Obituaries

FEBRUARY 20, 1952 – AUGUST 11, 2024

Mildred Norwood Gentry, 101, passed away on July 20, 2024 at her home in Holly, Louisiana.

She was born on May 25, 1923, in Converse, Louisiana. Mildred was a member of First United Methodist Church of Mansfield. She was proud to have been blessed to live beyond 100 years.

A visitation for Mildred will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Mansfield, Louisiana, from 10:00 AM until time of service. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Officiating the service will Pastor Charlie Lombardino of Big Creek Cowboy Church in Coldspring, TX. Burial will follow at Old Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Catuna, LA.

11/25/46 – 7/19/24 John William Davidson, 77, was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on November 25, 1946, to parents, Wilmer L. Davidson and Sadie Jones Davidson and passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024, at his home after a brief illness. John was raised in Mansfield, Louisiana and graduated from Mansfield High School. He went on to Northwestern Louisiana University where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in business and accounting. Upon completing his degree, John started working for the Department of Revenue from which he retired after 33 years. On January 1, 1985, John married the love of his life, Judith, better known as Judy. Having never been married before, John took on the role of stepfather to Judy’s six children, four of which were biological and two of Judy’s stepsons from a previous marriage. He treated them all with love and acceptance.

7/30/55 – 7/21/24 A funeral service for Louisa Elizabeth “Beth” Valentine Adams was held on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Mansfield, Louisiana. Interment followed at Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield, Louisiana. A visitation was held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk St., Mansfield, Louisiana. Beth was born on July 30, 1955, in Shreveport, Louisiana to Thomas Charles Valentine and Billie Marie Metcalf Valentine and entered into rest on July 21, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, Billie and Charles Valentine; sister-in-law, Cheryl Rives; and nephews, Robert Rives and James Davidson Rives.

10/10/39 — 7/09/24 Marshall A. Laffitte, a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, died peacefully at his home in Lafayette on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He was born in Mansfield, Louisiana on October 10, 1939 to Fleming and Lucille (Reed) Laffitte. He graduated from Mansfield High School and married his high school sweetheart, Gayle Smith. They attended and graduated from McNeese University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In 1964, while relocating his family to Houston to work as a draftsman for Shell Chemical, he learned of his mother’s failing health and he and his family returned to the Carmel Community in DeSoto Parish to help with her care.

A memorial service for Lynda Sue Evans Mathis, 80, was held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1016 Hwy 346, Pelican, Louisiana. Visitation and vigil was held on Monday, June 24, 2024 beginning at 5:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. led by Robin Mathis. Family and friends are invited to share stories and keep Lynda company throughout the night leading up to the service. Officiating the service was Father Timothy Hurd of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Many.

Glenda Fae Simpkins-Ganier was born on September 26, 1944 in Mansfield, Louisiana to the late Willie Hazel Street-Scott and the late Dr. Cuthbert O. Simpkins. During that time, it was customary to be born at home and Ms. Della “Mama Dell” Shepherd was the midwife in attendance at her birth in a small house on Gibbs Street. She was educated in the Louisiana, DeSoto Parish, School system graduating Salutatorian in the Class of 1962. “Peaches” was a member of the award-winning superior-ranking high school choir under the direction of the renowned Mr. Bobby Wiggins. She also played clarinet in the school Marching Band and was a member of numerous academic clubs and church and social organizations.

Lillie Mae Sloan, 91, Returned to her heavenly home on May 13, 2024, after a beautiful faith filled life. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her through the trials of life and gave her peace. Lillie Mae was born to the late Jonathan Walker and Joyce Alberta Goldsby, in Mansfield, Louisiana on July 27, 1932. She was immersed in the Christian community from a young age at Antioch Baptist Church and joined Emmanuel Baptist Church during her teenage years. Her Christian family would be a lifelong support for her. She graduated from Mansfield High School in May of 1950, and married her best friend Joseph Mason Sloan on June 10, 1950.

12/23/62 — 6/12/24

Passed from this Life 5/23/24