Basketball Starts Early Today

Basketball games begin early today.  Riverdale at 4:00 and Red River at 4:30.

The Riverdale Rebels are at home against Riverfield Academy.  There are no JV games today.  Riverdale posted that they were having a Pajama Party.  Students are asked to wear pajamas and “help us put the Raiders to Sleep!”  First game is at 4:30. 

Red River boys and girls are playing in the Doc Edwards Memorial Tournament at Airline High School.  The Bulldogs lost to Parkway Saturday night so they are playing Airline in the third place game at 4:30.

Lady Bulldogs won all three of their games and will play Benton High in the Girls Championship game at 6:00 pm.

Support the Bulldogs or the Rebels by attending a game this evening.  Mighty good basketball played by our local schools.  All games will be streamed by Journal Sports.  Look for your text message alert shortly before game time and click on the link to listen.


Great Week for Red River Sports

Red River sports teams did great last week.  The Basketball Bulldogs won the consolation of the Minden tournament by defeating Loyola 60 to 50.  The Lady Bulldogs traveled to Moss Bluff for the Sam Houston High tournament.  They came  away with a 67 to 63 win over St. Louis Catholic of Lake Charles and a 65 to 37 victory over the New Iberia Lady Jackets.

Bulldog Soccer had a very successful week.  The boys tied Southwood 3-3 then moved on to play Peabody on Friday night. They invited several players from the Lady Bulldogs soccer team to join them in defeating Peabody 2-1.  It was the first win for the boys team.

The Lady Bulldogs won two games last week.  It was the first time in the history of Red River Soccer that a team had back-to-back victories. The Lady Bulldogs defeated Bossier High 1-0 on Tuesday then defeated Woodlawn 1-0 on Thursday.

Beginning this afternoon (Friday December 27th) the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs will begin play in the Doc Edwards Memorial Tournament put on by Airline High School.  The girls game is at 4:00 pm against Northwood High. The boys follow at 5:30 vs Captain Shreve.  Those games will be played at old Benton High School.  Win or loose, the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs advance to games Saturday.

Josh Loftin and Journal Sports will be at both games.  We will stream play-by-play beginning about 15 minutes before the 4:00 pm game.  You will get a text message alert for the game.


Strother Stadium is Gone But Will Return

The wrecking crew did in a day and a half what Mother Nature could not put a dent in for over 66 years. Early Monday morning heavy equipment moved in adjacent to the football field.  By noon Tuesday only a small pile of rubble remained.  See the December 24thJournal  https://redriverparishjournal.com/2019/12/24/stadium-is-coming-down/.

The stadium was named for a Coushatta resident instrumental in establishing football at Coushatta High School in the early 1950s.  He is Pat Strother, father of current school board member Susan Taylor as well as lifelong residents Laurine Adcock (former Principal at Coushatta High) and Patti Strother.  His youngest daughter Norma Lester recently moved back to town.

Go back in history a bit to the early 1950s.  There had been no football teams at Coushatta High for over 20 years when Pat Strother lead a group that organized and coached a team, founded the Quarterback Club, and did everything necessary to lay out a field behind the school and then get a stadium constructed. 

Reading back through past issues of the local paper and the history of the parish you find names recognizable today all joining the effort.  There is Fred Willis, E.R. Crocker, Don Carter, Edgar Gaddis, John Kelly of CLECO, and Gene Knecht.  Other individuals and groups, notably the Lions Club, got involved in the project.

The first teams were not very successful. 

despite some playing experience by Willis and Strother, in 1951 and 1952 they lost every game.  The stadium had been built by 1953 however Strother and other members of the Quarterback Club felt “it was time for a real coach.”  They recruited Gene Knecht from Louisiana Tech.  Within two years Knecht’s team won district.

Coushatta resident Edgar Gaddis remembers it well.  “Strother was in charge of a farm program for USDA Soil Conservation Service,” said Gaddis. He added, “he was a civil engineer and he surveyed the field and worked to see that the project was completed.”

Former Coushatta Mayor Archie Worsham remembers the role Strother played.  Worsham said, “Pat Strother was the announcer for football games. This was after he had worked to start the team and get the stadium built.”

