Obituaries

Funeral services honoring the life of Madge Aunita ‘Nita” Simmons 89, were held Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 10:00 AM at the chapel of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Mansfield, LA. Reverend Jimmy Price and Reverend Joe Waggoner officiated. Burial followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Stanley, LA. Visitation was held from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Friday, November 6, 2015 at the funeral home. Nita was born in Shelbyville, Texas to Barney and Mollie Johnson and passed away November 3, 2015 with her family by her side. Nita was a loving wife and mother who served and trusted God. Her biggest enjoyment in life was being with her family. She loved her constant companion, her dog, Priss. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, fishing, and quilting. Preceding Nita in death is her husband Clyde Simmons, son, Wayne Simmons, Great grandson, Jonathan Clemons; brother, R.E. Johnson; sisters, Mryle Wright and Edna Boyd.

Melonie Ryals Wiley,40, passed away September 16, 2015 in Fort Worth, TX. Funeral services honoring her life was at 11:00 AM, Monday, September 21, 2015 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, LA where Reverend Randy Parker officiated. Burial followed in Converse Cemetery in Converse, LA. The family received friends at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, LA on Sunday, September 20, 2015 from 5:00 until 9:00 PM. Melonie was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church in Converse, and a member of Eastern Star Converse Chapter 218 Those left behind to cherish her memory are her husband of 19 years Craig Wiley; son Craig Wiley, Jr; parents William and Betty Ryals; sisters Angela Montz and Christina Ebarb and husband Jason; brothers William Ryals, Jr. and wife Shonda and Chad Ryals and wife Victoria; and a host of family, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. The family suggests that memorials be made to the Lupus Foundation of America, 2000 L.

Gary Charles Huntsman was born February 15, 1951 in Houston, Texas. He was the older of two children born to Willis Charles and Ocie McLeroy Huntsman. He was raised in Baytown, TX. Gary was retired from LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport where he worked in Physical Plant as an Insulator. Gary was a talented and well respected musician. He started his notable musical career in his mid-teens playing lead guitar with various bands around Houston in the late 60’s. He later joined the reputable Empty Can Band traveling and performing throughout Texas in the 70’s. In 1979, Gary moved to the Ark-La-Tex and played in a handful of well-known local bands including the Just Us Band before being snatched up by Percy Sledge and the Aces Band as lead guitarist touring worldwide with him for 15 years. Gary was featured on Percy’s “Live from Louisiana” album as well as the track “First You Cry” on the “Louisiana Swamp Stomp” album. In recent years he played with the Soulfish Blues Band, A.J.

Funeral services honoring the life of Mary Manshack Lilley, 92, were 10AM, Saturday, August 29, 2015 at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Zwolle, LA where Father Tim Hurd officiated. Grave side services followed at St. Catherine’s Cemetery,in Noble, LA. The family received friends at Rose-Neath Funeral Homein Mansfield, LA on Friday, August 28, 2015 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 pm,with rosary at 6:30 PM.Mary was born March 30, 1923 in Ebarb, Louisiana to John and Josephine Sepulvado Ebarb. Mary passed away August 26, 2015 in Mansfield, LA. Preceding Mary in death are her father, John Ebarb, Sr; mother, Josephine Sepulvado; stepfather, Leo Manshack; husband, John Thomas Manshack; son, John Earl Manshack;grandson, Charles Myers, II; son-in-law, Bo Goodman; sisters, MaggieBrown, Evelyn Estes, Lucille Procell; brothers, John Ebarb, LennisManshack, and Joe Doug Manshack.

Manshack Lilley Nettye Gertrude Rankin, age 88, passed away at 3:03 AM, Thursday,August 27, 2015 at Oswego Health and Rehab, following an illness.Gertrude was born April 14, 1927 in Winnfield, LA. Her parents were William F. and Lottie Bell (Johnson) Mercer.She was a registered nurse and worked at various hospitals until her retirement in 1981. She and her husband then moved to Pelican, LA where they stayed until 2002 when they moved to Oswego.She was married to Daniel F. Rankin, Sr. on Jan. 24, 1948 inAlexandria, LA. He passed away Feb 14, 2015. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Earl Mercer.Survivors include three sons, Daniel F. Rankin, Jr. and wife Sherry of Rusk, TX, Frank E. Rankin and wife Rita of Bulverde, TX, and Steven E. Rankin and wife Charlotte of Washington D.C.; two daughters Jonnye R. Griffin and husband Danny of Knoxville, TN and Beverly A.Keener and husband Walter of Oswego, KS; two brothers W.