The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • A8

8A WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 THE TIMES SHREVEPORT Richard Sloan Folmer was born on February 13, 1942 in Cortland, New York, to Louis and Elizabeth Folmer. Richard passed away on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at the age of 79 after a brief illness. A visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St.

in Shreveport, Louisiana on Friday, January 21, 2022. A memorial service honoring his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sat- urday, January 22, 2022 at First United Methodist Church, 500 Common St. in Shreveport, Louisiana. A consummate actor, director, teacher, and men- tor, love for the art of theatre was only surpassed by his love for his bride, Ginger Darnell Folmer.

Married in 1965, Richard and Ginger weathered many challenges including life on tour; the untimely death of their only child, Eric Sloan Folmer in 2017; and, more recently, cancer diagnosis and treatment. Richard looked to the future and would have undoubtedly agreed with Alan Rickman when he said, are agents of change. A film, a piece of theatre, a piece of music, or a book can make a difference. It can change the After his debut as the lead in Little Lee Bobo: Chinatown Detective, acting career began in earnest when he played Hamlet at the age of 16 while a student at Homer Central High School, followed by an apprenticeship at the Sacandaga Summer Theatre. A graduate of Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Richard went on to obtain a Masters of Arts degree in Theatre before entering his Fellowship at the Hillberry Classic Theatre at Wayne State University.

acting career included a variety of notable stage plays, television programs, and films. Locally, he was beloved by all audiences. He kept them spellbound with his portrayals of such well-known characters as Tevye in Fiddler On the Roof; Zorba in Zorba the Greek; Harold Hill in The Music Man; Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady; Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman; and, Norman Thayer in On Golden Pond a show that held a special place in his heart as he was joined onstage by his wife, Ginger, playing the role of Ethel. Not content just to capture hearts onstage, Richard also directed countless productions, winning awards for Best Director for The Odd Couple and My Fair Lady, for which he also won an award for Best Actor. His performance as Norman Thayer in On Golden Pond, earned him an SLT Bravo! Award for Best Actor.

In 1989, Richard took on the position of Artistic Director at East Bank Theatre and held that position for the next 21 years, directing numerous shows. His television and film credits include supporting roles on Longmire; Walker, Texas Ranger; Cut to the Chase; Straw Dogs; Factory Girl; and Mad Money. In concert with his professional acting engagements, Richard worked with such notables as Sid Caesar, Dorothy Lamour, and Zero Mostel. Constantly eager to share his passion, Richard co-founded The Company Repertory Theatre, which sent actors into schools and nursing homes around the region, bringing joy to hundreds of people who may never have had an opportunity to experience live theatre. Richard is preceded in death by his son, Eric Sloan Folmer; parents, Louis and Elizabeth B.

Folmer; grandmother, Annie Merle Westbrook; sister-in- law, Carol Folmer; mother- in-law, Iralene Peavy; and his father-in-law, Printice A. Darnell. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Ginger Darnell Folmer; brother, John B. Folmer, niece, Tiffany F. Lawrence and husband, Dewey; niece, Carolyn Lawrence and nephew, Spencer Lawrence; nephew, Todd James Folmer; sister-in-law, Lynette Pace and husband, Ran- dy; sister-in-law, Niecy Bass; first cousins: Donnie Westbrook; Kathy Bayne and husband, Bill; Ric Whetstone, M.D.

and wife, Teri; Branton and Jenny Whetstone; Mary Nell Westbrook; Robert Westbrook and wife, Glenda; Mi- chael Westbrook; nephew, John Pace; niece, Dawn D. Gonzales and husband, Anthony; and niece, Mona Westbrook. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Ric Whetstone, Branton Whetstone, Lane Crockett, Joe Todaro, Meade Patton, Alan Berry, Trey Jackson and Mike Knutsen. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in honor to any one of the many local theatre groups.

Ginger wants to thank all the wonderful friends who have showered her with their love and affec- tion during this difficult time, including Anna Maria Sparke, Meade Patton, Melina Keele, Shawn Dion, Denise Dion, Renee Dossett, and Cara Derrick. he shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars, And he will make the face of heaven so fine, That all the world will be in love with -Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Richard Sloan Folmer SHREVEPORT, LA Gypsy Damaris Boston of Ida, Louisiana, beloved family matriarch, storyteller, and folklorist, passed away on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the age of 102. Born December 8, 1919 in Ida, Louisiana to Crit Petty, Sr. and Gypsy Bell Williams Petty, she was predeceased by her husband, Farwell Boston; her son, Robert Boston; and her granddaughter, Jennifer Hicks. She is survived by her remaining children, Roger Boston of Houston, TX; Janet Hobgood (Danny) of Shreveport, LA; Frank Boston of Ida, LA; Carol Zeisler (Steve) of Hockessin, DE; and John Boston (Karen) of Chattanooga, TN; 16 grandchil- dren; 18 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Gypsy Damaris grew up in Ida. She was the sixth of eight children. She began writing in her childhood, reporting 4-H and church news to the Shreveport Journal, which began her lifelong avocation of writing. In 1939, she married Farwell Boston of Chillicothe, Texas. They followed his career to Oklahoma, Texas, and Maryland, where he served as an Army Captain during World War II.

