May 10, 1932 - Dec. 16, 2016 Funeral services for Vernon Carter Sr. will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27 at Montgomery United Pentecostal Church in Montgomery, with Rev. Donald Givens officiating. Interment will follow at St. Maurice Cemetery following the services. The family will receive friends from 5-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26 at the church in Montgomery. Vernon Carter Sr., 84 years of age, passed away at his home in St. Maurice on Dec. 16, 2016. He was born May 10, 1932 to Peter Carter and Alberta Antee Carter in Montgomery. Vernon was a caring father who worked hard to provide for his family. He was a junk collector and seller and a commercial fisherman. He loved the outdoors greatly and spent as much time fishing and deer hunting as he could. He would help anyone in need, as he never wanted to see anyone go without. He also enjoyed going to auctions whenever he could. He was a kind man that never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Catherine Desadier Carter; his daughter, Nancy Arlene Carter; and three brothers, Ray, Marvin and J.C. Carter. He is survived by his son, Vernon Carter Jr. of St. Maurice; two daughters, Rosemary Nielsen and husband Bruce of St. Maurice and Sheree DuBois of Montgomery; seven grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren. Those honored to be pallbearers will be Doyle Ray Smith, Justin DuBois, Brandon DuBois, Scott Parker, Dylan Racine and Dennis Bass Jr.

June 2, 1932 – Dec. 18, 2016 Life celebration services for Leon Dean will be convened at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel Saturday, Dec. 31 at 11 a.m., with Pastor Cynthia Lee Cole officiating. The remains will lie in state at the funeral home for public visitation from 8 a.m. to service time. Burial with military honors will take place at Lawrence Serenity Sanctum. He will be remembered as having a pivotal position in local history with his having been deputized as the first Black Police Officer in the City of Natchitoches in 1967 at the height of the Civil Rights Movement.

Dec. 12, 1933 - Dec. 20, 2016 A service to honor the life of William ‘Bill’ Davis was at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, with Rev. Josh Currie officiating. Interment followed at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches. The family received friends from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. William Everett ‘Bill’ Davis passed peacefully into the presence of his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, in Winnfield. He was born in Stanton, Ala. on Dec. 12, 1933 and married the love of his life, Neva Elise Smith on Oct. 9, 1954. Together, they modeled to their children and grandchildren a loving marriage and respect for one another. He served his country in the United States Air Force. He also worked for Placid Oil Company for over thirty years. Bill was devoted to his family and their many friends and will be greatly missed by all. He is survived by his children, Randy Davis and wife Cammie of Baton Rouge, Susan Howell and husband Gary of Natchitoches and Jimmy Davis and wife Beverly of San Antonio, Texas; his grandchildren, William Davis and his wife Danielle, Lindsey Davis, Cody Davis, Brett Mayeaux and wife Rachel, Amber Howell and Alicia Angelle and husband Caleb; his great-grandchildren, Kate, Anna and Ryan Mayeaux, Everly Davis and Jaxon and Greyson Angelle; one brother, Billy Davis; two sisters-in-law, JoAnn Davis and Johnnie Davis; and his lifetime friends, Pierce and Dot Nicholson and their family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elise; his parents, Jesse and Effie Davis; and his son-in-law, Troy Mayeaux. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Autumn Leaves Nursing Home for their love and exceptional care for their father.

Celebration of Life services for Robert Lane Burkhead, 82, of Longview will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 2, 2017, at the Alpine Presbyterian Church in Longview.  The family will receive friends following the services.  Mr. Burkhead passed away Thursday, December 29, 2016 in Longview.

Mr. Burkhead was born October 16, 1934 in Jackson, Tennessee to the late Evans Lane Burkhead and Virginia Lee Fitch Burkhead.  He was a retired teacher after many years of service and influencing many young minds teaching math, social studies and computer literacy.  Robert loved music, singing and performing.  He performed in musical productions, Barbershop Quartets and other choral productions.  Robert was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Natchitoches, LA and more recently of the Alpine Presbyterian Church; singing in the choir.  He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  Robert’s legacy will live on in all the family, friends and students whose lives he touched.

He is survived by his wife Joyce Burkhead of Longview; son Greg Burkhead and wife Stephanie of The Colony; step children Larry Simmons and wife Deborah of Ore City, Lynda Terry and husband Robert of Avinger, Rene Thompson and husband Jody of Gladewater and Jason Simmons of Little Rock, AR; brother Charles Burkhead of Chicago, IL; the mother of his children Marie Burkhead of The Colony; granddaughter Daisy Burkhead of The Colony; 18 step grandchildren; 23 step great grandchildren as well as many other loving family and friends.

Mr. Burkhead is preceded in death by his daughter Virginia (Jenny) Burkhead who passed away in 2007.

