Former Natchitoches Magnet and Natchitoches Central graduates Robert Simmons (pictured right) and Daquonte Bell (pictured left) placed 1^st and 2^nd respectively in Louisiana Tech’s Top Dog Business Pitch competition. Taking place April 21, six teams presented their ideas to a panel of judges, and were judged on both the viability of their idea and their pitch skills. Robert, a mechanical engineering student who graduates in May, presented “Snap-City Domes,” a reusable domed structure company that hopes to replace FEMA trailers. He will split the $3,000 prize equally with his four-person team. Daqounte, a pre-med student who graduates in November, presented his clothing company “My Why Apparel.” Competing by himself, he will not only keep all of the $1,500 second place prize, but also all of the $2,000 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas recently hosted Women’s Resource Center Executive Director Jennifer Luna who provided information on the array of services the center offers for young women and on the upcoming “Run Baby Run” fundraiser on May 7.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Regina Pacis 1372 is a women’s organization that strives to embrace the principle of faith by providing an opportunity to develop their God given talents in meaningful ways to support Catholic education, charities, and diocesan seminarians. The group provides support to the Women’s Resource Center, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Divine Providence Nuns, and other organizations as needed. For more information, contact the church office at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Church at 352-3422.

Pictured below are Kathleen Hicks (Regent for CDA), Jennifer Luna and Cheryl Rambin (Financial Secretary for CDA).

The City of Natchitoches will kick-off the Natchitoches Farmers Market tomorrow (Saturday) and will be open every Saturday every Saturday from now until July 23, 2022.

The Natchitoches Farmers Market will be downtown on the riverbank from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

April 30, 2022 – “Teach Me to Fish”
May 7, 2022 – “Run Baby Run 5k”
May 14, 2022 – “Who Let the Dogs out??”
May 21, 2022 – “Battle of the Badges”
May 28, 2022 – “Signs of Summer”
June 4, 2022 – “The Chicken or The Egg?”
June 11, 2022 – “Mini Makers Day”
June 18, 2022 – “Blue Grass Day”
June 25, 2022 – “Contest on the Cane!!!”
July 2, 2022 – “4-H Day”
July 9, 2022 – “Blending for Health”
July 16, 2022 – “One Mans Treasure!!”
July 23, 2022 – “Farming on the Cane”

For more information, please contact the Farmers Market at (318) 663-5190 or (318) 214-7911.

Eric Masters has reunited with Northwestern State head coach Stu Gore as Masters will be the associate head coach, Gore announced Tuesday.

Masters coached with Gore at the University of North Dakota in 2020 before he developed the Colorado State keepers into a stellar group this past season.

The Rams held 12 of their 17 opponents to one goal or less, which included four shutouts. Freshman goalkeeper Shayna Ross was named to the All-Mountain West Newcomer team.

“Eric was my No. 1 target and a tremendous hire for our program,” said Gore, whose NSU squad is coming off Southland Conference regular season and tournament championship.

“After working with him at UND, we struck up a connection.

“Eric has a passion for personal development and enthusiasm for success on and off the field. He’s a triple-threat coach, fantastic recruiter, goalkeeper coach and person. He’s one of the best goalkeeper coaches I’ve worked with, and I’m really looking forward to watching him grow and enhance not only our goalkeepers but our field players, too.”

NSU’s Acelya Aydogmus is a two-time All-Southland Conference Goalkeeper of the year as NSU has taken the top keeper honor three times in the past seven years (Alex Latham in 2016).

Masters will have a chance to tutor his own keeper behind a back line that allowed just 18 goals in 20 matches, including a 5-1 loss to Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament (13 goals in the other 19 matches).

He has coached at various levels, including a decade in the Nevada high school and club soccer scene.

Masters has served with Capital Soccer Club, Carson FC, Northern Nevada ODP and the United Soccer Club. He brought Carson High one regular season title in a two-year tenure.