Strother was the game announcer for 18 years, until 1970.  Gaddis took over from Strother in the press box.  Worsham also announced games for a few years.  Many readers will remember Gaddis’ call on the local radio station of the state championship game in November, 1992 and the Gaddis-Worsham duo doing games in the late 1990s and up until 2013.

How did the stadium get the name?  Recognition of Strother’s contribution came in September of 1993 when the Red River Parish School Board approved a resolution by board member J. B. McElwee. Dedication ceremonies were held on September 17, 1993 at halftime when the stadium’s name was officially adopted as Pat Strother Memorial Stadium.  The sign that was placed atop the press box was the first item removed before demolition started. Granddaughter Karen Squires made sure it was saved and secured.

Strother passed away in 1971, however his memory and the contribution he made to Coushatta High and Red River High athletics will live on.  There may only be a pile of rubble left at Christmas 2019 but that is not a permanent situation.  School Board member Susan Taylor told The Journal the major renovations and additions to the sports complex include a brand new, much larger, stadium.  Taylor said, “There will be a brand new sign. And, yes, it will be Pat Strother Memorial Stadium.”

The Journal thanks Karen Squires, Susan and Joe Taylor, Archie Worsham, and Edgar Gaddis for contributing to this report.


Women’s Conference Planned

Red River Cowboy Church is planning their annual women’s conference Faith of a Cowgirl.  It will be held Saturday, January 18that the church.

Delinda Haire is the contact for more information.  Her phone is 318-754-8533.  Registration online is open at RedRiverCowboyChurch.org.

The day will begin with registration at 9:00 am.  The theme is from Ephesians 4:32 Encouraging and Empowering Women Through Kindness.

The full day of activities includes Christian comedian Tammy Whitehurst, the guest speaker.


Local LSU Graduates and Honor Students

LSU recognized 1,986 graduates at the university’s 300th commencement exercises on Friday, Dec. 20.  Two of the graduates are from Red River Parish.

The 1,986 degrees awarded is a new record for LSU’s fall graduation. The fall graduating class represented 55 Louisiana parishes, 42 states and 39 foreign countries. Men made up 48.55 percent of the class and women made up 51.45 percent. The youngest graduate was 19, while the oldest was 61 years old.

From Red River Parish, Harley Rayne Almond received a degree from the College of Human Sciences & Education.   Natalie Mechell Anderson was awarded a degree by the Manship School of Mass Communication.

Also LSU has announced the names of the students who have made the  President’s Honor Roll for the fall 2019 semester.  There is one student from Red River Parish on the list.  He is Robert Y. Legrande of Coushatta.  Legrande is enrolled in the University College Center for Advising and Counseling.

Undergraduate students enrolled in at least 15 credit hours who earned grade-point averages of 4.0 or higher during the semester are listed on the President’s Honor Roll. Undergraduate students who earned grade-point averages of 3.5 to 3.99 in at least 15 credit hours are listed on the Dean’s List.


NSU Graduates from Summer and Fall

Northwestern State University conferred degrees to 943 graduates who completed coursework in the Summer 2019 and Fall 2019 semesters.  The commencement speaker was author Denise Lewis Patrick.

Graduating in the Fall semester were Christopher Wesley, Associate of General Studies; Latijah Davis, NaCara Hallmon, and Phillip Marston with an Associate of General Studies; Shatalma Guye, Jon Hester, and Aaron Murray with a Bachelor of Science; 

Summer term graduates from Coushatta were Sherry Swayze, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Nakeshia Owens, Master of Science.


4-H Hiring for Summer Camp

Want to upgrade your summer camp experience.  4-H members in the parish are invited to apply to work at camp this summer.

The Grant Walker 4-H Education Center is now accepting applications for 2020 4-H Summer Camp!!! Follow the links below to the application site. Applications are due on February 14th, 2020.

The camp said they will provide Certified Lifeguard Training during staff training week for those interested in applying for the lifeguard position.

For any additional information, feel free to contact Adam O’Malley, the 4-H Program Coordinator, at aomalley@agcenter.lsu.edu or (318) 765-7209. We are looking forward to another fun and exciting summer camp season.  Information may also be obtained at the local 4-H office in Coushatta.


