To be called a force of nature means that one is full of energy, unstoppable or unforgettable.  The same can be said for Farce of Nature, the laugh-out-loud farce written by Nicholas Hope, Jessie Jones, and Jamie Wooten.  The hilarious romp will soon be playing out at the BackAlley Community Theatre.  It takes place inside the lobby of an old fishing and hunting lodge in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas (or Mississippi?) to borrow a common line from the show.  What makes Farce of Nature a force is the ensemble cast of six well-known actors and three new actors to the Back Alley stage.

Many of you will remember Lauren Schexnayder  as Sammy Jo, in last fall’s production of Southern Fried Funeral, and also last year’s The Outsider.  Lauren is a member of Cornerstone Ministry Cowboy Church in Logansport, where she operates the sound system.  Lauren lives in Logansport with her husband, Chris, and six-year-old son, Grayson.  She teaches at Mansfield Elementary and graduated from LSU-Shreveport in elementary education.  In her spare time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family.

We are all thrilled to have Abby Nally return to the BackAlley Stage after a long absence.  She was in our production of the Hallelujah Girls in an earlier season.  Abby was raised in Stanley, and recently moved back after spending the last seven years in Raleigh, North Carolina. While in NC, she met and married Patrick Nally, and “somehow convinced that northern boy to move back this year.”  Abby is a teller with Community Bank.  In her spare time, she enjoys board games, time with family, and running–hoping to one day run in a marathon.  

Other cast members include Patrick Nally, Hunter Tuck, Bridget Flanders, Lance Ray, Ethan Springer, Lisa Duty, and Debbie Carr. Director is Terry Sparks and Stage Manager is Debbie Carr.

You do not want to miss this comedy. Box Office opens and tickets go on sell Monday, July 11. Reservations are required and you may reserve your seat by calling our box office at 318-461-0202 or through our website http://www.backalleygrandcane.com. We will confirm your reservation during our box office hours beginning July 11, Monday – Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Farce of Nature is our sixth production of this season, and it will replace Smoke on the Mountain. If you are a current season ticket holder, your season ticket will be honored for this play. Otherwise, tickets are $15 each. Dates for Farce of Nature are Friday and Saturday, August 5 and 6 @ 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, August 7 @ 2:00 p.m.; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, August 11, 12, and 13 @ 7:00 p.m. Sodas and water are $1.00, and coffee, popcorn, and cookies are provided through contributions from our patrons.

 

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By Steve Graf

Some athletes are just born to be great, and some must work hard to develop their skills in order to be great. The great ones do things that are unexplainable and sometimes there’s no logical reason for what they do or why they do it. They’re blessed with natural talent and abilities that help them make “in the moment” decisions that seem to always work out. The great ones have unmatched character and determination, that in layman’s terms means….they hate to lose!

In the bass fishing world, there are anglers who fit the definition of a “natural,” like Kevin Van Dam, Rick Clunn, Larry Nixon, and Skeet Reece. These are just a few of the guys who, at one time or another, have made and continue to make a good living as touring professionals and have dominated tournament trails for many years. But every now and then, another one comes along that just seems to fish on another level with unmatched instinct and abilities that other anglers just don’t have…a guy who is totally committed to the process of catching bass. The latest angler to possess these God given talents is Nick Lebrun of Bossier City, Louisiana. He is a guy who has worked hard for years, through commitment and dedication, to refine his skills in order to compete at the highest level.

There’s a saying that I’ve heard for a long time and I’m not sure who really said it first…”Good things come to those who wait.” Well for Nick, the wait is over with his two latest ($100,000 each) tournament wins on the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Tour. Nick became only the third person in MLF history to ever win back-to-back events. To win one time is a major accomplishment, but to win back-to-back events is the stuff legends are made of. His hard work, sacrifices, and years of tournament experience is starting to pay dividends.

