Bossier Civil Suits January 20-26
Month: January 2023
Caddo Civil Suits January 20-26
The following are the Civil Suits filed in the Clerk of Court’s office of Caddo Parish for the timeframe of January 20th – 26th of 2023.
Struggling Mudbugs aim to find chink in rival Brahmas’ armor
BY ROY LANG III, Journal Sports
Last week, Shreveport Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell wasn’t exactly thrilled with the way his team responded in practice after it was swept at home. Maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise the Mudbugs were then swept again on George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum.
This week’s response was much more to Campbell’s liking.
“Just the energy alone,” Campbell told The Journal. “And the compete level was really good.”
Shreveport (18-13-5) will aim to snap a four-game losing skid against rival Lone Star, the top team in the North American Hockey League’s South Division. The Brahmas (25-6-4) pay a visit to The George tonight and Saturday.
Campbell said the presence of coaches Gavin Morgan and Rich Parent may have provided a spark this week.
Morgan was the team’s associate head coach last year and Parent is the long-time goaltenders coach.
“It provided a couple of different voices,” Campbell said.
After scoring at least three times in 14 straight games, the Mudbugs managed just two goals in 125 minutes of play against Odessa last weekend.
“We generated some chances,” Campbell said, “but with some of the shots we didn’t have traffic in front of the net or didn’t get rebounds or second-chance opportunities.”
The task will only be tougher as the franchise celebrates its Mardi Gras weekend. The Brahmas bring the league’s top defense to town — 70 goals allowed this season (2.0 per game).
Two of the top five goalies in the NAHL spearhead Lone Star’s suffocating efforts. Arthur Smith brings a 12-2-2 record to town with the league’s best goals-against average (1.41). Teammate William Gramme is 12-4-2.
“We’re going to have to make their life difficult,” Campbell said. “We have to get pucks to net and make sure we have traffic and guys to deflect pucks or bang in rebounds.”
The Mudbugs had an opportunity to climb within a point of second place just two weeks ago. Now, they cling to the final playoff spot, just four points ahead of Amarillo. The Wranglers have two games in hand on Shreveport.
“We’re going to have to be consistent this weekend – make good reads and good decisions,” Campbell said. “Lone Star is a very consistent, systematic team with a good work ethic. We have to find the chinks in the armor and be resilient.”
Bugs vs. Lone Star
Tonight, Saturday (7:11 p.m.)
George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum
Contact Roy at roylangiii@yahoo.com
Shreve’s Stevenson blasts out of the blocks at LSU
By JERRY BYRD, Journal Sports
Captain Shreve sprinter Marquez Stevenson wasted no time in putting his stamp on his senior track season.
The two-sport star, who signed with Texas Tech last month, opened up with a record-breaking performance at the LSU High School Qualifier last Saturday. His time of 6.85 in the 60m was good enough for the win –- and the meet record.
Edna Karr’s Ra’hji Dennis, who shared the old record of 6.86 with Warren Easton’s Leon Elloie, was in the stands watching Stevenson. Dennis will open his season Feb. 4 at the LSU Last Chance Qualifier.
Stevenson’s time was the same time Dennis ran at the 2022 LHSAA Division I State Indoor Meet, beating Stevenson, who finished third (6.94).
“It felt good,” Stevenson said of his first record-breaking win of the season. “I’ve been working. I sat out the first couple of meets to get back in shape after football. I feel healthier than ever.”
While Stevenson started his senior track season faster than he ended his junior indoor campaign, he will have work to do over the next few weeks to defend his 400m state indoor title. On Saturday, Stevenson finished third in the 400m with a time of 50.15. West Feliciana’s Imani Coleman (49.77) won the event.
“I got out hard and then I started relaxing my body,” Stevenson said. “I could have run harder. There’s always next time. I’ll get ‘em.”
Byrd’s Jenna Key, who opened up her season Jan. 14 at the Arkansas High School Invitational, finished second in the 3200m at the LSU High School Qualifier, running an 11:32.91. Houma Christian’s Emma Bourg, who was named Gatorade’s Cross Country Player of the Year earlier this week, won the event at 11:11.82.
“There are pros and cons,” Key said of the two SEC venues. “Obviously, Arkansas was a really cool experience, but I love racing here. I know everyone, and it’s good to talk to everyone.”
It has been a great start for Key, who battled different injuries during both the track and cross country season in 2022.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Key said. “I’m glad I’m getting better each race. I’m learning every race.”
Huntington had two girls make the podium at the High School Qualifier. Senior Serenity Palmer finished second in the high jump (5-3) and Demetria Harris took third in the 60m hurdles (9.29).
The Lady Raiders ran fourth in the 800m relay with a 1:46.32. Byrd’s 3200m relay finished fifth but ran a school record 10:48.83.
One of the biggest highlights of the meet was Zachary’s Rhen Langley’s running a 4:13.92 in the 1600m. The time is currently ranked No. 4 in the nation.
Three Caddo Parish distance runners had a front row seat to see Langley break the Carl Maddox Fieldhouse composite record. Calvary sophomore Jackson Burney finished fourth with a 4:35.72, Loyola’s Franklin Roemer was fifth with a 4:35.80, and Captain Shreve’s Evan Adcock took sixth (4:35.85).
Woodlawn and Southwood will join a group of teams who will open their 2023 seasons this weekend in Lake Charles at the McNeese Indoor No. II Meet.
Contact Jerry at sbjjerrybyrd@gmail.com
Thursday’s basketball, soccer scoreboard; weekend schedule
JOURNAL STAFF
College Basketball
Thursday’s scores
WOMEN
Louisiana Christian University 68, LSUS 41
Northwestern State 59, Houston Christian 48
Louisiana Tech 67, UAB 62
MEN
LSUS 87, Louisiana Christian University 85, OT
Northwestern State 82, Houston Christian 63
UAB 65, Louisiana Tech 59
Today’s games
WOMEN
Southwestern (Texas) at Centenary , 5:30 p.m.
MEN
Southwestern (Texas) at Centenary, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday’s games
WOMEN
Jackson State at Grambling State, 12:30 p.m.
Lamar at Northwestern State, 1 p.m.
Xavier at LSUS, 2 p.m.
UTSA at Louisiana Tech, 1 p.m.
MEN
Texas Tech at LSU, 1 p.m.
Louisiana Tech at UTSA, 3 p.m.
Jackson State at Grambling State, 3 p.m.
Lamar at Northwestern State, 3:30 p.m.
BPCC at Navarro, 4 p.m.
Xavier at LSUS, 4 p.m.
Sunday’s games
WOMEN
Texas Lutheran at Centenary, noon
MEN
Texas Lutheran at Centenary, 2 p.m.
College Baseball
Today’s games
ASU Mt. Home at BPCC, 2 p.m. (DH)
Saturday’s games
ASU Mt. Home at BPCC, noon
John Melvin at LSUS, (DH), noon (Byrd HS field)
High School Basketball
Thursday’s scores
No games scheduled.
Today’s games
GIRLS
Airline at Haughton
Benton at Byrd
Natchitoches Central at Captain Shreve
Southwood at Parkway
BTW at Woodlawn
Evangel at Bossier
Huntington at Minden
Northwood at North DeSoto
Calvary at Green Oaks
North Caddo at Loyola
Haynesville at Plain Dealing
BOYS
Airline at Haughton
Benton at Byrd
Natchitoches Central at Captain Shreve
Southwood at Parkway
BTW at Woodlawn
Evangel at Bossier
Huntington at Minden
Northwood at North DeSoto
Calvary at Green Oaks
North Caddo at Loyola
Haynesville at Plain Dealing
High School Soccer
Thursday’s scores
GIRLS
Sterlington 8, Bossier 0
Evangel 8, Huntington 0
Captain Shreve 2, Loyola 1
North Caddo 2, Southwood 0
Caddo Magnet 5, Parkway 0
BOYS
Caddo Magnet 4, Parkway 1
Haughton 6, North DeSoto 2
Northwood 6, Huntington 2
Bossier 3, Sterlington 0
Today’s games
GIRLS
Northwood at North DeSoto 5:30 p.m.
