Obituaries

Please join the family to share good memories and good food as we celebrate the lives of Mary Manasco and Billie Lawrence on Saturday, July 23 at 1 p.m. at the Alford Heights Baptist Church in Many. Mary grew up in Many. She was born on October 5, 1942 to Bernice Jones-Manasco and Troy Manasco and passed away at home, in Branson, Missouri on November 26, 2014, surrounded with love by her family and sisters. Billie grew up in Florien and was born on April 9, 1936 to Hazel Eason-Lawrence and Bill Lawrence. He passed away at his son’s home in Sanford, North Carolina on May 23, 2016, the day before his and Mary’s 55th wedding anniversary. Mary is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Gordon, Rodney, and Milford and much loved nephews, Matt Bridges and Dawson Lowe. Billie was preceded in death by his lovely and beautiful wife, Mary, his parents, and his beloved sister, O’Del Edwards.

Funeral services honoring the life of Billy Wayne Sepeda, 75, were held July 7at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Zwolle with Father Micheal Thang’wa officiating. Burial followed at St. Joseph’s in Zwolle Billy Wayne Sepeda was born in Pleasant Hill to Edward Sepeda and Lela Bell Wilburn and passed away with his wife by his side. Proceeding him in death were his parents, Edward Sepeda and Lela Bell Wilburn; brothers, Jerry Glen Sepeda, Herman Sepeda, Wilbert Maxey and Mac Sepeda and sisters, Jewel Phillips, Ruby Remedis, Johnnie Bell Remedies and Melva Sepeda. Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 47 years, JoAnne Sepeda; son, Marcus Sepeda and wife A’na of Zwolle; brothers, Edward Sepeda of Oklahoma, Jack Sepeda of Denham Springs, Robert Sepeda of Florida, and Danny Wilburn and wife, Kathy, of Shreveport; sisters, Joanne Warren of Shreveport, Carolyn Sepeda of Baton Rouge, and Susie Belt of Beaumont, Texas and sister-in-law, Tressie Sepeda of Shreveport.

Funeral services honoring the life of Martha Faye Stevens Elliott, 78, were held July 13 at First Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill with the Rev. Joe Thibeau officiating. Burial followed at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. Martha was born on March 12, 1938 to her father Haywood Stevens and mother Nina Stevens, and died on July 10, 2016 in Mansfield. Martha was a member of First Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill, where she sang in the choir for many years. Preceding Martha in death were her father, Haywood Stevens; mother, Nina Stevens; husband, James Joel Elliott and brother-in-law, Charles Andrews. Those left behind to cherish her memory are her son, James Joel Elliott, Jr. and wife, Carolyn M. Elliott; daughters, Pamela Jeane Hildebrand and husband, Roy D. Hildebrand, Connie Lynn Procell and husband, Brian E. Procell, and Donna Gwynn Elliott; sisters, Bobbie Jeane Andrews, Francis Yvonne Bufkin and husband, R.A.

Funeral services for Lois Evelyn Daniels, 84, of Robeline were held on July 6 at The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints with Bishop Jared Vincent officiating. Burial followed in the Rocky Mount Cemetery in Robeline. Lois Evelyn Daniels was born on Saturday, November 14, 1931 in Sabine Parish.

Funeral services for William “Bill” Parker, 69, of Marthaville were held July 9 at Aimwell Baptist Church with the Rev. Butch Bruce officiating. Burial followed in the Aimwell Cemetery. Bill was born on Sunday, July 7, 1946 in Winnfield.

Funeral services for Earnestine Underwood Lilly of Many were held June 29, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses with Brother James Self officiating. Interment followed in New Jerusalem Cemetery. Earnestine Lilly was born September 20, 1925 in Deridder to Oscar Cleve Underwood and Alice Beatrice Gise Underwood. She passed away on June 22, 2016 at University Health Hospital in Shreveport. She married Nathaniel Lilly on September 4, 1942 in Many who passed away October 3, 2010. Earnestine took care of the home. Over 25 years, Earnestine and Nathaniel welcomed 12 children into their home and Earnestine set about teaching them kindness, humility, and hard work. Her children remember her as a dedicated and loving mother who encouraged them to give back to others and wanted them to be happy. Earnestine was an avid gardener and great cook and often loved to sing, write poetry, and dance.

Dorothy Jones Bray, 91, of Provencal passed away July 1, 2016. Funeral services were held on July 4 at the Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel in Many. Burial followed in Fisher Cemetery.

Bernice Helen Veuleman, 91, of Many passed away June 30, 2016. Funeral services were held July 3 at the Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel in Many. Burial followed in Mt. Freedom Cemetery in Many.

Funeral services for Charles Alford were held on June 30 at Alford Heights Baptist Church with the Reverends Kenneth Leach and Hoy Leach officiating. Burial followed in the Ft. Jesup Cemetery. Charles Alford passed away on June 27, 2016 at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Pattie Veuleman Alford of Baton Rouge and his children, Staci Alford Casey and husband, Matt, of Philadelphia, Pennyslvania, and Kevin T. Alford and wife, Sheila, of Baton Rouge; grandchildren, Ellen and Charlie Casey and Devera Alford; sister, Beth Alford Martin and husband, DeWayne, of Many and several cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was born in Many on November 20, 1937 to DeVera Skinner Alford and W. C. “Bill” Alford. He graduated from Many High School in 1956 and served in the United States Army. He worked at the Louisiana Department of Labor for 36 years, retiring in 2000.

Johnson Paul Brannon Pearson, 79, of Noble passed away June 26, 2016. Funeral services were held June 29 at First Baptist Church of Noble under the direction of Warren Meadows Funeral Home. Burial followed at Roselawn Cemetery in Sulphur.