The Long Island University-Brooklyn graduate was a standout goalkeeper as a player, aiding the Blackbirds to one conference championship, a 2004 NCAA Tournament appearance and two runner-up finishes in the league.

Masters played professionally for one season in the USL second division (Long Island Rough Riders) before returning to LIU-Brooklyn as a graduate assistant coach.

Join the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum on Saturday, April 30 from 2-3:30 pm for a talk with Warren Perrin, attorney and professor at Loyola Law School. Mr. Perrin will be speaking about the powerhouse weightlifting team and the inspirational figure of Walter Imahara, a three-time NCAA champion who was sent to a relocation camp during World War II. The documentary Ragin ’13 details the school’s amazing run of success at the national level, taking home eight championships between 1957 and 1971.

Please visit our website or call (318) 357-2492 for more information.

Free and open to the public.

GRAMBLING – It took nearly six innings for the Northwestern State baseball team to get its first hit Tuesday night at Grambling.

Once the Demons broke the seal, everything flowed much smoother.

No-hit until the sixth, Northwestern State rebounded with a pivotal two-out rally in that inning and pulled away from the Tigers for an 8-3 win at Wilbert Ellis Field.

“Their guy (Connor Rudy) pitched really well,” sixth-year head coach Bobby Barbier said. “He commanded the ball with multiple pitches, and we didn’t do a very good job against him early in the game. The biggest thing was we answered in the sixth. We gave up the lead. We’re not swinging the bats great, and we get a couple of big two-out hits and some good fortune. Then we extended it in the seventh with the homers.”

Rudy (3-6) kept the Demons (20-20) hitless through 5 2-3 innings before Gabe Colaianni’s clean single to right broke up the no-hit bid and woke up the NSU offense.

After Cameron Parikh was hit by a pitch, freshman catcher Bailyn Sorensen singled to center to tie the game before Rudy uncorked a run-scoring wild pitch. Shortstop Cam Sibley, who played flawless highlight-reel defense, capped the four-run inning with a bad-hop, two-run single that kicked up on his Grambling counterpart, Jarficur Parker.

The Demons’ rally turned the tables on the Tigers (18-22), who stranded eight runners through the first four innings as right-handers Josh Banes and Ethan Francis consistently danced out of traffic on the bases.

Northwestern State’s four-run sixth came moments after Grambling scored three two-out runs off reliever Chase Prestwich (1-3), who earned his first career victory.

Rudy appeared to be on his way to another quick inning before Colaianni’s single gave the Demons the momentum.

Grambling appeared on its way to another two-out rally in the sixth after Dawson Flowers retired the first two hitters he faced before Shemar Page and Trevor Hatton singled.

Hatton tried to take second after his high-chopped single over third baseman Jake Haze’s head. Left fielder Jeffrey Elkins threw out Hatton trying to stretch the hit into a double, capping the inning.

Elkins added to the surge, drilling his eighth home run of the season with one out in the seventh. Freshman first baseman Gray Rowlett followed with his second home run of the season, marking Northwestern State’s second set of back-to-back home runs of the season following Bo Willis’ and Bryce Holmes’ consecutive solo homers at UIW on April 9.

“When (Elkins) goes well for us, we score a lot of runs because he can do so many things,” Barbier said. “He can hit a home run. He can steal a base. He can score on a double from first. Those guys affect the game in many ways.”

For the second straight mid-week game, the Demons closed the game with four scoreless innings after doing so April 20 at Louisiana Tech.

Right-handers Flowers (two innings), Andrew Cossio and Donovan Ohnoutka closed out the Tigers to pull the Demons back to .500.

“We had a bunch of guys hit the mound and compete with multiple pitches in the strike zone,” Barbier said. “That was good to see. Something I need to do a better job of is, when those guys struggle in games, continue to get them work. Hopefully, we can use that and take it into the weekend.”