Funeral services for Ola H. Wooley, 98, of Chestnut, were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28 at Ashland Baptist Church, with Bro. Dave Moore officiating. Interment followed in Weaver Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27 at Ashland Baptist Church. Funeral services were under the direction of Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home, Coushatta. Mrs. Wooley was born Dec. 11, 1918 in Bonifay, Fla. and passed away Dec. 25, 2016. Mrs. Ola was known to all as “Mama Ola” or with a little country slang “Mama Oler.” She was always a hard worker, no matter what the job entailed. She was only ten years old and in the fifth grade when her mother died. She had to quit school to help raise her four brothers and never stopped taking care of people for the next 88 years. She always stood by her husband Wilton’s side, whether it be working in the cotton fields or running Wooley’s Grocery, which will be 71 years old this coming year. She had been able to work in the store for all of those years except for the last few of which she had been sick or not able to work. For years, anyone who stopped by “the store” would get a good home cooked meal that would always keep them coming back. She always had a pan of biscuits that were heavenly on the table and it did not take long to fry the chicken. One thing is for sure, the first question she would ask you was, “are you hungry?” When you left, it was always, “now y’all come back now.” “Mama Ola” was a precious, wonderful and sweet lady that loved raising her chickens, milking her cows and waiting on all of us. She always had to kiss you on the cheek and tell you she loved you. She loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren more than they will ever know and will be missed most for her love and compassion for everyone. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilton H. Wooley; one daughter, Lecie Louise Rushing; one greatgrandson, Seth Rushing; parents, John and Lecie Ham; four brothers and one sister. Mrs. Wooley is survived by one son, John H. Wooley and wife, Lillian of Creston; two daughters, Maxine Lum and husband, Bobby of Chestnut and Dorothy Guin and husband, James of Chestnut; one son-in-law, LeRoy Rushing of Chestnut; one sister-in-law, Bernice Hamm of Plant City, Fla.; six grandchildren, Diane Warren and husband, Randy, Randall Rushing and wife, Jere’, Mandy Wamsley and husband, Troy, John Alan Wooley and Wendy, Jennifer Griffin and husband, Bill and Danielle Curole and husband, Chad; six great-grandchildren, Evan Warren, Lecie Rushing, Jessie Wooley, Jonah Wooley, Josie Griffin and Allie Curole; one step-grandchild, Lanie Adkins and husband, Mark; four step-great-grandchildren, Bradley Griffin and wife, Amanda, Lindsay McElwee and husband, Jonathan, Samuel Maggio, Joshua Bonnette; three stepgreat- great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were grandsons, Randy Warren, Randall Rushing, John Alan Wooley, Troy Wamsley, Bill Griffin, and Chad Curole. Honorary pallbearers will be Evan Warren, Lecie Rushing, Jessie Wooley, Jonah Wooley, Josie Griffin, Allie Curole and Ronnie Quick.

A Mass of Resurrection for Frankie Ray Jackson JR. at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Natchitoches Saturday, Jan. 7 at 10 a.m., with burial following in Lawrence Serenity Sanctum. He was born Nov. 4, 1946 and passed away Dec. 28, 2016. The remains will lie in state at the church Saturday, Jan 7 from 8:30-9:30 a.m., with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 9:30 a.m.

Mrs. Mary Helen Brasier Bedgood, 78 of Winnfield, passed away Jan. 1, 2017. She was born Feb. 12, 1938 in Village, Ark. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar Bud and Jewel Stephens Brasier, and husband Claude Marshall Bedgood. Mrs. Bedgood was a member of First Baptist Church of Natchitoches and later joined Goldonna Assembly of God Church where she was active. She will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Steven Bedgood (Christina), Danny Bedgood (Leah) and Sheila Bedgood Carpenter; grandchildren, Stephanie, Stacy and Susan Bedgood; Daniel and Drew Bedgood, Bethany Gunter and Cody Carpenter and seven greatgrandchildren; brother, Charles Brasier; numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5 at Southern Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Goldonna Cemetery. The family received friends at the funeral home Jan. 4 from 5-8 p.m. and will again receive friends Thursday, Jan. 5 from 9 a.m. until time of services. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome.com.

