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Carolyn Houston Hermes, 83, of Shreveport, passed away on August 18, 2017. She was born in Longview, Texas and grew up in Shreveport. She and her husband, Wayne Joseph Hermes of Shreveport, were married in 1948 where they raised their family. She entered the Catholic Church in 1955 and together they were active parishioners at several Catholic churches in Shreveport (St. Theresa, Sacred Heart, and St. John's Cathedral) as well as in Monroe (La.), Houston, and Longview. At St. Matthew's in Longview they were daily communicants for more than twenty-five years, devoted supporters of parish adoration, and dedicated to various charitable activities in the parish.

As a young wife and mother, Mrs. Hermes devoted her energies to the numerous challenges of establishing a home and raising a large family. Always in charge of family finances, she mastered the art of stretching paychecks to provide for their children's private school education and many activities. Although she herself left high school early, all her sons graduated from Jesuit high schools in Shreveport and Houston, and her daughter from Saint Vincent Academy in Shreveport. All received college educations. Later, she attained her high school equivalency diploma and even began taking college classes. She directed the summer camp for Shreveport's Montessori school (owned by her sister, Lucy) and she taught early childhood classes in the Head Start program and at the Little Red Schoolhouse in Monroe, La. She later worked as a Mary Kay Cosmetics sales lady with her sister, Esther. She was also recognized for years of volunteer service at M. D. Anderson in Houston.

In her middle years, she took up various pursuits like dancing, painting, and family genealogy. She documented several generations of family lines for both the Hermes/Disiere and the Houston/Smith families, maintaining correspondence and occasional visits with relatives across the Southwest, and even in Switzerland. Above all, throughout her life, faith in God and family came first. She took great delight in family gatherings, especially at Christmastime when her children and grandchildren would return home for the annual family gathering. She was energized by the challenge of providing food, lodging, and activities for 40-50 family members each year.

After Wayne's retirement they traveled extensively, often by RV, including a memorable trip to Alaska. They also visited Hawaii, Mexico, Italy, and Switzerland. Especially important to them were the numerous trips around the country to visit their children and grandchildren, and to be part of their many first communions, confirmations, and graduation ceremonies. They moved back to Shreveport from Longview in 2015.

Mrs. Hermes was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wayne, her parents, Lonnie Houston and Eunice Smith Houston, and five sisters, Lucy Perkins, Elaine Akins, Esther Beeman, and twins who died as infants. Four half-sisters and two half-brothers also preceded her in death.

She is survived by her eight children: Terry Hermes (Lisa) of Birmingham, Alabama; Wayne "Dubba" Hermes, Jr. (Sharon) of Durango, Colorado; Victoria Hermes Willis of Crosby, Texas; Dr. Ronald Hermes of Shreveport; Timothy Hermes (Niki) of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania; Patrick Hermes of Arlington, Virginia; Reverend Richard Hermes, S.J., of Tampa, Florida; Lawrence Hermes (Lara) of Katy, Texas; twenty-one grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She will be remembered by relatives and friends as a devoted wife and mother, whose indomitable spirit, optimistic outlook, and strong faith encouraged those around her.

Honoring Mrs. Hermes as pallbearers will be her grandsons Chris Willis, Justin Hermes, Jake Hermes, Dylan Hermes, Jack Hermes, Brendan Hermes, Zach Hermes, and Ryan Hermes. Three grandsons, Colin Hermes, Andrew Hermes, and her oldest grandson, Clinton Hermes (residing in Qatar), will be honorary pallbearers.

A visitation will be held Monday, August 21, 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John Berchmans Cathedral on Tuesday, August 22, at 10:00 a.m., with burial to follow at Forest Park East Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Mrs. Hermes to the financial aid program at Jesuit High School, 4701 N. Himes Ave., Tampa, FL 33614.

