Obituaries

FEBRUARY 17, 1944 — DECEMBER 28, 2025

JULY 2, 1957 — DECEMBER 18, 2025

Rick Eugene Pharris, age 68, of Mansfield, Louisiana, passed away on December 18, 2025. Born July 2, 1957, Rick lived a life marked by faith, service, strength, and a love that showed up in real ways.

Rick was the kind of man people felt safe around. Strong and fearless, he carried himself with purpose and took the utmost pride in his job and in life in general. He believed in doing things the right way, standing on what you say, and giving your best — because that is the standard he lived by.

Rick was proud of his service in the United States Marine Corps and was also known for his time with the Sheriff’s Department. He had a protector’s spirit — steady, loyal, and unshakable. A man of God, Rick believed in putting God first, family second, and everything else last, and he passed those values down through the way he lived.

JULY 17, 1939 — DECEMBER 7, 2025

James Edward Griffith of Grand Cane died peacefully after a long illness on the evening of December 7th, surrounded by his wife, dear friends, and pastor. He was 86 years old and had just celebrated 60 years of marriage to his wife, Donna, on July 10th. James approached life with curiosity and joy. He was a lifelong learner who embraced new challenges and never used age or health as an excuse to shrink from adventure or from learning a new skill. Born in Grand Cane on July 17, 1939, to Lamar and Lela Mae Griffith, James enjoyed growing up in a small town and loved telling stories of the “olden days” to his children when they were young. He attended Grand Cane High School, graduating in 1957. He played basketball and discovered a love for theater that would stay with him for years to come.

OCTOBER 17, 1939 — DECEMBER 6, 2025

Funeral services celebrating the life of Jerry Lamar Holmes, 86, of Keatchie, Louisiana, were held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield, Louisiana. Visitation was held from 1:00 p.m. until time of service. Burial followed at Longstreet Cemetery. Officiating the service was Bro. Dean Register. JerrywasbornonOctober17,1939to RalphandAlma Holmes and passed away Saturday, December 6, 2025. Jerry was in the dairy business for 50 years. He served on the DeSoto Soil and Water Conservation District Board and Panola-Harrison Electric Cooperative Board.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Alma Holmes; sister, Doris Bagley; and twin grandsons, Wyatt Colton Bandy and Justin Lane Bandy.

SEPTEMBER 8, 1960 — NOVEMBER 25, 2025

DECEMBER 23, 1941 — NOVEMBER 14, 2025

A funeral service honoring the life of Mr. John H. Asseff was held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Kilpatrick’s Rose Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield, Louisiana with Reverend Mary Richard officiating. Burial followed at Highland Cemetery, Mansfield, Louisiana. Visitation was held on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

John passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was born in Mansfield, Louisiana on December 23, 1941, to Waddie and Helen Elias Asseff.

He graduated from Mansfield High School then attended Northeast Louisiana University School of Pharmacy. He was co-owner of Medical Center Pharmacy for 40 years in Many, Louisiana. John was a lifelong member of Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Mansfield, Louisiana.

FEBRUARY 7, 1937 — OCTOBER 25, 2025

Funeral Service — Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 11:00 A.M.

Solid Rock Baptist Church

8218 South Broadway Los Angeles, California 90003

NOVEMBER 9, 1940 — MAY 29, 2025

Luther Carnell “Luke” Phelps, age 84, of Morongo Valley, California, passed away on May 29, 2025. Luke was born on November 9, 1940. He grew up in Logansport and attended Louisiana Polytechnic Institute in Ruston, LA before relocating to California, where he built a long and successful career as a computer programmer. A proud U.S. Army veteran, Luke served his country as a Specialist 4. Following his service, he enjoyed a rewarding career and later spent his retirement years doing what he loved most — golfing and spending time with friends and family. Graveside services will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Stanley, Louisiana, on November 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

Luke will be remembered for his intelligence, kindness, and sense of humor, as well as his deep love of family, the simple joys of life, and love for his dogs.

MARCH 25, 1950 — OCTOBER 14, 2025

Slidell, Louisiana Ellen Lee Segura, born on March 25, 1950, in Shreveport, Louisiana, passed away on October 14, 2025, in Slidell, Louisiana. She will be remembered fondly for her vibrant personality, having earned the nickname «Trouble» from her father. Ellen was a hard worker throughout her life, dedicating many years to the hospitality industry as a waitress before retiring. Ellen graduated from Mansfield High School and grew up in Mansfield, Louisiana. She had a deep love for Elvis Presley and cherished butterflies and tigers. In her later years, she found immense joy in spending time with her grandchildren, Roy Lesli Cathcart and Emri Grace Kelly.

MARCH 1, 1937 — OCTOBER 5, 2025

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 8th, at First Baptist Church of Mansfield for Marilyn Gordon Frith, age 88, who passed away peacefully on October 5th at the home of her daughter. Marilyn was born on March 1, 1937, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to Frank and Birdie Gordon. At the time of her birth, floodwaters in her hometown of Eva (Concordia Parish) made it unsafe for her mother to deliver at home. She became the only one of her four sisters to enter the world in a hospital, a small detail that marked the beginning of a life full of resilience and grace. She grew up in Eva, surrounded by family, faith, and the simple joys of rural farm life. She attended school in Monterey and graduated from Monterey High School where she was valedictorian of her class.