Graveside service for John Dale Ray will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at Pine Grove Cemetery in Hagewood, LA.
John Dale Ray, 65 years of age, passed away on August 28, 2026 in Osyka, MS. He was born on January 27, 1961 to Dale Nelson Ray and Patsy Ruth Watley Ray in Natchitoches, LA. He was preceded in death by his mother and 2 brothers, Bruce Ray and Michael Ray.
He is survived by his son, Johnny Ray; his father, Dale Nelson Ray; and his brothers, Paul Ray, Butch Ray and Brian Ray.
Billie Louise Gass Gibson passed away on August 24, 2026, in Natchitoches, LA following a brief illness. She had just celebrated her 91st birthday. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
Born June 23, 1935, in Peason, LA, Billie was raised in the logging community of Alco prior to the family relocating to Coldwater (Hagewood), LA. She graduated from Natchitoches High School in 1953. She married her sweetheart, Robert “Bobby” Harvey Gibson, on January 31, 1954. They had three daughters, Tammy, Judy, and Christy.
Following high school graduation, Billie was employed as a telephone operator by Bell Telephone in Natchitoches, LA. After Bobby’s military service, they moved to Alexandria, LA where she was a stay-at-home mom. The family moved to Coldwater in 1965 where they built their home. When Christy started first grade Billie began attending Northwestern State College, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics with a Science minor. She completed her Master of Education degree at Northwestern State University before beginning her teaching career. She continued her education by earning a Specialist in Education degree from Northwestern. Billie taught Science and Biology at Natchitoches Central High School, then transferred to Robeline High School as a Home Economics teacher. When Robeline High School closed, she began teaching Home Economics at Natchitoches Central High School. Later in her career she taught at Provencal School as an Elementary Special Education and Reading teacher.
She was a member of Coldwater Baptist Church, Coldwater, LA for many years, serving in a variety of roles. In her later years she was a member of First Baptist Church, Natchitoches, LA.
Billie enjoyed playing the piano and reading. She always had a bag of books from the Natchitoches Parish Library beside her recliner. She enjoyed watching the birds at the backyard bird feeder. She and her sister, Nelda, spent many hours “reading” cemeteries, gathering information to assist in historical genealogical studies. Billie had a special interest in genealogy and volunteered at the Natchitoches Genealogy Library for many years, helping others explore their family history. Over the years she made quilts with her good friend, Sibbie Pine, and enjoyed sewing. Billie was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) serving as Registrar for the St. Denis (Natchitoches, LA) chapter.
Billie is survived by her daughter, Tammy Suzanne Gibson Lloid, granddaughter Alyssa Jane Lloid Ramstad (Daniel Russel Ramstad), nephew Stephen Mark Liles, and niece/bonus daughter, Jennifer Manuel. Denise Hawkins was her longtime friend and antiquing buddy. Orville Bynog and his son, Orville, Jr., are special friends who looked after Bobby and Billie, especially after Bobby’s death. “Gram” is very much missed by her “grand dog” Anubis Loki Ramstad!
Preceding her in death were her parents, William Sterling Gass and Ruby Goins Gass, brother, Warren Alton Gass, sister, Nelda Gass Liles, daughters Christy Dianne Gibson and Judy Lynn Gibson Kavanagh, and son-in law Gregory Lloid.
Special thanks to Dr. Bryan Picou and his staff for their care for Billie. Many thanks to the Nursing staff and caregiving team at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Emergency Room, Second Floor Inpatient Unit, and Intensive Care Unit. The ICU nursing staff ensured that her final days were peaceful. Thanks also to Allegiance Home Health for providing exceptional care for Billie for many years.
The family will welcome visitors at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home, in Natchitoches, LA on Monday, August 31, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM. A graveside service will be held at Coldwater Baptist Church Cemetery, Hagewood, LA at 10:00 am, on September 1, 2026, with remarks by Brother Ronnie Sandifer. Interment to follow at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the Coldwater Baptist Church Cemetery Fund (Attn: Marla, 6558 Hwy 6, Natchitoches, LA 71457) or the charity of your choice.
Marthaville School will commemorate its 25th anniversary with a special ceremony honoring military members, veterans and first responders on Friday, Sept. 11.
The anniversary ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. in the school’s new gym.
As part of the observance, Marthaville School is inviting military personnel, veterans and first responders to attend and be recognized during the event.
Refreshments will be provided following the ceremony for attending military members, veterans and first responders.
The event also coincides with the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and carries the message, “We Will Never Forget.”
Annual Part-time Job Fair seeks to match NSU looking for jobs with local employers
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Career Center will sponsor its annual Part-Time Job Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Friedman Student Union Ballroom.
NSU students will be able to connect with local employers offering flexible schedules and opportunities to build skills and gain added income. Employers will also have internship opportunities. All majors and classifications are invited to attend.
