Obituaries

Funeral services for Marie Bedsole, 89, were held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, Louisiana on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Oliver Cagle and Rev. Toby Shaw officiating. Burial followed at Highland Cemetery in Mansfield, Louisiana. Visitation was held at the funeral home on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Marie Sepulvado Bedsole was born June 16, 1931 in Converse to Richard and Magalene Sepulvado and passed away on November 15, 2020 at her home in Mansfield, LA. Marie was born and raised in Converse, LA and moved to Mansfield after graduating from Converse High School. She met her husband, Billy Ray, and they married and raised their family in Mansfield. Due to her sweet and generous nature, she was often referred to as “Sweet Marie!”

Donald Frank Hudson, Sr. entered into eternal rest on November 10, 2020 in Bossier City, Louisiana. A visitation was held at 2:00 p.m. until service time beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, Louisiana.

Donald was born on January 3, 1949 in Panama City, Florida to William Russell Hudson and Wilma Presley Hudson. Donald was the President of the Corvette Club in Shreveport, Louisiana. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He is preceded by his parents, William and Wilma Hudson, and his brother, Larry Russell Hudson.

Brother Billy Burkett went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, November 1, 2020. Born in Converse, Louisiana, to John and Gladys Burkett on December 5, 1929, Brother Billy preached his first sermon when he was 16 years old. He surrendered to the ministry at the age of 17 and served as a Baptist preacher for 72 years, with all but two years of his service in churches in Northwest Louisiana. Brother Billy served as a Missions Pastor in Alamosa, Colorado during 1962-64.

He devoted his entire adult life to serving God and his family. He met his wife of 62 years, Mary Louise Pentecost, while preaching at Fellowship Baptist church in Sabine Parish in 1948. His most recent pastorate was at Bethany Baptist Church near Robeline, where he served up until 2019. He was instrumental in the establishment of Clara Springs Baptist Camp and worked tirelessly on other projects for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, District 8, over the past 50 years.

Johnny Williams, 71, of Mansfield, Louisiana entered into eternal rest on October 25, 2020 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

A visitation was held from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, Louisiana. Funeral services honoring the life of Johnny were held at the funeral home on Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Officiating at the service was his brother, James Williams. Interment will followed the service at Highland Cemetery in Mansfield, Louisiana.

Johnny was born on April 15, 1949 in Jasper County, Texas to Luther and Gladys Williams.

Preceding Johnny in death are his parents, Luther and Gladys Williams; his wife, Deborah Williams; his daughter, Stephanie Williams; his brothers, Thomas “Jackie” Williams and Cecil Williams; and his sisters, Gladys Williams and Wanda Welborn.

Elton O. Smith, 82, of Mansfield, Louisiana entered into eternal rest at his home surrounded by his family on October 30, 2020 in Mansfield, Louisiana.

A visitation was held from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, November 04, 2020 at the Hunter Magnolia Baptist Church in Mansfield, Louisiana with the funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. Officiating the service will be Bro Amador Santos. Interment followed the service at Hunter Magnolia Cemetery in Mansfield, Louisiana.

Elton Oliver Smith was born on February 9, 1938 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to James W Smith and Millie Johnson Smith.

Preceding Elton in death are his parents, James and Millie Smith, son, James Carl Smith and 7 brothers and sisters.

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Kirk Michael Thomas, loving father, husband, and friend, on October 16, 2020.

He was born on April 7, 1976 in Niskayuna, NY, raised in Mansfield, LA and his final home in Livingston, LA.

Kirk worked as a truck driver for Stranco for many years. He enjoyed driving trucks, riding motorcycles, coaching youth baseball, spending time with family, and everything Halloween. He was already starting with his pranks and looking forward to all of the activities.

Funeral services for Lurline Davis Ramsey, was held on Thursday, October 22, 2020 10 a.m. at Grand Cane Baptist Church in Grand Cane, Louisiana. Visitation was held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport, Louisiana, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Graveside services followed at Mitchell Cemetery in Converse, Louisiana immediately following the services. Brother Jerrell Head, of Landmark Baptist Church officiated.

Lurline was born on March 4, 1944 in Marthaville, Louisiana to Robert and Nora George Davis. She went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, October 19, 2020 in Shreveport, Louisiana. In July of 1965 she married the love of her life, Bobby R. Ramsey in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was a member of Landmark Baptist Church in Stonewall, Louisiana. She loved, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with all of her heart. She enjoyed spoiling her Chorkie puppy, Macy, and loved her flowerbeds, especially roses.

Funeral services honoring the life of Jena Lee Mannies were held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at First United Methodist Church in Mansfield, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Rev. Bill McLain and Rev. Dean Register. A visitation with the family was held on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, Louisiana. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Suporia B. Archie-Richardson, better known as Mama, Mother, MotherDear, Granny, Auntie, Cuzn Suporia, Sis Archie, Sis. Richardson stepped into Heaven on Monday,19 October 2020 at Hospice of the Valley in Gilbert, AZ, surrounded by her family and close friends.

Suporia was born 8 April 1926, in Mansfield, LA to Will and Annie Brown. She was the 7th child born out of 13 children. Suporia professed her faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ at the young age of ten years old, and was baptized by her Pastor, Rev. J.H. Forbes, Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Mansfield, LA. Later years, Suporia became active member of the Springhill Baptist Church, Oxford LA. under the leadership of Rev. Joe and Velma Paul. She served in the choir, Vacation Bible School and any ministry that her service was needed.

Ben Johnson, III. passed away peacefully at his home on October 21, 2020. Mr. Ben, as he was known, was born on December 24, 1925 to Sadie Prothro Johnson and Walter Fair Johnson, Sr. at Cottage Grove Plantation. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jen Rives Johnson, his brother, Walter Fair Johnson, Jr. and his nephew, Richard T. Johnson.

Left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Mary V. Gibbs and son-in-law Troy; his nephew, Walter Fair Johnson, III and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Mr. Ben attended Byrd High School and continued on to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1947. He served 4 years on a Navy destroyer in the Korean War.

He was married 43 years to Jen Rives Johnson, and they had one child, Mary V. Gibbs and husband Troy.