Obituaries

Nov. 4, 1922-May 7, 2018

June 28, 1941-May 8, 2018

Mansfield, LA – Funeral services honoring the life of Doris Wilanne Sisson will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 2018 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel in Mansfield, LA with Bro. Toby Shaw officiating, the burial will follow at the Highland Cemetery in Mansfield. Visitation will be Thursday, May 3, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and Friday, May 4, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. until services at 4:00 p.m. Wilanne was born September 15, 1933 in Belzoni, Mississippi, she was the daughter of Thomas and Doris Stroud. She passed away April 26, 2018 in Mansfield. She retired in 2012 after 30 years in nursing. Over the years she was director of nursing in Mansfield. Wilanne had a love for children and fostered 27 children over the years. Wilanne is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Roy Franklin Sisson, Jr, and her brother Thomas Stroud.

Mansfield, LA – Funeral services honoring the life of Kay Elizabeth Smith, 75, was held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at Rose- Neath Chapel in Mansfield, LA with Rev. Larry Bryant and Bro. Gary Poarch officiating. Burial followed at Grand Cane Cemetery in Grand Cane, LA. The family received friends at Rose-Neath Mansfield Funeral Home on Friday, April 27, 2018, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Kay was born September 3, 1942, in Mitchell, LA to Bernice Elizabeth Nichols and Willard Samuel Nichols. She passed away on April 24, 2018, at her home in Mansfield, LA.

Miss Jerry Beck died on April 27th at age 83. She has donated her body to LSU School of Medicine. Jerry was born on May 14, 1934, in Alexandria, Louisiana, and moved to Mansfield with her family ten years later. Jerry graduated from Mansfield High School in 1952. That fall she began her college years at Louisiana Tech, where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority and involved in various organizations. While at Tech, Jerry was recognized for her leadership and scholastic achievements, receiving the Outstanding Woman Award her freshman and sophomore years. She was also elected President of the Women's Student Body. Jerry graduated from La. Tech in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in English. She began her graduate degree that fall at LSU in Baton Rouge and later received a Master's Degree in Social Work.

Graveside services honoring the life of Faye Jeanette Lightfoot, 80, will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 8, 2018, at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Stanley, LA with Rev. Dale Gannon and Rev. Vernese Green officiating. Faye was born November 26, 1937, in Shreveport, LA to Solon and Ruby Curry and entered into rest on April 4, 2018, in Shreveport, LA. Preceding Faye in death were her parents; three husbands; son, Billy Dewayne Burch; sister, Onette Bozeman; and brothers, Jay Curry and Glen Curry. Those left behind to cherish her memory is her children, David Glenn Burch, James Otis Burch, Christopher Gerard Burch, Alisha Ann McDonald, all of Stanley, LA and Karen Webster of Grand Cane, LA; sister, Bobbie Gannon; brothers, Ted Curry, Steve Curry, James Curry; nine grandchildren; and a host of great grandchildren.

A.J. Runnels Jr., 75, of Joaquin, passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2018, in Shreveport, Louisiana, after a courageous battle with cancer. Visitation was held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 6, 2018, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Watson & Sons Chapel with Bro. Gordon Vaughn officiating. Interment followed at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center. Mr. Runnels was born January 22, 1943, in Logan, to A.J. Runnels and Charlie Fate Briggs Runnels. His hobbies included fishing and strolling in his El Caminos. He loved spending time with his family. Mr. Runnels was of the Baptist faith. He is survived by children: Alan J. Runnels of Joaquin; Donald R. Runnels of Joaquin; Kevin D.

Mansfield, LA – Funeral services honoring the life of Maudie Lee Bossier, 90, was held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 2, 2018, at Old Union Baptist Church in Benson, LA with Rev. Alton Middleton and Dr. Stephen Dollar officiating. Burial followed at Old Union Cemetery in Benson, LA. The family received friends at Rose- Neath Mansfield Funeral Home on Sunday, April 1, 2018, from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Maudie was born March 22, 1928, in Benson, LA to Maude Dell Roberts and Howard E. Bissell. She passed away on March 29, 2018, in Vidor, TX. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, homemaker, and member of Old Union Baptist Church. She loved to fish, hunt, garden, and play music. Preceding Maudie in death were her parents; husband, Roy Bossier, and brother, Carl Bissell.

Mansfield, LA – A Mass of Christian Burial honoring the life of Nan Laffitte Bedsole, 78, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 17, 2018, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mansfield, LA with Father Matthew Long officiating. Burial will follow at Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Carmel Community, LA. The family will receive friends at Rose-Neath Mansfield Funeral Home on Friday, March 16, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 6:00 p.m. Nan was born December 28, 1939, in Carmel, LA to Mary Rambin and Joseph Percy Laffitte and passed away on March 13, 2018, in Shreveport, LA. Preceding Nan in death were her parents, husband Henry Curtis Bedsole, sisters, Mary Jo Cooper, Peggy Strange, and Lana Hutto, brothers, Johnny Ray Laffitte and Mickey Laffitte.

On Wednesday, February 28 Heaven gained an angel and the world lost a very special man. Our beloved Thomas Howard Wilkinson, devoted family man, unexpectedly gained his angel wings and began his new life in Heaven. Howard was born on January 11, 1963 in McComb, Mississippi to Herbert and Helen Wilkinson. He moved to Mansfield, La in 1982 and began his 36-year career as a Ford mechanic. In 1990 he met the love of his life and soul mate, Deborah David. They married and raised their family in Logansport, La. Howard was a devoted family man. His daughters meant everything to him. They were the loves of his life. He and Brooke shared a love of dirt track racing and all things outdoors. Paige was his baby girl and she had him wrapped around her little finger. He would do anything for her and Lyric. When his girls married their husbands became his sons. When his grandsons were born he became a Papa and a PopPop. Nothing was too good for his grandsons, they were his heart and soul.