(Published in The Shreveport Times from August 20 to August 22, 2017)

Carolyn married Wayne Joseph Hermes 28 May 1948, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, USA. Wayne was born 9 Oct 1929, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, USA; died 11 Jan 2017, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, USA; was buried 16 Jan 2017, Forest Park Cemetery East - Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet]

1. T.M. Hermes
2. W.J. Hermes, Jr.
3. V.L. Hermes
4. R.C. Hermes
5. T.E. Hermes
6. P.W. Hermes
7. R.C. Hermes
8. L.G. Hermes

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Lonnie Houston Funeral Friday

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday from Osborne's Funeral Chapel for Lonnie Houston, 73, 1860 De Soto St., who died in a local hospital early Wednesday following a long illness.

Mr. Houston was a retired roofing contractor and had been a local resident for the past 30 years.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Eunice Houston; seven daughters, Mrs. Sibyl Goodgion, Mrs. Margaret LeBlanc, Mrs. Lucy Perkins, Mrs. Carolyn Hermes and Mrs. Esther Beeman, all of Shreveport, Mrs. Verlie Fletcher, Houston, Tex., and Mrs. Elaine Robinette, Los Angeles, Calif.; one son, L. G. Houston, Montgomery, Ala.; three brothers, I. N. Houston, Vesta Houston, of Shreveport, and Lee Houston, of Sarepta; three sisters, Mrs. Ruth Hodges, of Shreveport, Mrs. Grace Pugh and Mrs. Gertie Cochran of Sarepta; and 13 grandchildren.

Services will be conducted by the Rev. T. C. Pennell, pastor of Ingleside Baptist Church assisted by the assistant pastor, the Rev. Ted Corbett. Burial will be in Forest Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Earl Houston, Johnnie Moore, Carl Maurer, Frank Beeman, Otis Perkins and Wayne Hermes.

(Published in The Shreveport Times on July 1, 1954)

Lonnie married Eunice Ethel Smith 14 Jul 1928, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, USA. Eunice was born 30 Apr 1906, York, Sumter County, Alabama, USA; died 20 Jun 1994, Longview, Gregg County, Texas, USA; was buried 22 Jun 1994, Forest Park Cemetery East - Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet]

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SHREVEPORT, LA - Mrs. Eunice Ethel Smith Houston, 88, died at Highland Hospital on Monday, June 20, 1994 after a brief illness. Visitation will be held at Osborn Funeral Home at 3631 Southern Avenue, Tuesday, June 21, 1994 from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Osborn Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating ministers will be Dr. N.O. Pugh, retired Baptist minister; Richard Hermes, S.J. and Danny Perkins. Burial will follow at Forest Park Cemetery.

Mrs. Houston was a native of York, Alabama and a resident of Shreveport for over 70 years. She was a secretary and a member of Ingleside Baptist Church, Montessori School for Shreveport and a resident of Glen Oaks Home for 13 years.

Mrs. Houston was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie Houston. She is survived by four daughters; Lucy Perkins of Shreveport, Elaine Akins of Phelan, California, Carolyn Hermes of Longview, Texas and Esther Beeman of Wacissa, Florida; one sister, Gladys Pugh of Shreveport; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

(Published in The Shreveport Times on June 21, 1994)

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Lazarus L. Houston, 84-year old pioneer resident of this section and the head of a large and prominent North Louisiana family, died at his home near Sarepta, La. Mr. Houston was born near Cuthbert, Randolph County, Ga. The son of Samuel T. and Esther Martin Houston. He was the sixth of a family of 13 children. When a boy he moved with his parents to Webster Parish, La., where they settled on a homestead tract near Sarepta. There his mother gave the name Sarepta to the town that sprang up near their home. Mr. Lazarus L. (Lat) remained until his death on the Houston homestead where he and his wife reared a large family. He was married March 16, 1871, to Fannie Viola Campbell. His wife and ten children survive him. He was a devout member of the Baptist Church."

