By Steve Graf    

They say age is just a number and that’s probably true. When we were young in our 20s and
30s, we grew up thinking that people in their 50s, 60s and 70s were old. Then the closer I got to
each of these demographic age groups, they didn’t seem so old anymore. But when anglers
you’re competing against start addressing you with the word “sir” included, that’s when it’s
time to recognize the date of birth on your driver’s license. 
 
In the tournament bass fishing world, anyone over 50 is considered old. For years I never even
thought about my age, but for some unforeseen reason turning 64 this year has hit me a little
harder than other birthdays. This year for the first time, I’ve noticed I need stronger reading
glasses, my balance is a little off and it requires a lot more effort to get up from my boat seat.
 
Younger anglers are now asking me if I need help launching my boat. When this first started
taking place towards the end of last season, I was caught off guard and kind of offended. I
mean, does it look like I need help? I thought maybe I need someone to video me launching my
boat so I can see firsthand if I look old and unsure of myself. 
 
I have noticed this year that it does take more effort for me to climb onto the back of my truck,
step down onto my boat trailer, unhook the boat strap, climb over into the boat and back the
boat off the trailer. I used to hop around with ease like a jungle monkey going from tree to tree.
But not anymore, as the muscles in my body don’t respond with the strength and quickness I
once possessed. 
 
Even getting around in the boat is more of a challenge! I used to jump from the front deck to
the back deck in single bond like Superman leaping over tall buildings. Today, it’s basically a
Texas two-step with one more step added to get from the front deck to the back deck, with a
high possibility that we might hang a toe and fall flat on our face. 
 
Another area that’s becoming a difficult challenge is running the trolling motor especially in
rough water. At one time in my younger days, I had the balance of a cat walking on the top bar of a chain-link fence. But today, I need the pedestal butt seat in position up front so I can have something to lean on in order to stabilize myself. 
 
Currently, I feel like I’m only a couple of years away from needing a walker to navigate around
my boat! While I haven’t fallen into the lake in years, I know that day is coming again
really soon, and it will all be due to my inability to control the trolling motor, especially when
it’s on high. This is why I always keep a complete change of clothes in the boat, just in case I
decide to take an unexpected swim. 
 
Just like any other sport, there comes a time when you start to wonder if your time as a
tournament angler is up. Is it time to load the boat for the last time and drive away?
Tournament bass fishing has and will always be a young man’s sport. The energy, time and
commitment required to compete at a high level is designed for younger anglers. 
 
But I still have that burning desire to compete! While I don’t practice 8 to 10 hours a day for an
event like I used to, technology like forward-facing sonar has allowed me to be more efficient
when scouting, saving a lot of wasted time searching for bass. 
 
While I know my days of possibly winning an event are slim, now I’m trying to be reasonable
with my expectations and hoping for top 10 finishes. This younger generation anglers coming
up are really good, especially when it comes to using their electronics. 
 
I guess that now I’m the old guy on the tournament trail, maybe I’ve earned the right to allow
these younger anglers to help an old man in need! I might accept a little assistance when I’m
trying to load or unload my boat. But I hope they don’t take my need for help as a weakness as
a competitor … because I’ll still kick their butts every chance I get!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) are alerting residents about another text message scam that has the potential to steal personal information and charge unnecessary fees. In the latest iteration of the scam, many Louisiana residents have received text messages claiming the recipient has an “outstanding traffic ticket” and must pay a fee or face repercussions. The OMV recommends that customers ignore and delete such messages.

The Louisiana OMV offers the following tips to help residents avoid scams:

· DO NOT click on links in an unsolicited message from an unverified source

· DO NOT respond or send your personal information via text

· Delete all suspicious texts and emails and report them to reportfraud.ftc.gov

· Exercise caution with all communications you receive from anonymous sources

· Confirm the message was generated from a legitimate source

· Keep an eye out for signs of scams (rewards, vague URLs, incorrect grammar)

The Louisiana OMV does not send text messages or emails threatening prosecution for traffic or fee violations. To process legitimate online services safely and securely, Louisiana residents can visit the official OMV website at http://www.expresslane.org.