Natchitoches Central at Parkway 5:30 p.m.
Ouachita Christian at Airline 5:30 p.m.
Evangel at North Caddo 6 p.m.
Byrd at Lakeshore 6 p.m.
BOYS
Parkway at Bossier 5 p.m.
Ouachita Christian at Airline 7:15 p.m.
Saturday’s games
GIRLS
Byrd at Southside 11 a.m.
Calvary at Dunham 11 a.m.
Teurlings Catholic at Loyola noon
Benton at Franklin Parish 2 p.m.
Shreve at West Monroe 2 p.m.
BOYS
Benton at Northwood noon
Calvary at Dunham 1 p.m.
Schedules are subject to cancellations and postponements.
Hansel Enmanuel has arrived, with his best days of basketball ahead
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
It’s a process that requires patience.
That’s something that Northwestern State basketball coach Corey Gipson and the most famous player in school history, Hansel Enmanuel, understand, even if most others may not.
It’s a process for most freshmen to earn playing time in college sports. Enmanuel is unique, among freshmen or current college basketball players, because he has only one arm. At age 6 back home in the Dominican Republic, he lost his left arm in an accident.
Four other one-armed men have played college basketball previously, notably Kevin Laue, a 6-11 center at Manhattan College from 2009-12. Enmanuel, largely due to social media, is by far the best known.
Enmanuel is undeniably famous, and was before he arrived in Natchitoches late last summer. By then, he had been featured in a Gatorade commercial that aired during the 2022 NBA Finals. Now he’s added endorsement deals with T-Mobile and adidas, has approximately 4.3 million social media followers, and has a Name, Image and Likeness valuation estimate of $1.5 million, according to On3.com analysis, which also places the NSU freshman eighth on a list of the most prized amateur American athletes, topped by Bronny James (son of NBA great LeBron) and Arch Manning.
His fame has rapidly paid great dividends for NSU. After Enmanuel’s first scoring began with a thunderous dunk at home Dec. 5 late in a blowout win over ULM, the resulting media coverage produced an estimated $89 million in “earned media” – the estimate of what it would cost to obtain the same exposure if paying for it – as his story was featured on many national and international media platforms, including a minute-long segment on ABC’s Good Morning America.
The latest could come as soon as this weekend, possibly Sunday, during CBS Sports college basketball coverage. A CBS crew visited Natchitoches earlier this month for interviews. That’s never happened.
With his grandmother seeing his potential, Enmanuel moved to Florida to finish high school at Life Christian Academy, a private school in Kissimmee. His talents earned opportunities to play on the summer AAU circuit, where he hit the national stage.
That’s the background. What’s ahead? Patience is required, he and Gipson agree.
Last Saturday at UNO, Enmanuel achieved another milestone, draining his first collegiate 3-pointer in the waning moments of another blowout win by the Demons (who have a Saturday afternoon contest in Prather Coliseum against Lamar). The 3-pointer didn’t gain a fraction of the national media traction that his spectacular slam did, but it energized the 1,093 at Lakefront Arena, including a couple waving the Dominican Republic flag in tribute, and it did move the internet needle.
Reality check: it was Enmanuel’s first game action since Dec. 18, and only his seventh appearance in 20 games this season. Only two other players, both freshmen, on NSU’s 14-man roster have played more infrequently.
Enmanuel has been in action for only 30 minutes, scoring 10 points and collecting five rebounds, making half of his eight shots, but just one of eight free throws. He’s had a steal, and an assist, and no turnovers. A concussion sidelined him for three conference games; he figures to get an uptick in playing time going forward, as circumstances arise to maximize his chances to be effective.
“Any freshman is going to have a tough time at the beginning, because you have to work on your fundamentals and pay attention to detail,” said NSU co-captain Ja’Monta Black. “His growth from Day One to now is great. He’s gotten better at every aspect of the game. He’s going to play hard every time, every practice, every minute.”
“We felt he was somebody who could grow in our program, and those things were addressed on the front end (of recruitment),” said Gipson. In other words: be patient.
“I’ve learned a lot. I’ve been coachable,” Enmanuel said in an interview just after Christmas. “I’m getting better at my game, making the right decisions. I’ve improved in every area. I’m going to do what (coach) wants me to do.
“Right now, being coachable is the most important thing. Practicing hard. I have to keep working. I don’t know the future. I just know right now.”
Natchitoches is the smallest place he’s lived in his 19 years.
“People are good here. I’ve lived in Florida, New York and the DR. I’m here for a reason, and a small town is OK for me,” he said.
He loves fried food and fast food, especially burgers. He longs for dishes like what his grandmother fixed back home. But he’s very happy at NSU in his tight-knit basketball family.
Along with total immersion in basketball, they’ll play video games (Enmanuel’s favorite is “Call of Duty”), go out to eat, and do things typical college kids enjoy. NSU’s social media monster is especially fond of Tik-Tok because of his passion for music, starting with rap, but ranging across genres. Listening helps him improve speaking English, something that he knows is necessary.
Enmanuel hasn’t considered an academic major yet, not until he gets better command of the language here. He listens carefully and speaks cautiously, but capably, to those outside his small circle.
Coaches, teammates and staff members uniformly enjoy his personality and marvel at the 6-foot-6 forward’s athletic skill set and work ethic.
As for whatever the actual financial windfall is, it’s going to support his family, he said – although he gifted teammates with new adidas shoes in the holidays. He is planning on monetizing his basketball career professionally, ideally in the NBA but perhaps in smaller leagues. His father, Hansel Salvador, has been a pro star back home and has played overseas.
Enmanuel constantly cites his faith in God as directing and inspiring him, while he serves as an inspiration for untold millions around the world. He’s the rare athlete who may do nothing other than warm up at pregame and at halftime, but even that makes the price of admission worthwhile.
“Hansel Enmanuel’s greatest talent, the rest of his life, will be his mental fortitude and resiliency. That affords the opportunity for him to be a great example,” said Gipson.
He already has been. Black shared a treasured snapshot of his young teammate, early in the season after a win in a tournament at Central Arkansas.
“I don’t think he played in either one of those games, but after we won, he was the happiest guy in the locker room. That just tells you about him. He’s not worried about his playing time. He’s just trying to get better every day. Any other person would be frustrated not getting in the game, but he got in that locker room and was dancing harder than everybody else, so that’s a moment I’ll always remember.”
Fans everywhere eagerly anticipate seeing him in action. There’s been no negativity from the crowds, said Black.
“I don’t believe so. We wouldn’t tolerate that. Pretty much everybody in the stands cheers for him to get in the game. They want to see him play and I understand that.”
“It’s impossible not to cheer for Hansel Enmanuel,” said former CNN sports anchor Paul Craine. “Such an incredible, inspirational story.”
No matter whether or not he hits the court in a game, that’s true. At this point of his college career, just making it this far is simply remarkable.
What’s next? Patience could pay off. In any case, it’s worthy of admiration, the global community seems to agree.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com
The ugly side of professional bass fishing
Recently, I watched a great You Tube video by Elite Series Pro Chris Zaldain. He and his wife, Trait, host a You Tube/Podcast show called “Zaldaingerous,” and I came across a 1:44-long video edition in which they dove deep into some of the issues facing professional bass fishing.