ETC… for Friday, December 27th

The Journal hopes everyone had a very Merry Christmas and you are looking forward to a prosperous and Happy New Year.  Elizabeth Full Gospel Baptist Church is planning a Watch Night Service beginning at 10:00 pm on Tuesday, December 31st.  Pastor Richard Logan promises “a night of praise and worship as we welcome the New Year.”

There is a change of the regular monthly meeting of the Red River Parish Police Jury beginning in 2020. The date has changed to the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00 am.  Since the first Wednesday falls on New Year’s Day, the January meeting of the jury will be on Wednesday, January 8that 10:00 am.  The other change is that the committee meeting and the full jury meeting will run consecutively, or the regular meeting will begin immediately after the committee meeting concludes.

Your other public meetings for January include the Town Council meeting on January 14th(second Tuesday) at 5:30 pm at Town Hall.  The Red River Parish School Board meets on the second Monday or January 13th.

The Journal received this invitation from Minister Lillie Horton Roberson of New Mary Magdalene Baptist Church.  The first integrated elementary class of Coushatta will be celebrating their 55th Birthday celebration at the Coushatta Event Center in Coushatta December 27-29.


Merry Christmas from The Journal

We are publishing a day early this week.  It’s Christmas and The Journal staff is taking a day off to attend Christmas Eve services and do some serious playing with grandbabies.

Here is our Christmas Eve edition.  It’s packed full of some glad and joyous articles.  And there is the latest news of the day also.  We are a very generous community and many groups do a lot for our neighbors this holiday season.  If we missed your group’s contribution and you would like it to be recognized, send it on to The Journal.  We would love to see it.

Our regular schedule will resume with the Friday edition.  And of course we will do an update any time when significant news happens.

We hope you remember the reason we are celebrating this year.  Merry Christmas from the Red River Parish Journal.


Stadium is Coming Down

Demolition of the high school football stadium began early Monday morning.  Heavy equipment rolled toward the 65 plus year old structure in the chilly air and began taking it apart.

First to go was the old brick dressing rooms underneath the stadium.  They were used for storage and much of the stuff that had been put there over the years was still inside when the first walls came crashing down. 

The stadium was used through the end of the 2019 football season and playoffs.  Voters several years ago approved a $29,000,000 bond issue to build new classroom buildings, a new junior high gymnasium, a new music building, and make major upgrades to sports facilities.  A new stadium is part of that package.

In the last week, iron fencing around the stadium had been removed.  The facility has been closed to the public due to the construction.


Area Church Burglaries

Three suspects have been arrested by Bienville Parish authorities in connection with a series of church burglaries in that parish.  Here is the report from the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office:

Investigations into the recent burglaries of the New Ebenezer, Pleasant Grove and St. Mary Baptist Churches have resulted in the arrests of three Ringgold residents, Devon Williams, age 19; Duncan Turner, age 21; and Nacie Ward, age 21.

BPSO investigators have recovered a number of items stolen in the burglaries and provided information to Red River authorities on a church burglary in that parish.

Williams and Turner are alleged to have entered the churches without permission while Ms. Ward is alleged to have been the driver on at least one occasion. While no other individuals are believed to be involved, there may be additional charges on those arrested.

The Journal has been told by several readers that more than one church in Red River has been burglarized. The Red River Sheriff’s Office is investigating those break-ins along with possible connections to the three arrested in Bienville Parish.


4-H Holiday Events

There were a lot of events during the holidays for members of the 4-H clubs in the parish.  4-H Agent Jacque Fontenot sent a bunch of pictures of the kids in action helping others.

Academy of Accelerated Studies making Christmas cards during their club meeting for the nursing home residents. (clockwise from front)  Emmitt Freeman, Aaron Watson, Adalyn Dulaney, Katie Rhymes, Emma Davis, Colt Dulaney, Isak Schmidley, Emalie Holman, Colton Gardner.

Riverdale 3rd grade Cloverbuds Christmas Cookie Contest Participants:  Brooklyn Giddings, Isabella Stephens, Kenna Coleman, Jase Johnson, Connor Franks, and Ryder Shaver.