Contact Information:
Lt. Jared L. Sandifer
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
Office: (225) 925-6202
jared.sandifer@la.gov

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By Brad Dison

On the afternoon of June 4, 1987, 22-year-old Marquisa Kellogg was working at the Grand Slam Restaurant, a once-popular eatery in the Madisonville neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. She had served cheese coneys to two men in their early 20s whom she considered friends. She said she knew them “from the neighborhood.” Marquisa and the two customers exchanged pleasantries. There was no reason for Marquisa to suspect that this day would be any different than any other workday at the restaurant, but according to newspaper accounts from 1987, it all went wrong when the two men walked up to the cash register. The men had a brazen plan to rob Marquisa’s cash register. When they approached Marquisa, one of the men pulled a weapon. Marquisa took one look at the robber’s weapon and fled from her post at the open cash register. When she regained her composure and returned to the cash register, she found that it was short by $25 and called the police.

Police arrived at the restaurant, spoke with Marquisa, and began interviewing other customers. Police struggled to find witnesses to the crime. Upon hearing Marquisa scream, customers turned toward the cash register and saw her run away, but no one actually saw either of the men take money from the cash register. Was this part of the plan? Did the robbers intentionally steer the other customers’ attention onto the fleeing cashier and away from the cash register to enable them to quickly snatch some money? Was this their grand slam?

Marquisa later said the police failed to take the robbery seriously. You see, rather than using a weapon that most people would normally expect a robber to use, such as a gun or knife, this robber used a much smaller weapon which was only about an inch-and-a-half long. The weapon that the robber used to frighten Marquisa away from her cash register long enough to take money from it was a harmless six-legged winged insect called a Cicada.

In an interview in 2021, Marquisa said the robbery at the Grand Slam Restaurant which received national news coverage had been blown out of proportion. She said it had all been a prank gone wrong, but her register was still short $25. Police made no arrests in this case.

Sources:

1. Wilmington News-Journal, June 5, 1987, p.1.

2. News Journal, June 6, 1987, p.12.

3. The Cincinnati Enquirer, June 19, 2021, p.A5.

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On Tuesday, June 11, Louisiana residents embrace the spirit of summer by celebrating National Corn on the Cob Day, honoring one of the season’s most beloved staples. On this day, communities across the state gather to enjoy the sweet simplicity of corn on the cob while highlighting its cultural and agricultural significance.

Though often overshadowed by larger crops like sugarcane and cotton, sweet corn has long been a part of Louisiana’s summer harvest. This year, local farmers reported an especially strong crop.

Families across the state embrace the holiday at home, preparing corn on the cob in a variety of delicious ways. Some boil it the classic way and topped it with butter and salt, while others opt for grilling to add a smoky flavor and charred texture. For those looking to change things up, here are several popular ways Louisianans can cook corn on the cob for dinner:

Boiled: Simmered in salted water and served with butter, a timeless method.

Grilled: Charred on the grill for a smoky flavor, often brushed with garlic butter or Cajun seasoning.

Oven-Roasted: Wrapped in foil or baked open-faced with herbs, garlic, and olive oil.

Steamed: A gentle cooking method that keeps corn juicy and flavorful.

Air Fried: Quickly crisped in the air fryer with a light oil coating and spices.

Microwaved: A fast and convenient option—simply wrap ears in a damp paper towel and cook for a few minutes.

Elote-Style: Inspired by Mexican street corn—grilled and topped with mayo, cheese, chili powder, and lime.

Boiled in Milk and Butter: A rich Southern-style twist that adds creaminess and sweetness.

Beyond its flavor, corn offered health benefits, too. High in fiber and rich in antioxidants, it makes for a nutritious addition to dinner tables when prepared without excessive toppings. Nutritionists remind home cooks that keeping preparation simple—boiled, grilled, or roasted with minimal seasoning—could maintain both taste and wellness.

While June 11 also marks other observances like National German Chocolate Cake Day and International Yarn Bombing Day, National Corn on the Cob Day steals the show in Louisiana. Its ties to local farming, summer cooking traditions, and nostalgic family meals makes it a natural fit for celebration.

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Lawrence Houston Davis
August 18, 1929 — May 27, 2025
Visitation: Saturday, June 14 from 2:00 – 5:00 at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home
Services will be private.

Bobbie Jean Paddie Sanders
September 25, 1949 — June 5, 2025
Visitation: Wednesday June 11 from 10 a.m. until service time
Services: Wednesday June 11 at 12:00 p.m. at Rose Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield

DeSoto Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com

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The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to remain vigilant after receiving multiple reports of new scam attempts circulating throughout the community this week. These fraudulent schemes are designed to deceive victims into surrendering money or personal information and often use fear tactics or false authority to appear legitimate.

Here are the top scams reported this week:

1. Fake Amazon Account and Gift Card Scam

A local woman received a phone call from someone claiming to be with Amazon, informing her that a new account had been fraudulently opened in her name and charged with $1,500 in purchases. The caller then transferred her to another individual posing as a law enforcement officer, complete with a fake name, badge number, and case file.

The woman was told she must pay the $1,500 immediately using gift cards or face arrest and wage garnishment. She complied by purchasing $1,500 worth of Apple gift cards at Kroger. Fortunately, she recognized the scam before the cards could be used and stopped the transaction. However, the funds remain locked in the form of unusable Apple credit.

2. Inheritance Scam via Mail

A DeSoto Parish man received a suspicious letter with no return address, supposedly from “Canada Trust.” The letter, claiming to be from the Estate Management Department of TD Canada Trust Bank in Toronto, stated that the man was identified as a possible next of kin to a deceased customer who left behind a dormant $15 million account.

The letter referenced the name and death date of a real relative, making it appear legitimate. The man brought the letter to the Sheriff’s Office, where deputies confirmed it was a scam designed to exploit personal loss for financial fraud.

3. Text Message Toll and DMV Fee Scam

The Sheriff’s Office also reports receiving over 1,700 text messages this week regarding “unpaid tolls” and overdue DMV fees. These messages are a known phishing scam and should be deleted immediately.

Protect Yourself: Key Warnings from Authorities

Never pay any fine or fee with gift cards. No legitimate business or government agency accepts gift cards as payment.

Be suspicious of unsolicited calls, texts, or letters—especially those demanding urgent action or threatening arrest.

Verify the source. Hang up and contact the company or agency directly using verified contact information.

Consult someone you trust, especially if you’re unsure about the legitimacy of a request.

Call the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office for assistance if you receive a suspicious message or phone call.
“These scams are becoming more personal and more convincing,” said Sheriff Jayson Richardson. “We share these reports so others can avoid falling victim. Education and awareness are our best defenses.”

For more information or to report a suspected scam, contact the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office at (318) 872-3956.

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Residents traveling along U.S. Highways 84 and 171 in DeSoto Parish may have noticed increased underground drilling activity in recent weeks. This construction marks the commencement of a significant broadband infrastructure project aimed at enhancing internet connectivity in rural Louisiana communities.

The initiative is part of the Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) 2.0 program, administered by ConnectLA. Funded by a $1.355 billion allocation from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, GUMBO 2.0 represents Louisiana’s largest investment in broadband infrastructure to date. The program seeks to bridge the digital divide by expanding high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved areas across the state.

Swyft Fiber, a regional internet service provider, has been awarded funding through GUMBO 2.0 to install fiber-optic networks in DeSoto Parish and neighboring regions. The company, known for its commitment to delivering reliable, high-speed internet to rural communities, will be working with subcontractors to lay the necessary infrastructure over the coming months.

Local officials emphasize that this project is a critical step toward ensuring that residents have access to the digital resources necessary for education, healthcare, and economic development. As construction progresses, updates will be provided to keep the community informed about developments and potential impacts on daily activities.

For more information about the GUMBO 2.0 program and broadband expansion efforts in Louisiana, residents can visit connect.la.gov/gumbo-2.

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DeSoto Parish Schools has been nationally recognized for outstanding achievement in school communications, earning multiple honors from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) in the 2024 Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards.

The district received the following accolades:

Award of Merit for the “Positive and Caring” Culture Video Series

Award of Merit for the “DeSoto Parish Schools Performance at a Glance” Infographic

Honorable Mention for the district newsletter, “DeSoto Schools Digest”

These awards celebrate DeSoto Parish Schools’ commitment to clear, creative, and strategic communication that captures the vibrant stories of its students, staff, and community. The recognitions place DeSoto Parish among top districts nationwide for excellence in school public relations and storytelling.