This episode featured Elite Series Pro Matt Herron, who happens to be a good friend of mine and is never short on words. If you want the truth and perspective of a guy who has made a great career for himself, then Matt is the right choice. He will not sugar coat the issues and has sound advice on how these issues should be handled.
In this particular episode, Matt breaks down some of the problems and situations pertaining to professional bass fishing. Matt, Chris, and Trait talk about rules, sponsorship dollars, polygraph testing, the 2019 split, the new open series, and the Tony Christian scandal.
If you’re an up-and-coming young man and want to know how to be a pro angler, you better make the time to sit down with Matt Herron. He will not lead you to believe that being a full-time professional angler is easy. If anything, he may have you second-guessing yourself before you walk away. He’ll probably ask you, “Are you sure you want to do this for a living?”
The first topic they discuss is the fight over sponsorship dollars and how the pool has shrunk. He referred to his days of starting on the FLW (Forrest L. Wood) Tour (2003) and how FLW ruined and burned so many non-indemnity sponsors like Tide, Walmart, Gastrol Oil, Land-of-Lakes, Kellogg’s, and many more. FLW did not deliver the exposure they promised all these major sponsors. When FLW folded, all these potentially great sponsors dropped out of the professional fishing market and left, probably never to return.
The market of companies out there looking to provide assistance to an angler has shrunk dramatically. Matt points out that today, it’s almost impossible for an angler to make it on his own without solid financial backing. He makes light of how mommas, daddies, or grandparents with deep pockets are footing the bill for these young anglers to try and make it. They do OK for the first couple of years, which is all they are guaranteed. Then, the 70 percent that don’t make it leave the sport with thousands of dollars of debt — up to their eyeballs!
Next, Matt, Chris, and Trait talk about polygraph issues. He and Chris both would like to see more anglers polygraphed after an event and have some of the questions be revamped. Matt talks about how he personally knew an FBI investigator and how the FBI conducts a polygraph test. He talks about how the wording of questions is critical to catching a cheater.
They brought up the Tony Christian scandal that rocked the professional bass fishing world when Tony was caught cheating in an FLW Tournament after his “honey hole” was discovered and investigated. It was discovered that he had made a special basket, put it in the water, and stocked it with bass. The basket allowed for his bait to enter the basket, catch a bass, and exit while the lid closed as the fish came out of the basket, retaining all other bass waiting to be caught. Tony was eventually banned for life from fishing as a professional angler and has virtually disappeared.
If you want to hear the undisclosed side of the professional bass fishing world, check out the episode yourself. Go to youtube.com and search “Zaldaingerous.”
The husband/wife Zaldain team interviews anglers who fish the Bassmaster Elite Series. They do a fantastic job of introducing their fans to the harsh reality of being a professional angler. There’s no topic or subject that’s out of bounds as Chris and Trait are excellent hosts with a wealth of experience themselves as professional bass anglers.
Until next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget your sunscreen. Also make sure to schedule regular dermatologist appointments. If you don’t have a dermatologist, find one!
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com
That time a ‘guy’ told me no one was thinking about me, and it was awesome
There’s an argument to be made, one bolstered by people’s behavior on social media, that those who live in the western world can be filtered into two camps.
Those who just want to be mad about something. And those who don’t.
I know this is a vast oversimplification. There is so much that goes into a person’s anger and hurt that none of us can ever hazard to begin to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. So as to not draw someone’s ire, I’ll just use myself as the example of today’s little bit of writing.
I have realized that at many times in my life I have just been a person who wanted to be mad. I didn’t want to be a victim. That’s an entirely different first-world fault we have. I just wanted to be angry at someone.
Social media was the worst thing to ever happen to younger me. Other people’s opinions, beliefs, words, political perspectives and so forth made me so mad. That’s the story of the modern world. I didn’t like people I perceived to be hypocrites even though I was one of the biggest myself. As Gandhi said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians.” I was one of those he wouldn’t like.
I used to just want to be angry. That’s the bottom-line cause Stone Cold said so. Quiet was confused with arrogance when in actuality it was irritation. I had an issue with people because my perspectives shaped my life. It was a long-learned behavior. It made me not like the man I grew up to become. I was a hypocrite. I always told people to just look in the mirror and if you like what you see then you are doing ok. But I never really did. I didn’t like what was looking back.
But something changed a few years ago. I just started talking. I wasn’t talking to anyone in particular. I knew who I was and that person was not who I wanted to be. I didn’t like who I was but I felt encouraged because I wanted to change. Bad people didn’t want to change, right? I wanted to be better. So that had to count for something.
I started talking to no one in particular. And I know I looked crazy to anyone who may have seen me. I started to read. I started to write my thoughts down. I started to ask questions instead of making accusations and thinking I already knew everything. Why did I feel the way I did? I asked more. I didn’t try to tell. I didn’t ask questions I already knew the answers to.
It wasn’t until I started seeking that I started finding. And when I let the answers come, I stopped caring what others put on their social media feeds. I stopped caring who they voted for. So, what if you do bad things? So, do I. So, what if you bad-mouth others? I have done that from time to time as well. So, what if you stumble and fail and stay down sometimes only to cry and blame everyone else but yourself? Brother, I’ve been there.
I realized that God wasn’t religion. And in all that talk and all that reading, I came to find that God doesn’t want me to care what others think. He doesn’t want me to worry about what others have or the way others live their own life just like he doesn’t want them to care how I lead mine. Someone in all that talk of mine basically talked back. “No one’s thinking about you, Josh. No one cares what you think. No one cares if you don’t like them. They aren’t thinking of you.”
And then came the bombshell.
“Isn’t that so freeing? Doesn’t that change everything?”
Wow. When I had this realization, I legitimately said out loud “Wow,” and a little old lady by the vitamins in Walmart lowered her spectacles (I like that word – spectacles) to wonder if I was a malcontent or rabble-rouser.
I realized God wanted me to be all His all the time. He doesn’t want me leaning on others. He doesn’t want me to be self-reliant. He wants me to rely on Him. I am walking a tightrope. So are you. So are we all. Our security rests in Him and not in our best-laid plans. Our best-laid plans are folly. They suck. They are laughable. We walk that tightrope and it is He alone who helps us stay standing. Not people. Not circumstance. It is He who we must go to for prayer, for answers. I said I didn’t know who I was talking to earlier. But I do now. I was talking to the one above all. I was talking to the one beckoning me —one step at a time.
“Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate you from My loving Presence,” I read once and now I know it to be true.
So too is this: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Josh Beavers is a teacher and a writer. He has been recognized five times for excellence in opinion writing by the Louisiana Press Association.
Bossier booking information: Dennis Leroy Wilson, pornography involving juveniles. Bond: $340,000
Dennis Leroy Wilson
Age: 64
Race: White
Sex: Male
Current booking information:
14:81.2|Forcible Fondling. Molestation of a juvenile or a person with a physical or men. Bond: $250,000
14:81.1. Pornography involving juveniles. Bond: $20,000
00:899. Probation violation. Bond: $0
14:81.1. Pornography involving juveniles. Bond: $20,000
00:899. Probation violation. Bond: $0.00
14:81.1. Pornography involving juveniles. Bond: $20,000
00:899. Probation violation. Bond: $0
14:81.1. Pornography involving juveniles. Bond: $20,000
14:81.1. Pornography involving juveniles. Bond: $10,000
Caddo booking information: Lauren Ashley Renter, cruelty to juveniles. Bond: $10,000
Lauren Ashley Renter
Age: 30
DOB: 12/9/1992
Race: Black
Sex: Female
Current booking information:
Description: Cruelty to juveniles. Bond: $5,000
Description: Criminal abandonment. Bond: $5,000
BOM supports Home Builders of Northwest Louisiana
BOM is continuing our Silver Package membership with the Home Builders of Northwest Louisiana. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Kira Yeates, HBA Membership Director Julie Golsby, and BOM’s Jonathan Wall.
