Obituaries

Tonia LaRue Matthews, native of Denham Springs, was a Living testimony of Bible second greatest commandment, “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.” Toni was the second oldest of six children. Tonia was known by all who ever knew her as Toni and by few as Tiger, was born in Saginaw, Michigan but spent most of her childhood growing up in Zwolle. She attended Many High School, and after graduating Toni attended Louisiana Technical College - Sabine Valley Campus where she pursued a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She spent nearly 30 years working as a nurse in multiple specialties, but her love was surgery (General, ENT/Maxillofacial, Orthopedic, Cardiothoracic, Trauma, Ophthalmology/Cornea Transplants). She enjoyed being a mother, spending time with her family, and helping others in need. She was truly uniquely created and a selfless servant to anyone in need. An avid lover of God, family, and people, Toni loved caring and cooking for others.

Funeral services for Gene Leo Hubley, 87, of Many were held October 1 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Father Duane Trombetta officiating. Burial followed in the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery. Gene was born on Sunday, July 5, 1931 in Many to Winnie Virginia Davis and Cleve Julian Hubley, and passed away Thursday September 27, 2018 in Coushatta. Gene made the United States Navy his career. He was a Petty Officer First Class and served during the Vietnam era working on helicopters, planes, etc. on the ships. After retirement, he came back to his hometown of Many to care for his mother. He had various jobs and working with the SARC clients was very special to him. Another special “job” was caring for his sister, Lynna, upon her return from California. He was a loyal parishioner at St. John’s and was active with the Men’s Club helping whenever and wherever he could.

A funeral mass celebrating the life of Larry Gene Parrie, 68, were held on October 5, 2018 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Ebarb. Father Richard Norsworthy will be officiating. Interment followed in St. Ann Catholic Cemetery. He was born on October 27, 1949 in Converse to Louis Parrie Jr. and Marguerite R. Parrie. He passed away October 2 in Shreveport. Larry was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Desiree Troquille Parrie. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Pamela Ba-Lee Parrie and Shannon Gladem; sisters, Sandra L. Sepulvado and husband, Doyle, and Karan R. Montgomery and husband, Donald; grandson, Michael Holley; nephews and nieces, Eric D. Parrie, Lynsi Meshell, Avaree Parrie, Sean Montgomery, and Sydney Montgomery; and great-nephew and niece Nickolas and Jorja Parrie. Honoring Larry as pallbearers were Allen Ebarb, Kevin Ebarb, Pat Parrie, Robert Sepulvado, Joseph Escott, and Gilbert Paree.

Callie Blackwell, 28, of Big Spring, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and friends at her home in Florien, on September 28, 2018. Callie was a longtime resident of Florien. She enjoyed reading, traveling, and taking on new Challenges. She was collector of many different things, and took every opportunity to shop anytime she could. Some of her best times were simply playing various card or board games, watching movies or just visiting and spending time with family and friends. There is no doubt Callie stood diligent in her fight for life. Family and friends, as well as her beloved dog, “Blue”, were her motivation in life. She was taken from this earth far too early. Her precious memory will be cherished by all who knew her. Preceding Callie in death are her mother, Melissa Ann Stephenson Lee, an infant brother, Christian Scott Lee and maternal grandfather, Ernest Sanders Stephenson.

