Obituaries

Funeral services for Lester Olen Longoria, 64, of Zwolle, were held September 21 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Richard Norsworthy officiating. Burial followed in the St. Joseph Cemetery. He was born on Saturday, July 17, 1954 in Converse, and passed away on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 in Shreveport. He was preceded in death by his father, J. W. Longoria; brothers: Rickey Longoria and Ray Longoria; and niece, Theresa Garcia. He is survived by his wife, Renee Longoria of Zwolle; sons, Jamie Longoria of Many, Kevin Longoria and wife, Stayce, of Converse, and Jakey Longoria of Zwolle; mother, Dorothy Leone of Zwolle; step-father, Marvin “Jake” Leone of Zwolle; sister, Judy Garcia of Zwolle; brothers, James Gilcrease and wife, Marie, of Bossier City, Louis Longoria and wife, Patty, of Mansfield, and Bill Longoria and wife, Carolyn, of Bunkie; grandchildren, Haylea Longoria of Converse, and Mallorie Longoria of Converse; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services for Jerry Lynn Cryer, 70, of Many, were held September 19 at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kenneth Leach, Sr. officiating. Burial followed in the Zwolle City Cemetery He was born on Tuesday, September 30, 1947 in Zwolle, and passed away on Saturday, September 15, 2018 in Shreveport. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and Lillian Cryer; and special friend, Evelyn Timmons. He is survived by his sister, Mary F. DeLatin of Many; nephew, Donald Vasquez and wife, Deborah, of Many; niece, Kathy Anderson and husband, Dale, of Hamilton, Oklahoma; grandson, John Timmons of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; special friend, Darlene Knippers of Robeline; along with a host friends. Pallbearers were Ronnie “Strut” Remedies, Lloyd Armstrong, Ricky Snider, Bobby Maxie, Donald Vasquez, and Hunter Tarpley. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.warrenmeadows.com

Gathering for Lynn Wilcox, 75, of Bossier City were held Sunday, September 23 at the Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville. Lynn was born in Kingston, Pennsylvania on March 23, 1943. She passed away on Sunday, September 16, 2018 in her home in Bossier City. She is preceded in death by her parents; Jason and Ann Burdette Matthews. She is survived by her sons; Tim Wilcox of Bossier City, Tom Wilcox of Barksdale, Air Force Base, Bob Wilcox of Bastrop, Texas, brother; David Matthews of Wheeling, West Virginia, 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. In leiu of flowers family ask that you make a donation to ALS Foundation in her name. Words of comfort may be expressed to the Wilcox Family at www.labbymemorial.com

Funeral services for Elvis James Browning, 77, of Florien, were held on Wednesday, September 12 at Cenchrea Nazarene Church with the Reverends James Philen and Matt Warren officiating. Burial followed in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. He was born on Friday, October 18, 1940 in Sabine Parish and passed away on Monday, September 10, 2018 in Florien. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward J. Browning and Katie C. Browning; and sisters, Nelda Kay Nett and Eunice Knippers. He is survived by his wife, Betty Browning of Florien; sons, Terry Browning and wife, Brenda, of Fort Smith, Arkansas and Brad Browning and wife, Tonya, of Florien; grandchildren, Brady Browning, Colin Browning, Rachel Browning, Tanner Browning and Grace Browning; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Pallbearers were Brady Browning, Colin Browning, Tanner Browning, Colby Withers, Justin Sepulvado and Tye Thaxton.

It is with great sadness that the family of Frances Brandon Buvens announces her passing on September 14, 2018 at the age of 70. A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. on September 22 at First Baptist Church in Zwolle. The Rev. Jerry Penfield will officiate. The service will be under the direction of the Labby Memorial Funeral Home of Leesville. Frances was preceded in death by her father, Victor Brandon. She is survived by her mother, Joyce Clary Brandon; siblings, Dr. George Douglas Brandon and wife, Paula and Carolyn Brandon Basham; children, JoAnna Buvens Williams, and Lindsay Buvens Corley, and husband, Adam; grandchildren, Jakey P. Sepulvado, Blake S. Baker, and Katie Claire Corley. Frances graduated from Zwolle High School in Zwolle and attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper. Memorials may be made in her memory to a charity of your choice.