Notice of Death – January 26, 2023
Virgie Lee Washington
September 13, 1961 — January 21, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Round Grove Cemetery, 2869 Round Grove Lane, Shreveport.
Ta’Darrell Wayne King
September 6, 1947 — January 19, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Ophelia Eva Harris
June 25, 1947 — January 19, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at New Elizabeth Baptist Church, 1870 Jewella Avenue, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Carver Cemetery, 498 Kennie Road, Shreveport.
Vernel Wanjennett Davidson
April 14, 1982 — January 20, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Deliverance Temple Church, 1908 Jones Street, Coushatta.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Starlight Cemetery, Armstead.
Mary Elfreida Perkins
August 25, 1961 — January 16, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 5597 Shreveport Blanchard Highway, Shreveport.
Rose Parisy
August 27, 1929 — January 21, 2023
Memorial Mass: Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 204 Patton Avenue, Shreveport.
Paula Dixon
September 13, 1953 — January 18, 2023
Viewing: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00-11:45 a.m. at St. Mary Baptist Church, 2283 Hwy. 1, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at St. Mary Baptist Church, 2283 Hwy. 1, Shreveport.
Ralph Waymon Wren, Sr.
March 10, 1934 — January 22, 2023
Memorial Service: Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Southern Hills Church of Christ, 9080 Southwood Drive, Shreveport.
Ivory Robert Charles Thomas
June 12, 1951 — January 19, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Carver Cemetery, 498 Kennie Road, Shreveport.
Ophilia Thomas Crawford
October 3, 1944 — January 14, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Cemetery, La Hwy 527, Doyline.
Lessie B. Chism
September 25, 1943 — January 17, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Round Grove Cemetery, 2869 Round Grove Lane, Shreveport.
Cassondra Ann Shanks
June 25, 1953 — January 21, 2023
Memorial Service: Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Aulds Funeral Home, 7849 East Kings Highway, Shreveport.
Burial of Cremains: Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, 11:45 a.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton.
Russell Allen Hays
January 28, 1966 — January 23, 2023
Graveside Service: Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Road, Shreveport.
Amanda Nicole Sutton
August 13, 1986 — January 20, 2023
Viewing: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel, 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
James Willie Franklin
July 13, 1954 — January 20, 2023
Graveside Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Nettie Beatrice (Brown) Franklin
April 28, 1949 — January 21, 2023
Viewing: Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel, 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel, 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Zarious Ge’Borris Evans
July 13, 2009 — January 15, 2023
Graveside Service: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Forest Park East Cemetery, 3700 St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport.
Johnny Palmer, Sr.
November 20, 1947 — January 20, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, Time TBD at Summerhill Baptist Church, Louisiana Hwy 6, Evelyn.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Summerhill Baptist Church, Louisiana Hwy 6, Evelyn.
Tina Sloan
October 26, 1970 — January 18, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Bethel MBC #1, 12535 Mansfield Road, Keithville.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Forest Park West Cemetery.
Joyce Roberson
February 15, 1956 — January 20, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Walnut Hill St Mary, 9235 Woolworth Road, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Alphonso Vasquez Washington, Jr.
August 21, 2009 — January 20, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Wake: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 410 North Circle, Bossier City.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 410 North Circle, Bossier City.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Fellowship Cemetery, Haughton.
Johnny Jackson
April 9, 1978 — January 20, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Round Grove Cemetery, 2869 Round Grove Lane, Shreveport.
John Jenkins
July 28, 1966 — January 21, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 12:00-5:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at New Bethlehem B.C., Gloster.
Interment: Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, following service at Good Hope Baptist Church & Cemetery, 498 Hwy 172, Keatchie.
Ivory Hunter
November 20, 1949 — January 20, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at New Zion MBC, 702 Melrose Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 7970 Mike Clark Road, Keithville.
Marie Nichols Kelley
December 7, 1946 — January 23, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Interment: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4400 Meriwether Road, Shreveport.
Vivian Ann Antwine Conroe
July 20, 1950 — January 15, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at J S Williams Funeral Home, 1104 Pierre Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, 8510 Range, Shreveport.
Otharee Salone Pollard
October 6, 1937 — December 26, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Mount Chapel Baptist Church, 4034 Flora Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Friendship CME Cemetery, Keithville.
Janiyah Nichole Larry
August 14, 2008 — January 16, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Caldwell Cemetery, Plain Dealing.
Dixie Attaway
January 27, 1937 — January 21, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life at Graveside: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Summerfield Cemetery, Summerfield.
Sidney Skip Hardcastle
December 11, 1946 — January 15, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 304 Sibley, Benton.
Leslie Ann Thigpen
August 28, 1976 — January 22, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 10:00-11:15 a.m. at Osborn Funeral Home, 3631 Southern Avenue, Shreveport.
Memorial Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:15 a.m. at Osborn Funeral Home, 3631 Southern Avenue, Shreveport.
Karen Faye Glass
November 11, 1964 — January 22, 2023
Graveside Service: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4400 Meriwether Road, Shreveport.
Sarah Jamerson
April 17, 1938 — January 15, 2023
Viewing: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
John Kern Cotter
September 10, 1954 — July 24, 2022
Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 204 Patton Street, Shreveport.
Barry Warren Donaghey
March 27, 1953 — January 18, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Forest Park Funeral Home, 1201 Louisiana Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Forest Park Funeral Home, 1201 Louisiana Avenue, Shreveport.
Leroy N. Douglas
September 7, 1937 — January 15, 2023
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Interment: Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, following service at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 7970 Mike Clark Road, Keithville.
James Levon Ware
January 18, 1964 — January 17, 2023
Graveside Service: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Lonnie Charles Davis
July 14, 1964 — January 19, 2023
Graveside Service: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Park, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Viewing: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-4:45 p.m. at Shreveport Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center, 5307 Alex Lane, Shreveport.
James Ray Coghlan
May 4, 1953 — January 14, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 4736 Lyba Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Mass: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 4736 Lyba Street, Shreveport.
Linda Catherine Rachal Mitchell
March 8, 1952 — January 19, 2023
Visitation: Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, following service at Rose-Neath Cemetery, 5185 Swan Lake Road, Bossier City.
Donald Dean Stillwell
January 13, 1948 — January 19, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Ministries Cowboy Church, 494 Bethel Road, Logansport.
Charles ‘Charlie’ Augustus Lee Fields
June 21, 1933 — January 14, 2023
Graveside Service: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 7970 Mike Clark Road, Keithville.
Reba Nell Silvis
February 27, 1930 — January 18, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, following service at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Gerald Jamar Abbott, Jr.
March 3, 2004 — January 15, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at New Bethel MBC, Carver Cemetery.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at New Bethel MBC, Carver Cemetery.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Lincoln Cemetery, Galilee.
Jerelyn Saur
June 20, 1931 — December 21, 2022
Memorial Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 500 Common Street, Shreveport.
Carl Ray Nicholas
May 20, 1938 — January 14, 2023
Celebration of Life: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Faith Farms, 1145 Hwy 527, Elm Grove.
Shelia Heard
December 15, 1964 — January 16, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Abundance of Life Church.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Abundance of Life Church.
Wake: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 6:00 p.m. at Abundance of Life Church.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 6915 W 70th Street, Shreveport.
Mellicent Smitherman Pittman
October 23, 1930 — January 15, 2023
Celebration of Life: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Frost Chapel of First Baptist Church, 543 Ockley Drive, Shreveport.
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, following service at Church Parlor of First Baptist Church, 543 Ockley Drive, Shreveport.
