Obits: The Natchitoches Times, October 2000 Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker Many thanks to The Natchitoches Times for allowing the LaGenWeb to archive the obits from the newspaper. ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** The Natchitoches Times Obits October 17, 2000 issue JAMISON LEE CHEATWOOD Graveside services for Jamison Lee Cheatwood, 2 months old, will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 17 in St. Anne Cemetery at Spanish Lake with the Rev. Johnny Davis officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. Jamison died Friday, October 13, 2000 in Natchitoches Parish Hospital. Survivors include his parents, James E. Cheatwood Jr. and Sandra A. Daniel of Natchitoches; one sister, Saudi Nicole Daniel of Natchitoches; paternal grandmother and step grandfather, Janet and Wesley Fannin of Coushatta; maternal grandmother Rose Daniel of Colorado Springs, Colo.; paternal great grandparents Elton and Ruby Cheatwood of Flora; aunt and uncle, Veronica and Douglas Colbert of Natchitoches, uncles Noah McGhee of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Tony McGhee of Columbus, Ga.; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family. VERSA GOINS DRAKE Services for Mrs. Versa Goins Drake, 88, of Keithville, were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 17 in Pine Grove Baptist Church at Mora with the Revs. John Burns Morris Dell Goins officiating. Burial followed in Pine Grove Cemetery at Mora under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches. Mrs. Drake died Saturday, October 14, 2000 in Willis Knighton Medical Center South in Shreveport. MABLE SCHELETTE SMITH Services for Mable Schelette Smith, 89, of Natchitoches, will be held Tuesday, October 17 at 2 p.m. in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Natchitoches with the Rev. Ken Roy officiating. Burial will be in Weaver Cemetery at Flora under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis. Mrs. Smith died Saturday, October 14, 2000 in Natchitoches Parish Hospital Long Term Care Unit. October 28-29, 2000 issue ANITA FLACK Services for Anita Flack, 67, of Natchitoches were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 28 in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with the Rev. Jack Mills Jr. officiating. Burial was in Shady Grove Cemetery at Bellwood. Mrs. Flack died Thursday, October 26, 2000 in her residence at Natchitoches. She was a Natchitoches native and an apartment manager. Survivors include five sons, Matt Sawyer and his wife, Amanda of Rome, Ga., John Sawyer and his wife, Alice, of Pace, Fla., Michael Sawyer and his wife, Joy, of Brewton, Ala., Mark Sawyer, Haley Sawyer and his wife, Carmella, both of Natchitoches; one daughter Melinda Harold and her husband, Collins, of Rome, Ga.; five grandchildren, Christopher Harold, Jason Harold, Justin Sawyer, all of Rome, Ga., Andrew Sawyer and Brent Sawyer, both of Pace, Fla. October 20, 2000 issue ANNIE TAYLOR Funeral services for Annie Taylor, 102, of Natchitoches will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 21 at the chapel of Winnfield Funeral Home in Shreveport. Burial will be at St. Matthew Baptist Church Cemetery in Creston. Pastor Kenneth Babers will officiate. Mrs. Taylor was born April 15, 1898. She died October 13, 2000. Her body will lie in state at St. Matthew Baptist Church prior to burial. CHARLIE SMITH JR. Services for Charlie Smith Jr., 72, of Natchitoches will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 21 in St. Anthony Catholic Church, with Father Rosso officiating. Burial will be in the Catholic cemetery under the direction of Winnfield Funeral Home. Smith died in his residence Monday, October 16, 2000. