Obituaries

Funeral services for Lois A. Barnhill, 90, of Many were held January 15 at the First United Methodist Church of Many. The Reverends Bo Horne and Ray Spiller, officiated. Burial followed in the Many Cemetery under the direction of the Warren Meadows Funeral Home. Mrs. Barnhill died Friday, January 12 at Sabine Retirement and Rehabilitation following a short illness. She had been a resident for almost a year. Mrs. Barnhill was a longtime member of the United Methodist Women and the Many Book Club. Her hobbies included reading and cooking. She was preceded in death by her parents, Emory and Gladys Ankrom of Vandalia, Missouri; her brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Ann Ankrom of San Bruno, California; her first husband, Donald W. Smith; and her second husband, Raymond Barnhill of Many. She is survived by her daughter, Donna Smith Ammons and husband, Kenneth of Many; son, Derek W.

Edith Nelwyn Barbier, born in Dess in 1925 passed away on January 13, 2018 of natural causes. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday January 20 with Pastor Paul Randall officiating. Burial will follow at Florien Cemetery in Florien on Sunday January 21. Nelwyn’s selfless love for God and her family was most important to her. She was dedicated to Jesus Christ and loved her church family. We will remember her for her smile, her love to others, and her willingness to always listen to and supply others’ needs. She was preceded in death by her parents, George Walter Mothershed and Ethel Corley Mothershed Stroud; husband, Norman E. Barbier; brother, Alton Mothershed; sister, Maxine Iles; children, Diana and Glen Barbier, daughter-in-law, Susan Barbier; granddaughter Hannah Glass; niece Susan Dixon; and nephew Joel Bolton.

Alfred Ernest Cureton was born in Cove, Arkansas on April 7, 1930. He peacefully passed away with his loving wife, Debbie, by his side in Natchitoches on January 8, 2018. He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Gene Calvin Cureton of Zwolle; mother, Martha Leona Stufflebean of Cove, Arkansas; father, George Washington Cureton and step-mother, Pealie Cureton of Scottsdale, Arizona; and oldest brother, Gene Leon Cureton of Cove, Arkansas. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 40 years, Debra Gail Cureton; precious daughter, Amber Lucille Cureton and sweet granddaughters, Raven Alexis Green and Annika Gail Cureton, all of Leesville; youngest son, Lew Ernest Cureton of San Antonio, Texas; younger brother, George Calvin Cureton and wife, Gerri of Sun City Center, Florida; and distant grandchildren and great grandchildren. Al’s life journey led him down many paths. Born in Cove, Arkansas but later traveling to Oklahoma, New York, South Dakota, California, and New Mexico to work.

Funeral services honoring the life of James M. Pritchard Jr., 69, of Many were held December 31, 2017 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many with Bros. Jimmy Price and Brian Jones officiating. Burial was held at Aimwell Cemetery. James Monroe Pritchard, often known as “Nig,” was born May 29, 1948 in Jonesville to Betty Elizabeth and the late James Monroe Pritchard Sr. of Jena. He passed away at his home surrounded by his loving wife, Bonnie and family. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict where he served in the 609 Infantry. He was a consultant in the oil and gas industry for 40 years, retired in 2016. James was an avid fisherman, hunter, and roper. He was a great husband, father, and friend to many; always willing to lend a helping hand and had a heart of gold. He was preceded in death by his father, James Monroe Pritchard Sr., and brother Charles Leroy Pritchard.

Funeral services for the Rev. Frank Dale “Butch” Johnson, 77, of Coushatta, was held December 31, 2017 at Martin United Pentecostal Church with the Rev. Dean Sales and Bro. Nick Williamson officiating. Burial followed in the Thomas Wren Cemetery, Martin. He was born Thursday, January 11, 1940 in Many, and passed away Thursday, December 28, 2017 in Coushatta. Butch was a Pentecostal preacher for over 50 years. He enjoyed playing Santa Claus during the season, jail ministry, and talking to everyone he ran in to. He was preceded in death by his mother, Essie Mae Nett Johnson; father, James Daniel Johnson; brothers and sisters, Myrtle Woods, Mavis Jones, J. D. Johnson, Juanita Pine, Walter Johnson, W. H. Johnson and Luther Johnson.