Nick joined the Tackle Warehouse Pro Tour full time in 2019 after winning the 2018 FLW All-American event on his home waters of Cross Lake and has quickly made a name for himself, both as a very versatile angler and as a person. A devout Christian, Nick never takes full credit for his good fortunes. He gives all the praise and glory to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for putting him in position to be successful. The next person he gives praise to is his wife, Jolene, who has stood by his side with support and encouragement even when things weren’t going well. Like any professional bass fisherman, there are high and lows that can really strain a relationship, but Jolene has been the glue and the support that has allowed Nick to fulfill his dreams. Like they say, ”Behind every successful man is a supportive wife.” Jolene Lebrun is the perfect example of this quote.

The life of a professional bass fisherman is a tough way to make a living and is not attainable by everyone. Just like any other professional sport, many have tried and failed. There’s a very small percentage of anglers nationwide with dreams of fishing for a living that have actually made it to the highest level. A lot of anglers have gone broke and ended up in divorce court trying to achieve this dream. But if you are an up-and-coming angler and are looking for a great example of a person to follow, make it Nick Lebrun!  Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook!

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Preparations are underway for the 116th Annual State Fair of Louisiana.  The fair said, “We are always trying to make things “Bigger and Better.”

“We are very excited to announce that we added a Wether Dam Goat Show this year and are very pleased to welcome back the Open Brangus Show of Merits\,” said the fair on social media.  The added, “Also, join us as we “Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler” and experience all things Louisiana at the 2022 National Brahman Cattle Show.”

The 2022 Tentative Livestock Schedule is now active on the state fair website. They are working on rules and premium catalog. Once completed it will be uploaded it to the website.

Have a question call 318-368-1106 or 318-635-1361.

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The DeSoto Parish Library branch at Pelican had quite an event recently.  It was an Ocean Adventure.

The Ocean Adventure with Mr. and Mrs. Brown out of California brought their Ocean Adventure and it was tons of fun.  The kids attending the session learned a lot about sharks.  And they got to see Mr. and Mrs. Brown on a very cool underwater shark expedition.

This adventure tied in with the summer reading program theme at all DeSoto library branches.  Oceans of Possibilities is now playing at the branch library near you.

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Richard T. Patrick

July 19, 1973 to July 6, 2022

View full obituary HERE 

Ray Charles Johnson

June 2, 1949 to July 5, 2022

Saturday Services July 9,2022 @ 2:00 p.m. Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel Mansfield, La.

Min. Kathy Jean Dixon-Mitchell

November 4, 1960 to July 3, 2022

Saturday Services July 9,2022 @ 1:00 p.m. at Gethsemane Baptist Church Mansfield, La.

Rev. Eddie Dean Ross, Jr.

November 22, 1948 to July 2, 2022

Services Saturday July 9, 2022 @ 12:00 p.m. at Zion Hill Baptist Church #2 in South Mansfield, La.

Kenneth Woods

July 29, 1966 to June 23, 2022

Saturday Services July 9,2022 @ 11:00 a.m. Old Morning Glory B.C

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A reminder that DeSoto Parish is under a burn ban due to lack of rainfall.  According to the weather service this is the only parish under a burn ban in northwest Louisiana.

The Beta Club from North DeSoto High is back home from the national convention in Nashville.  They finished out the week with one more recognition – freshmen problem solving team placed in the top 10.  The students enjoyed sightseeing in downtown Nashville while they were there.

Have you seen the new bright red banner at the top of every article in the DeSoto Parish Journal?  It is there to make it quick and easy to have a free subscription of your very own.  Pass the word to all your friends that they can now have all of the local news in DeSoto Parish delivered directly to their favorite device every Wednesday and Friday.  Did I mention that it’s FREE!

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The DeSoto Parish Weekly Arrest Report is usually provided each Monday through the DeSoto Sheriff App, Twitter, and DPSO Crimes & Arrests Facebook Group. Due to a holiday, the arrest report is being published today, July 07th, for all arrests made by DPSO between the dates of June 26th and July 06th. 