Dorothy Bennett Goodman was born on Tuesday, August 25, 1970 in Washington. She passed away on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at Grace Home in Shreveport. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruby Bennett and father, Robert Bennett; sister, Kathy Johnson; brother, Robert Bennett; and nephew, Robert Eason. She is survived by her husband, Daniel Allen of Many; children, Brenda Goodman and fiancé, Derrick Allen, of Many, Brianna Allen of Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, Charlene Kurucz of Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, Rodney Goodman of Many, and Steven Allen of Meshoppen, Pennsylvania; sisters, Ida Mitchell of Many, and LeeAnna Welch and husband, Moose, of Many; brother, Jack Bennett of Florida; grandchildren, Madilyne Allen, Kalvyn Allen, Rowland Allen, Serena Goodman, Cassandra Wilk, Carson Wilk, Payton Fice, Jase Zacharias, Jaxen Zacharias and Logan Allen; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Robert Glynn Carver from Toledo Bend went to be with the Lord on September 28. Glynn was born July 20, 1936, to Harley and Ethel Carver in Rochelle. He graduated high school from Georgetown in 1954. He earned a B.S. from LA Tech in 1958, M.S. from LSU in 1960 and his Ph.D. from LSU in Biology in 1962. After receiving his Ph.D., Glynn went to teach Biology at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, and later became Department Head. Because of his love of fishing, Glynn left McNeese in 1972 to pursue interest in the tackle industry. In 1973 he started “Mister Twister” revolutionizing the fishing lure business. Some of his lure designs are still in use today. In 1981 he sold Mister Twister and moved to Toledo Bend, and opened Sabine Manufacturing. At the time of the factory’s opening there was few businesses located in the area. Sabine Manufacturing at one time the largest soft plastics manufacturer in the country, served as an anchor for future businesses on the lake.

Memorial services honoring the life of John “Johnny” Ryan Cates Jr. were held on September 29 at Old Pisgah Baptist Church with the Rev. Dean Johnson officiating and Brother Leon Manshack assisting. Burial followed in the Zion’s Rest Cemetery in Wallace. Johnny was born June 13, 1954 in McAllen, Texas to John Ryan Cates Sr. and Maggie Melvina Davis Cates, and entered into rest on September 21, 2018 at the age of 64. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Freddie Stutts.

Funeral services honoring the life of Mary Viola Leone were held on September 26 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Father Duane Trombetta officiating. Internment followed in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. She was born on January 27, 1953 to Oscar Sepulvado and Ida Ezernack Sepulvado, and entered into rest on September 23, 2018 at the age of 83. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Charles Sepulvado and Arthur Sepulvado; and her sisters, Zula Parrie, Beatrice Ann Harris and Elnora Sepulvado. She is survived by her sons, Jerry Grant and wife, Bonnie, of Zwolle, and Gerald Leone and wife, Kimberly, of Zwolle; sister, Verna Castie and husband, Jerry, of Zwolle; grandchildren, Gerald Leone Jr., Kayleb Leone, Kazmin Leone, Dallas Leone, Geraldleona Leone, Miracle Leone, Kayla Moore, Ravan Leone, Ravan Robertson, Shelley Grant, Tanya Grant, and Kelley Sims and husband, Randy; five great grandchildren; and special friend, Louis Crooks.

Dr. Scott Lamar Tatum, Pastor Emeritus of Broadmoor Baptist Church, reached his eternal home in heaven on September 21, 2018. A service celebrating his life and thanking God for his ministry was held at Broadmoor Baptist Church Worship Center North on September 29. Officiating was Dr. Wilson Tatum. Dr. Tatum was born 98 years ago in Converse and grew up in Mansfield. He was a graduate of Mansfield High School, Baylor University, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned the Doctor of Theology degree. Being a pastor was his calling and he was privileged to share in the joyful events such as baptisms and marriages as well as times of sorrow with church members. Following early pastorates in Texas, he served as pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church from 1951 through 1974. He then taught preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for fourteen years.

Funeral services for Gene Leo Hubley, 87, of Many were held October 1 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Father Duane Trombetta officiating. Burial followed in the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery. Gene was born on Sunday, July 5, 1931 in Many to Winnie Virginia Davis and Cleve Julian Hubley, and passed away Thursday September 27, 2018 in Coushatta. Gene made the United States Navy his career. He was a Petty Officer First Class and served during the Vietnam era working on helicopters, planes, etc. on the ships. After retirement, he came back to his hometown of Many to care for his mother. He had various jobs and working with the SARC clients was very special to him. Another special “job” was caring for his sister, Lynna, upon her return from California. He was a loyal parishioner at St. John’s and was active with the Men’s Club helping whenever and wherever he could.