Beverly Laskey King Hand

Beverly Laskey King Hand SHREVEPORT, LA - Beverly Laskey King Hand passed away at her home in Shreveport, Louisiana on Sunday, August 23, 2015 after a long battle with health issues. Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport, LA. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans. Officiating will be Monsignor Carson LaCaze. Interment will follow at Forest Park Cemetery, St. Vincent Avenue. Born on August 21, 1930 in Shreveport, Beverly was the first-born child of Beverly Prince Laskey and Donald Charles Laskey. She is preceded in death by her parents; both of her husbands, Robert Earl King, Jr. and Dr. Albert Moore Hand, Sr.; a sister Linda Marie Laskey; her grandson Alexander "Bull" Buteau; her stepson John Momon Hand and her sister-in-law Kip King Anderson. Beverly is survived by her children, March King Kingsdorf and husband Bruce; Beverly King Smith (Cissie) and husband Harrison; Virginia King Homza (Ginny) and husband Brian; Robert Earl King III (Rob) and wife Rita. Her grandchildren, who were the light of her life, are Caroline Kingsdorf, Emma Kingsdorf, Ben Kingsdorf, Delton Smith, Randolph Smith, Edward Smith, Virginia Homza Carter and husband Trey; Ellen Homza Erwin and husband Clay; Rob King, Trey Buteau and wife Erinn. Great grandchildren who brought smiles to her face are Marion and Asher Carter, Trigg Erwin, and Georgia, Brown and Briggs Buteau. Her sister Donna Laskey Newton, her cousin Paul Wear and his wife Millicent, her brother-in-law Phil Anderson and many nieces and nephews whom she adored also survive her. Beverly also welcomed and loved Albert's family as her own which includes Albert Moore Hand, Jr. and wife Melanie; their children, Robert Hand and wife Michele, their daughters Genevieve and Emerson; Mark Hand; Minette Hand; Norma Jane Pierce and husband Hoyt Thomas, her son Michael Pierce; Jean Streepey and husband Mike, their daughters Katie and Lindsey. After attending Hockaday Junior College, Beverly graduated from LSU in 1951 with honors in a degree in journalism.Beverly enjoyed and excelled in her professional career. After joining The (Shreveport) Times staff, she became Editor of the Life & Style and Women's Section. Beverly won numerous Louisiana Press Women awards including the 1975 Woman of Achievement and was the recipient of the organization's "Maggie Award" for her contributions both to her profession and to her community. She also won two national awards from the National Federation of Press Women. Devoted to the betterment of her community, Beverly was a strong supporter of many non-profit organizations and an active volunteer in every school her children attended. She was the first female president of the Community Council, a United Fund agency. Beverly was also president of the Junior League of Shreveport and a member of the Parish Council at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans. After serving on the Board of Directors of the Shreveport chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ), she was elected co-chairman and served for three years. Beverly enjoyed her many friendships through her church and her memberships in Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, the Demoiselle Club, the Cotillion Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, the Twentieth Century Club and the Shreveport Garden Club. Beverly, affectionately called "Bevlan" by many, was adevoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Beverly loved her family. "Memo" cherished her time with her children and grandchildren, either playing in her back yard, spending the night watching movies (always musicals) or at the family cabin in Bella Vista, AR. Beverly was always there to give a hug and an encouraging smile. She welcomed extended family and old and new friends to her famous holiday meals.Beverly was a positive person; she was well known for her kind, generous and caring nature, giving her love to every person she met. In turn, one left feeling they held a very special place in her heart. And they did. Honoring Beverly as pallbearers will be Delton Smith, Randolph Smith, Edward Smith, Ben Kingsdorf, Trey Buteau, Rob King, Robert Hand, Mark Hand, Michael Pierce, Trey Carter and Clay Erwin. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be M. Alton Evans, Horace Ladymon, James Nichols, Dr. Eugene C. St. Martin, and Paul Schuetze. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Alan Borne and Dr. Scott Boniol. Also, our thanks and gratitude to Cathy Pouncy, Curvie Beverly, Fredericka Ealy, Brandy Grider, Gwen Clay and Luella Bryant for their dedicated, kind, gentle, and loving care shown to our mother. The family suggests memorials may be made to Christus Cancer Treatment Center, 1453 E. Bert Kouns, Shreveport, LA 71105; Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, 1501 Kings Hwy, Shreveport, LA 71103 or the charity of your choice.