Brenda Joyce Davenport
August 8, 1969 — January 14, 2023
Celebration of Life: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Shreveport Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center, 5307 Alex Lane, Shreveport.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $90. Contact your funeral provider or SBJNewsLa@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to SBJNewsLa@gmail.com)
January 26, 2023
In the NFL, being No. 2 ain’t easy to do
When Kansas City backup quarterback Chad Henne came into Sunday’s NFL Divisional Round game to replace injured Patrick Mahomes, named Wednesday NFL MVP by the Professional Football Writers Association, I thought the same thing as you.
“Chad Henne’s still in the league?”
Luke McCown, who started 10 games at quarterback during his 13-year NFL career from 2004-2016, those last four seasons backing up Drew Brees in New Orleans, was watching too. His thoughts were more along the lines of, “Lord, have mercy.”
The Chiefs led Jacksonville, 10-7, at the time. But Mahomes was headed to the locker room to get an X-ray of his ankle and Henne was taking a first-down snap from his own end zone.
On first down, Henne threw his first completion. Of the season.
Nice start.
The 37-year-old Henne and the Chiefs put together the longest touchdown drive in the team’s postseason history — 98 yards — increased the lead to 17-7 with 3:54 to go in the half, and ultimately won the game, 27-20.
Mahomes played the second half, hobbling a bit, and is expected to play when the Chiefs host Cincinnati Sunday night at 5:30; the winner plays the winner of Sunday’s 2 p.m. San Francisco at Philadelphia game in Glendale, Arizona in Super Bowl LVII Feb. 12.
Mahomes finished 22-of-30 for 195 yards and two TDs. Henne, who starred for Michigan in 2007 (seems like 1987, I swear) and has four starts in the past seven seasons, was 5-of-7 for 23 yards and a touchdown.
But it’s timing, man. If you ain’t got timing — and a really good tight end like Travis Kelce — you ain’t got nothing.
Henne, in a pinch, was gold when it counted under circumstances only guys like McCown and others in the fraternity can fully appreciate.
“You ARE the insurance in case something happens,” McCown said about the backup’s role. “You understand that. Now, can you handle the horse when it’s time to climb on?”
McCown never had to finish a game “at a moment’s notice” when the starter went down, but with Tampa Bay he did have to sub for the injured Jeff Garcia in 2007 in New Orleans and, in a game that decided the division title, threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns, the last one in the final minute, in a 27-23 win.
“That was early in my career,” he said, “so I was dumb enough not to know how much pressure I was under. Like they say, ignorance is bliss.”
And in 2015 he found out on a Friday he’d start for an injured Brees Sunday against Carolina, the league’s best defense that year, when the Saints were already 0-2. McCown finished an efficient 31-of-38 for 310 yards, but it was in a 27-22 loss; too much Cam Newton and Greg Olsen that day, if memory serves.
So McCown knows about being No. 1 and about being No. 2.
“What (Henne) did is extraordinarily hard for a couple of reasons,” he said Wednesday afternoon while picking up kids after school in his hometown of Jacksonville, Tex., where he and wife Katy, former Shreveporter and Louisiana Tech cheerleader, are raising six children. It takes a minute to round all those young ones up, so the Tech Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2017 inductee had plenty of time to talk — and about one of his favorite subjects.
“First, you’re not getting any reps,” he said of backups. “Henne might have gotten a series with the starters Friday. But mostly you’re running scout team, so you’re running the other team’s plays, not even your own. And if they’re developing a guy — if you’re the old guy like Chad or like I was in New Orleans — that young guy might get the extra practice series with the starters.
“The second thing’s not the reads: you know that. You’ve played for years, you’ve watched film, you’ve done all that,” he said. “It’s the unknown, the emotion of the game at that moment. You can’t be shaken when they say, ‘OK, go get your helmet.’ The crowd is coming to see Mahomes or Joe Burrow, not the backup. So you want to live up to that standard. And to the standard you’ve set for yourself.”
Sunday, McCown was rooting for Henne and for backup QBs everywhere, for guys who McCown says are “worth every penny” when the football gods and fate conspire and suddenly … It’s Time.
“Maybe I’m saying it because now I’m an old backup, but the disparity in pay between the starters and backups in football, or the starting pitchers and the bullpen in baseball, it’s hard to believe,” he said. “You’ve got to have those guys. In moments like Sunday’s, what Henne did proves why you should pay to keep a good, experienced backup.”
Because once the moment is gone, you can’t get it back. You’ve got to make it happen. Right then. Henne, the latest Banner Waver and bellcow for the Backup QB Fraternity, did.
“It’s fun to see him get his due, to see anytime a backup gets his due,” McCown said. “Take any backup playing today: any one of them can out-throw any guy in college. There are what, four billion guys in the world?, and only about 64 of them can throw a goofy brown oblong ball like those guys. You’ve got to remember that these are the best football players in the world.”
The Chiefs had the right one at the right time against the hot Jags. And while he doesn’t have the paychecks Mahomes does, Henne was money Sunday.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu or on Twitter @MamaLuvsManning.
The SBJ Prep Hoops Report, Volume 9: Getting better by the week
Basketball in Shreveport-Bossier seems to be getting better by the week. On the girls’ side, 1-5A has started the second half of district and teams seem to have raised their play from the first time around. The other districts have had high quality play as well. On the boys’ side, the rankings have seen teams make moves because of their performances on the court. In volume nine of the SBJ prep hoops report, we will review what happened last weekend and Tuesday while looking forward to the weekend coming.
First Place Established
Last Friday saw first place in district 1-5A be decided for the boys and the girls with games in both cities. Over in South Bossier, Parkway used a massive second-quarter run to gain separation as the Lady Panthers defeated the Natchitoches Central Lady Chiefs by 26. In similar fashion, Southwood held Captain Shreve to two points in the second quarter to build a massive lead.
They had to hold on in the second half for dear life, but the Cowboys garnered a one-point win (48-47) over the Gators to give them the district lead.
The Extravaganza Classic
Five local teams participated in the 2nd annual Extravaganza Classic at Calvary Baptist, where Southwood had the toughest turnaround. After battling Captain Shreve for the district lead, the Cowboys had to play 2-5A stalwart Ouachita at noon. Sparked by another Jeremiah Evans double-double, they defeated the Lions 41-36 to tip-off the day. The Evangel Eagles were on deck next and they used double-digit efforts by four of their five starters to defeat Sterlington from district 2-3A by 16 (69-53).
Bossier took the court next against an always tough Rayville team from district 2-2A. The Bearkats followed their leader Tahj Roots and pulled off the 60-56 victory against one of the toughest teams in Louisiana. Calvary Baptist had the most entertaining game of the day with the Southside Sharks from Youngsville. Rondae Hill found Ronald “Bubba” Strong for a three-pointer to put Calvary up 47-45 with 7.5 remaining. The Cavs defended well and came out with the win against the Sharks out of district 3-5A.
Huntington and defending 5A state champion Zachary closed out the night. Huntington ended up taking the L as the Broncos fought and scratched without their top player, Brandon Hardy, to defeat the Raiders 60-55.
Movement in the Power Rankings
After the Cowboys’ big weekend, they become the third area Select team in the top 10 as they move into the 9th position. Wins over Captain Shreve and Ouachita on consecutive nights will do that for a team. Captain Shreve and Huntington still hold positions in the top ten in Select Division I. Calvary is the 3rd-rated team in Select Division III and Evangel holds steady at 9th in Select Division II. On the Non-Select side of things, Bossier is the 4th-rated team in Non-Select Division II.
In the girls’ rankings, Parkway is the highest rated Select or Non-Select team as the Lady Panthers are No. 2 in Division I, Non-Select. They are the only area team in the top 10.