The Demons return to action Friday when they host Southeastern in the opening game of a three-game Southland Conference series. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at Brown-Stroud Field.

Northwestern State 8, Grambling 3

NSU       000 204 200 – 8 6 0

GSU       000 030 000 – 3 10 4

W – Chase Prestwich (1-3). L – Connor Rudy (3-6). HR – NSU, Jeffrey Elkins (8), Gray Rowlett (2). Highlights: GSU, Terry Burrell III 2-5; Jarficur Parker 2-5.

Records: Northwestern State 20-20, Grambling 18-22.

PHOTO: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

The Natchitoches Parish Library’s (NPL) popular Community Shred Service is back, just in time for spring cleaning and post-tax document disposal. Do you have old files laying around that you need to properly get rid of? Or confidential information that you do not want to toss in the trash?

The NPL is hosting its four-hour shredding event on Friday, April 29 from 10 AM to 2 PM. An industrial-strength mobile shredding truck will be available for public use at the NPL Main Branch (450 Second St.) for no cost.

Only paper documents may be disposed of, and staples and paperclips DO NOT need to be removed. Everyone is welcome, businesses included! Those making use of this fee-free service must stay with their documents until they have all been loaded into the shredder. No drop offs are allowed.

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Northwestern State University will present its annual Senior Dance Concert on Sunday, May 1 at 1 p.m. in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public. Those attending are asked to wear a mask, but they are not required.

Twelve graduating seniors in dance will present original dance works of four to seven minutes in styles ranging from modern to jazz. The concert is called “Legacies” in honor of this group of seniors who are the first group to graduate with a BFA in dance after completing all four years in the program.

Senior choreographers presenting original works are John Jefferson and Kayla Smith of Shreveport, Abigail Miller of Slidell, Mary Scott Pourciau, Sarah Talbot and Hannah Knoff of Baton Rouge, Mary Strickland of Metairie, Haleigh Giorlando–Wall of New Orleans, Erin Fallis of Pineville, Tlen Mason and D’Sherrick Williams of Marshall, Texas, and Jose Arrieta Cuesta of Cartagena, Colombia. The stage manager is Myjoycia Cezar. Director of Dance Kirstin Riehl is assisting the students in putting on the concert.

Jefferson’s work is called “Four Women” and he said the inspiration behind his piece is “simply the African American woman.”

“Black women have been an extremely important part of my life for obvious reasons,” said Jefferson. “I just wanted to show some of the many different sides and personalities they can come with.”

Dancers for Jefferson’s work are Star Davis of Natchitoches, Mekayla Jenkins of Jennings, Chelsie Stephens of New Orleans and Ashanta Wilson of Leesville. Zita Bartels is the lighting designer.

The cast for Miller’s work, “Voyage,” are Jillian Duggan of Shreveport, Julia Lynch of St. Amant, Carleigh Murphy of Meadville, Pennsylvania, and Makenzie Scroggs of Marksville. Roshane Brown is lighting designer.

“This process has been a journey and I never could have picked better dancers to show my style of movement that best represents me as an artist,” said Miller.

Pourciau’s work is called “Keep Up.” It tells the story of an underdog dancer that comedically falls short of the others in her group. As the number progresses, the dancer finds herself rising to the challenge and going beyond those around her.

“I was inspired by the challenges I’ve faced in my own dance career,” said Pourciau. “I’ve learned that no matter the hardship, my determination will get me where I need to be.”

The cast is Kristi Contreary of Geismar, Elizabeth Cook of Alexandria, Lynch, Robert McCandlish of Monroe and Ashlyn Pettiss of Prairieville. Liam Gardner is the lighting designer.

Smith’s work is titled “Fem.i.nin.i.ty.” The cast is Stephens, Ashley Stevens of Baton Rouge, Scroggs, Khuyen Tran of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Jenkins, Ashanta Wilson of Leesville, and Joy Davis of Minden. Nicole Lala is the lighting designer.

