Obituaries

Bill Powell, 85, of Marthaville, passed away on September 25, 2016. He was born to Jesse Shelton Powell and Lelia Potter Powell on March 4, 1931 in Provencal. Bill was a simple man, with an unshakable character defined by the things he treasured on this Earth. He believed in the Lord, hard work and his family. Life required something special from Bill, and this began with the passing of his father when he was 9-years-old. The needs of his mother and younger siblings caused him to leave school to start stacking pulpwood to help make ends meet. He would spend the rest of his life as a logger. On May 19, 1951, he married the love of his life, Betty Mae, and she would be at his side for the next 65 years. The first time he saw this pretty, freckled redhead, he said she was “as cute as a speckled pup under a red wagon.” Their courtship included syrup pull parties and going to church in his old pulpwood truck.

Susan Pepmiller Tatum has moved to her new heavenly home where she will enjoy her cancer-free eternal life with family and friends. Susan was born August 2, 1956 in Mansfield and died at her Grapevine lake-front home on September 20, 2016. Susan was preceded in death by her father, K. D. Pepmiller; mother-in-law, Wanda Tatum; grandparents, and many other family and friends. Left to cherish Susan are her husband of 42 years, Sam Tatum; son, Matt Tatum; daughter, Tabitha Richardson and husband, Cobie; and grandchildren, Nicholas Tatum, Camerohn Sepulvado, Colbie Lynn and Callie Sue Richardson. “Dynamite comes in small packages” is a statement that describes our Susan. Yes, she was small in stature, but dynamite in her everyday life, her accomplishments, and her effect on all those around. Susan’s accomplishments and successes were numerous in both her personal and professional life.

Funeral services for Patsy Jean Salter Greer, 77, of Many were held September 22 at Friendship Baptist Church with Bro. Gary Allen officiating. Burial followed in the Friendship Baptist Cemetery. Patsy was born on Monday, July 17, 1939 in Many. She passed away on Monday, September 19, 2016 at Willis Knighton Pierremont in Shreveport. She was preceded in death by her parents, Horrace Salter and Marie Nancy Leach Salter; husband, Wesley Rudolph “Rudy” Greer; and sister, Dottie Salter Lyddy and husband, Tim Lyddy. She is survived by her sons, Miles Greer and wife, Phyllis, of Many, Steve Greer and wife, Rhonda, of Florien, and Todd Greer and wife, Bridgette, of Gary, Texas; brothers, H. S.

Funeral services for L V Byrd, 95, of Hornbeck, were held September 25 at Oak Grove Bible Baptist Church with the Rev. John Northway officiating. Burial followed in the Oak Grove Bible Baptist Cemetery. L V Byrd was born on Saturday, July 16, 1921 in Kirbyville, Texas. She passed away on Friday, September 23, 2016 at Sabine Retirement & Rehabilitation Center in Many. She was preceded in death by her parents, Columbus Edward Jones and Daisy Mae Inman Jones; husband, Andrew Byrd; six sisters and two brothers. She is survived by her daughter, Remona B. Wright and husband, Larry, of Hornbeck; brother, James Virgil Jones of Houston, Texas; four granddaughters; ten great grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services for Robert Wayne Pilcher, 77, of Zwolle, were held September 21 at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Phillip North officiating. Burial followed in the Aimwell Cemetery. Robert Wayne Pilcher was born on Sunday, June 11, 1939 in Minden. He passed away on Sunday, September 18, 2016 at his residence in Zwolle. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Lester Pilcher and Esther Lopez Pilcher; and his brother, Jerry N. Pilcher. He is survived by his wife, Sally Brown Pilcher of Zwolle; step-son, Kerry D. Anderson and wife, Annette, of Natchitoches; sisters, Bonnie Pilcher of Littleton, Colorado and Connie Suazo of Lakewood, Colorado; brothers, Charles Pilcher and wife, Sarah, of Many, Jimmie Pilcher of Cotter, Arkansas, and Stanley Pilcher of Lake Charles; grandchildren, Kaci Anderson of Stonewall, Dana Broussette of Stonewall, and Kyle Tyson of Stonewall; great grandson, Boston L.

Funeral services honoring the life of Carey “Cooter” Laffitte, 55, where held September 15 at Pelican United Methodist Church in Pelican with Bro.

A celebration honoring the life of Aletha Beatrice Hyatt was held at Prewitt’s Chapel Baptist Church on September 17 with the Reverends Hoy Leach and Nick Hilton officiating. Burial followed in the Prewitt Chapel Cemetery. Mrs. Hyatt was born September 7, 1921 in Sabine Parish. She passed from this life to be with the Lord on September 15, 2016. Born in a family of five children and losing both parents at a very young age, she was raised in the Prewitt’s Chapel Community in Christian homes who made a lifelong impression on her. Mrs. Hyatt was a graduate of Hornbeck High School. She was a loving wife and wonderful mother and grandmother. She was a faithful Christian, teaching Sunday school primary class for many years. She loved to sew and make quilts. She was a wonderful cook, and a meal was always ready at her home. One of her great pleasures was for the Pastor and family to have Sunday dinner at her home. Her food pantry was well stocked.

Bobby Joe Chance, 75, of Florien went home to his heavenly father on September 13, 2016 at his home surrounded by family in Florien. Funeral services were held September 17 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with the Reverends Gil Arthur and Mike Henderson officiating. Burial followed in Florien Cemetery. Bobby was born in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, to James Norman Chance and Geraldine Sandel Chance on January 28, 1941. He graduated from Florien High School in 1959. However, he attended Humes High School in Memphis, Tennessee, through his junior year. Bobby joined the United States Air Force on March 2, 1960, and he was released from active duty on December 18, 1963. He served in the reserves until March 1, 1966. Bobby was awarded the Good Conduct Medal for his dates of active duty. He loved his country and was a true patriot. He married the “love of his life,” Betty Jo Herrington on September 2, 1967, at Pine Grove Baptist Church in Peason.

Barbara Robison McGinty, better known as Mammy, was born on August 15, 1940 to Amos Robison and Doma Sanders Robison in the small community of Stanley and went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 12, 2016 at her home in Pleasant Hill. Services were held September 15 at Rose- Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield. Officiating the service were Bros. Alton Middleton and Lynn Burkett. Interment followed in the Old Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Mammy, as she was known to all, received her BA, Masters and plus 30 in education from NSU. She was an educator for over 50 years in various schools. She could teach every subject and every grade from elementary thru high school and she was the ultimate teacher.

Mollie Virginia McComic Curtis succumbed September 2, 2016 after a nine-month battle with cancer. She was born November 1, 1943 in Zwolle and her parents were Melton and Ethel McComic of Zwolle. There will be a memorial service to celebrate Virginia’s life on Saturday September 24 at St John’s Episcopal Church, 1107 Broadway Street, Minden. The service is at 10:30 a.m. followed immediately with a reception and visitation in the Parish Hall.