Scheduled participants include RoyOMartin, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, Natchitoches Army Recruiting, BOM Bank, Campus Living Villages, Timber Ridge Adventure Park, Louisiana National Guard at NSU, Cane River National Heritage Area, the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, SodexoUSA, Guidroz Physical Therapy and Rolling Hills Ministries.
The Natchitoches Police Department has arrested the following individuals over the past week:
David Anderson – Damage to Property
Dorian Aught – Domestic Abuse Child Endangerment
Michael Casson – Damage to Property and Violation of a Protective Order
Serinity Jackson – Intimidating
Samuel Marlin – Simple Burglary
William Mitchell – Simple Burglary
Jasman Thomas – Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
Samira Wiley – Remaining and Resisting an Officer
If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.
How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:
You can also report a tip anonymously by downloading the P3 Tips app on your smart phone or by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388. All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $5,000 for the arrest of an offender.
NSU nursing pathway helps allied health professionals transition to registered nursing
Transition to RN pathway provides an accelerated route for experienced health care professionals to pursue registered nursing licensure.
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Transition to RN pathway provides experienced allied health professionals an opportunity to pursue an Associate of Science in Nursing degree and registered nursing licensure while building on their previous health care education and experience.
Offered at NSU’s Shreveport, Cenla and Leesville campuses, the Transition to RN pathway is designed for licensed or certified health care professionals, including licensed practical nurses, paramedics, military medics, respiratory therapists, occupational therapy assistants and physical therapy assistants. Students complete the pathway in three consecutive semesters through a combination of online coursework and in-person laboratory and clinical experiences.
Krystyna Tabor, MSN, RN, director of the Transition to RN pathway, said the pathway provides a more direct route for allied health professionals such as LPNs, medics, paramedics, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapy assistants and respiratory therapists to pursue nursing education.
To qualify, students must have completed an allied health or nursing certificate or degree program, worked full time for at least one year in that health care field and hold a current, unencumbered certificate or license to practice.
Tabor said students entering the pathway bring valuable health care experience, including caring for patients and responding to challenging situations.
“Those medical professionals tend to deal with the pressure a little bit better,” Tabor said.
After completing the pathway, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, or NCLEX-RN. Passing the examination allows graduates to become licensed registered nurses.
“They can work in any environment that any other registered nurse can work in,” Tabor said.
Jackson Taylor of Bossier City is a paramedic enrolled in the Transition to RN pathway. Taylor plans to continue working as a paramedic after becoming a registered nurse and eventually hopes to attend graduate school and pursue training to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
Taylor said his experience as a paramedic gives him a foundation he can carry into nursing while the nursing pathway can broaden the knowledge and skills he brings to emergency medical services.
“Paramedics are trained to a high level and nursing is also trained to a high level, and I feel like we can benefit from that,” Taylor said. “I feel like a nurse wanting to be a paramedic would be able to take care of their patients better, and a paramedic wanting to be a nurse would be able to take better care of their patients.”
“This is going to be a good program to have in the area because our paramedics in Shreveport-Bossier are really well trained, and this will be a good way to learn to take care of patients better on the ground and in the air as well,” Taylor said.
Tabor said the Transition to RN pathway expands access to nursing education for health care professionals whose previous education and experience can provide a foundation for registered nursing practice.
Transition to RN
A Northwestern State University College of Nursing patch is displayed on a student’s uniform at the Shreveport campus.
RED RIVER PARISH, La. — Pastors and community leaders in Red River Parish are organizing efforts for a parish-wide revival and are inviting area residents to become involved in the planning process.
A community meeting has been scheduled for Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. at Grace Assembly Church.
Organizers say the gathering will focus on coordinating revival activities and encouraging participation among churches throughout the parish.
For additional information, interested residents may contact Pastor Ben Taylor.
NATCHITOCHES, La. — Area high school football teams took the field Friday and Saturday at Turpin Stadium for the annual Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Battle on the Bricks jamboree.
In Friday’s opening contest, Pickering edged Lakeview by a score of 7-6.
Later that evening, St. Mary’s delivered a strong performance against LaSalle, defeating the Tigers 34-12.
Action continued Saturday night as Natchitoches Central faced Leesville. The Chiefs came up short in a competitive contest, falling to the Wampus Cats 27-20.
The jamboree served as a final preseason opportunity for teams to evaluate players and prepare for the upcoming regular season.
NATCHITOCHES, La. — The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office has released its latest arrest report. Authorities emphasized that all individuals accused of crimes are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
According to the report:
Rayshawn Anderson, 18, was arrested on a charge of simple battery.
Destiny Fuller, 34, was arrested on a charge of criminal trespassing.
Cartavius Coleman, 22, was arrested on five counts of false imprisonment.
David Anderson, 39, was arrested on a charge of failure to appear.
Kenjuana Jewett, 28, was arrested on a charge of failure to appear.
The arrests were included in the sheriff’s office’s latest public report of booking activity.