Christmas Workshop Group:  4-H family workshop during the Thanksgiving holidays.  McKinley Davis, Adalyn Halbmaier, Colby Blanchard, Hope Williamson, Christian Parsons, Morgan Moseley, Alaina Boyd, Raegan Davis, Gabi Bounds, Shelby Pickett, Shirley Boyd, Charity Williamson, Ben Moseley.

Riverdale Cookie demonstration:  Brooklyn Giddings.  Riverdale junior high cookie contest:  Madison Chamberlin and Shirley Boyd.

Junior Leaders Lights:  at the Northwest Region Junior Leader Christmas Event in Natchitoches:  Shelby Pickett, Hannah Worsham, Harley Sepulvado, LaFrances Jones, Layton Kerby, Adrianna Bradford, Rafe Suggs, Aston Hester, Jayden Scott, and Triston Tipton.

Riverdale 4-6 grade cookie contest participants:  Madalynn Baxley, Charity Williamson, Madelyn Chamberlin, Kaleigh Pickett, JoJo Shaver, Alaina Boyd, and Gavin Franks.

RRES 4th grade 4-H students make cards for the military.  4-H mailed over 850 cards to Operation Gratitude.  Alayna Morse, Bayleigh Bradshaw, Kane Burleson, and Tia Latson.

Nursing Home:  Junior Leaders went to the nursing home.  They painted winter scenes using broccoli as the paintbrush and then colored with the residents.  Pictured are Rafe Suggs and Aston Hester coloring with residents.

RRES 5th grade cookie contest:  Trey Simmons, Brent Danzy, Cayden Massey, Cayden Robinson, Ryder Gay, Landen Clark, Christian Parsons, Mallory Lewis, and Anthoney Corona.

Ya’ll have a Merry Christmas!


NSU to Offer Drivers Ed

Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education will offer a driver education course Jan 2-6. Class time is 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in South Hall on the NSU campus. Driving schedules will be set once class begins.

This course will consist of 30 hours of classroom instruction and a minimum of 8 hours of practice driving (behind-the-wheel instruction). Those who complete the course will receive a certificate verifying successful completion. Those who take the course must be 15 years old on or before April 2, 2020 to be eligible to take the class Proof of age is required.

Students must obtain a school enrollment form from their school counselor to receive their Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP) card, which they will receive from the Office of Motor Vehicles.  This is a requirement of Northwestern State University’s Driving School prior to start of the course.  The final school day of the year is Dec. 20.

The deadline to register is Friday, Dec. 27. A mandatory parents meeting will be held on Dec. 27 at 6 p.m.


Spreading Christmas Cheer

The annual Christmas Fest was held recently at Red River Cowboy Church.  There was singing, great fellowship, families spending time together, and great music.  Members stayed after church for the celebration.  It included a birthday cake for the baby Jesus.

Also during the holidays, the Women’s Ministry set out to spread Christmas cheer and love to those who might need a little extra during this holiday season. Our ladies reached out to a local nursing home with the hopes of making some of the resident’s holiday wish list come true.

Several of our members passed out presents to some delightful ladies and gentlemen.  They will return in a few days with gift baskets for them as well.

We would like to thank all of our ministry members who gave so generously to make this happen. We would also like to thank Catfish Bend Academy for sponsoring this mission. We truly could not have made this happen without the support, donations, and work of each of our amazing women and sponsor. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you.

If you would like to take part in this ministry we will have our next meeting Sunday, January 5 immediately after church and lunch will be served. Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year to all.

Red River Cowboy Church is located in south Red River Parish on LA 1 at highway 174.

Editor’s Note:  This story was published on December 24th.  It is repeated in the current edition because a technical glitch prevented the story from appearing in some of the emails sent out on Wednesday.  If you read it twice, thanks for reading it again.


Kids Enjoy Cookies With Santa Clause

Jolly Old St. Nicholas made an appearance Saturday morning at First Methodist Church in Coushatta. He talked with the children and passed out cookies and refreshments.

Members of the church filled in as Santa’s Elves.  They said the children had a great time and are all hopeful that the “wish list” they presented to Santa will appear under their tree tomorrow morning.


