Obituaries

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.

Funeral services for Roy Mitchell, 76, of Many, were held on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Truman Leach and Rev. Louis Slaughter officiating. Burial followed in the Warren Cemetery.

Roy Mitchell was born on Saturday, February 17, 1945 in Many. He passed away on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at his residence in Many.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Tony Lynn Procell (Bubba); father and mother, Oda and Dona Mitchell; brothers, Oda L. Mitchell (Buddy) and Louis Ray Mitchell; and sisters, Etoyce Mitchell; Loretta Helms; Sharlet Gates.

Funeral services for Hazel Faircloth, 88, of Zwolle, were held on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Tim Hurd officiating. Burial followed in the St. Joseph Cemetery.

Hazel Mae Faircloth was born on Friday, April 15, 1932 in Zwolle. She passed away on Monday, March 29, 2021 at Willis Knighton Pierremont in Shreveport.

Funeral services for Larry Ford, 51, of Germantown, Tennessee, were held on Monday, April 5, 2021 at Oak Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Brian Gilcrease officiating. Burial followed in the Oak Hill Cemetery.

Larry Wayne Ford was born on Saturday, July 19, 1969 in Many. He passed away on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Methodist Germantown Healthcare in Germantown, Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Ray Ford and Sandra (Johnson) Ford.

He is survived by his wife Annette Ford of Germantown, Tennessee; son, Chase Ford and Rachel Whitmore of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sister, Tanya LaGrange of Florien; step-sister, Susan Guidry of Many; step-mom, Suzanne Ford of Many; along with a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends.

Pallbearers were Everett Guidry, Austin Cooley, Jerry Allen Johnson, Brant Faust, Klifford Walker and Rodney Ford.

Graveside services for Richard Eugene Erwin, Sr., 71, of Dry Prong, Louisiana, were held on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Toro Cemetery.

Richard Eugene Erwin, Sr. was born on Wednesday, April 21, 1949 in Leesville. He passed away on Sunday, March 21, 2021 in Alexandria.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen L. Erwin; parents, Billy George Erwin and Anita (Eubanks) Erwin; grandparents, Thelma and Ike Erwin; brother, Kenneth Erwin; and his brother-in-law, Robert Arnold.

He is survived by his son, Richard Erwin, Jr. and wife Sundi of Dry Prong, Louisiana; sister, Kathy Erwin; brothers, Jeff Erwin of Campti; Billy Erwin of Hornbeck; grandchildren, Aryn Erwin; Xander Erwin; Gage Erwin; Braelyn Erwin; and Haven Erwin; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.warrenmeadows.com

Funeral services for Nancy Tarpley, 80, of Many, were held on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at Antioch Baptist Church with Bro. Tony Anthony officiating. Burial followed in the Antioch Cemetery.

Nancy Carol Tarpley was born on Monday, March 25, 1940 in Wills Point, Texas. She passed away on Monday, March 22, 2021 at Sabine Medical Center in Many.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar Blaine Wilson and Nanette (Mitchell) Wilson; husband, Stafford Miller; sons, Allen Miller; and Stacy Miller.

She is survived by her husband, Earl Sam Tarpley of Many; daughter, Stephanie Walker and husband Klifford of Many; sons, Lamar Mitchell and wife Catherine Lynette of Many; Aaron Mitchell and wife Leigh Anne of Florien; step-sons, Darrell Tarpley and wife T. Jae of Many; Jeffrey Tarpley and wife Stephanie of Many; step-daughter, Ellen Neel of Many; eighteen grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, great grandchildren and friends.

Memorial services for Robert Byles, 83, of Many were held at Rose-Neath Funeral Chapel of Many on Sunday, March 21.

The Rev. Wilton Anthony, pastor of Siloam Baptist Church, will officiate. The Eulogy will be presented by Robert Gentry.

Mr. Byles died at his home on Friday morning, March 19 surrounded by family. At his request, his body has been donated to LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport for the advancement of science.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Hornbsy Byles; three sons, Robby Byles and wife, Laura of Many; Gale Byles and wife, Leah of Negreet; Blake Byles and wife, Lauren of Many; a brother, Clauriste Byles of Many; a sister, Juanita Leone of Zwolle; and grandchildren, Jessica Lowring; Jacob Byles; Nolan and Layton Byles; Hannah; Heidi and Austin Byles; and four great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ann Murray Byles and Robert Simion Byles.

In the Beginning

Alvin Shuford passed from this life to the presence of God on March 20, 2021. He was born on March 1, 1945 in Pleasant Hill to Roy Jefferson and Alma Louise Shuford. His childhood was shaped by the great people of this community who loved him and gave him outlets for his beautiful mind and creative hands. His forever love, Jacqueline Dykes Shuford, committed to a life of great adventures on February 3, 1968. Together they raised three grateful daughters, traveled miles around the world making memories, and enjoyed the blessings of wonderful friends. Those who have shared a cup of coffee on the porch have heard most of the stories a few times. Dick’s favorite pleasures were being with his amazing wife and family, talking to his incredible friends, and solving a problem. Thank you for all who allowed him these pleasures throughout his life. He was a fierce believer in God, freedom, hard-work, and integrity.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Brian Gaddis, 47, were held on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home chapel with Brother Glen Howard officiating. A graveside service will be held at a later date in Belmont Cemetery near Marthaville.

Brian was born on March 15, 1973 in Coushatta to Glen Taylor and Debra Jean Gaddis and passed away March 11, 2021 in a forklift accident in Texas. Brian loved NASCAR. He could watch it all day, especially anything to do with Dale Earnhardt.

Brian was preceded in death by his father, Glen Taylor Gaddis; brothers, Charles Glen Gaddis and James Nathaniel Gaddis. Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Debra Jean Gaddis; son, Jared Charles Hulsey; stepsister, Sandra Gaddis Barnett and husband, John; sister, Melissa A. Taylor; family friend, Walter Pitts and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Mrs. Nell Turner, 81, of New Iberia, were held on Friday, March 19, 2021 at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Many Chapel with Brother Wilton Anthony officiating; interment immediately followed at Little Flock Cemetery in Many. Nell was born October 9, 1939 in Converse to Esta (Langton) Vines and Ralph Vines and she entered into rest on March 15, 2021 in Bossier City.

Nell was a true business lady; some of her endeavors included owning several restaurants throughout Sabine Parish. Her main profession and love were that of being a Mary Kay Sales Representative for 22 years throughout the state. Her sales regions in Louisiana included Houma, Lafayette, and Many; she would accommodate customers in any location that were interested in any of Mary Kay’s line of beauty products.