt. Paul grew up in Hornbeck graduating high school there in 1974.

When he finished high school Paul enlisted in the Navy which trained him in electronics. Navy duty took him to San Diego, Guam, Hawaii, Australia, Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Canada, and various states of the USA. Paul first believed in Jesus as Lord and Savior in 1975 when 2 witnesses explained salvation scripture to him in Guam.

After completing a 4 year hitch in the Navy, Paul enrolled at Northwestern State University, NSU, in the fall of 1978 where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology in May 1982. Paul enrolled at LSU in the fall of 1989 where he earned a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in May 1991.