Extracted from The Alexandria Town Talk (Alexandria, LA)
Thursday, June 23, 2011

Mary Louise Hansford Morehead

Mary Louise Hansford Morehead was born January 6, 1943. At the age of 68, Louise went to be with our Lord and Savior and ALL her loved ones.

She is preceded in death of her mother and father, Homer James Hansford and Etta Maureen Bridges Hansford of Ferriday, Louisiana. The late Charlie L. Hansford and Roxie Lucinda Peavy Hansford of Winnsboro, Louisiana. Louise is also gathered in the arms of a very special niece, Britney Angelica ``ANGEL'' Martinez whom she loved so much. Louise is also gathered in the arms of her late husband, Chester Ray Morehead of Harrisonburg, Louisiana.

Louise leaves behind two sons, Randy Ray Morehead and a very special friend Andy Shulla of Vidalia, Louisiana and son, Charles Marvin Morehead and wife Nancy of Natchez, MIssissippi. After her sons grew up she added to her world and the very breath she took around her three beautiful grandchildren, Charles Warren Morehead, John Paul Morehead and Tiffany Rene' Morehead also of Natchez, Mississippi.

Louise also leaves a very special lifelong friend, Mrs. Pauline Easterling of Winnsboro, Louisiana.

Louise leaves three sisters, Glenda H. Epperson and husband James ``Buddy'' Epperson of Baker, Louisiana.

Judith H. Polk and husband James J. Polk of Mansfield, Louisiana. James is well known as THE HANSFORD'S executive producer in the country and gospel music industry.

Dianne H. Wyles of Bentonville, Arkansas and the late B.D. Wyles of Jonesville, Louisiana; two brothers, James M. Hansford of Northeast Louisiana and Billy Ray Hansford of Vidalia, Louisiana. Louise leaves a host of nieces and nephews.

Louise spent her adult life as a sewing supervisor in one of our nation's garment factories. After her 30+ years of raising her children and retirement, Louise and one of her sisters started persuing their life long dreams of music. Louise and Judy wrote and published an album in Nashville, Tennessee in Columbia Sount Stage Studio under the direction of Emerald Records which was an instant overnight hit and world wide success on The Country Music Charts. Louise and Judy also released an album of gospel songs they wrote under the direction of James J. Polk and CLiff Ayers of Nashville, Tennessee. One of the gospel songs drew the attention of the Louisiana Baptist Association which was very proud to release news articles which led to the world wide attention of ``THE OLE PRAY'R MEETING.'' Louise was so proud to tell the world, ``HER RAIS'N AND HER ROOTS HELPED HER IN GIVING GOD THE PRAISE.'' THIS WAS TRULY WITH A GRATEFUL HEART OF GIVING BACK TO GOD WHOM HAD GIVEN HER SO MUCH THROUGH MUSIC. Louise never forgot her humble beginnings at THE OAK GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH in Winnsboro, Louisiana. Louise and Judy together received the honors of being Life Long Members of the ASSOCIATED SONGWRITERS, COMPOSERS, PUBLISHER AND PRODUCERS (A.S.C.A.P.) in New York City, New York. Louise and Judy also wrote ``CLEANING UP AMERICA'' which carries THE PRESIDENTIAL SEAL on Drug Abuse. Louise was a very loving and caring lady for her fello mean as was always with a giving heart. Louise was truly an ALL AMERICAN and did not mind for all the world to know.

Louise co-wrote her heart and feelings in her music.

LOUISE WILL BE SO VERY MUCH MISSED IN THIS LIFE BY ALL WHO KNEW HER AND LOVED HER.

Pallbearers JAY WYLES of Bentonville, Arkansas; MARK PATTERSON of Jackson, Mississippi; STANLEY ``EARL'' STAMPLEY of Jackson, Mississippi; JOHNNY ``JOHN'' COOK of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; KEITH REYNOLDS of Natchez, MIssissippi and PERRIE PHEE of Jackson, MIssissippi.

Honorary pallbearers: EMERALD RECORDS MUSIC DIRECTOR - MR. CLIFF AYERS and COLUMBIA SOUND STAGE MUSICIANS OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

Officiating Services is: REV. TROY TERRAl of Mansfield, Louisiana and REV. DILLON WYCLIFF of Monterey, Louisiana.

Visit Thursday 5 p.m - 9 p.m.

Chapel Services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday at Comer Funeral Home in Ferriday, Louisiana and Graveside Services will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery on Hwy. 4 of Winnsboro, Louisiana. All under the direction of Comer Funeral Home of Ferriday, Louisiana. The Family wishes to say ``Thank You'' from the heart for the wonderful attention of all those Professional Nurses and Doctors who worked around the clock to give Louise the care and love they provided to Louise and her family through the most difficult time. A Very Special ``THANK YOU'' to the Hospice Chaplain Wayne Spencer that God sent to the needs of the family. May God truly bless you all.