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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The DeSoto Sheriff’s Office reports a suspect is in custody following a shooting Tuesday morning, July 5th, around 11:40am.  The shooting victim sustained a non-life threatening injury. Deputies and EMS responded to a report that an individual had been shot just off of Highway 84 near the Bethel community. 

A DeSoto Sheriff’s Deputy and DeSoto Firefighters were at the compactor site taking off trash from the previous night’s fireworks display.  A young adult male walked up visibly injured and claimed to have been shot at a location just down the road, north of the compactor site. 

The victim was able to provide details to the Deputy on site that would assist in identifying and locating the suspected shooter.  EMS was nearby, and able to quickly respond to and treat the victim who was then transported to an area hospital.  The victim sustained one gunshot wound to the head, which is believed to be a moderate but non-life threatening injury. 

The suspect was located just moments later and taken into custody to be transported to the DeSoto Detention Center.  The suspect, Stephen B. Raybon of Stanley, La (W/M – 26 years of age) has been charged with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. 

This investigation is still ongoing, and no further information will be provided at this time. 

Sheriff Jayson Richardson would like to thank all First Responders including Fire, EMS, Dispatch and Deputies for their swift action in not only helping to save the life of the victim, but also apprehending the suspect within moments.  The quick actions, response time, and teamwork between everyone involved in this incident are certainly something DeSoto Parish citizens can be proud of.

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Mansfield’s new mayor and town council were sworn in last Friday afternoon to kick off an elaborate inaugural event.  DeSoto Clerk of Court Jeremy Evans administered the oath of office.  Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Evans brought words of encouragement.

Then the new Mayor Thomas Jones called for a new direction for the town.  Jones envisions several changes to move Mansfield forward.  He referred to this several times during his remarks.

Jones said, “I look forward to working with the town council.  It will be great.  This is a historic day.  I not the first Black mayor but I am the first person who is going to move this city forward.  It will be fun working together with the council.”  He added, “The people didn’t elect me to sit and do nothing.”

“This town has seen it all… growth, stagnation, oil and gas boom,” said the Mayor. His theme is to get everyone motivated.  Jones said, “It’s time to get the work done.  Start doing things a little different.  If you don’t like change move out of the way.”

The new Mayor got the most “amens” from the gathering when he spoke about doing something about injustice.  Jones promised, “I’ll spend a lot of time and energy to reform our criminal justice system.  We need to get young people the help they need.  How do you help by incarceration?”

He also called upon citizens to give respect to police officers.  Jones said, “If my officers stop you, be courteous.  Show them respect.  Don’t take your frustration out on them, see me.”  With that Jones promised an open administration.  “Come to me if you have a problem,” said Jones.  But he added, “sometimes the answer you get may not be the one you wanted.”

After congratulations and thanks all around, Mayor Jones set the tone for his coming four years, “We’ll create unity in this community.”

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The crowd loved it.  Fireworks on the Logansport riverfront on Monday night.  They patiently waited for dark, then the sky lit up!  One post on social media called it, “An awesome job DeSoto Parish Fire District #1.

Ashley Wells performed the National Anthem.  The Texas Watermelon Queen Olivia Johnson stopped by the festivities.  She brought with her free slices of watermelon and other goodies.

It was a great family show and fun time celebrating America’s birthday. 

Ashley Wells contributed to this report.

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Many veterans in our parish utilize the services of the Veterans Administration medical facilities in Shreveport, Natchitoches, Alexandria or other locations.  The Journal has received a request to alert veterans to the possibility of fraud in the billing system.

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued a fraud alert regarding VA being billed for care veterans did not receive. This alert advises veterans and their representatives to help detect health care fraud by carefully reviewing benefit explanations and bills they receive from VA.

If you see potential evidence of fraud or have concerns about patient care, please contact the VA OIG office at va.gov/oig/hotline or 800.488.8244.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Action Corps Weekly contributed to this report.

