Deaths

Cissy Houston, 91

Born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey. Mrs. Houston rose from the ranks of the family Gospel group, the Drinkard Singers, to become one of the recording industry’s leading studio vocalists. Her resume includes leading the Sweet Inspirations as well as providing background vocals on recordings by Elvis Presley, Luther Vandross, Burt Bacharach, Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick who was her niece. Mrs. Houston was a two-time Grammy-winning soul and gospel artist. She was also a cousin to Leontyne Price. Mrs. Houston also guided her daughter, Whitney Houston, at the beginning of the latter’s career ascent.

Cissy Houston died October 7, 2024. Funera

Sara Anna Norwood, 93 of Monroe, LA a Homemaker died October 4, 2024. Service: 11:00 AM Saturday October 12, 2024 at China Grove Baptist Church, Monroe, LA. Visitation: 3:00 until 6:00 PM Friday October 11, 2024 at Smith Funeral Home. Burial: Richwood Gardens, Richwood, LA under the direction of Smith Funeral Home.

Joseph Melvin Dixon, Jr., 63 of Monroe, LA a Truck Driver died October 2, 2024. Memorial Service: 1:00 PM Monday October 14, 2024 at Smith Funeral Home.

Jessica Dawn Lewis, 53 of Monroe, LA a Homemaker died October 1, 2024. Memorial Service: 2:00 PM Thursday October 17, 2024 at Smith Funeral Home.

Rosie Lee Young, 93 of Delhi, LA a Cook died Wednesday October 2, 2024. Visitation: 3:30-5:30PM Friday October 11, 2024 at McFarland Funeral Companies in Delhi, LA. Service: 11:00AM Saturday October 12, 2024 at Greater One Christian Fellowship Church in Delhi. Burial: St John Community Cemetery, Delhi, LA under the direction of McFarland Funeral Companies-Delhi

Desmond Foster, 52 of Shreveport/Fort Worth, TX a Project Manager died Tuesday October 1, 2024. Visitation: 10:00AM-12:00PM Saturday October 12, 2024 at McFarland Funeral Companies, 1901 Baptist Temple Baptist Church 5024 Greenwood Road Shreveport, LA. Service: 12:00PM Saturday October 12, 2024 at Baptist Temple Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA. Burial: Lincoln Memorial Park, Shreveport, LA under the directions of McFarland Funeral Companies-Monroe.