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and a World War II veteran. Survivors include one son, Hosea Smith of Natchitoches; three daughters, Ann Marie Watkins of Berkeley, Ill., Esther Foots and Joyce Ann Mitchell, both of Natchitoches; three brothers, Louis Smith and Emanuel Smith, both of Natchitoches, and Paul Kelly Smith of Laurel, Miss.; 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held Saturday until the time of services. LAVERNE BANKS DESADIER Services for Laverne Banks Desadier, 78, of Natchitoches were held at 1 p.m. Thursday, October 19 in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches with the Rev. Dan Cook officiating. Burial was in St. Maurice Cemetery in St. Maurice. Mrs. Desadier died Wednesday, October 18, 2000 in Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Natchitoches. October 19, 2000 issue JAMES E. MONTGOMERY Services for James E. Montgomery, 75, of Provencal will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 20 in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Bates officiating. Burial will be in Old Bellwood Cemetery at Bellwood. Mr. Montgomery died Wednesday, October 18, 2000 in Irving Place Nursing Home at Shreveport. He was a native of Bellwood, a retired timberman and a veteran of the Korean conflict serving in the U. S. Air Force. Survivors include three brothers, Emery L. Montgomery of Bronson, Texas, Elmer Montgomery of Boyd, Texas and Andy "Elton" Montgomery of Provencal; two sisters, Earle Givens of Carlisle, Ark., and Evon Graves of Sulphur. Pallbearers will be Emery Montgomery, Elmer Montgomery, Andy Montgomery, Ray Graves, David Montgomery and Ronald Wayne Montgomery. Visitation will be Thursday, October 19 from 4-9 p.m. and Friday, October 20 from 8 a.m. to service time at the funeral home. FANNIE LEA WOODS Services for Fannie Lea Woods, 64, of Campti were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 19 in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with the Rev. Ray Gieger officiating. Burial followed in Campti Baptist Cemetery at Campti. Mrs. Woods died Monday, October 16, 2000 in LSU Medical Center at Shreveport. She was a native and lifelong resident of Campti, was a homemaker and was a self-employed babysitter. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Sue Ann Rigo and her fiancee, Bobby Hambree of Campti. She is survived by two sons, Paul David Emley of California and James Emley of Seymoure, Ind.; three daughters, Debbie Rachal of Campti, Karen Cain of Seymoure, Ind., and Mary Gonzales of Pasadena, Texas; three sisters, Lilly Custis of Campti, Helen Elledge of Coushatta and Blanche Withers of Livingston, Texas; two brothers, Walter Woods and Harvey Woods, both of Campti; 17 grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren. Pallbearers were Fred Gonzales, Doug Rachal, Bobby Raines, James Dusty Emley, Travis Guin and Don Hoppock. October 18, 2000 issue REV. OWEN LOFTON Services for the Rev. Owen Lofton, 68, of Natchitoches were held Wednesday, October 18 at 2 p.m. in Calvary Baptist Church in Natchitoches with the Revs. Morris Going, Earl Marr and Jim Lofton officiating. Burial followed in Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. The Rev. Lofton died Monday, October 16, 2000 in Heritage Manor Nursing Home. He was a native of Natchitoches, a retired Baptist minister, a member of Calvary Baptist Church and a veteran of the Korean conflict serving in the U. S. Army. Survivors include his wife, Estelle Lofton; four sons, Pete Russell of Tampa, Fla., Wayne Russell of Conroe, Texas, Paul Russell of Campti and Curtis Russell of Virgilina, Va.; two daughters, Karen Lofton Gray of San Antonio, Texas and Laura Mae Lofton of Tulsa, Okla.; two sisters, Lena Phillips of Sidney, Ark., and Vera Smith of Houston, Texas; two brothers, the Rev. Edwin M. Lofton of Haughton and Walter Lofton of Natchitoches; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. October 24, 2000 issue EMILY BROWN STOTHART Mrs. Emily Stothart, 91, died on Friday, October 20, 2000 after a long illness. Services were held at First United Methodist Church in Coushatta on Sunday, October 22 at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Mike Boyette officiating. Interment followed at Springville Cemetery in Coushatta. Mrs. Stothart was born in Siloam Springs, Ark., on November 9, 1908. She grew up near Elton, graduated from Jennings High School and received a B. A. degree from La. State Normal College in Natchitoches. She came to Red River Parish in 1928 where she met and married Robert A. Stothart and reared their four children. She