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By Teddy Allen

Most things considered — like where they were a few months ago, without football — this past weekend could not have ended much better for Skip Holtz and J’Mar Smith, the coach and quarterback, respectively, of the USFL’s inaugural champions.

These past few months while most of us weren’t caring much about football since there was grass to mow, golf to play and springtime to enjoy, something weird was going, something just curious enough that a few of us had to pay attention to, of all places, Birmingham.

Former Louisiana Tech football personnel kept showing up on Birmingham’s USFL roster.

By the time it was over, six former Bulldogs were Stallions. Plus there was Holtz, the coach and general manager. Even Bill Johnson, former Tech assistant and former player and assistant at Northwestern State, coached the defensive line.

Birmingham had a Winnfield East feel to it.

If anyone around here cared, it was probably because the two Stallions you kept wondering about most were Holtz, the former Tech head coach, and Smith, his three-year starter at quarterback. To see how this latest chapter between them would turn out, their head-shaking history demanded your attention — even though caring at all was sort of like holding a lit firecracker.

Be careful…

If you saw it up close, you can attest that it was a history both heartbreaking and happy, misunderstood and mystical. One of those “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” deals.

In a football throne room in some alternate universe where futures are formed from circumstances that mere mortals could never have dreamed up, some pigskin wise guy had to think it would be fun to take a football lifer in this 50s and, for a few spasmodic years, join him to the hip of a wildly athletic, happy-go-lucky teenager from Mississippi.

There’s no other way to explain the long relationship between these two. Seems they’ve been together longer than the Rolling Stones.

Football makes strange bedfellows.

Holtz began recruiting Smith when he was in high school in Meridian. The two teamed to help the Bulldogs win bowl games in 2017, 2018, and 2019, when Smith was Conference USA’s Offensive Player of the Year.

No conference titles, though. Holtz really couldn’t let Smith run much as a sophomore and junior because the backup spot was thin. And when Smith was a senior, he missed two late-in-the-season conference games due to breaking a team rule. Tech lost both — although in defense of the team, the Bulldogs dropped a pass on a late bomb against UAB that likely would have won the game. And the Division. And a spot in the title game.

Tech shut out Miami, 14-0, in the Independence Bowl and finished a “what if?” 10-3.

Goodbye J’Mar, hello pandemic. In 2020, Tech stopped and started its way to a 5-5 record, including a 38-3 loss to Georgia Southern in the New Orleans Bowl. In 2021, Tech lost last-play games to Mississippi State, SMU, and N.C. State and limped in at 3-9.

Holtz was fired in late November before the final game of the 2021 season.

Two months later, he was named coach and GM at Birmingham. And in the USFL draft in the 12th round, Holtz selected J’Mar Smith, who’d had no success with New England as a free agent and with Hamilton in the CFL. Six months after he was cut by the Tiger-Cats, Smith was in Birmingham and, finally, a pro football player.

Six weeks later when the 2022 season opened, probably the best thing that could have happened for Holtz, Smith, and Birmingham, did. Starting quarterback Ale McGough left in the second half with a minor injury and Smith, who majors in the unrehearsed, helped bring the Stallions back from trailing three times, including scrambling for a 2-yard touchdown on a drawn-in-the-sand play with :29 left that gave Birmingham a 28-24 win, the first of eight straight victories.

The Stallions needed a guy who could wing it on the fly with Holtz’s direction; J’Mar is the blueprint for that.

Sunday it was McGough’s turn to spell a cramping Smith and complete a couple of key passes late as Birmingham beat Philadelphia, 33-30, to win it all.

With a different cast and almost entirely different circumstances, what didn’t quite happen in Ruston for the Odd Couple happened in Birmingham. Afterward a smiling and blunt Holtz, for the first time the coach of an 11-win team, said he’d “really enjoyed coaching professional football, every minute of it,” emphasizing the “professional.” And Smith was all near-tears smiles when he said he “owed” this one to his coach.

