Obituaries

Mebla Bryant LeBeouf, a native of DeQuincy and resident of Many, passed away July 12, 2017 in Many at the age of 73. She was the rock of her family and loved to take care of people. She never met a stranger. Her family meant everything to her and they will miss her very much. She is survived by her husband, Junior LeBeouf; son, Kenny Wayne Buxton and wife, Melissa of Oklahoma; step daughters, Karen Michel and husband, Mitch of Belle Chase and Terry Goubert and husband, Kent of Houma; brother, Hubert A. Bryant and wife, Brenda of La- Port, Texas; sister, Lavern “Micki” Hoosier of Sulphur; grandchildren, Logan Buxton, Kayla House, Leigh Ann Griffiths and Devin Buxton; seven great grandchildren; and many loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Bryant and Susie Braneff Bryant; son, Richard Earl Buxton; sister, Marcie Sasser and brother, Bud Bryant. Funeral services were July 15 at Riley Smith Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Stephanie Joe Cutrer Tedder, 53, of Many were held July 6 at Friendship Baptist Church with the Reverends Donnie Paul Lewing and Gary Allen officiating. Burial followed in the Friendship Baptist Cemetery. She was born Thursday, December 26, 1963 in Many and passed away Monday, July 3, 2017 at her residence in Many. She was preceded in death by her sister, Rhonda Annette Powell. She is survived by her husband, Gary Joe Tedder of Many; daughter, Elishia Marguariet Tedder Manning and husband, Dominique, of Many; sons, Joey Dwayne Tedder and wife, Alison Nicole, of Hallsville, Texas, and Matthew Wade Tedder and wife, Amanda Sue, of Many; parents, Bennie Joe Cutrer and Bobbie Marguariet Cutrer of Many; sister, Dana Robin Oliver and husband, David Wayne, of Many; grandchildren, Kylur Tedder, Kobe Tedder, Kaitlyn Barrett, Samuel Tedder, Elizabeth Tedder, Benton Tedder, and Emry Tedder; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services for Warren L. Founds, M.D., 97, of Many, were held July 8 at First Methodist Church of Many with Bro. Newton “Bo” Horne officiating. Burial followed in the Many Cemetery. He was born Thursday, February 19, 1920 in Lenni Heights, Pennsylvania and passed away Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at his residence in Many. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Founds; parents, Warren Leslie Founds, Sr. and Rachel Honnor Founds; brother, Franklin Founds; and grandson, Christian Founds.He is survived by his children, Geoffrey L. Founds and wife, Betty, of New Orleans, Janice S. Arthur and husband, Robert, of Many, Dr. Gregory P. Founds and wife, Pam, of Many, Warren L. Founds, III and wife, Ann, of Many, Peter Founds and wife, Cindy, of Many, Elizabeth A.

Funeral Services for Carroll Wayne Byrd, 86, of Florien were held July 3 at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel with Bros. John Sparks, Bill Blackmon, Dennis Bignar and Jimmie Evans officiating. Burial followed in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. He was born on Friday, April 10, 1931 in Sabine Parish and passed away on Friday, June 30, 2017 at his home in Florien. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Ada Byrd; late wife, Charlene M. Byrd; and two brothers. He is survived by his wife, Martha Byrd of Florien; son, Benny W. Byrd of Florien; daughter, Vicki Singletary and husband, Jerry, of Ft. Jessup; daughter, Sandra Crouse and husband, Wayne, of Shepherd-stown, West Virginia; step-children, Reagan Anthony and wife, Glenda, of Florien, Mack Anthony and wife, Judy, of Woodville, Texas, Cindy Funderburk and husband, Kenneth, of Florien, Glenda Dowden and husband, David, of Robeline and Nancy Blackmon and husband, Bill, of Florien; grandchildren, Joey Brown, C.J.

Celebration of life and services to honor Herman Etheridge, 82, were held July 2 at New Freedom Fellowship Church with Brother Dean Hillman and Sister Saundra Hillman officiating. Interment followed in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Zwolle. He was born June 9, 1935 in Ebarb and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on June 29, 2017 in Zwolle. He was a hard working and kind man who loved his family and who will be deeply missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vance and Victoria Ezernack Etheridge; brothers, Keith Etheridge, Tenan Etheridge, Nolan Wayne Etheridge, and Clifford Etheridge; granddaughter, Kristen Etheridge; and infant daughter, Donna Donell Etheridge.

Randy Byron Pruett, “Randy Bear,” or as most friends called him “RB,” passed July 5, 2017 from complications of eating too many jalapeños and hot sauce. He was born July 15, 1953 to Felton and Rita. He was married to his wife Cindy for 38 years. Randy loved life and lived it to the fullest creating many endearing friendships along the way. He and his wife Cindy traveled the world together but made their home in Shreveport. He was retired after working 28 years at Union Pacific railroad. Randy was an exceptional “car” man. He restored, built, raced and collected American muscle cars. An entertainer, he always wanted to be the “cook” and for a time he and his wife traveled the United States to NHRA races and cooked for several race teams. The friends he made with some of the worlds best Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro stock drivers are everlasting to this day.

Carolyn Small Troha was born on October 12, 1949, in Many. She lost her battle with pancreatic cancer and flew home to meet Jesus on Wednesday, June 28, 2017. As she left this world she was surrounded by her husband and children holding her hands and leaning in for one last kiss. The welcoming party in Heaven included her parents and in-laws, Andrew and Mary Lou Small, and Phil and Dot Troha, Sr.; grand-son, Jace Philip Troha; nephew, Chance Mitchell; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and grand-parents. Missing her here on earth are her husband, Phil Troha, Jr.; daughter and son-in-law, Tracie Troha Key and Barney Key; son and daughter-in-law, Jeffery and Eva Troha; grandchildren, Jeb, Molly and Gavin Key and Avery, Kendall and Anna Claire Troha; brothers, Mike and Pat Small; sisters-in-law, Arlene and Sybil Small; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gary and Cindy Troha, Joe and Carole Troha, Debra and Scott Brosh, and so many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Thomas James Watson was born on Wednesday, September 20, 1922 in Fresno, California and passed away Friday June 16, 2017 at Sabine Medical Center in Many.He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas James Watson and Bernadette Louise Martin Watson; son, Jackie Watson; five brothers; and his first wife, Oda Watson. He is survived by his wife, Mary Watson of Many; daughters, Karen Watson of Many and Sherry Watson of Fresno, California; sister, JoAnne Barry of Globe, Arizona; six grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren; alongwith a host of friends. Funeral services will be held in California. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.warrenmeadows.com

Funeral services for Sam “Plowboy” Richardson, 60, of Florien were held June 24 at Hornbeck Full Gospel Church with the Reverends Buddy Freeman, Tony Moran, and Donnie Paul Lewing officiating. Burial followed in the Pine Knot Cemetery.

Funeral services for Alva F. Thaxton, 93, of Florien, were held June 26 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with the Rev. Rickey Robertson officiating. Burial followed in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Alva Laura Thaxton was born on Saturday, January 26, 1924 in Bryson City, North Carolina and passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Sabine Retirement & Rehabilitation Center in Many.Alva met Raydon Thaxton during the war while he was in Naval School. After the war they were married on November 14, 1946 in Shreveport. After they were married they bought a farm located in Mt. Carmel. In 1960 they moved to Nederland, Texas where they raised their children. In 1974 Alva and Raydon moved back to their farm in Mt. Carmel where they raised cattle, farmed and enjoyed spending time with their family. Alva was a dedicated church member at Mt.