pursued a long and rewarding career in social work and was always active in her church and community. She served as welfare director in Red River Parish from 1942 until her retirement in 1972. During these years, she also attended graduate school at Tulane and Louisiana State University. After retiring, Emily enjoyed traveling, spending time with her grandchildren and pursuing her interest in family history. She attended seminars at University of Connecticut and Harvard doing genealogical research. She published three books from her research and was delighted to be able to pass along these treasures to her many descendants as well as to local and regional libraries. She is survived by her three daughters, Alexa Boyette of Natchitoches; Joy Gaddis and husband, Edgar; and Emily Worsham and husband, Archie, of Coushatta; and her son, Will Stothart and wife, Carolyn, of Natchitoches; 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. JAMES E. KIRTLAND Graveside services for James E. Kirtland, 88, of Provencal will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 25 in Bellwood Cemetery with the Rev. Roger Spaulding officiating under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. Mr. Kirtland died Friday, October 20, 2000 in Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Natchitoches. He was a native of New Orleans, a retired contractor and a member of Bellwood Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Mabel Kirtland of Provencal; one son, Milton Kirtland of Gardena, Calif.; two daughters, Mary Lou Stover of Cerito, Calif. And Virginia Seibert of Redwood City, Calif.; three sisters, Frances Pell and Dorothy Cooper, both of Baton Rouge and Edith McInnis of Chalmete; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. OPAL DALE MOSS Services for Opal Dale Moss, 92, of Natchitoches will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 25 in Provencal United Methodist Church with the Revs. Frank Yount and T. T. Lowe officiating. Burial will be in Provencal Cemetery under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. Mrs. Moss died Monday, October 23, 2000 in Schumpert Medical Center in Shreveport. She was a native of Provencal, a member of College Avenue United Methodist Church and a homemaker. Survivors include one son, Enoch L. Moss and his wife, Glenda, of Provencal; one daughter, Billie Westbrooke and her husband, B. F., of Natchitoches; five grandchildren, Tracy Moss and his wife, Robbie, Mitzi Miller and her husband, John, Ben Leslie Westbrook and his wife, Terrie, Terri Dison and her husband, Larry and Eddye Beth Westbrook; and five great grandchildren. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 24 from 6-9 p.m. in Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home and on Wednesday, October 25 from 9 a.m. to service time at the church. TOMMY G. STEWART Services for Tommy G. Stewart, 70, of Natchitoches will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 25 in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with Deacon Joe Peltier officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches. Mr. Stewart died Sunday, October 22, 2000 in Natchitoches Parish Hospital. Mr. Stewart was a native of Seiper, a retired captain for the City of Natchitoches Fire Department, a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving in the U. S. Marine Corps and was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Chapter #1357 and American Legion Gordon Peters Post #10. Survivors include his wife, Angy Stewart of Natchitoches; one son, Keith Stewart of Haughton; one daughter, Lisa Stewart of Natchitoches; his mother, Bert Stewart of Alexandria; one sister, Betty Jo Laird of Alexandria; four grandchildren, Jessica Stewart, Brooke Stewart and Randy Stewart, all of Shreveport and Joshua Stewart of Natchitoches. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 24 from 5-9 p.m. and on Wednesday, October 25 from 8 a.m. to service time at the funeral home. October 31, 2000 issue AUDREY FAYE DILL WORLEY Funeral services for Mrs. Audrey Faye Dill Worley, 57, of Readhimer were held Monday, October 30 at 2 p.m. at Briarwood Baptist Church in Readhimer with the Rev. V. L. Montgomery officiating. Burial followed in Oak Grove Cemetery in Chestnut under the direction of Edmonds Funeral Home. Mrs. Worley died Saturday, October 28, 2000 in Glenwood Medical Center in West Monroe of natural causes. