Obituaries

Funeral services honoring the life of Norman Arbuckle were held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2021 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Logansport, Louisiana. Presiding over the service were Rev. Nancy Wofford and retired DeSoto Parish Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle, who was Norman’s nephew. A visitation was held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday prior to service.

Norman was born on June 7, 1935 in Fitch Town, Oklahoma to Jess Arbuckle and Addie Alexander Arbuckle. He entered into eternal rest on February 19, 2021 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Funeral services honoring the life of Charles “Nubbin” Smith were held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Rev. Chucky Clark. A visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday prior to service.

Nubbin was born on November 5, 1935 in Converse, Louisiana to Elvin Marvin Smith and Mildred Rachel Webb Smith. He entered into eternal rest on February 14, 2021 in Converse, Louisiana.

Mrs. Bettie Kay Purvis Gimbert passed peacefully to her reward on January 7th, 2021 at her home at Lake of the Pines, Marion Co. Texas.

Bettie was born in Florence, S.C. on August 16th, 1946 to Gerald and Annette Purvis. After World War II, Bettie’s family relocated to Mansfield, La where she graduated from Mansfield High School, then from Northwestern State College with a degree in education. Bettie taught in Campti, Grand Cane, and Shreveport, Louisiana. After moving to Texas, Bettie taught in Irving and Grapevine, teaching Texas History at Sam Houston Middle School in Irving and language arts at Heritage Middle School, where she retired in 2002. She was highly respected and loved by her peers and her students.

Kenneth Wayne Harvey was born on March 2, 1947 to R.V. Harvey and Mary Frances Liles Harvey of Oak Grove, Louisiana, now Stanley, Louisiana. On February 6, 2021 God reached down his hand and took Kenneth to his eternal home in Heaven.

Funeral services honoring the life of Kenneth Wayne Harvey were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at First United Methodist Church in Logansport. Officiating the service was Rev. Delbert Terry and Rev. Nancy Wofford. Interment followed the service located at Bethel Cemetery in Logansport, Louisiana.

Christopher Geroid Burch, 50, passed on February 02, 2021. He was born to Geroid Glenn Burch and Faye Jeanette Curry Burch in Shreveport, Louisiana on November 14, 1970.

He is preceded in death by his Father, Geroid Glenn Burch, Mother, Faye Jeanette Lightfoot, and brother, Billy Wayne Burch.

He is survived by son, Corey Christopher Burch; Grandson, Colson Brees Burch; Brothers, David Burch, Sr., and James Burch; Sisters, Lisa Burch McDonald and Karen Sue Webster and husband, Jeffery S. Webster; many nieces and nephews.

He spent many years working in the glass business alongside his family. He was a man that could fix just about anything. If you knew Chris, you could not help but love him.

Chris will be buried alongside his Mother, Father, and Brother at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Stanley, Louisiana.

Jimmie “Bo” Maurice Salley, 82, entered into eternal rest on February 4, 2021 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

A visitation was held on Sunday, February 7, 2021 from 1:30 p.m. until service time beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Rose- Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Bro. Weyland Gauntt. Interment followed the service located at Union Springs Cemetery in Converse, Louisiana.

Bo was born on December 23, 1938 in Converse, Louisiana to Charlie and Aylean Salley. Bo enjoyed playing piano and spending time with his family reminiscing and drinking coffee. He attended numerous musical conventions in the local and East Texas areas using his talent.

Ira James Harrison, a lifelong resident of Mansfield, Louisiana was born October 5, 1937 to the late Jim and Ethel Harrison in Oxford, Louisiana. He was a 1957 graduate of All Saints High School in Pelican, Louisiana, where he played baseball and basketball, leading the Pelican Badgers to two state championships.

Ira lost his lengthy battle with cancer on January 31, 2021. Left to celebrate his memory are: Children: James Harrison (Kathy), D. Denise Harrison, Timothy Harrison (Patrice) and Terrence Gordon Moore; Former Spouse Catherine Price Harrison (mother of James, Denise and Timothy); Sister: Bobbie Jane Willis; Cousin: Elmo Walker; Special Friends: Donnie and Ms. Billie Jackson; Eight grandchildren, 15 greatgrandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Arrangements and services were conducted by Patterson-Purvis Mortuary, 2238 Whaley Street in Mansfield, LA. Phone number 318-872-6789.

Graveside services honoring the life of Bernard Hewitt Farmer, 87, of Converse, LA were held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, February 6, 2021 at Union Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Converse, LA with Bro. Richard Enterkin, and Bro. Chucky Clark officiating.

Bernard was born on February 27, 1933 to Clarence & Trudie Lafitte Farmer and entered into rest on February 5, 2021 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Preceding Bernard in death are his wife of 58 years Mary Cecilia “Topsy” Farmer; his parents; brother, Johnnie Douglas Farmer; and great grandsons, Cy Williams and Paxton Williams

Graveside services honoring the life of Mary Sue Dillard were held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2021 located at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Bro. Pat Cobb.

Sue was born on May 7, 1934 in Mansfield, Louisiana to John and Audie Marshall. She entered into eternal rest on January 27, 2021 in Mansfield, Louisiana.

Preceding Sue in death are her parents, John Julian Marshall and Audie Lee Tyler Marshall; her husband, Bobby Luther Dillard; and her daughter, Tracy McCullin.

She is survived by her children, Buddy McCullin and wife Amy; Joel White; and Janet Arnold and husband Larry; stepchildren, Ken Dillard and wife Maurice, and Kathy Sistrunk and husband Donnie, along with a host of grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

William Albert Lawhon passed on to his heavenly home on Thursday, January 21, 2021 in Shreveport, LA. He was born on August 9, 1934 to Lonnie and Paulene Lawhon of Texarkana, who preceded him in death along with a daughter, Julie Ann Evans.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Patsy; daughter Darla Strand of Arlington, TX; granddaughters Rachel Salgoda of Bossier City, LA and Christa Reed of Austin, TX; 2 great-grandchildren Lewis and Julieanna,

Mr. Lawhon proudly served is country with the Army National Guard. He was a Shriner, a member of the Scottish Rites Temple, the Masonic Lodge, and the Elks Lodge. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Shreveport but attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mansfield, which was closer to home.

Due to Covid 19, services will be announced and held at a later date at East Memorial Gardens in Texarkana, AR with full military honors in a traditional Catholic service.