Strickland’s work is called “Ascending.” The dancers are Cullen Barrilleaux of New Orleans, Treyvin Aucoin of Rayne, Evan Murr of Fort Worth, McCandlish, Murphy. Ella Abney of Slidell, and Joseph Gomez of Cartagena, Colombia. Imani Fleury is the lighting designer.

Giorlando–Wall’s work is called “State of the Arts.” The dancers are Barrilleaux, Scroggs, Murr and Tran. Gardner is the lighting designer.

“My piece is based around avant-garde, runway fashion and vogue,” said Giorlando-Wall.

Fallis’ work is “Touche.’”

“As a people-watcher enthusiast, I have learned, observed, hunted and gathered information about people all my life,” said Fallis. “’Touché’ is inspired by the contrast of interactions with strangers versus interactions with loved ones. Don’t take life too seriously. Don’t take people for granted. Be nice to strangers — you never know.”

The cast is Cook, Mia Claire Huffman of Pineville, Murphy, Ashlyn Petiss of Prairieville and Aleysia Trahan of Lafayette. Jaedynn Maxwell is lighting designer.

Mason’s work, “Clowning Around,” features dancer Jessie Cochran of Walker, Kerrie Spillman of Natchitoches, Lara Bankston of Kenner, Micah Ballard of Benton, Maria Mancera of Cartagena, Colombia, and Phoenix Woods of Lafayette. Maxwell Martello is the lighting designer.

Talbot’s work is called “Beyond.” The cast is Aleysia Trahan of Lafayette, Ashley Stevens of Baton Rouge, Ceasar Brown of West Monroe, Connor Corbett of Texarkana, Texas; Emily Shumate of West Monroe, Grace Williamson of Fremont, California; Jillian Duggan of Shreveport, Cook, Huffman, Vee Duran of Denham Springs and Julia Kuchler of New Orleans. Andy Killion is the lighting designer.

“My piece is centered around the idea of focus and the power of focus as a performer,” said Talbot. “My dancers get to create their own world on stage simply by eye contact and head movements. I have such a wonderful cast who all have trained in many different areas within the performance world. It is so wonderful to watch what each of them brings to this piece based on their own experiences.”

Williams’ piece is called “SCREWS.” The cast is Stephens, Spillman and Star Davis of Natchitoches, Natalye Bradley of Lafayette, Jacquelyn Kay of Bossier City and Pettiss. Abi Reeves is the lighting designer.

Knoff’s work is called “Mutual.” The cast is Jordon Thomas of Baton Rouge, Duggan, Jairus Killings of Syracuse, New York, and Cochran. Eden Wyandon is lighting designer.

Arrieta Cuesta’s work “Apple B-39 St.,” will feature Wilson, Kay, Murr, Tran, Bradley and Gomez. Naiomy Perez Del Valle is the lighting designer.

NATCHITOCHES:
Joni Collins-Moore
November 10, 1966 – April 23, 2022
Service: Saturday, April 30 at 10 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

WINN:
Maxine Russell Cooper
July 16, 1937 – April 26, 2022
Service: Thursday, April 28 at 2 pm at the Chapel of Kinner & Stevens Funeral Home, located at 1947 S. Second Street in Jena

According to a KALB news article, Smalls Sliders has announced a Natchitoches location.

The cheeseburger slider drive-thru restaurant based in Baton Rouge has quickly become a franchise due to the success of their first location, opened in September 2019.

Smalls Sliders is backed by Walk-On’s founder Brandon Landry and former NFL Quarterback Drew Brees. The new franchise locations will be owned and operated by two local Alexandria based owners, Ricky Tompkins and Byron Mitchell – who have operated the Alexandria Walk-On’s from its opening.

Smalls Sliders’ main menu items are cooked-to-order cheeseburger sliders. Alexandria, Pineville, and Natchitoches join the growing list of Louisiana markets Smalls Sliders will open including Thibodaux, Marrero, Prairieville, Slidell, Metairie and Shreveport.

