Chasity Palmer Drisker
Ms. Chasity Palmer Drisker was born in DeRidder, Louisiana, on December 30, 1987. She completed high school at Butler High in Augusta, Georgia, in 2006. She went on to obtain her certification as a highly skilled phlebotomist working in the laboratory in the Columbus Regional Hospital. She was known to be a very loving and fun spirited person. She enjoyed singing, dancing and bowling. She would give you her last, even if that meant her not having for herself. She was baptized in the Name of Jesus in July of 2008 at The Church of Columbus under the direction of Pastor H. L. Shephard. She leaves to mourn her; parents: Steven and Pamela Drisker; brother: Steven, Jr., and sister: Tiarra, all of Columbus, Georgia. She will forever be missed by her Aunt Jackie Davis of DeRidder, Louisiana; Uncle Marcus Drisker (Brandy) of San Antonio, Texas; grandmother, Glendale Drisker (Manuel) of Leesville, Louisiana; grandfather, Willie Collier (Patricia) of Grambling, Louisiana, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family members and friends. Her biological father, Gerald Palmer and his family are also left to mourn her death, including brothers, Kevin Jones, Deon Jones and Eric Jones, all of DeRidder, Louisiana. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother: Leontine Davis Craig; maternal great-grandparents: Sarah and Henry Youngblood; paternal great-grandmother: Willasteen Collier; and uncle: Frank Davis along with numerous great-uncles and aunts.
Ima Cochran Neely
Ima Cochran Neely, 90, passed from this life on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at Merryville Nursing Center in Merryville, Louisiana.
Visitation will begin on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Myers-Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, Louisiana. Her funeral service will be at 2:00 pm at Myers-Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, Louisiana. Burial will be in Merryville Cemetery in Merryville, Louisiana.
Mrs. Neely was a Merryville High School Graduate and attended McNeese University. She was a housewife and seamstress that enjoyed playing the piano and singing as well as working in her flower garden and growing and canning fruits and vegetables. Mrs. Neely attended Merryville Baptist Church where in previous years she served as a Sunday School Teacher and Music Director, she played the piano and was a soloist.
Survivors include the following: sons: Maxie Neely and wife, Betty of Bridge City, Texas; Mance Neely and wife, Jan of Orange, Texas; James Neely and wife, Linda of Merryville, Louisiana; Gerald Neely and wife, Alice of Merryville, Louisiana; daughter: Regina Barron of Merryville, Louisiana; sister: Pearl Smith of Jacksonville, North Carolina; 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by: husband of 56 Years: Walter Jake Neely; father: William Asa Cochran; mother: Margaret Amy Green; sisters: Tressie Santerre, Minnie Pittman, Flora Jeane, Iva Perry, and Rita Campbell.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Merryville Cemetery Fund or the church or charity of your choice in Mrs. Neely's name.
Claude P. Spicer
Claude P. Spicer, 69, passed from this life on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at Beauregard Memorial Hospital in DeRidder, Louisiana. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 1, 2009 at the First Pentecostal Church of DeRidder beginning at 4:30 PM until 8:30 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 1 PM at the First united Pentecostal Church of DeRidder. Interment will be in Beauregard Cemetery.
Claude served his country for 9 years in the United States Army. He was wounded in Vietnam and was a recipient of the Purple Heart Medal. He was employed at Boise Cascade for 35 years. Claude loved to hunt and especially loved fishing. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include the following; spouse: Audrey Brown Spicer of DeRidder, Louisiana; daughter: Cherie Hartzell and spouse, Fred, of DeRidder, Louisiana; step-daughters: Lynell Bennett and spouse, John, of DeRidder, Louisiana and Sheria Calhoun and spouse, James, of DeRidder, Louisiana; brother: Ray Spicer of Dallas, Texas; grandchild: Elizabeth Hartzell; step-grandchild: Audra Burge and spouse, Jeremy, of DeRidder, Louisiana; step-great-grandchildren: Addayln Burge and Riley Burge of DeRidder, Louisiana.