“We are deeply honored by NSPRA’s recognition,” said Superintendent Clay Corley. “These awards highlight the passion and purpose behind our efforts to engage families, inform the public, and showcase the incredible work happening in our schools every day.”

The awards reflect the collaborative efforts of the district’s communications team, led by Peyton Dufour, Coordinator of Communications, Family & Community Engagement, and mark a continued commitment to transparency and community connection in education.

To view a full list of NSPRA winners and award-winning entries, visit: NSPRA 2024 Winners.

Congratulations to DeSoto Parish Schools on this outstanding national achievement!

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The attached report displays all individuals booked into the DeSoto Detention Center between the dates of MAY 19 – JUNE 01 (2 weeks) and includes arrests made by DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO), Mansfield Police Department (MPD), and Louisiana State Police (LSP.) All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Booking photos for each, unless they have bonded out, are readily available in the DeSoto Parish Sheriff App on iPhone or Android. The attached images may be clicked and scrolled for view.

By Steve Graf    

As an athlete growing up, I always heard that practice makes perfect. Now we all know that statement might not always hold true. I’ve had a lot of practice over the years at such things as golf and bass fishing, but I’m still searching to get better at both. Today, we’ll look how practicing for a bass tournament has changed in the last five years.

As former NBA great Alan Iverson stated one time in a press conference when asked about his practice habits or lack thereof, “Are we talking about practice? I mean we’re talking about practice! We’re talking about practice, man!”

While he was obviously frustrated when the media questioned his practice habits, the point he made was that on the NBA level, it’s not about practice but rather what you bring to the floor on game day.

Tournament bass fishing is pretty much the same way. You can go out and catch all the fish you want during practice, but the only thing that matters is what you bring to the scales on tournament day.

Some anglers are great in practice and will tell the world how well they are catching them. But for some reason, when tournament day rolls around, they never seem to have the fish they need to win.

There’s one thing I learned early in my career from a couple of mentors who took a liking to me and were willing to pass along a little of their knowledge that would help me become a better angler. They both told me that it makes no sense to sore mouth the bass two days before the tournament.

They taught me how to cover my hooks with clear IV tubing on my spinnerbaits and jigs in order to make sure I didn’t hook fish while practicing. Because once bass are hooked, in some cases, it may take up to five days before they will bite again.

They educated me about shaking fish off in order to ensure they are not hooked. They taught me how to use a screw lock which allows an angler to fish soft plastic worms without a hook, therefore guaranteeing they would not be hooked before the tournament.

But fast forward to 2025 and you’ll see young anglers today scouting without a single fishing rod on the deck of their boat. They are totally tuned into and observing the electronics on their boats.

Today’s younger generation of anglers simply idle around doing what they call “steering wheel time” while sitting behind the console of their boat looking at two or three computer screens scanning and marking schools of bass and baitfish that they will return to on tournament day.

These anglers are so good with their electronics that they can tell if the fish they are looking at are quality or not. They will never wet a hook or even pull out a rod during practice, which for an old school angler like me, is insane!

But there are still a few old school anglers who will hook and catch every bass that bites during practice. They want to look and see the size of the fish that might be in a certain area they will be fishing on tournament day.

No matter how an angler practices for an event, he or she still must find and figure out how to make those fish bite. But this is what makes practice so important and is how anglers win tournaments. Practice, practice and more practice!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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“Run.”

What does the word mean?

We must consider the connotation and the denotation of the word. When speaking we encode the message, and the hearer decodes the message. The encoding and decoding of the verbal message is run through several filters including gender, culture, educational and regional morphology. Do you want a pop? Or would you rather have a Coke?

When I moved to New Orleans I heard frequently, “I am running to Schwegmann’s to make groceries.”

The opportunities for miscommunication are astronomical.

One Sunday I was waxing eloquently in a sermon and said, “The children of Israel followed Jezebel into idolatry.”

One of my dearest church members told me later that she heard me say, “The children of Israel followed Jezebel into Dollar Tree.” With my southern drawl, I’m sure I made idolatry and dollar tree sound very close. She was wondering for the rest of my sermon, why the children of Israel went to Dollar Tree. Everyone knows they are Jewish and are looking for the best deal on Dial Soap. The remainder of the sermon was lost because of a misheard or poorly pronounced word.

