Benny Ray Nevels

Funeral services for Benny Ray Nevels, age 66 will be held 2:00 PM Saturday September 14, 2024 from the Columbia chapel of Riser & Son Funeral Home with Bro. Jeff Masters officiating. Don Burns will be assisting. Burial will follow in the Welcome Home Cemetery at Grayson. The Nevels Family will receive visitors on Friday September 13, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home located at 7131 U S Highway 165, Columbia.

Benny Ray “BR” Nevels, born on April 11, 1958, in Columbia, LA, peacefully joined his Heavenly Father, on Monday, September 9, 2024 in Shreveport, LA surrounded by his children. BR spent his career working for Tennessee Gas Pipeline in West Monroe, LA and before becoming a skilled equipment operator across Louisiana and Texas.

 To know BR was to love him. He had a gift of never meeting a stranger and was known for his generous, kind heart. BR would have given his shirt off his back to help anyone in need. His love was evident in his many passions, whether working with horses to his remarkable talent in the kitchen. Cooking was not just a skill for him but an expression of the love he poured into those around him.

 BR was preceded in death by his mother, Janette Maxwell; father, William Nevels; maternal grandmother, Louella Strebeck; maternal grandfather, Ollie Strebeck; sister, Connie Baum; and his uncle and aunt, Howard and Willie Nell Strebeck.

 He is survived by his daughter, Shelley Owen of West Monroe, LA; and his son, Brandon Powell and wife, Amber of Deville, LA; his brother, Ricky Nevels and wife, Judy of Bastrop, TX; half-brother, Robert Maxwell of Alexandria, LA. Grandchildren: Hayley Owen of West Monroe, LA; Jase, Levi and Jayde Powell, all of Deville, LA.

 Throughout his life, BR touched so many lives. Among those who held a special place in his heart was the entire Volentine family, particularly his brother, Aaron Volentine of Grayson, LA. The bond BR and Aaron had was unfathomable. BR also shared a bond with all of the Volentine family, and he cherished every moment spent together with them. BR’s family cannot fully express the depth of their gratitude for this special family, not only through his illness but throughout his life.

 BR’s presence will truly be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Though he is no longer with us, his spirit, his love and laughter will continue to live in our hearts forever.

 Pallbearers will be: Bubba Flores, Courtney Dunn, Ricky Rollins, Dustin Volentine, Jase Powell, Curt Volentine, Melton May, and Bubba Miles.

Honorary pallbearers will be Aaron Volentine, Heath Volentine, Brooks Volentine, Hershel Volentine, Mike Morgan, Levi Powell, Mark Perot, and Ed Malcomb.