H.G. Hawthorne Jr., 93 and former resident of Natchitoches for almost 50 years, passed away Dec. 19, 2016 in Temple, Texas with his family by his side. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, at the First United Methodist Church in the Crossroads Sanctuary in Natchitoches. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m. and the service begins at 3 p.m. H.G. donated his body to Texas A&M Health Science and his remains will be placed in Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches. He was born November 27, 1923 in Alexandria, the only child of H.G. Hawthorne Sr. and Bettie McVey Hawthorne and grandson of Methodist Minister J. T. McVey and Mrs. Flora McVey; also grandparents: the Monroe Hawthorne’s of Provencal. He attended LSU, moved to Natchitoches and graduated from Northwestern State College in 1944 with a bachelor’s in Business Administration. Survivors are Mary, his wife of 65 years and their four daughters, Sherrie Phipps/Larry of Sugar Land, Texas, Camille and Nanette Hawthorne of Temple, Texas, Cecile Allen/Steve of Austin, Texas; five grandchildren, Jason Phipps/Mary Ellen of Sugar Land, Texas, Whitney Shanks/Thomas of Austin, Texas, Taylor Bettis of Austin, Texas and Hunter Bettis of Lincoln, Ill.; and his four-legged granddaughter Sissy of Temple, Texas; three great grandchildren, Parker Shanks of Austin, Texas and Lucie and Grace Phipps of Sugar Land, Texas. Also special to him was Sue Kennedy. Preceding him in death were his parents and son, Johnny Long. In January 1945, H.G. joined the U.S. Navy and completed his enlistment in the Naval Reserves, serving for 10 years. For his WWII service, he was one of four residents at the William Courtney VA Home in Temple selected for the Honor Flight Austin to Washington D.C. to visit the War Memorials in May 2016. After returning home from WWII, H.G. continued to work at Natchitoches Lumber Yard, eventually becoming part owner. Later, he became a partner in Custom Builders, until his retirement in 1988. Upon retiring, he and Mary moved to Texas and summered in New Wilmington, Pa, to travel between the girls and the grands. They especially loved watching all of the grands play in many ballgames; when in town, they never missed a game. H.G. had a wide variety of interests especially riding Harley Motorcycles with the club he helped form in 1948 and hunting, preferably with a bow, as it was more challenging; most any ball sport, locksmithing, scuba diving and water skiing, which he taught the girls and many of their friends. He loved helping others. Family, friends and coworkers of the girls benefitted from him building shelves to fixing locks. H.G. was also a member of the Moose Lodge, serving many years as secretary and treasurer and as governor. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all. The family would like to thank the staff of the Courtney Home, Memory Support Care Unit and D Hall who gave their dad care and comfort during his one and a half years there. A special thanks to Dale Stough and Chardelle Canterbury of Hospice Compassus these last few months, as well as Bobbi, Lena, Lisa, Debra, Pam and Sammy of the Courtney Home and to all for his very poignant “Final Salute” send-off, draped in the American Flag after he passed. A memorial service will be held Jan. 6 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas, with a U.S. Navy Honorable Funeral Detail and presentation of the Flag to Mary. In memory of H.G., donations may be made to Honor Flight Austin at www.honorflightaustin. org or The Northwestern State University Watson Memorial Library.

