Obituaries

Graveside Services for Steve Oxley, 65, of Many were held April 30 at St. Joseph Cemetery with Charles Beaver officiating. Steve Oxley was born on Thursday, November 29, 1951 in Alexandria. He passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2017 in Many. He was preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Audrey Davis Oxley; brothers, Lamar Oxley and Jerry Oxley; and sister, Betty Gardner. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Oxley of Many; brother, Dan Oxley of Sulphur; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.warrenmeadows.com

Betty Vines Diesen, 89, of Irvine, California died peacefully in her own home on April 19, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Betty was born May 23, 1927 and raised in Many. After completing Many High School at age 16 she attended finishing school at the Gulf Park College for Women in Gulf Port, Mississippi. She then earned her bachelor’s degree in Education from Louisiana State University in 1948. After graduating from USC with a master’s degree in Library Science she proclaimed she was never moving away from the beautiful climate of Southern California. Betty met and married Norwegian immigrant and professional artist, Rudolf Ragnvald Diesen, in 1953. She stayed home to raise their son, Frederick Van Diesen, and daughter, Nannette Elizabeth Diesen. In 1968 she returned to the work force at the Whittier Public Library and was soon promoted to Head Librarian of the Whittwood Branch Library.

Howard Brandon, 93, of Zwolle died Thursday, April 13, 2017 at Sabine Retirement & Rehabilitation Center in Many. He was born Tuesday, October 2, 1923, in Negreet and worked in the timber industry for many years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Brandon; father, Nathaniel Webb Brandon; mother, Mattie Frances Brandon, sisters, Loriene Brandon, Della Blankenship, Elouise Nabours, Eula Lea Nabours and Learh Holt; brothers, Alton Brandon, Elmo Brandon, Harvey Brandon, George Brandon, Morris Brandon, Quinton Brandon, Victor Brandon and Bob Brandon. He is survived by daughters, Barbara Clary and husband, Olie, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Patricia Martinez and husband, Wayne, of Zwolle and Kathy Cook and husband, Joe Don, of Many; son, Terry Brandon and wife, Sandra, of Many; brother, Jack Brandon and his wife, Patsy, of Shreveport; eight grandchildren; 17 great grandchild; one great-great grandchild and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Myrtle Hill, 95, of Pleasant Hill were held May 1 at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. John Lewing officiating. Burial followed in the Pine Knott Cemetery. She was born on Monday, May 2, 1921 in Glenmora and passed away on Friday, April 28, 2017 at Desoto Retirement and Rehab in Mansfield. She was preceded in death by the father of her children, Alsup Hill; mother, Dervin Oxley; son, Dennis Hill; and two sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Hill of Leesville; son, James Hill and wife, Julie, of LaMarque, Texas; grandchildren, Robert Dipley of Leesville, Jason Dipley of Shreveport, Anthony Dipley of Fisher, and Melissa Dipley of Belmont; great grandchildren, Courtney Dipley of Belmont, Trever Manshack of Zwolle, Michael Dipley of Tullos, and Jalen Dipley of Shreveport; along with a host family and friends. Pallbearers were Robert Dipley, Anthony dipley, Jason Dipley, Thomas McCormick, Shawn Rushing and Joel Patton.

Donald Morgan Zick, beloved husband, father, grand-father and brother, was led home by his Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster, Texas. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family after a brief, but valiant, battle with cancer.Don was born on November 21, 1946, in Many, where he met his bride of 47 years, and together, raised their own family. He served his country in the U.S. Army as a medic before continuing his education at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. He was also a graduate of the school of banking at Louisiana State University.For 43 years, Sabine State Bank & Trust Company was his second home, where he helped his community daily. In December of 2015, Don retired as a Senior Vice President from the bank in order to spend more time with his family. He was also an active member at First United Methodist Church in Many.