Children: G. O. Houston, Lonnie, I. N., Vester, Mrs. Egan Hodges, of Shreveport, La.; Mrs. Ban Pugh and Lee, of Sarepta; Mrs.. Porter Cochran, of Springhill; Dr. W. M. Houston, of Eldorado, Arkansas; Mrs. John F. Adkins of Cotton Valley. There are also 41 grandchildren and 8 great grand-children. Others who survive him are a brother, Dennitt M. Houston, of Shreveport, and a sister.

(Source: Sarepta LA., dated March 5, 1931)

Lazarus married Frances Viola Campbell 16 Mar 1871, Webster Parish, Louisiana, USA. Frances (daughter of John Burchfield Campbell, Sr. and Ruth Elizabeth Cavett) was born 1 Sep 1854, Rocky Mount, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, USA; died 31 Jul 1931, Sarepta, Webster Parish, Louisiana, USA; was buried 1 Aug 1931, Old Sarepta Cemetery - Sarepta, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet]

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PIONEER WOMAN DIES AT SAREPTA

Mother of Local Resident Dies After Illness of One Month.

Funeral services for Mrs. Fannie Campbell Houston, 76, widow of the late L.L. Houston, were held Saturday afternoon at Sarepta, Webster parish. Mrs. Houston, who is the mother of G.O. Houston, assistant superintendent of Caddo parish schools, died Friday afternoon at her home near Sarepta. Mrs. Houston was the mother of 16 children, 10 of who survive her.

Mrs. Houston's husband died four months ago. Mr. and Mrs. Houston were pioneer residents of Webster parish. Mrs. Houston became ill a month ago and her death was expected.

Mrs. Houston was Miss Fannie Viola Campbell. She was born at Rocky Mount, Bossier parish, Sept. 1, 1854. She was married March 16, 1871.

Survivors are the following sons and daughters: Dr. W.M. Houston, El Dorado, Ark.; I.N., L., G.O. and V.E. Houston, all of Shreveport; Lee L. Houston, Sarepta; Mrs. J.F. Adkins, Cotton Valley, La.; Mrs. G.E. Hodges, Shreveport; Mrs. Porter Cochran, Sarepta; Mrs. S.B. Pugh, Sarepta. A brother, the Rev. T.M. Campbell, of Shongaloo, 43 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Joel McCann at the Sarepta Baptist church where Mrs. Houston was a member.

Samuel married Esther Bogan Martin 22 Nov 1836, Cuthbert, Randolph County, Georgia, USA. Esther (daughter of James Martin and Hester Bogan) was born 4 Mar 1819, Union, Union County, South Carolina, USA; died 10 Oct 1905, Sarepta, Webster Parish, Louisiana, USA; was buried 11 Oct 1905, Old Sarepta Cemetery - Sarepta, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet]

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Death Notice:

There was a death here Tuesday. "Grandma" Houston died at her son's, Mr. L. L. Houston. She had reached the age of eighty-six years. The burial took place Wednesday evening in the Sarepta cemetery. The family have our sympathy.

(Published in The Webster Signal on October 20, 1905)

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We greatly regret to learn of the death of Mr. John B. Campbell, who died at the residence of Mr. G. W. Phelps, in Red Land, on last Friday, aged 72 years and 3 days. Mr. Campbell was an old citizen of Bossier parish -- a strong man; honest, sincere and popular. The parish suffers in his death the loss of a man of fine character and standing powers, a useful man in every respect. A good citizen; a Christian gentleman and a gallant Confederate soldier has been called to give the countersign at the gates of Heaven.

(Published in The Bossier Banner on January 5, 1893)

John married Ruth Elizabeth Cavett 28 Oct 1849, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, USA. Ruth (daughter of Alexander Cavett and Louisa T. Bice) was born 1 Dec 1824, Hazel Green, Madison County, Alabama, USA; died 1 May 1882, Rocky Mount, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, USA; was buried , Salem Cemetery - Redland, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet]