Obits: The Natchitoches Times, April, 2001 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 ********************************************** April 26, 2001 issue ELVIE RAINS CAMPBELL Funeral services for Mrs. Elvie Rains Campbell, 92, of Marthaville, will be held Thursday, April 26, 2001 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many with the Rev. Bob Salley officiating. Mrs. Campbell passed away April 24, 2001 at Spring Lake Guest Care. She was born March 16, 1909 in Marthaville to Ivory Dixon Rains and Martha Rains. Mrs. Campbell was a homemaker. She is survived by one daughter, Dixie Berry and her husband, Joyce, of Shreveport; one son, Carson Campbell and his wife, Gene, of Marthaville; and one sister; Argerine Taylor of Shreveport; three grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and friends. MRS. VERNEDA FISHER Funeral services for Mrs. Verneda Fisher will be held Saturday, April 28, 2001 at 11 a.m. at the Ben D. Johnson Auditorium. The wake service will be Friday from 6-10 p.m. at the auditorium. Burial will follow in the Lawrence Serenity Sanctum Cemetery. Repast at the auditorium following burial. Mrs. Fisher died April 21, 2001. She was a member of the Gospelrettes Singers for 32 years. April 25, 2001 issue MR. SIDNEY PRUHOMME Services for Sidney Prudhomme, 89, of Natchitoches, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 26, 2001 in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Key Roy officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. Mr. Prudhomme died Monday, April 23, 2001 in LSU Medical Center in Shreveport. Mr. Prudhomme was a native of Bermuda and was a retired mechanic. He was a member of Holy Cross Church. He was preceded in death by a brother. J. L. Prudhomme and two sisters, Faye Pearl Montgomery and Eloise Antilley. Survivors include his wife, Angvie Edwards Prudhomme of Natchitoches; four sons, Charles Prudhomme Jr. and his wife, Cecelia of Alexandria, Tedd Prudhomme and his wife, Lorna of Baton Rouge, Dickie Prudhomme and Danny Prudhomme and his wife, Sandy, all of Natchitoches; four daughters, Betty Smith, Rose Menou and her husband, Mike, and Deborah Powell and her husband, Charles, all of Natchitoches; and Doris Bowden of Katy, Texas; one brother, Woodrow Prudhomme of Bermuda; 26 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Charles Prudhomme III, L. Dean Smith, Jeffery Bowden, Michael Menou, Kevin Menou and Christopher Smith. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-9 p.m. with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. and on Thursday from 8-9:30 a.m. at Blanchard-St. Denis. April 24, 2001 issue MICHAEL GABRIAL CLOUD Graveside services for infant Michael Gabrial Cloud were held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2001 in Evergreen Cemetery near Goldonna with the Rev. Danny Flemming officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Southern Funeral Home. Cloud was the infant son of April Cloud of Frisco, Texas and Lorenzo Rodrigues of Virginia Beach, Va. Other survivors are his grandfather, Billy Cloud of Frisco, Texas; step-grandmother Margie Cloud of Frisco, Texas; grandmother Reva Dalton of Natchitoches; step-grandfather, Gerald Dalton of Natchitoches; and great grandmother, Mrs. Clara Cloud of Goldonna. MAXINE BEARDEN Services for Maxine Bearden were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2001 in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. The Revs. Doug Cain and James Poole officiated. Burial was in Memory Lawn Park of Natchitoches. Ms. Bearden, 67, of Natchitoches died Saturday, April 21, 2001 in her home. She was a member of First United Methodist Church. She was born September 16, 1933 in New Orleans. She later attended high school in Shreveport and in Fort Worth, Texas. She married Ivan R. Bearden on June 7, 1952 and lived in several cities in Texas where he served as the superintendent of schools. They moved to Natchitoches in 1966 to begin work at Northwestern State University. Maxine operated a home daycare center for young children for 18 years. Through this service, she enjoyed the many children and their parents with whom she came in contact. She carried the memories of their rewarding association throughout her life. She was a devoted wife and mother to the four children of their marriage, giving untold time and energy to serving her family. Her belief in God and work in the church served as a focal point in her life supplying the basis for enjoying the many friends and family members. She was preceded in death by her father, James G. McEwen; and mother, Lena Boydkin McEwen; her grandfather, Thomas H. McEwen; and grandmother, Ella Martin McEwen; and one sister, Carol O'Neil. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Ivan R. Bearden; four children Bradley Bearden and wife, Gina, of Shreveport; Eleece Bearden of Shreveport, Lt. Col. Bryan Bearden and wife, Janelle of Sunter, S. C. and Bruce Bearden and wife, Ruth of Plano, Texas. She leaves five granddaughters, Cynthia Bearden, Christie Bearden, Savanna Bearden, Jaran Knotts and Rachel Knotts. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be given to the children's memorial at First United Methodist Church. Pallbearers were Dr. Paul Harvey Jr. representing family members, Dr. Thomas Hennigan representing NSU community friends, Dr. Thomas Clinton representing life-time friends, Lynn Estes representing neighborhood friends, Louie Bernard representing church friends and Cloyd Moli representing family children friends. JOSEPH "CLIFF" CARNAHAN SR. Services for Joseph "Cliff" Carnahan Sr., 86, of Cloutierville will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2001 in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at Cloutierville with Fr. Gerald Bordelon officiating. Burial will be Emmanuel Cemetery at Chopin under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. Mr. Carnahan died Sunday, April 22, 2001 in his residence in Cloutierville. He was a musician and songwriter and a member of the Louisiana Folk Life Center inducted on July 18, 1992. He wrote the classic bluegrass song, "Ocean of Diamonds" which made the Top 10 on national music charts. He has helped and influenced many musicians through the years through his personal assistance and through his band "The Blueschasers." He was inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame on April 11, 1999. He was a member of The Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #247 for 49 years. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church at Chopin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Victorine Carnahan; one son, Ben David Carnahan; and 16 brothers and sisters. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Ebbie Lee Carnahan of Cloutierville; one son, Cliff Carnahan Jr. of Natchitoches; one daughter, Judy E. Carnahan of Cloutierville; one brother, Eldren Carnahan of Chopin; eight grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Skeet Delrie, Dimpsy Kerry, Kenny LaCaze, Jerry Kerry, Vernon Carnahan and Jimmy Spillman. April 20, 2001 issue MR. LEANDER DESADIER Funeral services for Mr. Leander Desadier, 81, of Campti were held Friday, April 20, 2001 at 10 a.m. in the Rocket Nettles Funeral Home Chapel in Coushatta. Bro. Dan Chance officiated. Burial followed in the Pardee Cemetery in Campti. Mr. Desadier died April 18, 2001. He was a native of Natchitoches Parish. His survivors include six sons, John H. Desadier of Lowell, Ark., Eugene Desadier of Winnfield, Virgil, Ronnie, Terry and David Desadier, all of Campti; five daughters, Vickie Chisholm and Dorothy Haney of West Monroe, Katherine Gentry of Montgomery and Patsy Ayres and Gertrude Hoppock of Campti; 27 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. April 6, 2001 issue NATHANIEL L. FOSTER Services for Nathaniel L. Foster, 8, of Natchitoches will be held Saturday, April 7, 2001 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Pius X Church in Edgewood, Ky., under the direction of Middendorf-Bullock Funeral Home of Erlanger, Ky. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:25 a.m. Saturday, April 7, 2001 at the church. Nathaniel is survived by his parents, Christopher L. and Sharon S. Bosch Foster; brother Joshua B. Foster; sister Rachael L. Foster; grandparents Cotton and Lynette Foster and Ken and Nancy Bosch; and great grandparents Donald and Clara Bosch and Edith Lee. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research, Nathaniel Foster Memorial, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105. April 5, 2001 issue JUDGE RICHARD B. WILLIAMS Funeral services for retired Judge Richard B. Williams will be held in Natchitoches at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 10 a.m., Friday, April 6, 2001. Burial will follow at the Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. with the Rosary from 7-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 5 at the Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. Officiating will be Judge Williams' son, the Rev. Richard B. Williams, O. P., and Fr. Ken Roy. A gentleman of faith and justice, who served with love. Born March 1, 1910, a lifetime resident of Natchitoches, Judge Williams died on April 4, 2001 at his home due to natural causes after 91 years of life. Judge Williams graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1926; Louisiana Normal College (now Northwestern State University) in 1930; Tulane Law School in 1933; and the National College of State Trial Judges in 1967. He was a two-sport athlete at NSU, lettering in baseball and tennis from 1927-1930, and a member of the first tennis team at Northwestern. At Tulane Law School he served on the Law Review staff and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He was recognized for his continued support of his alma maters after graduation, being awarded NSU's Nth Degree in 1986 for unselfish devotion to duty and the willingness to go the extra mile in meritorious service to mankind. In 1999 he was inducted into the first class of the St. Mary's Academic Hall of Fame. Judge Williams was an attorney-at-Law from 1933-1966l; District Judge of Natchitoches and Red River Parishes from 1966-1980; president of the Louisiana District Judges Association from 1978-1979. He was assigned to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals from 1969-1970 and in 1973, and the Louisiana Supreme Court as Justice Ad Hoc in 1987. He served as Judge Ad Hoc in numerous parishes throughout Louisiana. When a visitor entered his judge's office he would ask them, "How may I serve you?" Judge Williams was frequently recognized for the example he set as a person and as a judge, including in the U. S. Congressional Record in 1986. His memberships included the Council of the La. State Law Institute, La. Judicial Council, La. Trial Judges Association, Natchitoches-Red River Bar Associations, La. State Bar Association, American Bar Association and Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. He kept his sense of humor while being courteous and caring to all persons. He talked the talk and walked the walk. After Pearl Harbor was attacked, he voluntarily enlisted at the age of 31 and served our nation during World War II as a commander in the U. S. Navy and thereafter as commander of the Natchitoches Area Naval Reserve. He was a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and a member of the Natchitoches Knights of Columbus for 63 years, achieving the rank of 4th Degree Knight. He received the Papal Knighthood of St. Gregory in 1982, Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulcher in 1992 and Knight Commander with Star of the Holy Sepulcher in 1996. He served on the boards of the Exchange Bank & Trust Co., Progressive Savings and Loan Association, the Federal Land Bank Association of Alexandria and the American Cemetery Association. He was member and leader of the Natchitoches Boy Scouts Council, Elks Club, Rotary Club and the American Legion while actively helping with projects such as the restoration of historical Fort St. Jean Baptiste in Natchitoches. "The Judge" enjoyed family genealogy, was an avid fisherman and an accomplished weaver who enjoyed making and doing things for others. In 1933, he married his beloved wife, Ora Garland Williams of Minden, who preceded him in 1985. Four children were born of their marriage, 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. All descendants reside in Natchitoches unless otherwise indicated. His children are Ann Williams