(Powhatan)-Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives are currently investigating the theft of a tractor from the Powhatan area according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say the tractor was reported stolen on Tuesday morning, April 26, at approximately 9:56am in the 500 block of La. Hwy 485 just west of Powhatan.

The tractor is described as an orange 2020 Kubota Cab Tractor, M6060, 4-wheel drive, 63 horsepower with a LA1154 front end loader valued at nearly $50,000.00 dollars.

Responding deputies also say the tractor was stolen while loaded on a parked trailer on private property.

The investigation is continuing.

If you have any information, please contact the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau at 357-7830 or Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at 238-2388 you may be eligible for a reward. Your call will remain anonymous.

Image included of Kubota M6060. Not actual tractor.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), advises the public that as of Tuesday, April 26 the Bayou Julien Bridge on LA 120 in Natchitoches Parish is open to traffic. This bridge is located approximately 1.5 Miles West from the intersection of I-49 and LA 120 at Bayou Julien.

His mind is cracker-jack sharp but the frame of our favorite orthopedic surgeon is failing him now, a casualty of hard work and 80-plus years, roughly a half century of that used to heal the wear and tear on his patients, including thousands of student athletes at Louisiana Tech when he was its team doctor from 1973-2013.

The University’s most recent recognition of Dr. Billy Bundrick was Saturday when a life-sized statue of “Dr. B” was unveiled and dedicated by the softball field named in his honor — Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.

The players affectionately call the field “The Billy,” a playful nickname its honoree heartedly approves of since Dr. B has always been about competition and winning and spreading the joy.

The University could dedicate 10 statues and probably still fall short of recognizing all Dr. B has done for the school. A three-time football letter winner and the team’s captain in 1959, Dr. B made a career of taking one for the team. Dr. B, his remarkable and imminently likeable assistant Spanky McCoy, and longtime Tech athletic trainer Sam Wilkinson formed a mortal but formidable holy trinity to combat frayed nerves, hurt feelings, busted ligaments, and broken bones for three decades.

“It’s unbelievable how good Dr. Bundrick was to Louisiana Tech and how much he’s meant to us,” Wilkinson said.

Former athletic director Jim Oakes, who, as Tech’s lead football manager in the mid-’70s had a front row seat to Dr. Bundrick’s influence, called his friend “the greatest sports medicine doctor to ever serve a university athletic program.”

Dr. B is a Tech Athletics Hall of Famer, a former Alumnus of the Year, and everything in between.

“The numerous honors he’s earned only scratch the surface of his significance to us,” University President Dr. Les Guice said. “His greatest contribution has been in the service of others.”

He did it one knee and one back and one foot at the time, each stitch a soft-spoken encouragement.

Dr. B’s biggest fan, physically and figuratively, is likely Karl Malone, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer; his family’s donation made the statue a reality. Bundrick has been an advisor to Malone, a quiet encourager and his most trusted confidant, since before Malone was the famous “Mailman.” In the flamboyant NBA, Karl always had a posse of one: Dr. B.

If that’s hard to understand, or if you’ve never seen a 6-foot-9 teardrop, you could have seen one Saturday as Malone’s emotion for his friend was evident.

“You,” Malone said to a smiling Dr. B, “are my hero.” He spoke for many in the crowd.

Walking to the soccer pitch next door or to The Billy, Tech’s student athletes would be wise to consider the statue and copy what it represents, a monument to caring and leaving it all on the field, the definition in bronze of a selfless and smooth operator.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

Natchitoches’ Scout Troop 60 celebrated its 92nd year of service to our community in 2022. Troop 60, sponsored by First United Methodist Church Natchitoches, is the second oldest troop in the Norwela Council and one of the oldest in the state. It was founded a mere 20 years after the Scouting movement was introduced to the United States in 1910.