Funeral services for Elsie Pearl Meshell, 91, of Noble were held December 30 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Richard Norsworthy officiating. Burial followed in the St. Ann Catholic Cemetery. She was born Monday, June 28, 1926 in Noble and passed away Thursday, December 28, 2017 Shreveport. Pearl was a lifelong member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, a Eucharistic Minister, and a member of St. Ann’s Alter Society. She was awarded the Diocesan Medal of Honor. She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom Sepulvado and Julie Ebarb Sepulvado; husband, T. J. Meshell; daughter, Gail Meshell; sisters, Emma Campbell, Evelyn Meshell, Lillie Meshell and Irene Pokluda; brothers, Walter Sepulvado, Stevie Sepulvado, Ernest Sepulvado and Clifton Sepulvado.

Neva Irene Corley Dowden was born December 21, 1931 in Mount Carmel to Rufus and Bonnie Thaxton Corley. She went home to a beautiful reunion in Heaven on December 30, 2017 due to complications from a stroke. Neva loved her family more than life, and she had the special gift of making her friends feel like family. Her sweet, kind spirit and gentle nature were always present. She was such a beautiful example of a fine Christian lady. Whether playing the piano at church or teaching Sunday school, her faith was always evident. After raising her three boys and retiring, her life became one of service. She was a member of the women’s group at First Baptist Church of Many called “the Rainbow Sunday School Group.” She played the piano beautifully and offered her talents to play for the services the church held at local nursing homes every other week.

Jack Raymond Dennis was born in Uvalde, Texas, on September 6, 1928 and passed away December 28, 2017 in Shreveport. Jack spent his younger days in Texas and worked as a welder during WWII. He joined the US Navy just following the war. While in the Navy, he worked as an Aviation Metalsmith while working on an aircraft carrier, which cruised in the Asiatic Pacific. Interestingly, Jack made a name for himself as a Navy boxer. He became known as “Gentleman Jack” because he famously offered a hand to his opponent to pull him to his feet when he had knocked him down. Upon return to civilian life, Jack began a long lasting career in the Petroleum Industry in the U.S. and overseas. He worked for Mobil Oil Company as a Petroleum Engineer for decades and subsequently formed his own consulting business in the industry. Prior to retirement, he traveled and worked abroad in Israel, Brazil, and in the Dominican Republic, among others.

Funeral services and a celebration of life for Tommy Brown, M.D., 61, of Scottsville, Texas was held January 4 at First Methodist Church, Head of Texas Street in Shreveport. Dr. Pat Day officiated with assistance by the Reverends Richard “Mike” Stowell and Jimmy Price. Dr. Brown was born February 14, 1956, and peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 29, 2017, with his dear family at his side, after a brief but valiant battle with heart disease. He was preceded in death by his parents, Talmadge “Tad” and Marjorie “Pug” Brown and his oldest sister, Edna Dell Duggan.

Funeral services honoring the life of Huey Paul Cordova were held January 8 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Zwolle with Father Richard Norsworthy officiating. He was born April 22, 1939 in Zwolle to James Cordova and Julia Martinez Cordova. He entered into rest on January 4, 2018 in Shreveport at the age of 78. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Birdie Ezernack, Dorothy Bebee, Lena Siller, and Ida Byrd; brothers, Gilbert Cordova, James Thomas Cordova and Joseph Cordova He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Lowell Cordova; daughter, Michelle Cordova Carter; sisters, Ruby Deering and Virginia Brown; grandchildren, Lakota Cordova, Wiyot Carter; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Honoring as pallbearers were Lakota Cordova,Wiyot Carter, Brian Cordova, Richie Brown, Zachary Ezernack, and Dalton Ezernack.