Alyssa Denise Ray
Alyssa Denise Ray, 17 days of age, passed from this life on Monday, April 27, 2009. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 2 PM at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, Louisiana, with Rev. Steve Shirley and Rev. Robert Murray officiating. Burial will follow at Newlin Cemetery in Singer, Louisiana. Survivors include the following: father: Mitchell Glenn Ray; mother: Kristy Danielle Ray; grandparents: Glenn and Rebecca Ray of Merryville, LA; Tim and Angie Cashi of Egan, LA; Joseph and Rachel Spell of Basile, LA; and Marie Fontenot of Dry Creek, LA; great-grandparents: Alice Faye Poisson of Merryville, LA; Bobby and Ruth Spell of Basile, LA; Harry and Louella Rougeau of Oberlin, LA; and Sherry Maddox of DeRidder, LA; as well as five uncles, six aunts, and twenty-two cousins. She was preceded in death by: great-grandfathers: Gerald “Gerry” Poisson and Bobby J. Maddox.
Frank Joseph Porterpan, Jr
Frank Joseph Porterpan, Jr., 69, of Mittie, Louisiana, passed from this life on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at Oakdale Community Hospital in Oakdale, Louisiana. Visitation will be held at Cherry Grove Baptist Church in Mittie, Louisiana on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 beginning at 2 o’clock PM and continuing until the time of Service on Thursday. The funeral service will be on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at the Cherry Grove Baptist Church, located at 172 Cherry Grove Road, Mittie, Louisiana, 70637 at 10 o’clock AM with Bro. Ron Butler officiating. Burial will follow at Whitaker Cemetery in DeRidder, Louisiana.
Survivors include the following: Fiancée: Billie Terrell of Mittie, Louisiana; Sons: Billy Brister of DeRidder, Louisiana; Donald Joe and Dalnea Brister of DeRidder, Louisiana; Roy William and Debbie Terrell of Fairfax, Missouri; Daughters: Shirley and Raemon Strickland of Leesville, Louisiana; Cathy and Dale Maddox of DeRidder, Louisiana; Melissa and Harold John of Reeves, Louisiana; brothers: Hulan and Glenda Porterpan of Mobile, Alabama; Ronald and Yume Porterpan of Luling, Texas; Butch and Charlene Porterpan of Corsicana, Texas; Eric Jay Porterpan of New Orleans, Louisiana; sisters: Diane and Lee Ivy of Pinehill, Alabama; Sherry and Paul Leonard of Belle Chase, Louisiana; Vickie and Jim Chauncy of Houston, Texas; 17 Grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by spouse: Bertha Porterpan; daughter: Anita Lynette Collins; son: Edward Brister; and grandchild: Edward Maddox.
Paul Burch
Paul Burch, 75, passed away at his residence in Evans, Louisiana.
Visitation will begin at 8:00 am, Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Bethel Grove Pentecostal Church of Merryville, Louisiana, and will continue until the time of service at 1:00 PM.
Burial will be at Hinson Cemetery at Knight Community, Louisiana.
Alice Eaves, 69
Alice Eaves passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at the DeRidder Retirement & Rehab Facility in DeRidder, Louisiana.
Visitation will begin on Friday, April 24, 2009 at 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, Louisiana. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, Louisiana. Burial will be at Meadows Cemetery in Merryville, Louisiana.
Survivors include: husband: Raymond Eaves of Merryville, Louisiana; daughter: Debbie Williamson (Daron) of Gulfport, MS; grandson: Jacob Powell of Gulfport, MS; sister: Eloise Perry of Merryville, Louisiana; brothers: Jerry Cooley (Shirley) of Merryville, Louisiana; John Allen Cooley (Liz) of Kirbyville, Texas; Richard “Buddy” Cooley (Bonnie) of Merryville, Louisiana.
Alice Faye was born on July 12, 1939 to Willie and Lannie Pinder Cooley.
She married her high school sweetheart on July 20, 1957.