The troop’s alumni include a number of local physicians, lawyers, businessmen and community leaders, all of whom share a common bond of service and learning that unites the newest Scout to the oldest alumni. The scouts at the dinner ranged in age from 11 year olds new to scouting to men in their 70s. The evening was a celebration of the bonds that unite scouts of all ages and a touching testimony to the effect the program has had on the lives of young people.

The dinner also served as an occasion to announce the return of Cub Scouting to Natchitoches. The Natchitoches Lions Club has been gracious enough to step forward to sponsor a cub scout pack for our community, a much-needed addition to activities for our younger boys and girls. The Natchitoches Police Department is also stepping forward to sponsor an Explorer Post center on law enforcement.
The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes to congratulate Troop 60 on 92 years of excellence and extend its best wishes for many more. Scouting is a force for good in our community!

On Tuesday, the Lady Gator track team added another district championship to the school trophy case for the 2021-2022 school year. It is noted that the core of the track team was filled with the same group of ladies who brought home the district 3-2A basketball championship as well. Heating up early, the lady gators dominated on the field, led by two All-District forwards, Trinity Browder and SaNiyah Marshall. The two standouts tied for Most Outstanding Female Field athlete, with Browder placing 1st in the Shot Put, picking right up from where her sister Shakayla Browder left off last year. Other medaling field athletes include Zoie Britt, Ja’Miyah Armstrong, Hailey Poydras, Sammy Rachel, Ja’Niyah Armstrong, and Elizabeth Poydras. 

Trinity Browder stated, ‘I honestly never saw myself being a thrower; it was always my sister’s event. I have been a state-qualifying sprinter since the 7th grade, so when Coach Fuller asked me to throw, I didn’t think it was for me at first, but guess I was wrong.”

As the running events began, the Lady Gators continued to dominate, medaling in almost every event, led by standout senior Cartina Reliford and Freshman sensation Timberyln Washington. Together, the two standouts placed 1st in the 100 and 200 Meter Dash along with helping their team to place in all their relays, including 1st in the 4×100 and 4×200 meter relays, and 2^nd in the 4×400 meter relay. Other track athletes that medaled at the event include Sa’Niyah Marshall, Ja’Niyah Armstrong, Ju’Nyrria Powell, Le’Briana Daniels, Makya Frazier, Alonna Henderson, Ja’Miyah Logan, Nevah Green, and Trinity Browder. 

When asked about the season, Cartina Reliford stated, “Going out as the district champs was one of my goals; now we have regionals next. We will have to fix a few things, but I think we can make it back to the State Championship again”. 

Coach Fuller wrapped everything up by stating, “I am very proud of these young ladies. Being able to coach them in basketball and track gives me the ability to push them even harder. It’s just great to see these young ladies afford the opportunity to showcase their talents and be recognized for all their hard work. The future for Lakeview Lady Gators is very bright!”

It’s almost routine to have Lakeview High School represented at the LHSAA basketball Final Four, even in the state finals.

It’s thought to be a first to have a Gator representing Lakeview at the LHSAA Golf Championships. That’s what Holtz Helms will be doing next week in New Iberia.

The 16-year-old will tee it up with the state’s best in Division III at Cane Row Golf Club on Monday and Tuesday. A sophomore who is a kicker on the Gators’ football team, Helms shot 84 in challenging course conditions following heavy rains Monday at Stone Bridge Country Club in Bossier City, and was one of four individual qualifiers moving on from Region 1 competition.

Helms, who has been playing for less than three years, was paired with Holden Webb of Loyola, an LSU golf commitment and the nation’s No. 4-ranked high school golfer. Webb shot a 72, but Helms’ 84 was a very solid score on a day when many of the competitors carded triple digits.

Helms last week won the individual medalist honor at the LHSAA Division 3, District 1 tournament at Querbes Park in Shreveport and earned his place in the regional championships. He shot a 77 to win.

He will begin the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour this summer, slated to take part in nine events around the state.