Funny how ball does that sort of thing. Puts people together at just the right or wrong time in just the right or wrong situation. For some, the time never comes, or comes too late. For Holtz and J’Mar, maybe too late for Tech was, in a future no one knows, right on time for them.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office issued this statement concerning a shooting near Logansport on Tuesday.

At around 11:40 am this morning (Tuesday), our dispatchers received a call regarding a gunshot victim in the area of Bethel, near the dump site in Logansport.  At this time the only information we have to provide is that one victim has suffered moderate injuries and has been transported to the hospital.

One suspect has been taken into custody as well. There appears to be no danger to the public regarding this incident, and the lone suspect was taken into custody just before 12:30pm. 

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North DeSoto High has introduced two new members of the faculty ahead of students returning to classes in about a month.  There is a new AG instructor and a new coach.

Coach LeAnne Prather joins the Griffins from Bossier Parish.  She will be an assistant softball coach.  Prather will also be a member of the staff teaching vocational classes.  Prather will have the opportunity to teach a new course, get to know the students and staff and work with the softball program.

David Chandler is joining North DeSoto High as an AG instructor.  He will be providing new opportunities for success to each student through FFA and agriculture education.  Chandler likes to travel, hike and camp.

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By Brad Dison

Roy Sullivan was born in 1912 in Greene County, Virginia.  Beginning in 1936, Roy spent his whole working life as a park ranger in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.  Friends described Roy as being “as gentle and upright as a person can be.  He pays his bills, loves his family, goes to church, has never harmed a soul.”

In April of 1942, a thunderstorm blew into the national park.  Roy took refuge in a newly-built fire tower.  Unbeknownst to Roy, the fire tower’s lightning rods had not been installed.  Lightning struck the tower up to eight times and set it on fire.  Roy said, “fire was jumping all over the place.”  Roy ran from the burning tower when… BOOM!!!  The lightning struck Roy and traveled down his right leg.  The powerful strike left a burn mark down his leg, blew his big toe nail off, and left a hole in his shoe.  For 27 years, Roy thought that getting struck by lightning was a once in a lifetime sort of thing.

In July 1969, Roy was driving his truck with the windows down in the mountains during a lightning storm.  Roy felt safe because the body of the truck and its rubber tires would normally have provided protection against a lightning strike.  A bolt of lightning struck a nearby tree and deflected into the truck’s open window.  Roy was momentarily knocked unconscious and, luckily, the truck slowed and eventually stopped safely.  The heat from the strike singed off his eyebrows and eyelashes and caught his hair on fire.

In July 1970, Roy was in his front yard when a bolt of lightning struck an electrical transformer and deflected to Roy’s left side.  The heat from the lightning bolt seared his left shoulder.

On April 16, 1972, Roy was working in a ranger station when a bolt of lightning struck a fuse box and arced onto him, which set his hair on fire.  Roy used a wet towel to douse the fire in his hair.

After getting struck by lightning four times, Roy kept a can of water with him just in case his hair caught on fire as it had twice before.  He also got into the habit of pulling over and getting down into the floorboard of his truck if a storm came up while he was driving.

On August 7, 1973, Roy was driving in the park when he saw a storm cloud forming.  He quickly drove in the opposite direction to what he thought was a safe distance.  He got out of his truck and … BOOM!!!  He was struck by lightning again.  The lightning traveled down his left side and blew his left shoe off.  Once again, Roy’s hair caught fire.  He retrieved his water can from his truck and doused his hair.

On June 5, 1976, Roy was checking a campground when he noticed a storm cloud above him.  He tried to run to his truck but was struck by lightning.  As before, his hair caught fire and he doused it with his water can.

When asked why lightening was attracted to him, Roy responded, “Lordy, I wish I knew.  It’s awful.  I don’t believe God is after me.  If He was, the first bolt would have been enough…  Best I can figure is that I have some chemical, some mineral, in my body that draws lightning.  I just wish I knew.”

