Obituary of Herbert Gathright

Herbert Everette Gathright (February 24, 1931 til July 15, 2011) Funeral services for Mr. Herbert Gathright age 80 of Branson West, MO are being held at 10 am Saturday July 23, 2011 at the First Baptist Church of Columbia with the visitation being Friday, July 22nd from 5 pm until 8pm at Riser Funeral Home, Columbia, LA. A graveside service will follow at the Rosefield Cemetery east of Grayson, LA. Herbert Gathright was born on February 24, 1931 in Huttig, Arkansas to the union of his parents Percy and Willie V. Gathright. He left this life on the morning of July 15, 2011 following a sudden illness. Herbert was a faithful husband, loving father, dedicated teacher, and precious grandfather who touched many lives with his pursuit of excellence. He graduated from Ruston High School, and Louisiana Tech University with a degree in music education where he became one of the leaders of the Debonnaires Dance Band and later obtained his masters degree in school administration from Northeast Louisiana University. He was a master of music, combining band directing at West Tallahatchie High School in Webb, MS and the Louisana high schools of Columbia, Winnsboro, Crowville, Neville in Monroe, and Caldwell High. He also directed church choirs at Temple Baptist Winnsboro, Parkview Baptist, Monroe, and First Baptist of Columbia. After retiring from band directing in 1973 he "wore many hats" including farmer, rancher, farmers co-op board member in Rayville, LA; trucker and Beefmaster cattleman in Waxahatchie, TX; and owner of Cypress Etc and later Art and Woodcrafter's Supply in West Monroe, LA and Branson, MO for 30 years. He is survived by his brother Jimmy Gathright and his wife, Mildred of Hamburg, Arkansas, four children: Barry Gathright and his wife, Jamie of Branson West, MO, Daina Gathright-Tate and her husband, Joe of Baton Rouge, LA, Kevin Gathright and his wife, Michelle of West Monroe, LA, and Darla Gathright-Denny and her husband, John of Branson MO, and six grandchildren: Jessica Tate- Gagliano and her husband, Derek, Justin Gathright and his wife, Lindsey, Westley Gathright, Amber Gathright, Tori Denny, Johnathan Denny. He has now joined his beautiful wife and soulmate Sylvia in heaven where together they will spend an eternity with their heavenly Father. The "master of music" is now with his Master in heaven. In lieu of flowers you may donate to either the Herbert Gathright Foundation at Citizen's Progressive Bank, PO Box 1689, Columbia, LA 71418 to assist with the purchase of a trophy case for the Caldwell Parish Fine Arts building as per Mr. Gathright's wish. The family of Herbert Gathright would like to thank Mark Brister for the establishment and funding of the "Herbert Gathright Scholarship Fund" for continuance of excellence in Music Education to an honors band student of Caldwell High School. Donations may be made to the "Herbert Gathright Scholarship Fund" c/o Teresa Green (397-8482) or c/o Mark Brister (680-5919) at First National Bank, 3510 Cypress St., West Monroe, LA 71291.