How many marital fights have been caused by a misunderstanding of a word? How many wars, by poor translation of words across languages?

So, I have stalled, do you know the meaning of the word, “run?”

Run is what you did as a child as the teacher opened the door for you to go outside on the playground for recess. I understand recess has been permanently recessed.

A person runs for a political office.

On a muggy summer day, like this one, you want your air conditioning running.

I find myself running to the store for ingredients for a cake.

In preparing for retirement, my financial adviser wanted to run some numbers before our conference.

In High School we were warned about the run on sentence. I am quite sure I have violated that edict several times.

“Honey, there is a run in your stockings.”

The Bible warns us, “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”

One last thought from the book of Proverbs:

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”

Are we running from the truth?

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DeSoto Parish is set to host a variety of events this June, offering residents and visitors opportunities to engage with the community, enjoy local culture, and participate in civic activities.

Back Alley Community Theatre Presents The Sound of Music
Dates: May 30 – June 8, 2025
Location: Back Alley Community Theatre, Grand Cane
Details: Experience the timeless musical The Sound of Music performed by local talent. This production promises to deliver the cherished story and songs that have captivated audiences for decades.

Old Soul Stroll
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Main Street, Logansport
Details: Join the community for the Old Soul Stroll, featuring local vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment. It’s an excellent opportunity to support local businesses and enjoy a festive atmosphere.

Stonewall Planning & Zoning Commission Public Hearing
Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Government Plaza, 1746 U.S. Highway 171, Stonewall
Details: The public is invited to attend this hearing to discuss amendments to local plats and building standards. 

Stonewall Town Council Meeting
Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Government Plaza, 1746 U.S. Highway 171, Stonewall
Details: Residents are encouraged to attend the monthly town council meeting to stay informed about local governance and community decisions.

Mansfield Juneteenth Celebration
Dates: June 26 – June 29, 2025
Location: Downtown Mansfield
Details: Celebrate the 12th Annual Mansfield Juneteenth Festival with a weekend of cultural events, including live music, food vendors, and a parade. This event honors the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and promotes community unity.

Mansfield Juneteenth Kids Fest & Sports Camp
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
Location: Mansfield
Details: As part of the Juneteenth celebrations, this event offers children a day filled with fun activities and sports, promoting health and community engagement.

Note: Event details are subject to change. For the most current information, please refer to the official DeSoto Parish event calendar at Discover DeSoto Parish Events.

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On September 12, 2019, Italian conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan’s 18-carat solid
gold work of art with an estimated value of up to $6.5 million was put on display at
Blenheim Palace, the English country mansion where Winston Churchill was born.
Unlike many art pieces which exist only as a work of art to be admired, Maurizio’s
creation had a function. It served a purpose while being a work of art. Maurizio’s
creation had already impressed audiences at the Guggenheim Museum in New
York where a reported 100,000 people had waited to take their turn using
Maurizio’s creation. For two days, the artwork had been impressing the visitors to
the sprawling mansion in the same manner when something unexpected happened.

Before daylight on the morning of September 14, 2019, five masked thieves in two
stolen cars drove through a wooden barrier fence and onto Blenheim Palace
grounds. They sped up to the palace where three of the thieves exited the cars.
The two getaway drivers remained in their stolen cars and kept the engines
running. The three thieves quickly broke into the mansion and ran directly to
Maurizio’s creation. It took the strength of all three men to rip Maurizio’s 215-
pound creation from the wooden floor on which it had been mounted and to carry it
to one of the waiting cars. They loaded it into the hatchback of one of the cars and
the thieves sped away. Blenheim Palace’s security cameras captured the heist on
video and their security system alerted police, but the thieves were gone by the
time police arrived. Of all of the art on display in the antique-filled mansion,
Maurizio’s creation was the only item stolen.

The thieves had carefully planned the heist. They knew the palace had a good
security system, but no other precautions had been put into place to protect the
piece. After the artwork was installed in the palace, Edward Spencer-Churchill,
chairman of Blenheim Strategic Partners and direct descendent of Winston
Churchill, told the York News-Times that the artwork would not be easy to steal
since it was physically connected to the palace, and added, “So, no. I don’t plan to
be guarding it.”