In 1948, they moved to Shreveport and he established his own chemical engineering firm. Gypsy Damaris visited the elderly and tried to bring the outside world to them through observations in the form of letters to the editor in the news- papers. In the 1970s, she worked on a folklore project interviewing older people about the history of the area. She was an Art in Education instructor for the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and a storyteller for the Red River Revel, Bossier Art in the Park, and ArtBreak. She cherished these roles in her community.

After her death in 1987, Gypsy Damaris returned to Ida and was the primary caretaker for her mother, Gypsy Bell Petty, who lived until 1994 to the age of 110. Their home on Cedar Lane served for many years as the headquarters for large family reunions of many generations of cous- ins, who came together for music and nature-filled weekends in the piney woods of Ida. Observations of the daily pageantry of nature always inspired Gypsy Damaris. She was an artist who saw great beauty all around her. Perhaps Gypsy Damaris can best be remembered as own proctor to remind us to stop and take notice of the little things we often take for granted, to simply enjoy the world around us.

A private Graveside Service will be held in her honor at Forest Park East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in memory of Gypsy Damaris may be made to St. Jude Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Ida United Methodist Church, Kentucky Ave, Ida, LA 71044. Gypsy Damaris Boston SHREVEPORT James Malcom Durham, of Shreveport, Louisiana, went home to be with the Lord early Saturday, January 15, 2022 at the age of 97.

Jim was born in Montgomery, Louisiana to William T. Durham and Lettie Lee Chandler Durham on August 8, 1924. He lived a rich and full life at the side of his beloved wife and passed away peacefully at home. Jim graduated from Montgomery High School and then served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict.

Upon re- turning from serving his country he studied and graduated from Northwestern State University and began his graduate studies at the University of Missouri. Jim taught Industrial Arts at Minden High School and Byrd High School. Afterwards, he worked for the Federal Housing Administration for 25 years where he worked first as a construction analyst and then in supervisory positions, retiring as a chief architect. Jim considered the highest privilege of his life to be the salvation that he had in Jesus Christ. He devoted the majority of his adult life to teaching the Bible and serving as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at his church.

He was a faithful member of Ford Park Baptist Church for over 50 years. The second greatest privilege of life was marrying his beloved wife, Lucile Zea Durham. They had two children, Patricia Durham Powell and James Michael Durham of whom they were very proud. Together they served the Lord and traveled to all 50 states. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother Nita Box Jack- son Durham, his sister Obera Durham Guilliams, his step-brother Oris F.

Jackson, and his wife Lucile Durham. Jim is survived by his children, Patricia Powell and Jimmy Durham, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2022 from 10:00 am- 11:00 am at Ford Park Baptist Church, 5755 Yarbrough Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71119. A funeral service will follow the visitation at 11:00 am at Ford Park Baptist Church. Graveside services will be held after the funeral at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home and Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108.

Officiating the service will be Bro. John New- man, associate pastor of Ford Park Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be Casey Powell, Clint Powell, Michael Durham, and Carlos Castro. Jim wanted to share the following message with his family and friends. am not dead but have gone home to spend eternity with my God.

By faith and trust in Jesus Christ, you too can have this James Malcom Durham Hines, TexSherman 77 Blanchard 13-Jan Rose-Neath Funeral Homes Rose-Neath Funeral Home Holcomb, LeeAnn 65 Atlanta 16-Jan Rose-Neath Funeral Home 19-Jan Additional information in display obituaries Obituaries appear in print and online at www.shreveporttimes.com/obituaries DEATH NOTICES Name Age Town, State Death Date Arrangements Service Time Service Location Interment optimistic that like the Supreme Court ruled in our case against the vac- cine mandate in the employer vaccine mandate, the justices will that these mandates are also an overreach by the executive Landry said in an interview with USA Today Network. Murrill said she viewed last split ruling by the Supreme Court on the employers and healthcare workers a political compromise on the Murrill argued against the healthcare mandate before the Supreme Court, where the justices ruled 5-4 to al- low the requirement to move forward with two conservative justices joining the three liberal judges. Doughty, who was the judge that is- sued injunctions to block both the healthcare and Head Start mandates, acknowledged in his rulings that all of the shot mandate cases are destined for the Supreme Court. ruling said the Biden Ad- ministration have the power to issue the mandate without Congress, that it violates the administrative pro- cedures act without proper notice and public comment and that it violates the 10th Amendment by infringing on powers. In his ruling Doughty acknowledges the ultimate decision will be made by a higher court, but contends: issue is important.

The separation of powers has never been so Head Start programs provide chil- dren ages 3 to 5 and their families at or below the federal poverty level with early childhood education and re- sources. States in the Head Start lawsuit in- clude: Alabama; Alaska; Arkansas; Ari- zona; Florida; Georgia; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisaina; Missis- sippi; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; North Dakota; Ohio; Oklahoma; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Utah; Wyoming; and West Virginia. Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Mandates Continued from Page 1A.