Special performance
There are rare nights that you see a high schooler have it on automatic all night. However, that is what we saw from Benton’s Greg Manning in the Tigers’ district win against Airline. Manning had it going from inside and outside as he scored a game-high 41 in the Tigers’ 61-56 win over the Vikings.
Weekend Play
This weekend begins the back end of the 1-5A district schedule for the boys’ teams. Calvary Baptist has a big 1-2A district battle with Green Oaks on Friday before heading to Baton Rouge on Saturday to play the Zachary Broncos in the Charger Classic at Madison Prep. District 1-4A will continue district play with some teams playing district games. The girls’ teams in the area will march closer to the close of district play in the area with games on Friday.
Contact Preston at preston9360@gmail.com or Twitter handle @peedee1906
Wednesday’s basketball, soccer scoreboard; today’s schedule
JOURNAL STAFF
College Basketball
Wednesday’s score
MEN
Trinity Valley CC 63, BPCC 60
Today’s games
WOMEN
LSUS at Louisiana Christian University, 5:30 p.m.
Houston Christian at Northwestern State, 5:30 p.m.
UAB at Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m.
MEN
LSUS at Louisiana Christian University, 7:30 p.m.
Houston Christian at Northwestern State, 8 p.m.
Louisiana Tech at UAB, 8 p.m.
High School Basketball
Wednesday’s scores
GIRLS
Natchitoches Central 69, Southwood 25
BOYS
Southwood 61, Natchitoches Central 40
Today’s games
No games scheduled.
High School Soccer
Wednesday’s scores
Girls
Bossier 6, Wossman 1
Northwood 5, Huntington 1
Boys
Huntington at Minden, cancelled
Byrd 3, Airline 1
Captain Shreve 4, Benton 2
Today’s games
Girls
Bossier at Sterlington 5:30 p.m.
Huntington at Evangel 6 p.m.
Captain Shreve at Loyola 6 p.m.
Southwood at North Caddo 6 p.m.
Parkway at Caddo Magnet 7:45 p.m.
Boys
Parkway at Caddo Magnet 6 p.m.
North Desoto at Haughton 6 p.m.
Northwood at Huntington 6 p.m.
Bossier at Sterlington 7:15 p.m.
Schedules are subject to cancellations and postponements.
I-Bowl pulls 2.41 million viewers on ESPN
JOURNAL SPORTS
The viewership numbers are in for the 2022 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl and they are quite impressive – for the second year in a row.
The nail-biter between the Houston Cougars and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns drew 2.41 million viewers, ranking the contest 21st among 43 bowl games played in the 2022 Bowl Season – including all New Year’s Six games, the Cricket Celebration Bowl and the College Football Playoff National Championship Game presented by AT&T.
With the game going down to the wire and Houston eventually taking the lead in the final minute, viewers throughout the country were glued to ESPN to see the Cougars defeat the Ragin’ Cajuns 23-16. When Houston quarterback Clayton Tune found star receiver Nathaniel “Tank” Dell with 20 seconds left for a 12-yard touchdown, the Cougars had sealed their first Independence Bowl victory in program history.
The Dec. 23, 2022, game ranked 15th among non-New Year’s Six and College Football Playoff games and finished fourth in viewership among the 17 pre-Christmas bowl games.
The 2022 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl was the 46th edition of college football’s 11th most-historic bowl game.
It all started with cousin Doug
Back in the day — I’m talking eight decades or so ago — kids raised out on the rural route did it differently. When it came to entertaining yourself, there were no wi-fi gadgets; no cell phone; no video games. Why? It takes electricity for these things to work and it was years before the wires were strung and lights came on in Goldonna.
I grew up in a four-room house my daddy built – a living room, kitchen and two bedrooms. Bathroom? Forget about it; it took water piped into the house to make it work. Our bored well, bucket, pulley and rope in the back yard was the water supply. Indoor plumbing consisted of what some folks called a thunder mug or slop jar. The serious stuff took place down a path out back that led to the outhouse.
My brother, Tom, was two years younger than me and we, just the two of us, would no doubt have run out of outdoorsy things to do had it not been for our first cousins, Doug and Sambo who lived on the next hill over from us. Doug and Sambo were like brothers to Tom and me and we did virtually everything together. I was the oldest, Doug a year younger than me, Tom a year younger than Doug and Sambo bringing up the rear, a year younger than Tom.
What did kids do for entertainment way back then before electricity and such came to us? If youngsters growing up today had been deprived of all the gadgets and widgets available now, chaos would no doubt ensue. Not for the four Harris boys; none of the other kids growing up in the community had anything modern either, so we didn’t miss what we never had.
What we did have was the tank pond lying adjacent to the L&A railroad track that furnished water for the steam engines that chugged and labored up Oshkosh Hill after filling tanks. Just over the track was Molido (pronounced Molly-dough) Creek that coursed through the woods half a mile in back of our house. We learned to swim in the tank pond. Molido with its resident red perch, goggle eye, bass, jackfish and mud cat population was the perfect training ground for boys just learning to fish.
The passage of time has a way of changing things. We all grew up, married, had kids and lived in homes with electricity and indoor plumbing and all the amenities these afforded. Tom and I moved away while Doug and Sambo remained in the little town where we grew up. It’s sad but it’s true; when the realities of life separate you from those who were once so important to you, you grow apart, not because of problems but that’s just the reality of life.
Several years ago, I got a call from Doug. He had retired from a successful career in the petroleum industry, had purchased land and constructed a nice pond near his home and he stocked it with bluegills and bass. Like me, he had missed the times the four Harris boys had growing up and he suggested that we meet on his pond, catch, clean and cook fish and relive some of the special times we had growing up.
On June 29, 2007, the four of us met up on the pond, did those things he suggested, had so much fun and enjoyment we decided we would meet together every year and do it all over again. The Cuz’n Fish Fest was born on that day 15 years ago and has continued ever since.
Changes are inevitable with the passage of time and eight Aprils ago, my brother Tom passed away. That left the three of us to continue what Doug started in 2007. We continued to meet and it became obvious that Doug’s health was in a slow decline.
On January 11, I drove to Goldonna to attend the funeral of Doug, the one who started it all. This leaves just Sambo and me, the oldest and youngest of the four Harris boys, to pick up the pieces of our childhood. Will we continue the tradition? I suppose time will tell.
Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com
Bossier booking information: Jacob Wayne Elmore, first degree vehicular negligent injuring. Bond: $175,000
Jacob Wayne Elmore
Age: 20
Race: White
Sex: Male
Current booking information:
14:98.3. DWI 3rd offense. Bond: $25,000
14:39.2. First degree vehicular negligent injuring. Bond: $150,000
Caddo booking information: Patrone Vandyke Barfield, possession of firearm by person convicted of domestic abuse battery. Bond: $150,000
Patrone Vandyke Barfield
Age: 33
DOB: 9/7/1989
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Current booking information:
Description: Possession of firearm by person convicted domestic abuse battery. Bond: $75,000
Description: Possession of firearm by person convicted domestic abuse battery. Bond: $75,000
Notice of Death – January 25, 2023
Ivory Robert Charles Thomas
June 12, 1951 — January 19, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Carver Cemetery, 498 Kennie Road, Shreveport.
Ophilia Thomas Crawford
October 3, 1944 — January 14, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Cemetery, La Hwy 527, Doyline.
Lessie B. Chism
September 25, 1943 — January 17, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Round Grove Cemetery, 2869 Round Grove Lane, Shreveport.
Cassondra Ann Shanks
June 25, 1953 — January 21, 2023
Memorial Service: Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Aulds Funeral Home, 7849 East Kings Highway, Shreveport.
Burial of Cremains: Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, 11:45 a.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton.
Russell Allen Hays
January 28, 1966 — January 23, 2023
Graveside Service: Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Road, Shreveport.
Amanda Nicole Sutton
August 13, 1986 — January 20, 2023
Viewing: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel, 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
James Willie Franklin
July 13, 1954 — January 20, 2023
Graveside Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Nettie Beatrice (Brown) Franklin
April 28, 1949 — January 21, 2023
Viewing: Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel, 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel, 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Zarious Ge’Borris Evans
July 13, 2009 — January 15, 2023
Graveside Service: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Forest Park East Cemetery, 3700 St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport.
Johnny Palmer, Sr.
November 20, 1947 — January 20, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, Time TBD at Summerhill Baptist Church, Louisiana Hwy 6, Evelyn.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Summerhill Baptist Church, Louisiana Hwy 6, Evelyn.
Tina Sloan
October 26, 1970 — January 18, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Bethel MBC #1, 12535 Mansfield Road, Keithville.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Forest Park West Cemetery.
Joyce Roberson
February 15, 1956 — January 20, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Walnut Hill St Mary, 9235 Woolworth Road, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Alphonso Vasquez Washington, Jr.
August 21, 2009 — January 20, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Wake: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 410 North Circle, Bossier City.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 410 North Circle, Bossier City.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Fellowship Cemetery, Haughton.
Johnny Jackson
April 9, 1978 — January 20, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Round Grove Cemetery, 2869 Round Grove Lane, Shreveport.
John Jenkins
July 28, 1966 — January 21, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 12:00-5:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at New Bethlehem B.C., Gloster.
Interment: Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, following service at Good Hope Baptist Church & Cemetery, 498 Hwy 172, Keatchie.
Ivory Hunter
November 20, 1949 — January 20, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at New Zion MBC, 702 Melrose Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 7970 Mike Clark Road, Keithville.
Marie Nichols Kelley
December 7, 1946 — January 23, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Interment: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4400 Meriwether Road, Shreveport.
Vivian Ann Antwine Conroe
July 20, 1950 — January 15, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at J S Williams Funeral Home, 1104 Pierre Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, 8510 Range, Shreveport.
Otharee Salone Pollard
October 6, 1937 — December 26, 2022
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Mount Chapel Baptist Church, 4034 Flora Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Friendship CME Cemetery, Keithville.
Janiyah Nichole Larry
August 14, 2008 — January 16, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Caldwell Cemetery, Plain Dealing.
Billy Ray Lafitte
July 21, 1937 — January 22, 2023
Visitation: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, 9:00-10:00 a.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Dixie Attaway
January 27, 1937 — January 21, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life at Graveside: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Summerfield Cemetery, Summerfield.
Sidney Skip Hardcastle
December 11, 1946 — January 15, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 304 Sibley, Benton.
Edward Black
March 14, 1958 — January 22, 2023
Visitation: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Aulds Funeral Home, 7849 East Kings Highway, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Aulds Funeral Home, 7849 East Kings Highway, Shreveport.
Leslie Ann Thigpen
August 28, 1976 — January 22, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 10:00-11:15 a.m. at Osborn Funeral Home, 3631 Southern Avenue, Shreveport.
Memorial Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:15 a.m. at Osborn Funeral Home, 3631 Southern Avenue, Shreveport.
Karen Faye Glass
November 11, 1964 — January 22, 2023
Graveside Service: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4400 Meriwether Road, Shreveport.
Sarah Jamerson
April 17, 1938 — January 15, 2023
Viewing: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
John Kern Cotter
September 10, 1954 — July 24, 2022
Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 204 Patton Street, Shreveport.
Sam Richard Ferguson
January 1, 1940 — January 22, 2023
Funeral Service: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Interment: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, following service at Sharman Cemetery, Taylor, Ark.
Barry Warren Donaghey
March 27, 1953 — January 18, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Forest Park Funeral Home, 1201 Louisiana Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Forest Park Funeral Home, 1201 Louisiana Avenue, Shreveport.
Leroy N. Douglas
September 7, 1937 — January 15, 2023
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Interment: Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, following service at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 7970 Mike Clark Road, Keithville.
James Levon Ware
January 18, 1964 — January 17, 2023
Viewing: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Lonnie Charles Davis
July 14, 1964 — January 19, 2023
Graveside Service: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Park, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Viewing: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 1:00-4:45 p.m. at Shreveport Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center, 5307 Alex Lane, Shreveport.
Elizabeth Anderson
May 12, 1939 — January 20, 2023
Graveside Service: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Forest Park Cemetery, 3700 St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport.
James Ray Coghlan
May 4, 1953 — January 14, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 4736 Lyba Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Mass: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 4736 Lyba Street, Shreveport.
Linda Catherine Rachal Mitchell
March 8, 1952 — January 19, 2023
Visitation: Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, following service at Rose-Neath Cemetery, 5185 Swan Lake Road, Bossier City.
Donald Dean Stillwell
January 13, 1948 — January 19, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Ministries Cowboy Church, 494 Bethel Road, Logansport.
Charles ‘Charlie’ Augustus Lee Fields
June 21, 1933 — January 14, 2023
Visitation: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City.
Graveside Service: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 7970 Mike Clark Road, Keithville.
Mary Vance Smith
April 10, 1950 — January 20, 2023
Visitation: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Reba Nell Silvis
February 27, 1930 — January 18, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, following service at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Gerald Jamar Abbott, Jr.
March 3, 2004 — January 15, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at New Bethel MBC, Carver Cemetery.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at New Bethel MBC, Carver Cemetery.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Lincoln Cemetery, Galilee.
Jerelyn Saur
June 20, 1931 — December 21, 2022
Memorial Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 500 Common Street, Shreveport.
Carl Ray Nicholas
May 20, 1938 — January 14, 2023
Celebration of Life: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Faith Farms, 1145 Hwy 527, Elm Grove.
Shelia Heard
December 15, 1964 — January 16, 2023
Visitation: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Abundance of Life Church.
Funeral Service: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Abundance of Life Church.
Wake: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 6:00 p.m. at Abundance of Life Church.
Interment: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 6915 W 70th Street, Shreveport.
Mellicent Smitherman Pittman
October 23, 1930 — January 15, 2023
Celebration of Life: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Frost Chapel of First Baptist Church, 543 Ockley Drive, Shreveport.
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, following service at Church Parlor of First Baptist Church, 543 Ockley Drive, Shreveport.
Brenda Joyce Davenport
August 8, 1969 — January 14, 2023
Celebration of Life: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Shreveport Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center, 5307 Alex Lane, Shreveport.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $90. Contact your funeral provider or SBJNewsLa@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to SBJNewsLa@gmail.com)
January 25, 2023
Out with the ‘in’ crowd
“Sir, I’m sorry, but we don’t have you in our computer.”
Can you hear worse news?
You can — “Sorry, we’re out of bacon” — but it’s a short list.
Such was the case this week when my friend Shine Broussard called a government entity about something governmental.
“We don’t have you in our computer,” he was told. Cold words to hear in person, colder over the telephone.
“Now I’m out here with the gnashing teeth bunch, out here where the sun doesn’t shine,” Shine told me. “No program. No starting lineups. No jersey numbers. ‘Not in our computer.’ I’m on an island with the lepers.”
If you’re ‘not in our computer,’ you are a non-person, is what you are. These days, you have to be in the computer. In a lot of computers, actually. You might be in your dentist’s computer, which is good when a molar won’t behave, but being in your dentist’s computer won’t help you a lick if a kidney wants to opt out of his contract and become a free agent. Then you’d better be in your urologist’s computer. Now. Today.
There was a time when you didn’t need to be “in our computer.” There was a time when people knew your voice on the telephone, or trusted to some extent that you were who you said you were. Those days vaporized with vaudeville.