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Bob E. Worley of Readhimer; one son, Robert L. Worley II of Lexington, Ky.; three brothers, John Dill of Shreveport, Steven Dill of Readhimer and James C. Dill of Goldonna; one sister, Doris J. Dill of Readhimer; and step-father Leonard G. Choate of Readhimer. Pallbearers were Doyle "Bud" Newmons, Daniele Folden, Jerry Usrey, J. W. Speir, S. N. Johnson and J. R. Davis. GEORGE LEE BROWN Funeral services for George Lee Brown, 62, of Ashland were held Saturday, October 28 at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home with the Revs. Rodney Vinzant and Robert Bamburg officiating. Burial followed in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Survivors include one daughter, Karen Gilbert and her husband, Kenneth, of Campti; two sons, Gary Brown and wife, Vicky, of Watsontown, Pa. and Gerald Brown of Farmington, Mo.; one brother, Gurvis Brown of Laird Hill, Texas; six grandchildren; one step-grandson; and very special friends Scottie and Tonyia Johnson and Alyssa and Morgen Johnson of Ashland. Pallbearers were Thomas Holland, Keith Bates, Brandon Quick, Robert Brown, Huey Brown and Alvin Lloyd. EVELYN BUTLER HORTON Graveside services for Evelyn Butler Horton were held at the American Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 26 with Mrs. Horton's nephew, the Rev. Ryan Horton, officiating. She is survived by her children, Mignon Morgan of Baton Rouge; Ed Horton and Lou Martin of Natchitoches and their families; her sisters, Sara Butler and Roberta Smith of Natchitoches; Virginia Thomas of Alexandria, Clara Killen of Benington, Vt.; and her brother, Oscar Butler of Natchitoches. Mrs. Horton taught piano for 30 years before her retirement and was an active member of First United Methodist Church. She was a charter member of Chapter 1 of the PEO Sisterhood. October 26, 2000 issue HENRIETTA MITCHELL Funeral services for Henrietta Mitchell of Natchitoches will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Agape Love Center. Remains will lie in state Friday from 6-10 p.m. at the church and again Saturday from noon until service time. Burial will be in the Lawrence Serenity Sanctum. Mrs. Mitchell passed away Tuesday at Natchitoches parish Hospital. Her survivors include her husband, Raymond Mitchell, of Natchitoches; five daughters, Mary Mitchell, Debra Owusuduku, Angela Davis, Sonya R. Mitchell and April Wade, all of Natchitoches; two brothers, Alfred Zeno of Houston, Texas, and Leotis Payne of Natchitoches; five sisters, Carrie Page and Rosa B. French, both of Natchitoches, Irma Lee Woods and Eartha Green, both of Houston, Texas, and Elourise Paige of Natchitoches; one stepson, Bennie Mitchell, of Modesto, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, three sons-in-law; Elton R. Wade Sr.; Pastor Johnny F. Davis; Ernest Owusuduku; nieces, nephews, cousins; and many dear friends. PRISCILLA CRAYTON-SMITH Funeral services for Priscilla Crayton-Smith, formerly of Natchitoches, will be held Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at the Winnfield Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. John Helire Sr. officiating. Burial will be in the Lawrence Serenity Sanctum. Remains will lie in state Friday from 6-10 p.m. at the Winnfield Funeral Home. Mrs. Crayton-Smith passed away Saturday, October 21 at North Central Medical Center in McKinney, Texas. She was a 1972 graduate of Natchitoches Central High School, an NSU graduate and a member of AKA sorority. Her survivors include her parents, Otis and Felma Crayton Sr. of Natchitoches; two sisters, Faye Burks of Alexandria and Hannah Johnson of Houston, Texas; two brothers, Otis Crayton Jr. of Hawthorne, Calif., and Gary Crayton of Shreveport; one niece, Tameka Crayton; four nephews, Marlon Sean Crayton, Corey L. Crayton, Quincy Ary and Reginald Benjamin; and many other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.