But first, he gets to represent Lakeview at the state tournament.

BOM Bank would like to welcome Reagan Cunningham to our Operations Department in Natchitoches as a Credit Analyst. Reagan is a lifelong resident of Natchitoches. He graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2020. After graduation, he moved back to Natchitoches, and began working in the appraisal business. In December of 2021, Reagan joined the BOM team. He says, “I love the camaraderie and family culture here.” In his free time, he enjoys playing golf with his friends as much as possible. Welcome, Reagan!

The sun rose on Billie Faye Alverson Dyess’ life on April 21, 1930 and set 92 years and 3 days later April 24, 2022, when she took her first breath in heaven. Mrs. Billie, as she was affectionally known by many, was blessed as she put it with a good life. Billie was born to William Burnie Alverson and Ella Mae (Nutt) Alverson and spent her childhood in East Texas with her older sister Alma Fountain and younger brother, Frank “Bud” Alverson. After graduating from Port Neches High School, she went to work at Jefferson Chemical Refinery, it was there that this spunky, beautiful red head met the love of her life, Edwin Dyess. They were married for over fifty years when he went to be the Lord in 2002. Together they raised six children. Wanting to rear their children in a more rural setting in the country, Billie and Ed moved to the piney woods between Many and Zwolle, this is the place Ms. Billie called home for the last 70 years. Billie was a faithful member of Zwolle First Baptist Church until her health kept her from attending personally, despite that her love for the Lord and faith was unwavering. Billie will be remembered, by those who knew her as a devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend. Billie loved her children unconditionally and always tried to encourage them to develop their strengths. Billie was an excellent cook and businesswoman. Billie and Ed opened one of the first marinas, Shady Lane, on Toledo Bend. There she ran the marina while her boys served as fishing guides. Billie loved to prepare large meals from vegetables grown from the family garden and friends and family were always welcome. When asked in later life, she would always say, if I were a younger woman, I would love to have a family restaurant.

Billie is survived by six children, Kenny Dyess (Bonita) of Monroe, LA; Marilyn Laramy (Howard) of Natchitoches, LA; William “Dan” Dyess (Desiree) of Natchitoches, LA; Harold Craig Dyess (Hazel) of Zwolle, LA; Jerry Dyess (Patricia) of Bronson, Texas; Darryl Dyess (Lisa) of Converse, LA. She was blessed with  Grandchildren:12, Great Grandchildren: 13, and 1 Great, Great Grandson, Grandson; her brother Frank “Bud” Alverson and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends she considered family. She is preceded in death by her parents Bernie and Ella Mae Alverson, her husband Edwin Dyess, an infant son Rusty Dyess, her sister Alma Fountain and sister-in-law Betty Alverson.

In a note left by Billie to be opened at her death, her parting words ring true to her character, “Do not grieve for me, I had a good life. Trust in the Lord and Be Happy! Love Moma

The family would like to especially thank Billie’s only daughter Marilyn Laramy and Howard who selflessly relocated to Louisiana from Tampa, Florida who for the past 17 years has devoted her life to taking care of her mother. Taking her to all her doctor’s appointments and making sure her daily needs were met. Her caregivers over the years, Roxann Faircloth, Carolyn Cates, and Debra Faircloth who treated Billie like their own mother. Allowing her to spend her senior years in the comfort of her own home. All the Doctor’s and Dr. Hogg and his staff whose excellent care gave us many more precious years, and Hospice of Natchitoches for their compassionate care these last few months. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to NSU Dyess Family Scholarship or a charity of your choice.

Her funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 9891 Texas Highway, Many, Louisiana with Bro. Bobby Russell officiating. Billie’s visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. with the funeral beginning at 2:00 p.m.; interment will follow at Progress Cemetery in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana.

Condolences can be made to the family at www.rose-neath.com

Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home
Many Chapel
Many, Louisiana