Roy pointed out that he “wasn’t right in the storm all those times.  Once I was a good 10 miles away.  But if there is a single dark cloud in the sky, out will come a bolt and get me.”

Roy said, “Just before it strikes, I smell a certain smell, like sulphur, and my hair bristles all over.  That’s the signal.  In about two seconds, no longer than three, it hits.”  By the time Roy recognized the signals, it was never enough time to hide.  “Ever been shocked really bad?” Roy asked one reporter.  “It’s worse.  Ever been scalded? It’s much worse.  It’s like being cooked inside your skin.”

News of Roy’s unfortunate ability to attract lightning spread through the region.  While walking with the chief ranger at the park one day, lightning struck way in the distance.  The chief ranger said, “I’ll see you later, Roy,” and quickly distanced himself from Roy.  Some local restaurants were off limits to Roy, especially during storms, and some of them refused to let him enter if the sky was overcast.  “I can’t blame them,” Roy said.  “Who wants to be near somebody that’s all the time getting hit by lightning?”

In 1976, Roy Sullivan retired from his beloved job at Shenandoah National Park.  While working as a park ranger, Roy lived within the park itself, one of the many perks of the job.  Once he retired, Roy had to move out of the park.  He and his family bought a house trailer and a little piece of land near the park.

Roy took precautions to protect himself and his family from lightning strikes.  He installed a lightning rod on all four corners of his trailer house.  He attached lightning rods to each of the six tall trees on his property.  He even attached a lightning rod to his electric meter pole and his television antenna.  Each of the twelve lightning rods were connected to a heavy-duty large-diameter pure copper wire which Roy drove seven feet into the ground.  He kept the ground on his property wet.  During storms, Roy’s wife and three children stayed in the living room while Roy sat in the kitchen.    

On June 25, 1977, Roy fished from the bank at a pond near his home.  There were no storm clouds in the sky and Roy felt safe.  BOOM!!!  Lightning struck his head, traveled down his body and burned his chest and stomach.  Once again, Roy’s hair caught fire.

Roy Sullivan was struck by lightning seven times and holds the Guinness World Record for surviving the most lightning strikes.  Many of us would have taken the name of the small town Roy moved to in Virginia following his retirement as a bad omen.  It was called Dooms.

Sources:

1. Most Lightning Strikes Survived, GuinnessWorldRecords.com, accessed June 20, 2022, guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-lightning-strikes-survived.
2. The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee), October 23, 1977, p.16.

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The City of Minden has an IMMEDIATE NEED

FT ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT

This is a clerical position that requires the use of various accounting software programs to track and reconcile a wide range of financial transactions.

Responsible for maintaining financial records, ensuring payments and receivables are current. Involved in a wide range of activities/functions in the City Clerk’s office including heavy in-house payroll responsibilities.

Education and/or Experience:

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Post-secondary education with focused course work in accounting and bookkeeping preferred.
• One to two years administrative, clerical and accounting experience required, preferably with city government.Experience involving governmental funds or related accounts desirable.

Work hours:  7:30am-4pm Monday-Friday

Location: City Hall, Minden, Louisiana

Benefits:   HEALTH, DENTAL, VISION BENEFITS, RETIREMENT, PAID HOLIDAYS & SICK/VACATION LEAVE

Starting pay:  $15.76/hr. D.O.E.

To apply or view a brief job description go online http://www.mindenla.org/job-listings/ or pick up an application at City Hall, 520 Broadway, Minden, Louisiana.

Background and drug screen will be conducted.

The City of Minden is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Sheriff’s PIO Mark Price said, “The DeSoto Sheriff’s Office was closed Monday, July 4th and I will be out of office next week.  I will send the DeSoto Arrest Report to everyone this Friday, July 8th. 

On Friday, you will receive all arrests made between June 26th – July 07th. 

There will be no arrest report sent next Monday, but we will return to normal schedule on Monday July 18th.

