Obituaries

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.

Funeral services for W.E. “Boots” Hayes, 89, of Many, will be held Saturday, January 13 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church Of Many with the Rev. Jonathan Bost and Elder Jim Freeland officiating. Burial will follow in the Many Cemetery. Visitation will begin Friday, January 12, at 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many. He was born Saturday, May 19, 1928 in Robeline, and passed away Friday, January 5, 2018 at Willis Knighton Pierremont in Shreveport. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred M. Hayes; parents, Mack and Beulah Hardy Hayes; brothers, Mack Hayes, Jr. and James Hayes; sister, Nelwyn Bush. He is survived by his son, Steven Hayes and wife, Melissa, of Woodlands, Texas; daughter, Ann Lites and husband, Duane, of Rockwall, Texas; grandchildren, Mindi Gooch and husband, Jereme, of Round Rock, Texas, Mandi Hall and husband, Jason, of Knoxville, Tennessee, Megan Hohenberger and husband, Andrew, of Midland, Texas, Steven Hayes Jr.

Oscar “James” Builteman died peacefully in the company of his loved ones in Norman, Oklahoma on January 1, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Elizabeth Builteman; sister, Elizabeth Mitchell from Many; son, James Leroy Builteman of Saint Augustine, Florida; daughter, Rebecca Ann Bradford of Norman, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Hannah Elizabeth Bradford, Sarah Jane Spivey, and Christopher James Bradford of Norman, Oklahoma; and his granddaughter, Katherine Elaine Builteman of Baltimore, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Alexander James Builteman, of Saint Augustine, Florida. James was born on June 4, 1928 in New Orleans to Oscar Christian and Bessie Builteman. He grew up in Many and graduated from Louisiana State University in 1951 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry. He married Mary Elizabeth Glaze that same year, then served actively in the U.S. Army until 1953, and in the Army Reserve until 1959.