Lawrence "Larry" Armstrong Barnhill

Lawrence (Larry) Armstrong Barnhill, born on March 4, 1925, to Lawrence Armstrong Barnhill Sr. and Lola Lambert Barnhill in DeRidder, Lousiana, departed this life on June 9, 2009, surrounded by his family and friends at the age of 84.

Larry married Lucille (Lou) Elizabeth Glass on March 17, 1946.  Larry and Lou were married for 62 years before Lou’s passing on June 5, 2008. Larry and Lou attended First United Pentecostal Church in DeRidder where Larry served on the board as the oldest living board member for the past 35 years.  Larry and Lou owned Thompson’s Gift Shop in DeRidder for twenty-five years.

Larry graduated from DeRidder High School in 1943 and attended every 5th year reunion; each was headed by Joy Hudson for the past 65 years.  Larry was an active member of the DeRidder school board from January 1st, 1973 until December 31st1986.  He served as a Parish Fair Judge for 35 years and co-founded the Council On Aging.  Larry was also an original Saints Alive Committee member.

Larry was inducted into the army on July 29, 1943 and was honorably discharged on February 17, 1946 holding the rank of Army Staff Sergeant. He served actively in World War II in Hawaii and Japan after the atomic bomb was dropped.  Larry’s military service included being awarded the following declarations and citations: Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Theatre Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 bronze stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 bronze star, and the Meritorious Unit Award.

Services for Larry Barnhill include Family Visitation at the First United Pentecostal Church on Saturday, June 13th from Noon until 2:00pm followed by Funeral Services at 2:00pm also at the First United Pentecostal Church.  Reverend Zale Lewis, Pastor of the Church, Rev. Tommy Magee of DeRidder, Reverend Arless Glass of Pasadena, Texas and Reverend Charles Glass of Sherman, Texas will be officiating.  Larry’s grandsons Aaron Lawrence Cernero and Joseph Ryan Cernero, both of Sherman, will be speaking.  Mrs. Zale Lewis and Reverend Rich Glass will be singing.  Pallbearers will be Willie Austin, Rufus Piper, Barney Bailey, Gerald Johnson, Charles Lewis, George Jouban, Clarence McKnight ,  Jim Cheever, Rev. Kevin Reeves, Robert Nunn and John Cernero.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Rayvon Hester, Nathan Lewis, Arless Lewis, Adam Cernero, Brandon Kumler, Mark Brown, Caleb Dupuis and Robert Bond.  Mrs. Caleb Dupuis will be playing classical music from the 40’s during visitation.

Larry is survived by daughter Beth and son-in-law Joe Cernero of Sherman, Texas.  Also surviving are his grandchildren, Joseph Ryan Cernero, J.D. and wife Carrie, and Dr. Aaron Lawrence Cernero and wife Ailee; and great-grandchildren Joseph Blume Cernero, Oliver Armstrong Cernero, Josephine Elizabeth Cernero, Sophia Marie Cernero and Allie Jane Cernero, all of Sherman.  He was preceded in death by mother Lola Lambert Barnhill and father Lawrence Armstrong Barnhill Sr., sister Lola Barnhill Thorn, brothers Barney Barnhill and A.L. Barnhill.

The family would like to recognize and give special thanks to Pam Austin and Willie Austin for their extraordinary love and care provided to Larry and Lou for many years. Special thanks to Dr. Gremmel and Dr. Yue for the excellent medical care they gave Larry.