Funeral services honoring the life of Linda Gail Archer were held September 14 at Oak Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Chris Holloway officiating. Burial followed in the Oak Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Many. She was born on September 17, 1943 in Jonesboro to Earl Henry Teagle and Robbie Della Smitherman, and entered into rest on September 11, 2018 at the age of 74. She was preceded in death by her parents; spouse, Herbert Ray Archer Sr.; and brothers, Kenneth Teagle and Bobby Teagle. She is survived by her sons, Scott Woods and wife, Mira, of Tomball, Texas, Herbert Ray Archer Jr. and wife, Kristi, of Needville, Texas, and Brad Archer and wife, Jennifer, of Montgomery, Texas; daughter, Terri Archer of Concan, Texas; sister, Jackie Wear and husband, J.N., of Reisel, Texas; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Pallbearers honoring Mrs.

Funeral services honoring the life of Shirley Matheline Gaspard were held September 12 at Spring Ridge Baptist Church with the Rev. Marvin Le Leaux officiating. Burial followed in the Spring Ridge Baptist Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. She was born on December 4, 1938 in Pleasant Hill to Norman Waddle and Ruth Woods Waddle, and entered into rest on September 8, 2018 at the age of 79. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Austin J. Gaspard; brothers, Norman Earl Waddle and Mickey Lynn Waddle; and sisters, Bernice Waddle and Sandra Louise Waddle. She is survived by her sons, Audie Gaspard and wife, Rhonda, of Kilgore, Texas and Austin W. Gaspard and wife, Shanna, of Many; daughter, Sandra Gaspard Sandifer of Montgomery; sisters, Jewell Peterson of Many, and Vickie Wyatt and husband, Donnie, of Branson, Missouri; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Anna Alberta Craighead Stroud, 96, passed into heavenly eternity Saturday, August 25, 2018, while being tenderly cared for at the Passages in New Orleans. Alberta was graced with long-life, health, and a sharp mind. Before relocating to Mandeville five years ago, she was a long-time resident of Many. She and her husband, Danewood, spent most of their days and lives dreaming about raising up the next generation of young men through the Royal Rangers program. Not having any natural children of their own, this sparked a love and enthusiasm for the Royal Rangers, which provided a platform for them to help mentor and “parent” thousands of young men into their destinies. Alberta’s natural, servant demeanor effortlessly served this mission well. Alberta was the eighth child out of 13 children born to Rufus and Bessie Collins Craighead. She was born in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee, and eventually moved with her family to Oklahoma.

Harley Powell, 82, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, brother, and friend to many, went to be with the Lord on August 22, 2018. He was born March 2, 1936 to James A. Powell and Exie M. Powell, in Florien. Harley was a very talented man who could build anything he imagined and accomplish anything he set his mind to. He loved being outdoors and he loved spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by parents, James A. Powell and Exie M. Powell; sisters, Margie Poarch and Hassie M. Cryer; brother, James R. Powell; and grandsons, Aaron E. Hampton and Kendell A. Price Jr. He is survived by his sweetheart of 56 years, Sharon Y.

Jeffrey Mark Mitchell was born on May 12, 1963 and left his home on earth August 30, 2018. Markie leaves behind his wife, Missy Mitchell of Robeline; children, Justin Mitchell and wife, Laci, Chelsea Mitchell, and Jesse Mitchell all of Robeline; grandchildren, Jaxon, Kellyn and Madalynn; father and mother, Jack and Mable Mitchell of Robeline; sister, Cathy Saunders and husband, Roy, of Robeline; nephews, Tanner Mizell, Jace Mizell, Alan French and Peanut Saunders; along with a host of friends. His brother, David “Tootie” Mitchell, preceded him in death. Markie was a hard worker and an avid outdoorsman. He loved his family with all he had. He touched many lives in his lifetime and will truly be missed by many. We rest with the knowledge that he is with the Lord and his brother now and we hope he is at peace. Funeral services were held September 2 at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel.