Sheryl Kay Burleson Roach

Sheryl Kay Burleson Roach

Services celebrating the life of Sheryl Kay Burleson Roach will be held Tuesday January 28, 2014 at 1pm at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville with Rev. Philip Robertson and Rev. Darryl Hoychick officiating.

Visitation at Philadelphia Baptist Church will be on Monday January 27, 2014 from 6pm-8pm, Funeral will start at 1pm on Tuesday and for those who are able to attend, interment will follow in Self Cemetery (Anacoco), Vernon Parish.

Sheryl entered the open arms of her loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 24th 2014, surrounded by her family at Rapides Regional Medical Center.

First and foremost, it would be her wish and that of her family to give all honor, glory, and praise to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His divine watch care and healing powers throughout her life and for holding true to His promise to never forsake her.

Sheryl was born to USN Master Chief Johnnie Paul Burleson, Sr., and Doris E. Brister Burleson on October 26, 1955 in Portsmouth, Virginia. She is survived by her devoted, loving husband of 38 years, David Allen Roach; three sons, 9 grandsons and 2 granddaughters - John David Roach, wife Emily and children - Abigail, Ethan, Isaac, and Joel, residing in Longview, Texas, Staff Sgt. Robert "Robbie" Swanson, wife Emily and children - Jackson, Hayden, Landon, and Ainsley, currently serving in the U. S. Army at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and James "Danny" Swanson, wife Jessica and children - Caleb, Mack, and Owen, residing in Pineville. Her beloved siblings - two brothers, one sister-in-law, and one sister - Ronald Burleson (wife, Aimee) of Cartersville, Georgia, Johnnie Burleson (wife, Rebecca) of Magnolia, Texas, Rebecca Burleson James of Shreveport and Darla Burleson Swanson, of Pineville; 6 nephews, 3 nieces, 9 great nephews and 4 great nieces. She is also survived by her very special Uncle Charles Burlison and his wife, Aunt Faye as well as numerous extended family members including two incredible cousins, and Marla Diven and very special friends, Jessie and Connie Campbell and Gus and Libby Agosto. She loved them all dearly.

Preceding her in death are a son, Paul Allen Roach, her parents, Johnnie and Doris Burleson and two brothers, Barry Burleson and Robert "Bob" Burleson.

Sheryl was employed by the Kisatchie National Forest in Pineville for more than 35 years. She recently retired, it was a job she enjoyed and looked forward to each day. Throughout the entire Alexandria Forestry Center, she leaves behind a group of very special co-workers she loved who have supported her during her illnesses since June 2000 and were considered by her to be family - too many to mention but including and not limited to Julia Hearne, Silas Hamilton, Jr., Tony Rivers, Grady Wilson, Lester Tisino, Ed Bratcher, Jason Nolde, Sue Wagner, Pat Brister, Sandy Pace, Debbie Collins, Sharon Holmes, Renea Francois, Shantelle Slaughter, Gwena McLane, Donna Oliveria, and Susan Stanley - all of whom will never know what their support and encouragement meant to her. A special thanks also to the USFS ACROSS network of Christian prayer warriors throughout the country.

Pallbearers will be members of her Sunday school class at Philadelphia Baptist Church.

Her family wishes to extend their priceless gratitude to countless prayer warriors here and across the country for their diligence to pray for her during her illness. The family would like to convey their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Howard Wold of the Hematology Oncology Life Center in Alexandria, Dr. Donna Weber of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and their excellent medical teams for their "above and beyond" care and compassion since August 2001. The family would also like to acknowledge the care and love provided by the Rapides Regional MICU during her final days.

To extend online condolences to the Roach family, please visit us at www.hixsonbrothers.com.