A Riverdale Christmas Tale

The student body at Riverdale Academy joined together to present the 2019 Christmas program.  The event was held Last Thursday, December 19th.

Students in Pre-K through 12 grade presented their Christmas program, Sounds of Christmas.

Dr. Peters’ religion class narrated by reciting from memory Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 2:1-10.

The school said, “Each class did a wonderful job, and our entire Riverdale family would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Remember-JESUS is the Reason for the Season!”


Local Service Times

Billy Ray Thomas

A memorial service celebrating the life of Billy Ray Thomas, 7, was held at 2:00 PM, Monday, December 23, 2019 at the Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Coushatta, LA with Brother Rob Miskowski officiating. Interment will follow on a later date.

Billy Ray was born on September 27, 2012 in Shreveport, LA to Marie Lynn Richie Thomas and William Frank Thomas and passed away December 18, 2019 at his home in Coushatta, LA.  He was very active and loving child.

He was preceded in death by his mother; grandfathers, Walter Ray Parker, Sr., Roger Dale Layfield, Sr., and Vaughn Jerry Lowring. 

Left to cherish his memory are his father; grandparents, Linda Parker and Buddy Thomas, Dottie Lowring, Vickie Liles and Michael Richie; sisters, Jasmine Thomas and Toni Marie Martin; brother, Tyler Richie; and a host of family including aunts, uncles and cousins.

Marie Lynn Thomas

Coushatta, LA – A memorial service celebrating the life of Marie Lynn Thomas, 36, was held at 2:00 PM, Monday, December 23, 2019 at the Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Coushatta, LA with Brother Rob Miskowski officiating. Interment will follow on a later date.

Marie was born on August 24, 1983 in Shreveport, LA to Michael and Vickie Liles Richie and passed away December 18, 2019 at her home in Coushatta, LA.  She was a wonderful wife and mother.

She was preceded in death by her son, Billie Ray Thomas. 

Left to cherish her memory are her parents; husband, William Frank Thomas; son, Tyler Richie; daughters, Jasmine Thomas and Toni Marie Martin; sister,  Stephanie Sanders; and a host of family and friends.

William LeRoy Rushing

Funeral services for William LeRoy Rushing, 92, of Ashland, LA will be held at 10 A.M. Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at Ashland Baptist Church with Dr. David Moore officiating. Interment will follow in Weaver Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. Monday, December 23, 2019 at Ashland Baptist Church. Funeral services under the direction of Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home.

Mr. Rushing was born March 3, 1927 in Ashland, LA and passed away December 22, 2019. Mr. Rushing served his country in the United States Army under General Patton, for whom he had the honor of driving his jeep. He served in both World War II and the Korean War. He also had the privilege of shaking hands with President Eisenhower. Mr. Rushing was a member of the Ashland Masonic Lodge. He loved his family and will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lecie Louise Wooley Rushing; grandson, Seth Randall Rushing; parents, William F. Rushing and Sabra Elizabeth Cosby; three brothers, Lloyd B. Rushing, Arnold O’Dell Rushing and Claude A. “Shorty” Rushing and three sisters, Lora E. Rushing, Cyble R. DeVille, and infant Crystal Inez Rushing.

Mr. Rushing is survived by one son, Randall Rushing and wife, Jere’ of Ashland, LA; one daughter, Diane Warren and husband, Randy of Ashland, LA; two grandchildren, Evan Warren and Lecie Rushing both of Ashland, LA; one brother, Howard Rushing and wife, Ruby of Stanley, LA and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Gary Rushing, Michael Rushing, Terry Rushing, Jessie Wooley, Jonah Wooley, and John Alan Wooley. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Griffin, Chad Curole, Troy Wamsley, Evan Warren, Lecie Rushing, Josie Griffin, and Allie Curole.


ETC… for Tuesday, December 24th

Northwestern State University conferred degrees to 943 graduates who completed coursework in the Summer 2019 and Fall 2019 semesters.  The commencement speaker was author Denise Lewis Patrick.