Another representative of Blenheim Palace tweeted, “We knew there was huge
interest in the Maurizio Cattelan contemporary art exhibition, with many set to
come and enjoy the installations. It’s therefore a great shame an item so precious
has been taken, but we still have so many fascinating treasures in the Palace and
the remaining items of the exhibition to share.”

Several men have been convicted in the theft and disposal of Maurizio’s creation,
but the artwork has never been recovered. Most recently, on May 19, 2025, a man
was convicted for trying to help a burglar sell scrap gold believed to have been
from Maurizio’s creation.  

Maurizio intended the artwork to be a pointed satire about excessive wealth.
Before the artwork was stolen, Maurizio explained, “Whatever you eat, a $200
lunch or a $2 hot dog, the results are the same.” You see, Maurizio Cattelan’s
stolen 215-pound artwork made from 18-karat solid gold was a fully functioning,
fully plumbed toilet.

Sources:
1. York News-Times, September 17, 2019, p.A2.
2. The Guardian, April 3, 2024, p.13.
3. Brian Melley, “Man who tried to sell $6.4m gold toilet stolen from English
country house is spared jail,” AP News, May 19, 2025, accessed May 27,
2025, https://apnews.com/article/britain-gold-toilet-theft-court-trial-
sentence-3a3955da078af343596606e07addc305.

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On June 4, 1919, the United States Congress passed the 19th Amendment, a landmark moment in the fight for gender equality in America. Though it would take more than a year to gain the necessary state ratifications, this date marks the official legislative breakthrough that would eventually grant women the right to vote. As we reflect today, we not only honor the courage of those who fought for suffrage but also recognize the work that remains to ensure equal participation in our democracy.

The 19th Amendment contains just 39 words:
“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

Despite its simplicity, this amendment represents decades of struggle, sacrifice, and tireless organizing. It laid the foundation for women’s full participation in American political life.

The fight for women’s suffrage spanned over 70 years. From the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 to the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, generations of women fought for a voice in the electoral process. Marching, protesting, lobbying, and often facing arrest or violence, suffragists refused to accept the notion that they were unworthy of full citizenship.

In Louisiana, as in many Southern states, support for the amendment was hard-won. Women worked at the grassroots level to educate, advocate, and pressure lawmakers to recognize their right to vote. Though Louisiana did not ratify the 19th Amendment until 1970—long after it became federal law—women across the state were active contributors to the national movement.

Still, the path to the ballot box was not equal for all women. Even after the amendment passed, many women—especially Black women and women of color—continued to face barriers through poll taxes, literacy tests, intimidation, and discriminatory laws. The 19th Amendment was a critical step forward, but it was not the final step in achieving universal suffrage.

Today, the 19th Amendment serves as a reminder of the power of collective action and the importance of civic engagement. While the fight for voting rights continues in many forms—through advocacy for fair access to polls, the protection of voter rights, and the push for broader civic education—the achievements of the suffrage movement remain a foundational part of American democracy.

Voting is a right that many take for granted, but today offers a moment to pause and remember the price paid to secure it. The 19th Amendment didn’t just give women the vote—it affirmed their equality and their rightful place in shaping the direction of this country.

This anniversary is also an opportunity to recommit to the values of fairness and representation. From local elections to national races, participation matters. Every vote is a voice, and every voice counts.

Though more than a century has passed since Congress approved the 19th Amendment, its legacy remains deeply relevant. It reminds us that progress takes time—and that it requires the courage of ordinary people to speak out, show up, and push forward.

The right to vote is not just a privilege—it’s a responsibility. And it’s one worth fighting for.

For more information on how to register to vote in Louisiana, visit geauxvote.com.

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Antowine Lamont Lane
05/19/1977 – 05/27/2025
Visitation: Friday June 6 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel
Services: Saturday June 7 at 1:00 p.m. at Northwest Auditorium in Mansfield

Obra T. Clark
03/23/1942 – 05/27/2025
Services will be held graveside on Saturday June 7 at 1:00 p.m. at Faltine B.C. Cemetery

William Henry “Bill” Morton
March 1, 1944 — May 29, 2025
Visitation: Friday, June 6 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath
Services: Saturday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Mansfield Chapel

Lawrence Houston Davis
August 18, 1929 — May 27, 2025
Visitation: Saturday, June 14 from 2:00 – 5:00 at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home
Services will be private.

DeSoto Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com

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