Obituary of Benny Cruse

Funeral services for Benny Ray Cruse, 88, of Grayson, LA will be held at 10 AM Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at Grayson Baptist Church, Grayson, LA with Rev. Roger Johnson, Rev. Howard Hudson and Rev. Rick Crandall officiating. Interment will follow at Welcome Home Cemetery under the direction of Riser Funeral Home, Columbia, LA. Mr. Cruse was born on October 7, 1924 in Olla, Louisiana and passed away peacefully on April 21, 2013 at Citizens Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charley and Georgia Gilliam Cruse, his brothers: James "Shotgun" Cruse and Wayne Cruse; sister, Gwendolyn Cruse Nelson; grandson, Dustin Ray Cruse and great-grandson, Van Samuel Cruse. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Virginia Boggan Cruse; sons: Dana Cruse and wife, Sarah; Chuck Cruse and wife, Karen; one brother, Raymond Cruse and wife, Virginia Bratton Cruse; five grandchildren: Damon Cruse and wife, Amy; Davin Cruse, Wes Cruse and wife, Kellie; Kim Stovall and husband, Blake; Deanna St. Germain and husband, Jeremy; ten great-grandchildren: Ava Cruse, Kellan Cruse, Ashton Cruse, Charleigh Cruse, Ellie Cruse, Seth Stovall, Brayden Stovall, Nathan Stovall, Carson St. Germain and Kinley St. Germain; nieces and nephews: Michael Nelson, Barbara Carroll, Pam Masters, Pat Richmond, Joe Kavaternik, Julie Boggan and Joel Boggan; brothers and sisters-in-law: Francine Boggan Conerly, Jack Boggan, Jasper W. Boggan, Jr. and wife, Bettye. Pallbearers will be Blake and Kim Stovall, Jeremy and Deanna St. Germain, Wes and Kellie Cruse, Damon and Amy Cruse, Davin Cruse, Emily Johnson, Hope and Jeff Lummus, Dusti Hussey and Gail Blackmon. Honorary pallbearers are Gary Richardson, Glen Richardson, A.J. Douglas, Bob Mercer, David Faulk, Lynn Faulk, Artis Thompson, Marshall Fisher, the "rec" friends, Donnie Legg, Robert Knight, George Boyd, Sr. and Millard Girod. He had previously named Bobby Fitzgerald and W.J. Richardson who preceded him in death. Benny was loved by many people and touched their lives by his kindness and loving spirit. Visitation will be held on April 23 at Riser Funeral Home in Columbia from 5 PM to 8 PM.