Then you had to be “in our files.” A lot of trees died for those files. If you wanted a Social Security check or a driver’s license renewal or a copy of your transcript, you had to be in the files.
Now the files are “in our computer.” You are in our files and in our system if you are in our computer. And if our computer says you aren’t in there, well, you can’t argue with our computer. Forget that a computer is only as smart as its programmer, as energetic as its power source and as efficient as the person who typed you “in” to start with.
It’s the computer, bud. Don’t argue with it. You might as well try to win a spat with Aunt Ethel about how to cook greens or shell peas or do the jitterbug or read your Bible. Good luck with that!
So if you’re not In The Computer, you’re out of the loop. In a fix. Up a creek. Down the river. Out of luck. In a jam. Between a rock and a hard place. Out of the picture. Off the radar.
“Sir, I’m sorry, but we don’t have you in our computer.” (That’s just one frantic, lonely step removed from the hazy “I’m sorry, but our system’s down” No-Man’s Land. If the system’s down, you might as well call in the general and tinkle on the fire because the game, my dear friend, is over.)
I can imagine the computer people talking on their break. “Some poor guy called and wasn’t in the computer. I mean, come on! Idiot…Haha. Hahahahaha….!”
Makes you jealous of people who are “in.” Things are easier for the in’s among us. But how did they get in, anyway? Being “not in” makes you feel like those people Hunter S. Thompson wrote about in the Gonzo Papers, people who chase something they’ll never so much as sniff. Missing. Back-ordered. No teng .Vaya con dios. Seeya!
But do you really want to pay the price for ins-manship? First-born child? Life savings? Moe Bandy record collection? What do I have to give up? And here’s a question: What if you get in and you can’t get OUT? There’s you a pickle.
Such are modern times. All the more reason to hope that when I meet St. Peter, I’m in the computer and the system’s not down.
(Originally ran August of 2010, when all the computers seemed hot and angry … )
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
Dr. Phillip Rozeman: a cardiologist with a ‘heart’ for the community
By HARRIET PROTHRO PENROD
I first met Dr. Phillip Rozeman over 20 years ago when I wrote the cover story for Forum News about the Alliance for Education. Recently, I’ve seen him at various events throughout the city – including the Community Foundation of North Louisiana’s “Community Counts” press conference and the inauguration of Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux.
We met for lunch at Notini’s Restaurant in Bossier City to catch up on everything he’s been up to since our first interview all those years ago.
If Phillip A. Rozeman’s life was defined solely by his success as a cardiologist, he has enjoyed an incredibly full and prosperous life.
It would be enough to make most people satisfied – and proud.
But Dr. Rozeman is not like other people. There aren’t many people like him.
Born and raised in Shreveport, he graduated from LSU Medical School in 1979 and did his internship, residency, and fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina and then was on staff at Oak Ridge (Tennessee) Cardiology.
The soft-spoken, unassuming doctor could have started his cardiology practice anywhere he – and his wife, Alma — desired.
Halfway through his year in Tennessee, Alma wanted to come home. So, in 1985, they returned to Shreveport and Rozeman began a 30+ year experience in interventional, invasive, and noninvasive cardiology.
He co-founded Cardiovascular Consultants/Willis-Knighton Cardiology and founded the Minden Heart and Vascular Center (where he served as Chief of Staff).
At Willis-Knighton, Rozeman pioneered coronary stenting and dual-chamber pacemakers and served as both Chief of Staff of Internal Medicine and Chief of Staff of the entire Health System. He has served as president of the Shreveport Medical Society (NWLA Medical Society) and received the Louisiana State Medical Society Community Service Award, the Northwest Louisiana Medical Society Distinguished Service Award, and the American Cancer Society Distinguished Service Award.
He has been named one of “America’s Top Cardiologists” by Consumer Research Council.
Rozeman has achieved just about all there is to achieve in the field of cardiology.
For most people – and doctors – that would be enough. But Rozeman learned a lesson from his mother that influenced him to do even more.
Much more.
“She taught us: ‘Don’t be so involved in yourself – do things for other people,’” Rozeman says of his mother, who worked as a school nurse and counselor. “She took care of everybody’s problems. She taught us that life is not really worth living – it’s meaningless — if you’re just living it for yourself.”
He took that lesson to heart and, by doing so, has made an impact in the community that equals his dedication to healthcare.
But why?
“Two things that are the main drivers about my work in the community are 1) if working on this issue has the potential of creating greater opportunity for others and 2) whether this work is God’s will for my life,” explains Rozeman.
“In that regard, it has to follow the great commandment of ‘loving your neighbor as you do yourself.’”
When Rozeman wanted to create the Alliance for Education almost 25 years ago, he went to visit his friend Bob Hamm – the president/CEO of Berg, Inc., and a tireless community leader.
“That guy encouraged me to do anything,” he says of Hamm. “I went to talk to him before I started the Alliance for Education. He put in money and joined. He got me on the Board of the (Greater Shreveport) Chamber of Commerce and the Board of the Louisiana Committee of 100.”
That was just the beginning.
Rozeman has served as a member of multiple governor and legislative commissions on healthcare and education, is past chairman of Blueprint Louisiana and received the Distinguished Service Award from the Council for a Better Louisiana.
He is founder of both Alliance for Education – created to increase community involvement in public education in northwest Louisiana – and Shreveport Bossier Imperative as well as co-founder of Shreveport Bossier Business Alliance for Higher Education and Magnolia School of Excellence Charter School.
When asked where – as a practicing cardiologist – he finds the time to dedicate so much effort into the community, Rozeman explains:
“I try not to waste any time. I organize my mind, take a project at a time. I try to get something done then move on (to the next thing).”
The “next thing” is helping bring Louisiana Key Academy to Shreveport. The charter school, which will focus on best practices to help children who have difficulty reading because of dyslexia, will open in the fall at the former Arthur Circle Elementary School.
Dr. Laura Cassidy (wife of Sen. Bill Cassidy), who co-founded Louisiana Key Academy in Baton Rouge and is bringing the concept here, describes it as “a community of trained, knowledgeable caring professionals whose mission is to unlock the potential of dyslexic children.”
“It will start with first through fourth grade in the fall,” says Rozeman, “and probably add a grade every year. The thought is to definitely go through middle school and, at some point, think about high school.”
With the realization of a charter school for dyslexic children opening in Shreveport, Rozeman can begin thinking about his next “project.”
“I want to potentially do a podcast on medical advances,” says Rozeman, who currently does a weekly podcast called Education Checkup on KTBS. “This is a huge medical community. There is a lot of expertise in healthcare here and I want to communicate that to the people here.”
Rozeman does all that he does for the simple reason that he wants to make his community a better place.
“I was born and raised in Shreveport,” he says. “I love Shreveport. It’s always been good to me and I want to leave it a better place.”
To accomplish that, Rozeman sees his role as that of a facilitator.
“I believe when you get people together and they begin to talk about these things, you begin to have some movement on things,” he says. “If it’s not something I’m interested in or that I’m doing, maybe I know somebody who would be interested and I can get people together.”
Rozeman does all of this in his “spare” time. He doesn’t play golf, fish, or hunt. His hobbies are visiting his grandkids (each of his two daughters lives in Texas and has two children) as often as possible, getting to Los Angeles to visit his son (every six months or so), watching college football and March Madness, reading, and going out to eat every night with his wife.
“I consider the things I do in the community as fun,” he says. “It’s like a hobby.”
Once more, I ask where he finds the time for all of his “hobbies.”
“I start with the premise ‘just say yes where my God-given talents fit,’” says Rozeman, who credits his long-time co-workers for ‘basically taking care of me.’
“When I am true to this, there always seems to be the time and energy to help.”
Contact Harriet at sbjharriet@gmail.com
