Obituaries

Funeral services celebrating the life of Danny Wayne McMellon, Jr., 50, of Mansfield, Louisiana were held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Chapel, 943 Polk St. in Mansfield, Louisiana. His uncle, Bro. Ray Darden, officiated. Interment followed at Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Carmel, Louisiana. A visitation was held from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

Danny was born to Danny Wayne McMellon, Sr., and Connie Bland McMellon on August 24, 1971, in Converse, Louisiana. He entered into rest on July 1, 2022, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was known to his family and friends as “Lil’ Danny”. He had a love for hunting, fishing, gardening, and LSU Football. He was a loving dad, son, brother, and uncle.

Edwin Keith Lafitte, 60, of Natchitoches, LA, died on June 25th, 2022, after a brave battle with cancer. He was born to Bell Young Laffite and Billie Dale Elliott on September 29, 1961. Edwin attended Natchitoches Central High School prior to working construction for Pipeliner’s Local 798 and becoming an accomplished chainsaw wood carving artist.

Even through Eddie’s illness and times of struggle, he could still bring a smile to people’s faces with his humor and optimism. He was always willing to help someone in need if he could. Eddie was most at peace when creating his beautiful artwork while listening to music. He loved video chatting with his daughter whom he did not get to see very often. Eddie also had an avid love of animals and always had an “animal friend” by his side. He loved being in the outdoors and would tell stories of his travels and adventures through most of the United States. He will be missed.

Larry S. Tyler was born the fourth of six children on March 25, 1944, on a farm in Logansport, LA, to Ernest Howard and Johnny Maude Tyler. He attended Logansport public schools and graduated as valedictorian of his class in 1962 when he was named a National Merit Scholar. Larry majored in Psychology at Stephen F. Austin SU in Nacogdoches, TX until he was drafted in1965. Larry was an avionics technician and served 2 years in Germany before being sent to Vietnam in 1968 where he was a staff sergeant in the 101st Airborne Division.

After Vietnam, Larry earned a BA in Psychology at the University of Houston in 1970. He attended Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, TX, taking an intern year as a missionary in Korea. There he and his wife, Dona Kathryn (D.K.) adopted a Korean foundling, Bryan, who followed his father into Christian ministry, working for GUTS church in Tulsa. Their second adopted son also works in Tulsa in online tech support.

Funeral services for Willie Ray Williams, 79, of Frierson, Louisiana were held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, June 24, 2022, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Chapel, Mansfield, Louisiana, with Rev. Richard “Dick” Enterkin and Rev. Chucky Clark officiating. Interment followed at Union Springs Cemetery, Converse, Louisiana. A visitation was held on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Mansfield, Louisiana.

Willie entered into rest on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Willie was born on August 28, 1942, to Gaddis and Marguerite Bossier Williams in Converse, Louisiana.

Willie is preceded in death by his parents. Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Lynelle Springer and her husband, Cleveland; brother, Gerald Williams and his wife, Alicia; nieces and nephews, James Williams, Lorraine Hall, Traci Williams, Nelson Springer, Jonathan Springer, Jennifer Springer, and Jessica Raye Duplechin; and special friend, Linda Nussman.

Loyd “Buddy” McDonald was born on June 4, 1930, in Lula Community, to Robert Coleman and Mary Terrell McDonald. On June 11, 2022, his Lord and Savior called him to his heavenly home.

Buddy was employed in the freight business for 20 years and then worked as service manager for Meredith’s Tire and then BNL Tire until he retired in 2008. He also had cattle and timber and loved to garden. He was a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church for sixty-nine years and served as Trustee of Sloan Cemetery for many years. He loved his Lord, his church, his country, and his family. He was a loving husband, daddy, granddaddy, and great-granddaddy. Buddy was married to the love of his life, Mary for 68 years.

Buddy was preceded in death by his mother and father; and three brothers, W.R. McDonald, Malcome LeMoyne, and James “Jimmy” McDonald.

Billy B. Bass, 79, of Keithville, LA went to meet his Lord and Savior on April 29, 2022 in Shreveport, LA. He was born March 2, 1943 in Pleasant Hill, LA.

He was preceded in death by his parents Peyton Lawrence Bass and Erma Lee Reed Bass; his wife of 25 years, Alice Faye Bass; 2 brothers, Robert Reed Bass and Jimmy Ray “Joe” Bass, sister, Barbara Jean Hamilton, 2 nephews, Sam Bass and Steve Hamilton.

Bill is survived by 1 brother, Rev. Peyton L. Bass, Jr. and wife Monty; one son, Todd Bass, numerous nieces and nephews and special niece, Joni Bass of Coushatta, LA.

Jeanette Wiley, 89, was born February 1, 1933 in Converse, Louisiana to Waymon and Joy Vines and passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2022 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Jeanette was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed oil painting, crafts and especially cooking for her loved ones. She was a devoted member of Beulah Baptist Church in Mansfield, Louisiana for many years.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, Bobby L. Wiley.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Cheryl Wiley Adair and husband, Jeff; brother, Waymon Franklin Vines; and grandchildren, Chris Adair and Cole Adair.

Graveside services celebrating the life of Ruth W. Bufkin, 81 of Mansfield, Louisiana were held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Highland Cemetery in Mansfield, Louisiana. Rev. Toby Shaw officiated.

Ruth was born on May 8, 1941, in Raleigh, Mississippi to John and Ethel Parker Williams and entered into rest on May 29, 2022.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert “Bob” Bufkin; and sister, Mary Nell Harvey. She is survived by a special nephew, Larry Harvey; nephew, Mike Harvey; niece, Debbie Speed; and a host of many, many friends.

Honoring Ruth as pallbearers were Chris Locke, Jeremy Locke, Rodney Arbuckle, Robbo Davidson, and Billy Spears. Honorary pallbearers were John Locke, Justin Rivers, Warren Privette, Tony Morris, DeSoto Parish Sheriff Deputies, and Mansfield Police Department.

Funeral services celebrating the life ofLaWanda Taylor, 79, of Mansfield, Louisiana were held at 2:00 P.M, Friday, April 15, 2022, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Mansfield Chapel. Rev. Alton Middleton, the pastor of Old Union Baptist Church, officiated the service. A visitation was held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

LaWanda was born on November 14, 1942, to Marvin and Olga Shaw in Ringgold, Louisiana, and entered into rest on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

LaWanda graduated from Spring Hill High School in Webster Parish in 1961. She attended Spencer Draughon Business School and graduated in 1962.

She met her future husband in 1960 while he was serving in the United States Army. They were married on October 25, 1963, in Sarepta, Louisiana. They resided in Webster Parish until they moved to DeSoto Parish in 1981.

Friends were invited to join her family in celebrating and honoring the life of Cheryl “Toupie” Yarbrough Odom, 78, on Monday, May 16, 2022, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1002 Polk St, Mansfield, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Rev. Bill McLain. Interment followed at Highland Cemetery in Mansfield, Louisiana. Visitation was held from 5p.m. until 7p.m., Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk St., Mansfield, Louisiana.

Born on July 26, 1943, in Shreveport, Louisiana to Cecil Brinson Yarbrough and Carajo Latham Yarbrough, little girl Cheryl soon was given the nickname of “Toupie” by her neighbor, Hazel “Rah-Rah” Brown. Little Cheryl loved to play dress-up in Rah-Rah’s fancy jewelry and clothes, this reminded Rah-Rah of a lady in her community and nicknamed her “Little