Obituaries

Memorial services for Frances Speight, 80, of Many, were held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Beulah Baptist Church with Rev. Kenneth Leach, Sr. officiating.

Frances Gayle Speight was born on Thursday, March 6, 1941 in Many. She passed away on Monday, April 19, 2021 at Many Health Care North in Many.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Allen “Tink” Monroe Ross and Willie Mae (Cryer) Ross; and her brother, Oscar Ross.

She is survived by her husband, Sid Speight of Many; sons, Bruce Speight of Many; Steven Kenneth Speight and wife Terri of Zackary, Louisiana; daughter, Darla Miles and husband Dawayne of Ravenden, Arkansas; sisters, Judy Bass of Calhoun, Louisiana; and Janet Miller of Florien; four grandchildren; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Pallbearers: Bill Ross, Glenn Waller, Bobby Conacher, John Andrew Bailey, Sidney Lloyd Hill and Jimmy Hembree.

Funeral services for Jackie Holcomb, 77, of Many, were held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Mt. Olive Church with Rev. Glenn Howard officiating. Burial followed at Mt. Olive Cemetery.

Jackie Holcomb was born on Saturday, July 17, 1943 in Kilgore, Texas. She passed away on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at her residence in Many.

She was preceded in death by her parents, U. D. Mizell and Pauline (Dorsey) Mizell; sister, Shirley Ann Mizell Horton; and her brothers, U. D. Mizell, Jr.; James Thomas Mizell; and Wayne Dean Mizell.

Terry Waxham, 81 years of age and a resident of Marthaville, passed away April 18, 2021 at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center after battling a long illness. He was born on March 8, 1940 to Hiram and Pauline Waxham in Shreveport. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Terry’s formative years were spent in Pleasant Hill but his family moved to Shreveport and graduated from Byrd High School. He worked and ultimately retired from AT&T as an accountant after many years of service. After retirement, in 1998 he moved from his longtime home in Shreveport to Marthaville. In his spare time, he enjoyed being a Civil War historian and buff. His extensive knowledge of this time in American history was vast and he and his family made several trips to battlefields and important landmarks. He was always ready with his metal detector to uncover a relic from the time period.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, April 18, 2021, at Old Pisgah Baptist Church in Marthaville honoring the life of Charlot Lindsey. Officiating the service will be Rev. Roland George. Interment followed the service in the Old Pisgah Cemetery.

Charlot was born on May 28, 1951 in Shreveport. Surrounded by her loved ones, she entered into eternal rest on April 15, 2021 at her home in Belmont.

Charlot was preceded in death by her parents, Trelia and Marie Singletary; husband, Donald Lindsey; and sister, Carolyn Singletary. She is survived by her daughters, Shaquila Patrick of Pleasant Hill; Ashlye Lindsey of Shreveport; sister, Christie Sepulvado and husband Milton of Flatwoods; brother, Jerry Berry and wife Rosemary of Fayetteville, North Carolina; grandchildren, MaKenzi Patrick; HarLeigh Callens; Cullen Patrick; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Graveside services for Inez Slay, 74, of Zwolle, were held on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at Zwolle City Cemetery.

Inez Slay was born on Friday, February 28, 1947 in Danville, Virginia. She passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center in Natchitoches. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Beatrice (Milam) Ingram; brother and sister-in-law, James and Jean Ingram; sister and brother-in-law, Sue and David Swate.

She is survived by her husband, Garlon Slay of Zwolle; sons, Garlon Slay, Jr. of Zwolle; Matthew Slay and wife Samantha of Zwolle; Jonathan Slay and wife Carrie of Texarkana, Texas; daughter, Devon Lofton of Florien; fourteen grandchildren; four great grandchildren; along with a host of nieces, nephew, family and friends.

Pallbearers were Coy Lofton; Kolton Slay; Jesse Lofton; Austin Slay; Harmon Slay; and Connor Lofton.

Ernestine Belsha entered heaven on Sunday, March 14, 2021, at the age of 90. She was born on August 29, 1930 in her grandparents house in the woods of Hemphill, Texas to Roy and Lola (Travis) Evans. She was raised on a large farm in Sabine Parish near Florien, Louisiana, where she helped care for her four younger brothers and the many chores associated with farming. She graduated from Pisgah High School, and in 1949, at age 19, she left the family farm to move to the big city of Houston. She worked for the phone company as an operator and met Henri Theiler through a church member. Henri and Ernestine were married on December 15, 1949 and lived in the apartment building that Henri owned until they moved to Pasadena, Texas in the Deepwater neighborhood to be close to Henri’s job at Shell Refinery.

Delmer “Del” Arvel Ammons Jr. 61, passed away Sunday, April 11, 2021 at his residence in Pleasant Hill. A memorial service will be held for him on April 17, 2021 at Zwolle United Pentecostal Church with Bro. Phillip North officiating.

He was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on Saturday, June 27,1959, to Delmer Arvel Ammons, Sr. and Charlene (Self) Ammons. After Del finished school he followed in his father’s footsteps and worked alongside him in the construction business. He went onto build several major buildings in Central Louisiana including the Natchitoches Trade School, Mariners Restaurant, several apartment complexes in and around Sabine Parish and the First Baptist Church of Mansfield. Then he went on to work in the oilfield industry; ultimately, he came back to his roots as a construction worker where his career was unfortunately cut short due to an injury at Austin Power Plant.

Graveside services for Brandy Simpson, 51, were conducted on Friday, April 16, 2021. Brandy was born March 22, 1970, in Shreveport, to Gayle Lewing King and Michael Patrick Simpson. He passed away in Shreveport on April 4, 2021.

Brandy graduated from Haughton High School in 1988. He was a great athlete, especially when it came to baseball. He enjoyed all kinds of music and was a big sports fan. He had a quick wit, a beautiful smile and the most contagious laugh. Above all else, Brandy loved his family.

Edna Dufour, passed away at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, Louisiana on Thursday, April 15, 2021, at the age of 77. She was born on April 1, 1944 the daughter of the late Delbert Gordon Moore and Dorothy Ada Little Moore. Edna was a longtime resident of Marrero, Louisiana and retired from Jefferson Parish Public School System where she was a child nutrition manager for over 20 years.

Edna is survived by her sons, Joseph Dufour (Jenine) and Eric Mullins; daughters, Mary Christine Zapata (Wilfredo); Teresa Wille (John); and Melissa Mullins; 15 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Edna was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Ralph Joseph Dufour; son, Vernon Mullins; great great grandson, James Aubin Blackmon; sister, Jane Dease; and brother, Delbert Moore, Jr.

Billy Smith, Sr., age 93, of Omaha, Texas, passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2021 in Alexandria, Louisiana. Bill was born December 2, 1927 in Omaha, Texas to Judge Smith and Velma Carson Smith.

Bill was a member at First Baptist Church in Many. He was a United States Navy Veteran, having served during the tail end of World War II. Bill retired from the LSU Extension Service where he traveled the world teaching the people of other countries the practice of farming. Bill spent several years in Vietnam with the USDA. He was a member of numerous agricultural organizations, and also served as a parish chairman in Sabine Parish. Bill was a lifelong cattleman and enjoyed farming. He loved visiting with farmers and teaching farming practices. He also loved to spend time with his family.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Smith; his parents; and one brother, James “Sonny” Smith.