She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in Alice Faye's name.
Esther A. Cryer
Esther A. Cryer, 92, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at Westwood Manor Nursing Home in DeRidder, Louisiana.
Visitation will begin on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM at Pentecostal Gospel Lighthouse Church in DeRidder, Louisiana. Her funeral service will be at 10:00 am at Pentecostal Gospel Lighthouse Church in DeRidder, Louisiana. Burial will be in Mitchell Cemetery in Anacoco, Louisiana. Survivors included: daughter: Sheila Diane Stutes and spouse, Richard of DeRidder, Louisiana; brother: Alvin Locke of Anacoco, Louisiana; 5 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: husband: Holland Cryer; sons: John R. Cryer and Wilmer Lee Cryer; grandson: Johnny Cryer.
Esther was a resident of DeRidder for the past 24 years where she was a member of the Pentecostal Gospel Lighthouse Church in DeRidder, Louisiana. She was married to Holland Cryer for 71 years. Her hobbies were gardening and quilting. She loved her family!
Joyce M. Brister
NAME: Joyce Marie Burge
AGE: 86
Joyce Burge died Sunday, April 19, 2009 at St. Patrick Hospital in Lake Charles, Louisiana, surrounded by her family and friends. She will be missed by all who knew her, especially her family, which was her pride and joy.
Visitation: Tuesday, April 21, 2009, beginning at 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM and will continue on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 from 10:00 am until the time of service at 2:00 PM at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, Louisiana. Elder Gerald Reed and Bro. Charles Burge, Jr. will officiate. Burial will be at Newlin Cemetery in Singer, Louisiana.
Survivors: daughters: Eva Markham of Wildwood, Florida; Barbara Billings of Glenmora, Louisiana; Sandra Allison and spouse, Jeff of Merryville, Louisiana; sons: Ray Burge and spouse, Joyce of Dry Prong, Louisiana; Charles Burge, Sr. and spouse, Bonnie of Singer, Louisiana; Ronald Burge, Sr. and spouse, Mary of Singer, Louisiana; Larry Burge and spouse, Jan of Ragley, Louisiana and Jerry Burge of Singer, Louisiana; brother: Elmer Bennett and spouse, Susie of Sulphur, Louisiana; sisters: Merle Spikes of DeRidder, Louisiana; Nell Cryer and spouse, John of Rosepine, Louisiana and Louise Hanchey of Lafayette, Louisiana; 19 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Preceded in death by: parents: Eary and Callie Bennett; sons: David Burge and Ernest Burge, Jr.; daughter: Sharon Burge Bullitt; brothers: Carl Bennett and Harold Bennett; sister: Leona Hennigan.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons: David Burge, Jr., Ronald Burge, Jr., Richard Burge; James Bullitt; Paul David Burge; Jeffery Allison; Christopher Burge and Lee Burge
Katherine Charles
Katherine Charles, 51, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Beauregard Memorial Hospital in DeRidder, Louisiana.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 1:00 PM at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, Louisiana.
James E. "Buddy" Thompson
James E. Thompson departed this earth on Saturday, April 11, 2009 to be with his Savior. Born and raised in Louisiana, he graduated in 1963 and went into the Air Force for two years. He is survived by his wife: Judy K. Herron of Pascagoula, Mississippi; daughter: Karen Danette Thompson of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; sister: Mae Eileen Fairchild of Dallas, Texas; brother: Larry Wayne Thompson of McKinney, Texas; Aunt: Minnie Mae Tilley of Lake Charles, Louisiana; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
“Please don’t fret or worry, it’s in God’s hands. I love you all. - James-”
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 1 PM at Myers Colonial Funeral Home with Rev. George L. Glass, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Cooper Cemetery in DeRidder, Louisiana. A Memorial Service will be held at Sunnyvale First Baptist Church at 3018 Beltline Road, Sunnyvale, Texas 75182 on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 3 PM, hosted by the family and friends.