Note:  The Journal will post the reports to social media when received. They will appear in the next edition emailed to subscribers.

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Danny Wayne McMellon, Jr.

August 24, 1971 to July 1, 2022

View full obituary here:

https://desotoparishjournal.com/2022/07/03/danny-wayne-mcmellon-jr/

Grayson Michael Allums

February 22, 2022 to July 1, 2022

View full obituary here:

https://desotoparishjournal.com/2022/07/03/grayson-michael-allums/

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Congressman Mike Johnson will be hosting a Town Hall Event this Thursday at 3:00 pm in Stonewall at Government Plaza in the Town Council Meeting Room. Come hear what he has to say about what’s going on in DC.

The Grand Cane  Village Hall meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed until Tuesday, July 12th due to illness.

A while back, the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office shared a post regarding a few of our deputies attending a course on car seat teaching and training.  The time has now come to share our knowledge with YOU, and we have scheduled a date!  If you, or someone you know, would like a little training on how to properly and safely install your child’s car seat, we will be offering a short training course at the Stonewall Government Plaza on Saturday, July 30th.  This training will be held from 8am until 10am.  Please remember that this event is not for deputies to install your car seat for you, this is an opportunity to have trained deputies teach and assist you in installation and other safety tips.

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Grayson Michael Allums, Age 4 months, passed away on Friday, July 1, 2022.

Grayson Michael was born on February 22, 2022, in Natchitoches, Louisiana to Britton Allums and Destiney Graves, joining his big sister, Paisley Grace.

Despite his short time on earth, he touched many lives. He was the sweetest, happiest baby in the world and always had a smile on his precious little face.

Grayson will be forever remembered and loved by his parents, Britton and Destiney and sister, Paisley; grandparents, Aimee Bullock and Shane Graves, Nikki and Lance Bryan and Ricky D. Allums; great grandparents, Joyce and Dennie Boyt, Priscilla and Don Smith, Terri and Fredrick Carter, Charlene Bowers, Katy Love, Cherry Petho and Michael Graves. Preceded in death by great-grandparents, Ricky Allums, James Bowers, Jimmy Haynes, Alma and Henry Martin.

The service will be held at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Coushatta, Louisiana on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at 10:00 AM, with Brother Collin Wimberly officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 5, 2022, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Mt. Zion Cemetery near Hall Summit, Louisiana.

Those honored as pallbearers are his uncles, Caden Ferguson, Matt Allums, Tyler Bryan, Kane Norred and Mason Jones.

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Funeral services celebrating the life of Danny Wayne McMellon, Jr., 50, of Mansfield, Louisiana will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Chapel, 943 Polk St., Mansfield, Louisiana. His uncle, Bro. Ray Darden will be officiating. Interment will follow at Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Carmel, Louisiana. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

Danny was born to Danny Wayne McMellon, Sr., and Connie Bland McMellon on August 24, 1971, in Converse, Louisiana. He entered into rest on July 1, 2022, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was known to his family and friends as “Lil’ Danny”.  He had a love for hunting, fishing, gardening, and LSU Football. He was a loving dad, son, brother, and uncle.

He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Carl McMellon, and nephew, Bryce Norwood.  Left to cherish his memory is his parents; his grandparents, Cleo McMellon and Betty and Harvey Allen; son, Riley Bruce McMellon, and significant other, Katelyn Lovett; daughter, Shelby Danyell McMellon, and significant other, Tucker Young; sisters, Alicia McMellon Norwood, and her husband, Dean, and Lindsey McMellon Williams and her husband, Brian; brother, Sherman Lane McMellon, and his wife, Kristine; nieces and nephews, Zach and Mia Norwood, Madison and Kolton McMellon, and Claire, Lexi, and Sadie Williams; and a host of family and friends.

Honoring Danny as pallbearers will be Brian Williams, Dean Norwood, Zach Norwood, Kolton McMellon, Cody Smith, and Kevin Robbins.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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