Jan. 6, 1943 – June 21, 2011

FERRIDAY — Services for Mary Louise Hansford Morehead, 68, who went to be with our Lord and Savior and all her loved ones, will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Comer Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Troy Terrall of Mansfield and the Rev. Dillon Wycliff of Monterey officiating.

Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery on Highway 4 in Winnsboro, La., under the direction of Comer Funeral Home in Ferriday.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mary Louise Hansford Morehead was born Jan. 6, 1943, the daughter of Homer James Hansford and Etta Maureen Bridges Hansford of Ferriday.

Louise spent her adult life as a sewing supervisor in one of the nation’s garment factories. After more than 30 years of raising her children and retirement, Louise and one of her sisters started pursuing their lifelong dreams of music. Louise and Judy wrote and published an album in Nashville, Tenn., in Columbia Sound State Studio under the direction of Emerald Records which was an instant overnight hit and worldwide 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. One of their gospel songs drew the attention of the Louisiana Baptist Association which was very proud to release news articles which led to worldwide 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 who had given her so much through music.

Louise never forgot her humble beginnings at the Oak Grove Baptist Church in Winnsboro. Louise and Judy together received the honors of being lifelong members of the Associated Songwriters, Composers, Publisher and Producers (A.S.C.A.P.) in New York City. 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 fellow man 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.

She is preceded in death by parents and Charlie L. Hansford and Roxie Lucinda Peavy Hansford of Winnsboro. Louise is also gathered in the arms of a very special little niece, Britney Angelica “Angel” Martinez who she loved so much. Louise is also gathered in the arms of her late husband, Chester Ray Morehead of Harrisonburg, La.

Louise is survived by two sons, Randy Ray Morehead and a very special friend, Andy Shulla, of Vidalia and Charles Marvin Morehead and wife, Nancy, of Natchez; 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 René Morehead, all of Natchez; a very special lifelong friend, Pauline Easterling of Winnsboro; three sisters, Glenda H. Epperson and husband, James “Buddy” of Baker, La., Judith H. Polk and husband, James J. Polk, of Mansfield, La., and is well known as The Hansford’s executive producer in the country and gospel music industry, and Dianne H. Wyles of Bentonville, Ark., and the late B.D. Wyles of Jonesville; two brothers, James M. Hansford of Northeast Louisiana and Billy Ray Hansford of Vidalia; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Jay Wyles of Bentonville, Mark Patterson, Stanley “Earl” Stampley and Perrie Phee, all of Jackson, Johnny “John” Cook of Baton Rouge and Keith Reynolds of Natchez.

Honorary pallbearers will be Cliff Ayers, Emerald Records Music Director and Columbia Sound Stage Musicians of Nashville.

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 provided to Louise and her family through the most difficult time. A very special thank you to Wayne Spencer, hospice chaplain, who God sent to minister to the needs of the family. May God truly bless you all.