Fall graduates from Coushatta were Christopher Wesley, Associate of General Studies; Latijah Davis, NaCara Hallmon, Phillip Marston, Associate of General Studies; Shatalma Guye, Jon Hester, Aaron Murray, Bachelor of Science.

Summer graduates from Coushatta were Sherry Swayze, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Nakeshia Owens, Master of Science.

Two students from Red River Parish graduated from LSU last week. They are Harley Rayne Almond of Coushatta who graduated from the College of Human Sciences and Education and Natalie Mechell Anderson of Coushatta.  She graduated from the Manship School of Mass Communication. 

Northwestern State University will be closed until Jan. 5 for the winter break. Administrative offices will reopen Monday, Jan. 6. Spring 2020 classes begin Monday, Jan. 13.  Watson Library will close Dec. 20 at noon and will reopen Monday, Jan. 6th.

Our next edition will be on Friday, December 27th.  This edition came out a day early to give The Journal’s staff some holiday time off.  Merry Christmas everyone!


William LeRoy Rushing

Funeral services for William LeRoy Rushing, 92, of Ashland, LA will be held at 10 A.M. Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at Ashland Baptist Church with Dr. David Moore officiating. Interment will follow in Weaver Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. Monday, December 23, 2019 at Ashland Baptist Church. Funeral services under the direction of Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home.

Mr. Rushing was born March 3, 1927 in Ashland, LA and passed away December 22, 2019. Mr. Rushing served his country in the United States Army under General Patton, for whom he had the honor of driving his jeep. He served in both World War II and the Korean War. He also had the privilege of shaking hands with President Eisenhower. Mr. Rushing was a member of the Ashland Masonic Lodge. He loved his family and will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lecie Louise Wooley Rushing; grandson, Seth Randall Rushing; parents, William F. Rushing and Sabra Elizabeth Cosby; three brothers, Lloyd B. Rushing, Arnold O’Dell Rushing and Claude A. “Shorty” Rushing and three sisters, Lora E. Rushing, Cyble R. DeVille, and infant Crystal Inez Rushing.

Mr. Rushing is survived by one son, Randall Rushing and wife, Jere’ of Ashland, LA; one daughter, Diane Warren and husband, Randy of Ashland, LA; two grandchildren, Evan Warren and Lecie Rushing both of Ashland, LA; one brother, Howard Rushing and wife, Ruby of Stanley, LA and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Gary Rushing, Michael Rushing, Terry Rushing, Jessie Wooley, Jonah Wooley, and John Alan Wooley. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Griffin, Chad Curole, Troy Wamsley, Evan Warren, Lecie Rushing, Josie Griffin, and Allie Curole.


Marie Lynn Thomas

Coushatta, LA – A memorial service celebrating the life of Marie Lynn Thomas, 36, will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, December 23, 2019 at the Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Coushatta, LA with Brother Rob Miskowski officiating. Interment will follow on a later date.

Marie was born on August 24, 1983 in Shreveport, LA to Michael and Vickie Liles Richie and passed away December 18, 2019 at her home in Coushatta, LA.  She was a wonderful wife and mother.

She was preceded in death by her son, Billie Ray Thomas. 

Left to cherish her memory are her parents; husband, William Frank Thomas; son, Tyler Richie; daughters, Jasmine Thomas and Toni Marie Martin; sister,  Stephanie Sanders; and a host of family and friends.


Billy Ray Thomas

A memorial service celebrating the life of Billy Ray Thomas, 7, will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, December 23, 2019 at the Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Coushatta, LA with Brother Rob Miskowski officiating. Interment will follow on a later date.

Billy Ray was born on September 27, 2012 in Shreveport, LA to Marie Lynn Richie Thomas and William Frank Thomas and passed away December 18, 2019 at his home in Coushatta, LA.  He was very active and loving child.

He was preceded in death by his mother; grandfathers, Walter Ray Parker, Sr., Roger Dale Layfield, Sr., and Vaughn Jerry Lowring. 

Left to cherish his memory are his father; grandparents, Linda Parker and Buddy Thomas, Dottie Lowring, Vickie Liles and Michael Richie; sisters, Jasmine Thomas and Toni Marie Martin; brother, Tyler Richie; and a host of family including aunts, uncles and cousins.