Billy Wayne Stark
Billy Wayne Stark, 76, passed from this life on Saturday, April 11, 2009. He was born in Merryville, Louisiana and was known for playing basketball and holding state track records. He worked in the sawmills around Merryville as a young man before joining the United States Air Force where he was a member of the Knights of the Blue Nose. He served in the Korean War and received the National Defense Medal and the Medal of Good Conduct. After graduating from McNeese State University, he lived in Sulphur, Louisiana for many years and retired from Vista VCM in 1994.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children: Billy Wayne Stark, II and his wife, Peggy, of Sulphur, Louisiana; Janet Lynn Sonnier and her husband, Jimmy, of DeRidder, Louisiana; Becky Haraminac and her husband, Joe, of Singer, Louisiana; his sister: Jeanienne Wildblood and her husband, Buddy, along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at Myers Colonial Funeral Home from 4 PM until 9 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at Myers Colonial Funeral Home at 10 AM with Bro. Wayne Kite officiating. Burial will be held at Quick Sand Cemetery in Bon Wier, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jennings, Louisiana.
Hezakiah McClendon
Hezakiah McClendon, 106, of DeRidder, Louisiana, passed from this life on Saturday, April 4, 2009 in DeRidder, Louisiana. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at New Hope Holiness Church in DeRidder, Louisiana, from 10AM until the Funeral Service at 1 PM with Rev. Michael Harris officiating. Burial will follow at Beauregard Cemetery in DeRidder, Louisiana. Mr. McClendon was a deacon at the Pleasant Hill Church in Picayune, Mississippi. He lived a long and fruitful life. Survivors include the following; son: Curtis McClendon of Picayune, Mississippi; daughter: Ceola Harris (Jimmy) of DeRidder, Louisiana; sister: Desiree’ Phillips of Quitman, Mississippi, and sister- in-law: Annie Mae Gamble of DeRidder, Louisiana; as well as 45 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by; wife: Mary Jane McClendon Turner, sons: Frank McClendon and Malachi McClendon and 4 grandsons.
Glenn Paul "Jeep" Mason
Glen Paul “Jeep” Mason, 49 passed away on April 4, 2009 at Beauregard Memorial Hospital in DeRidder, LA.
Glen was born on November 25, 1959 in Fort Ord, California, to J.C. and Helen Marie Dahl Mason.
Visitation will be held at Trout Creek Pentecostal Church of Merryville, Louisiana, beginning at 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM on Sunday, April 05, 2009 and will continue at 8:00 am on Monday, April 6, 2009 until the time of service at 2:00 PM with Revs. James Grimh and Guy Snyder officiating. Burial will be in Merryville Cemetery.
Those left to cherish Glen's memory include: step-mother: Avalene Mason of Merryville, Louisiana; wife: Margaret Mason of Las Cruces, New Mexico; daughter: Cassie Olson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; brothers: John Mason and spouse, Florence of Houston, Texas; Donald Mason and spouse, Gayla of Newton, Texas, and David Mason and spouse of Mildred of Bon Wier, Texas; sisters: Anne Henry and spouse, Donnie of Bacliff, Texas; Margaret Ferguson of Merryville, Louisiana; Linda Ashworth and spouse, Bebo of Merryville, Louisiana, and Carol Morton and spouse, Walt of Hoopa, California; sisters-in-law: Judy Smith and spouse, Eric of Las Cruces, New Mexico; Dianna Morris and spouse, Adam of Sydney, Australia; an army of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and too many friends and adopted relatives to count.
Glen never met a stranger who remained a stranger for long. Even at his most physically weak stage in life, the Doctors had to tell him to quit talking so he could breathe. We all thought he loved to talk almost more than eat. Glen spent much of his free time attending his great nieces’ and nephews’ football, baseball and basketball games. He was extremely proud of his daughter, Cassie and her accomplishments in life and looked forward to her graduation from Oklahoma City University next year. Children of all ages knew and loved “Uncle Glen” because he was, according to them a nice, gentle kind man.