Brittain, and husband, Jack; the Rev. Richard B. Williams, O. P. of New Orleans; John G. Williams, and wife, Suzanne; Joe Payne Williams, and wife, Sara Nell. His grandchildren are Jack O. Brittain Jr.; Marguerite Ann Brittain Picou, and husband Bryan; Rebecca Ann Brittain Morris, and husband Wallace of Alexandria, La.; Lala Elizabeth Ann Brittain Sylvester, and husband Russell; Eliza Ann Brittain Behrendsen, and husband Gunnar of Denver, Colo.; John Arthur Brittain, and wife Rachel; Mary Jane Ann Brittain Richardson, and husband Kirk of New Roads; Brooke Elise Williams; Catherine Michelle Williams of River Ridge; John Scott Williams of Alexandria, Va.; Joseph Payne Williams Jr.; Richard Bray Williams of Baton Rouge; Nathaniel Garland Williams, and wife Ismena. Great-grandchildren: Marguerite Ann, Sara Elizabeth, Catherine Grace, and Bryan Anthony, Jr. Picou; Winnfield Hancock and Wade Hampton Morris; Lala Brittain, Courtney Elizabeth Ann, Ashley Kathleen, and Kathleen Marie Sylvester; Behrend Brittain and Ashton Lafitte Behrendsen; Sydney Elisabeth and Ann Marie Brittain; Stanley John and Richard Blanchard Richardson. Pallbearers will be Judge Williams' six grandsons, Britt, John, Scotty, Payne, Bray and Nathaniel; also Ralph Ingram Jr. and George Mallett Jr. Honorary pallbearers: Judge Williams' relatives and godchildren; fellow Knights of Columbus and Holy Sepulcher; judges and attorneys with whom he served; and Joe Pierson Jr. The family wishes to express their gratitude for everyone's concern during Judge Williams' final illness - including gifts of food, visits, telephone calls and prayers. A special thanks to the Regis Junior Metoyer family, Gladys Fisher, Robert Miller, Judge Williams' granddaughter Dr. Cissy Picou, and the other members of his family for their care of Judge Williams. Memorial donations may be made to the Ora G. Williams Scholarship Fund at Northwestern State University, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or St. Mary's School of Natchitoches. April 3, 2001 OREL "PEG" PLEASANT Funeral services for Orel "Peg" Pleasant, 75, of the Spanish Lake community were held Sunday, April 1, 2001 at 2 p.m. in Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Mike Henderson and Fr. Mike Manage officiating. Burial followed in St. Anne Cemetery. Mr. Pleasant passed away Friday, March 30, 2001. Survivors include his wife, Doris Pleasant of Spanish Lake community; four sons, Jimmy Ray Alford and wife, Delores, of Bossier City, Terry Dean Pleasant and wife, Delia, of Little Rock, Ark., Randall Lynn Pleasant and wife, Patsy, of Flower Mound, Texas and Darryl Orel Pleasant and wife, Loami, of Panama City Beach, Fla.; two daughters, Lana Jill Crawford and husband, Frank, of Spanish Lake community and Barbara Elise Salter and husband, Brian, of Florien; and 15 grandchildren. NELL CLEMONS Funeral services for Nell Clemons, 61, of Clarence were held Monday, April 2, 2001 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with Dr. William Poe and the Rev. Mack Brunson officiating. Interment was in Ragan Cemetery in Clarence. Mrs. Clemons passed away Saturday, March 31, 2001 in Christus Schumpert Medical Center in Shreveport. Mrs. Clemons is survived by her husband, Buddy Clemons of Clarence; one son, Charles Clemons Jr. and his wife, Casey, of Clarence; two daughters, Melinda Frey and husband, Mark, of Morganza and Tamela Aldredge and husband, Corwyn, of Montgomery; three brothers, the Rev, Wayne Hicks of Jimmy Hicks both of Natchitoches and Byrl Hicks of LaPorte, Texas; five grandchildren, Kyla and Ryan Frey of Morganza, Chelsea Clemons of Prairieville, Abby Clemons of Clarence and Erin Husbands of Marksville. Mrs. Clemons was preceded in death by a daughter, Alicia Ann Clemons. She was a native of Natchitoches and a resident of Clarence, was a member of Clarence Baptist Church, owned B & N Grocery in Clarence and the Cattleman's Stockyard in Marksville. She was currently a salesperson at D's Western Store in Natchitoches. Pallbearers were Jeff Clemons, Jay Clemons, Tom Kervin, Rayburn Smith, Terry Scott and Johnny Aaron. Honorary pallbearers were Beddie Bruning, Terry McQuillin and Phillip Worsham.