Obituaries

Virgil Lavirdie Tims, age 79, of Carmel, LA, went to be with the Lord surrounded by his family on October 21, 2016, after a long battle with cancer. Virgil was born on September 11, 1937 in Coushatta, LA to Father James Robert Tims and Mother Ruby Potts. Virgil was proceeded in death by his parents and brothers, Paul Tims and BW Fulghum. Virgil is survived by his wife of 60 years Anginita Tims. 3 Sons, Bobby Tims and wife Becky of Stonewall, LA., Dewayne Tims and Bretta Joncas of Bossier City, LA, Scotty Tims and wife Brandi of Morringsport, LA.. And only daughter, Ramona Ewing and husband Donnie of Carmel, LA. Sister Laura Jane Ainsworth of Pearl, MS and brother JD Hickman. Virgil has 9 grand blessings and 6 great grand blessings, numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of friends. Virgil was a Veteran of the USAF Special Services, he worked many years in Feed Mill Operations as a laborer then supervisor of Purina, SFA, Charles’s Feed and Seed, and Keithville Co-op.

Funeral services for the Rev. Vernon Louis Stephenson, 73, of Many, were held on October 15 at First Baptist Church of Zwolle with the Reverends Jerry Penfield and William Smith officiating. Burial followed in the Aimwell Cemetery. The Rev. Stephenson was born on Friday, January 22, 1943 in Baskin. He passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2016 at L.S.U. Medical Center in Shreveport. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Stephenson and Ottice Marie Stephenson; son, Christopher Stephenson and daughter, Wendy Stephenson. Bro. Vernon spent his life serving God. He was the chaplain for Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. He pastored numerous churches and he administrated both home and foreign missions. Bro. Vernon also ran his own Evangelistic Association. He was the staff evangelist of Zwolle First Baptist Church, and was a long time religious columnist for The Mansfield Enterprise and The Sabine Index. He counseled those in need and served his God and his community.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Buzzie Hay, 83, will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Rose-Neath Southside Chapel. Interment will follow at Forest Park West Cemetery in Shreveport. Bro. Buddy Puryear of Kingston Road Baptist Church will be officiating. Visitation with the family will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, prior to the service at Rose-Neath. Buzzie was born in Shreveport, LA on September 4, 1933 to Ralph B. Hay and Abbey Gail Roberts Hay Cone, and passed away from a lengthy illness on October 22, 2016. Buzzie was a loving and wonderful husband of 61 years, to Toby Sims Hay, and a loving father to his 3 daughters. Buzzie was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers and a sister.

Funeral services honoring the life of Andrea Lee Shoalmire, 72, were at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Fellowship Baptist Church in Converse, LA where Reverend Jim Tennery and Reverend Jimmy Dan Lilley officiated. Interment followed at Fellowship Baptist Church Cemetery in Converse, LA. Visitation was Friday, October 21, 2016 from 5:00 PM Till 8:00 PM at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, LA. Andrea was born on February 18, 1944 in San Francisco, CA to Lyman and Goldie Welch Hutchings and passed October 20, 2016 in Shreveport, LA. Andrea was on the Advisory Board of Clara Springs, a Summer Counselor at Clara Springs, a member of the WMU, a member of The Retired Teachers Association and an active teacher and member at Fellowship Baptist Church. Preceding Andrea in death were her parents Lyman and Goldie Hutchings.

A memorial service honoring the life of Nancy Lee Garland Morgan, age 68, of Ruston, La. was held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at The First Presbyterian Church of Ruston. Officiating was Reverend Edith Hill and Reverend Joe Hill. A private family burial was held at O.E. Price Cemetery in Logansport, La. under the direction of Reverend Nancy Wofford. Nancy Lee Garland was born November 28, 1947 to Peggy Moseley Garland and Dr. W. J. Garland of Logansport, La. Nancy’s childhood was filled with many fond memories of growing up in small town Louisiana. She often recalled enjoying the freedom that came along with small town life. Her father was the town doctor and her mother served as office manager for his practice. Growing up she was especially close to her two paternal aunts, Doris Dowling and Frances Alston. She often spoke of their love, kindness and importance in her life.