Obituaries

JOY GAMBLE JOHNSON 9/26/25 – 5/31/23

Joy Gamble Johnson, 97, of Shreveport, Louisiana entered into eternal rest on May 31, 2023. She was born on September 26, 1925 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Elna and Toby Gamble.

A celebration of life honoring Joy will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 located at Wood Springs Baptist Church in Grand Cane, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Dean Register and Lee Dickson.

FRANKIE BLUNT SCRUGGS 6/29/40 – 5/15/23

Frankie Blunt Scruggs, 82, of Joaquin, passed away Monday, May 15, 2023, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Visitation was held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. The Funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Joe Halliday officiating. Interment followed at Lone Cedar Cemetery in Joaquin.

Born June 29, 1940, in Logansport, Louisiana, Frankie is the daughter of Lawrence Carroll Blunt and Pearl House Blunt. She operated Scruggs, Inc. Frankie loved fishing with her grandchildren, cooking, gardening, and her dog, Toto. Squirrel hunting was also among her hobbies in her younger years. She was a member of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Joaquin.

Venita Mae Busher passed away late Tuesday evening, May 9, 2023, at the age of 83, loving wife of 52 years to John “J. B.” Busher who predeceased her. She is survived by her three children, Sharon Hinkley (wife of Keith) of Belle Chasse, LA, Jeffery Busher (husband of Dusty) of Pelion, SC and Mark Busher (husband of Margo) of Surprise, AZ. She was grandmother to eight grandchildren, Whit and Jody Hinkley, Bradley and Brittney Busher, Korie Kelly and Chelsy Toups, MaKenna and Laken Busher, and four great-grandchildren, Addison and Cason Busher and Kate and Colin Hinkley. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and friends and affectionately known to most as “Nita”.

James A. Greer, 80, of Greenwood, Arkansas went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veteran’s Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas.

He was born in 1942 in Kilgore, Texas and raised in Logansport, Louisiana. He later moved to Marshall, Texas where he married the love of his life, Donna Greer and raised their family. In 2015, they moved to Arkansas to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

James grew up hunting and fishing and had an interest in collecting arrowheads on the Sabine River. He was a US Army veteran and served in the Vietnam War. He faithfully served and was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Marshall for many years. He was an avid fan of the outdoors, especially beautiful views, the Dallas Cowboys and his many hats which he wore every day. He was a strong Christian family man, who enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his loving and wonderful wife of 54 years.

11/03/75 - 4/18/23

Robert “Rusty” Dudley Timmons entered into eternal rest on April 18, 2023, at his home in Marthaville. He was born on November 3, 1975, in Shreveport to Herman and Earlene Timmons of Mansfield.

A visitation to celebrate his life was held from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Bethel Congregational Methodist Church, 1511 Union Grove Road, Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. Funeral services were held at the same location on Monday, April 24 at 1:00 p.m.

After graduating from Bethel Christian Academy, Rusty furthered his education and began nursing school. He graduated in 1999 as an LPN and began his 24-year nursing career by caring for children through home health services. In 2005, Rusty transferred to the Willis-Knighton Health System where he served in several capacities, some including 6 tower, 8 tower, PICU and most recently, Quick Care.

BETTY JO ALLEN PRICE 8/16/54 - 3/29/23

Funeral services celebrating the life of Betty Jo Price were held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, Louisiana. Burial followed at Lee Cemetery in Catuna, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Bro. Ray Darden. Visitation was held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Betty Jo was born on August 16, 1954, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and entered into rest on Wednesday, March 29, 2023.

Left to cherish her memory includes her husband, Mel Price; parents, Betty and Harvey Allen; sons, Johnny Bennett, Jr. (Christy) and James Derek Bennett; stepson, Lee Price (Tanya); siblings, Connie McMellon (Danny), Ancul Bland, Cherri Darden (Ray), Linda Mitchell (Keith), and Bridgett Flanders(Stephen); six grandchildren; and a host of family and friends. Preceding her in death is her daughter, Channel Ainsworth.

5/16/35 – 3/16/23 Beverly Gourdon Bruce, 87, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 16, 2023. She had a servant’s heart and lived her life meeting the needs of others.

Beverly was born on May 16, 1935, in Coushatta, Louisiana, to Lucile Guier Gourdon and Frank Dorval Gourdon. Beverly attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. In 1956, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education.

After graduation, Beverly married the love of her life, Andrew Morris Bruce, Sr. Beverly taught for nine years, teaching home economics in Natchitoches and Caddo Parishes. During her teaching career, she earned a master’s degree in Child Development and Family Relations from NSU, was a member of Kappa Kappa Iota teacher’s sorority, and was nominated as teacher of the year.

James Cecil Johnson, born August 15, 1937, in Coushatta, LA, went to be with his wife Janice in heaven on March 16, 2023.

James is probably best known for his friendly smile and ability to never meet a stranger. Many met him during his years managing the Piggly Wiggly of Mansfield or overseeing the Pines Apartments. After those ventures, James and Janette became small business owners, operating J&J Carpet Cleaners. In the 90s, he was also well-known for being the Mansfield Santa Claus. Throughout that time, the couple made many friends as they participated in square dancing across the region and were regular cheerleaders at ball games for all three grandkids.

As he neared retirement, James regularly drove cars for Mansfield Auto World and became a member of Antioch Baptist Church.

 8/15/63 – 3/04/23

A celebration of life was held for Julie Anne Adams Rogers, 59, at First Baptist Church Mansfield officiated by Pastor Chad Hardbarger, at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 10, 2023. There was a graveside service immediately following at Keatchie Cemetery. Her family welcomed guests to the visitation on Thursday, March 9, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Southside, 2500 Southside Dr, Shreveport, Louisiana.

6/25/19 – 3/09/23

Graveside services celebrating the life of Mable Taylor, 103, were held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Grove Hill Cemetery, Mansfield, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Bro. Tommy Patton.

Mable was born June 25, 1919, in Grove Hill, Louisiana and entered into eternal rest on March 9, 2023, in Bossier City, Louisiana. She was a devoted homemaker and a member of Southside Baptist Church where she served as Church Clerk for 58 years.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Linda Woodard and husband, Johnnie; grandchildren, Courtney Brown and Bubba Woodard; and five great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry “Pat” Taylor and Bessie Ferguson Taylor; her husband, C.W. “Ben” Taylor; brothers, Lonnie Morris Taylor and Luther Elmo Taylor.

Honoring Mable as pallbearers were Johnnie Woodard, Bubba Woodard, Andy Brown, Doug Green, David Calhoun, and Nick Tooke.