Funeral services for Sherman Doolittle will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches. Interment with military honors will follow at Lambertown Cemetery in Robeline. A visitation was held Wednesday, January 4 from 5-8 p.m. Sherman Doolittle was born March 20, 1947 in Natchitoches and was raised in the Shamrock Community near Robeline. He graduated from Northwestern State University in 1971 with a bachelor’s in Sociology. While at NSU, Sherman was a proud member of NSU’s Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. After completing his ROTC training, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Prior to being stationed in Vietnam, Sherman completed the Engineering Officer Basic Course at Fort Belvoir, Va. During the Vietnam War, he was assigned to the 196th Light Infantry Regiment of the 23rd Division and was posted near Da Nang for parts of 1970 and 1971. During his time of service, he received a number of medals and awards, which included the Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal. After returning home from the war, Sherman found employment with the State of LA Vocational Service. After 30 years of service, he retired from there as a District Supervisor in Shreveport. He then worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Natchitoches, as a clerk and fill-in postmaster at smaller postal offices in the area. He retired to home and enjoyed working on home projects. He could often be found around his home on a tractor or doing a handyman job. His priority was always his family and friends and he would drop whatever he was doing to help them. Sherman loved the Lord and was honored to serve Him in many roles such as a deacon for over 30 years, in the music ministry and other positions as the need arose. He especially enjoyed his Sunday school class at Westside Baptist Church in Natchitoches. He loved to sing and was a member of the Joyful Sounds and church choir. His greatest joy and delight were his two sons. He was proud of the men they became and was particularly proud of their commitment to the Lord. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Hyman L. Doolittle and Laura Parish Doolittle. He is survived by his wife and sons, Sandra Craig Doolittle of Robeline, Matthew Doolittle of Robeline and Mark Doolittle of Beaumont, Texas; and a brother and sister- in-law, Wayne Doolittle and Nelda Doolittle of Ferriday. He is also survived by paternal aunts Mary Doolittle Jones of Robeline, Minnie Doolittle Sirman of Benton and June Doolittle Lee of Natchitoches; maternal aunts, Vera Parish Gislar of Dallas, Texas and Rita Parish Doolittle of Natchitoches; and maternal uncle Loudis Parish of Many, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services for Earl Wayne O’Bannon were at 10 a.m. Jan. 4 at the Provencal United Pentecostal Church, with Bro. Paul Grace officiating. Burial followed at Friendship Cemetery under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. The family received friends after 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3 at Provencal United Pentecostal Church in Provencal. Earl Wayne O’Bannon. A son, father, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and a friend. The kind of man you could always depend on. The kind of man that would give you the shirt off his back. The kind of man we all want to be. He loved his family and friends and they loved him. Earl Wayne passed away Jan. 1, 2017, at approximately 10 p.m., after a very hard fought battle with stomach cancer. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and all around country boy. He was hard working, outgoing and free giving. He lived life to the fullest. He was a regular deer slayer and a self-proclaimed outlaw. If he spotted a hole with enough water in it, he would definitely make a trip back and catch the fish that is in it that no one else could catch. He was also very honored to be a Boat Captain for the NCHS Fishing Team and loved spending time with his nephew. He was basically just as crazy about hunting as he was fishing. Again, if he saw a spot that “looked good” he would return to hunt it. He had an awesome sense of direction, didn’t need or own a compass or GPS; it was a God given gift. He worked as hard as he played. He was a logger for the majority of his life. He could use a chainsaw as well as he could use a shotgun or a rifle. He was a good friend to many, many people. He touched many lives. If someone needed help, he was there. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends, acquaintances or anyone who knew him. Preceded by his paternal grandparents, Wilson Ruffin Wilson “Ruff” O’Bannon and Mae Bell Cobb O’Bannon and his maternal grandparents, Ed Howell and Audrey Mae McIlwain Howell, his aunts, Audrey Mae “Sudie” O’Bannon Broadway, Joy Lee Howell Thomasee and Rhonda Gayle Jordan Howell and his uncle, Carroll Howell. Survived by his mother, Lena Mae Howell South, his father, Wilson Enoch “W.E.” O’Bannon and wife, Mary, his brothers, Jerry O’Bannon, Bruce O’Bannon and wife, Jan, Glen O’Bannon and wife, Melissa, his sister, Jeanette Jiles and husband Scott, his honorary brother, Lynn Oxley, and step-sister, Mary Davis. Survived by his children, Teri O’Bannon Watts and husband, Michael, Dustin O’Bannon, Megan Bell and husband, Matt, Trevor O’Bannon and his stepchildren, Kristin LaTour and husband, Clayton and Shane Bell and his grandchildren, Kellan and Micah Watts, Ella Marie Chism, and Jay, Dage, Lily and Jacob LaTour, and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Duke Thomas, Richard Pitts, Shane O’Bannon, Wade Stephens, Justin Tibbett and Phillip Gandy. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Johnny Jenkins and his family for their support and friendship, and special thank you to Sonya Ballard for her love and compassion. They would also like to thank Hospice of Natchitoches for their caring service.

Graveside services for Byron Brantley Speer, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7 at Salem Cemetery in Athens, with Ben Rushing Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6 and Saturday, January 7 from 8-10 a.m.at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Shreveport. Byron, 81 years of age, passed away Dec 29, 2016, at Montclair Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Center in Shreveport. Byron was born June 8, 1935 to the late Geddis Brantley Speer and Willie Belle Holley Speer in Athens. He met his wife Carolyn in 1953 and then was married in 1957. Byron served in the National Guard from 1952 until 1969 and retired as a 1st Sergeant. He worked at Placid Oil Company-Black Lake unit from 1963 until his retirement in 1993. Byron loved motorcycles since owning his first in 1952. He spent many hours working on motorcycles at his home-based shop, and enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson all over the United States with Carolyn and friends. He spent many Sundays with his son Brant at motorcycle tracks, coaching him in to winning countless trophies. Byron was a devoted son, husband, father and grandfather to his family. Byron is preceded in death by his parents, wife of 54 years, Carolyn Patton Speer and his sister, Betty Jean Speer Miller. Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Byron Brantley “Brant” Speer Jr. of Shreveport and his wife Lorie Tate Speer of Natchitoches; his daughter, Carol Juliane “Juli” Speer Maggio of Colorado Springs, Colo.; four grandchildren, Laura Maggio DeLoach and husband, Joshua, Meredith Speer Meyers and husband, Aaron, Ben Speer and wife, Jessica, and Katie Maggio; and two great-grandchildren; Preslee and Cash. The family would like to express their deep and sincere gratitude to Dr. Abdehou and the nurses and staff at Montclair Assisted Living and Memory Care, as well as the staff of Amedisys Home Health and Hospice for their kind and compassionate care during the time of Byron’s illness. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MDS Foundation (Myelodysplastic Syndromes).