Obituaries

Cynthia Marie Christian Freeman, loving wife, mother, and friend died and was reunited with her parents in heaven on Thursday, October 12, 2023.

Cynthia was born on September 9, 1943, to Gordon and Mamie Christian in Mansfield, LA. She grew up in Stanley, LA, graduating from Stanley High School and went on to complete her Master’s in Elementary Education at Stephen F. Austin State University.

After graduation, she dedicated her career to teaching and loving elementary children for 25 years. Her fellow teachers shared that she was given children with emotional needs because of her compassionate approach to caring for her students – giving them the special feeling and the love of a mother.

5/27/48 – 9/25/23

Charles Kirsh Billingsley, 75, of New Ulm, Texas, passed away Monday, September 25, 2023, in Houston, Texas.

He was born May 27, 1948, in Shreveport, Louisiana, the son of Robert Josh and Jaqueleine Kirsh Billingsley. Charles graduated the University of Florida with a degree in Architecture. In 1971, Charles moved to Houston and married Margaret Burgess of Mansfield, Louisiana on August 7, 1971. They made their home in Houston where Charles worked as an architect. He worked with Walter F Johnson Jr. and Richard T. Johnson to manage and conserve the Billingsley family land. In 2008, they move to New Ulm, Texas, where he enjoyed retirement. In his spare time, Charles would read, draw, watched sports, and loved to travel. He raised Shetland Sheepdogs.

Joyce Behm Harris was born September 13, 1941, in Logansport, LA., to Orville and Lois (Glyn) Behm. She graduated from Logansport High School in 1959, and attended McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA, graduating in 1963. She continued to pursue her higher education degree and earned a Master’s degree in Christian Education and a Master’s degree in counseling from Sioux Falls Seminary.

She was united in marriage to James Gordon Harris on March 24, 1967 in Logansport, LA. The family lived in Kentucky, Texas, Illinois, and Louisiana. In 1970, they were called into the mission field and moved to Baguio, Philippines where Joyce was a choir director and Gordon was an Old Testament professor.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Bro. William Aaron “Toby” Shaw, Jr. were held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 9, 2023, at Kilpatrick’s RoseNeath Chapel, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Dr. Ron Thompson. Interment followed at Mt. Heights Cemetery, Mansfield, Louisiana. Visitation was held on Sunday, October 8, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Kilpatrick’s RoseNeath Funeral Home.

Toby was born on December 11, 1948, in Shreveport, Louisiana to Opal and William Shaw, Sr. and peacefully entered into rest on Friday, October 6, 2023.

Toby loved farming and the outdoors. He loved to fish and hunt but riding his horses was his favorite thing, especially with his kids and grandkids. He loved his family, church, and his members. He enjoyed his mornings with the coffee group. He also said, “he was a jack of all trades and the master of none.” He will be missed by so many.

Bobby Warren Gay (89) of Grand Cane, LA, passed away on September 29, 2023, surrounded by his family. Bobby’s life will be honored by pastors Mel Campbell and Dennis Aaron.

Bobby was born to Clifford and Estelle Gay on June 14, 1934, in Hall Summit, LA. He married Margie Shepherd in 1955 and moved to Shreveport, LA. They had two children, Stephanie and Scott. Bobby was a passionate horseman, and in 1974, he moved his family to his nephew’s ranch to manage it and continue his life-long passion of training, breeding, and showing horses. Bobby married Jackie Field in 1989, and they continued their dual passion for horses. Bobby kept doing what he loved till his death. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to so many! Aside from his love for his family and friends, Bobby was a devoted Christian and member of Frierson Baptist Church.

3/01/33 – 9/17/23

Funeral services celebrating the life of Tom Billy Dodson were held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at First United Methodist Church of Logansport, 401 Gum St, Logansport, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Rev. Nancy Wofford. Interment was held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023, at Malakoff Cemetery, in Malakoff, Texas. Visitation was held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield, Louisiana.

Funeral services for Phyllis “Rickey” Irene Richardson Howe, 66, were held on Friday, September 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Fellowship Community Church in Gloster, Louisiana. Burial followed at Stonewall Cemetery in Stonewall, Louisiana. A visitation was held on Friday, September 1, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Officiating the service was Rev. Bill McLain.

Rickey was born on April 3, 1957 to Bob and Marsha Lea Richardson in Mansfield, Louisiana and passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her daughters on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 in Gloster.

Funeral services for Dallas Ray Fisher, 91, of Pelican, Louisiana were held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Chapel, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Bro. Lee Rodgers. Interment followed at Pelican Cemetery, Pelican, Louisiana. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 11, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Mansfield, Louisiana.

Ray was born on October 4, 1931, in Pelican, Louisiana to John and Marguerite Welborn Fisher and entered into rest on Thursday, September 7, 2023, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Preceding Ray in death are his wife, Mildred English Fisher; his parents; and son, William Lester Hendricks.

Charlotte D. Wheless Manshack, age 66, of Logansport passed away peacefully in her home on September 7, 2023. She was born on December 17, 1956 to Ray Wheless and Darlene Cook.

Charlotte is survived by her brothers Michael Wheless and wife Lillian, Darrell Wheless and wife Tammy, and Thomas Paine; children Mary Salazar and husband Greg, Bubba Soto, Sara Dominguez and husband Marco, and Rena Dominguez. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters Penny Evans and Mary Frances Wheless.

4/19/74 – 8/28/23

Joyce LaDell Strickland, 49, went to be with the Lord on Monday, August 28, 2023. She was born April 19, 1974, in Shreveport, Louisiana to Raymond Bailey and Janice Long. She lived in Gloster, Louisiana with the love of her life, Les, and their two sons, Seth and Jacob. She would tell you they were her greatest blessings. She spent the last eight years working as a teller at Community Bank in Gloster where she truly touched the lives of everyone she met. She enjoyed spending time outdoors and loved all of Gods creations.