Funeral services for Robert Allen Goins, 70, of Converse were held April 24 at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in the Cassell Cemetery. He was born on Wednesday, January 29, 1947 in Natchitoches and passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at his residence in Converse.He was preceded in death by his parents, Dolph Goins, Sr. and Mildred Louise Bossier Goins; and brother, Chester Goins.He is survived by his daughters, Kelly Masters and husband, Lane, of Fisher, Amber Goins and Ryan McClellen of Virginia, and Michelle Goins of Dallas, Texas; brother, Dolph Goins, Jr. and wife, Jessica, of Youngsville; sister, Joyce Stadig and husband, Mark, of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren, Katelyn Masters, Tynisia Spencer, Aidan McClellan, Liam Mc-Clellan, Ryder McClellen, and Garry Banks, Jr.; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services for Shirley Jeter Lopez, 80, of Zwolle was held April 21 at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverends Jimmy Price and Benny Crittenden officiating. Burial followed in the Zwolle City Cemetery.She was born on Wednesday, March 24, 1937 in Many and passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Sabine Medical Center in Many. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leamon Lopez; parents, William F. Jeter and Ethel Marie Blackwell Jeter; brother and sister-in-law, Dub and Mary Jeter; and brother-in-law, Monte Barron.She is survived by her daughter, Eva Montgomery of Zwolle; son, Terry O’Leary, Sr. and wife, Connie, of Zwolle; sisters, Mildred Barron of Shreveport and Linda Guay and husband, Billy, of Many; grandchildren, Ann Montgomery, Candice Brandon and husband, Joshua, and Terry O’Leary, Jr. and wife, Witney; great grandchildren, Michael Dillon Etheridge, Victoria Etheridge, Karsyn Brandon and Peyt O’Leary; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Services for Betty Joyce Ambrose, 82, of Deville were held April 21, in the chapel of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home, with the Rev. Harold Ralph Ambrose officiating. Interment followed in Alexandria-Pineville National Cemetery. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Ambrose, Jr.; grandmother, Elizabeth Kelly Mac-Donald; parents, Virgil and Jewel MacDonald Spears; sister, Geraldine Berry; and granddaughters, Megan Ambrose, Jessica Ambrose, and Destiny Ambrose. Betty was a graduate of Oakdale High School, and graduated with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from LSU. She had a great passion for Law Enforcement work, being the first ranking female officer for the Alexandria Police Department. Betty started as a meter maid; she then worked as a Sergeant, a Juvenile Officer and a Detective, for APD.

Funeral services for Waine “Bo” Ross, 42 of Anacoco were held April 23, at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Hornbeck. The Reverends Kenneth Baggs and John Lewing, II officiated, the burial followed at Toro Cemetery. Services were under the direction of the Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville.Bo, the son of Loyd W. Ross and Lorris M. Pruitt and Eva Ross, was born in Grand Junction, Colorado. He passed away Thursday, April 20, 2017 at his residence in Anacoco. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lorris Pruitt; grand-parents, Sylvestie Gibson, Ralph Ross, Jean Pruitt and Ruby and Leo Parrie; and aunt, Francis Knippers.Bo proudly served his country as a US Marine, and he worked for C.S.R.A. helping to train soldiers. He was a loving husband, father, and son. Bo truly loved spending time with his family and was a computer genius.

Services were held for Eva Elnora Davis, 97, who passed away at home on April 19, 2017 surrounded by her family. She was born September 22, 1919 in Barham. She was a loving wife for 65 years to Herman Davis who preceded her in death.She was also preceded in death by two sons-in-law, Carlton Evans and Bill Rowe; infant grandchildren, Edward and Laura Evans; brothers, Jack Self, Floyd Self, Donnie Self, and Paul Self; sisters, Edna King and Mildred Overmyer; as well as her parents, Edgar and Elsie Self.This wonderful woman was a loving wife, mother, grand-mother and great grandmother. She loved everyone especially her Lord and Savior. Eva left a great legacy for her family and friends. She remained loyal and faithful to the Lord no matter the circumstances.