Obituaries

Janice Napier, 74, of Pineland, Texas passed away Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Sabine County Hospital in Hemphill.

Janice was born July 11, 1945 in Belmont, Louisiana to James Madison Grantham and Retha Berry Grantham. She was a resident of Belmont before moving to Pineland in 1963.

Janice had earned her PhD in Nursing and worked as a Family Nurse Practioner for Baylor College of Medicine. She had previously been the Company Nurse for Temple Industries for 15 years and had also worked for Lufkin Memorial Hospital and CHI.

Janice was of the Baptist faith and she was a member of Rosevine Missionary Baptist Church. She was a wonderful pianist and she and her husband, John, often sang together in church.

Funeral services for Gerald Wayne Thaxton, 79, of Florien were on October 14, 2019 at Pine Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Dennis Bignar, Rev. Danny Forsythe and Rev. Dean Johnson officiating. Burial followed in the Middlecreek Cemetery.

Gerald Wayne Thaxton was born on Friday, February 16, 1940 in Florien. He passed away on Friday, October 11, 2019 in Alexandria. Gerald was a faithful member of Pine Grove Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. He was a carpenter in earlier years, as well as a retired poultry grower and cattleman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Evon and Vernie (Weldon) Thaxton and brother-in-law, Elvis Browning.

Funeral services for Alma Lurline Edwards, 97, of Pleasant Hill, were held on October 9, 2019 at Spring Ridge Baptist Church with Rev. Kenneth Leach, Sr. officiating. Burial followed in the Spring Ridge Cemetery. Alma Lurline Edwards was born on Sunday, September 24, 1922 in Pleasant Hill. She passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2019 in Natchitoches. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Ponder and Kate (Lane) Ponder; husband, Bill Edwards; and son, Lennis Edwards. Alma left Pleasant Hill at a young age and moved to Midland, Texas. She met and later married Bill Edwards and they had two sons and raised their family in Houston, Texas. Later in life she and Bill moved back to Pleasant Hill to live on the family farm.

Funeral services for John Rivers, 81, of Noble, were held on October 1, 2019 at St. Ann Catholic Church with Father Francis Kamau officiating. Burial followed in the St. Ann Catholic Cemetery.

John Rivers was born on Monday, May 16, 1938 in Zwolle. He passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at Sabine Medical Center in Many. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Kate (Ebarb) Rivers; brothers, James Carson Rivers and Jimmy Rivers; infant sister, Mary Rivers; great granddaughter, IzaBella Kate Nigreville; and great grandson, Memphis Kolt Sepulvado.

Oscar Alford was born at home on July 23, 1932, “the hottest day of the year”, to Chris and Devada Alford. “Cotton” or “Little Chris”, as he was known, attended school in Many, Louisiana, from first grade, where he was Miss Middelton’s class pet, through 12th grade. His class graduated in 1950, the first class to have gone 12 years straight. During his time at Many High School, he was a four-year member of the State Championship Basketball team. Upon graduation, he

Funeral services for Stanley Patrick Pilcher were held on September 23, 2019 at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana. Officiating the service were Brother Hayward Hossler and Brother Kenny Carter. Stanley was born October 6, 1950 in Converse to Henry Lester Pilcher and Esther (Lopez) Pilcher and entered into rest on September 20, 2019. He served honorably in the United States Army.

Stanley was active during the Vietnam War and was discharged honorably with several commendations and recommendations. These recognitions included the following: National Defense Service Medal,

Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Combat and Infantry Badge.