The Shreveport Times

Monday, April 27, 2009

C. Alfred Flanders, Jr.

Highland Cemetery, Mansfield

MANSFIELD, LA - Funeral services for C. Alfred Flanders, Jr. will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at First Baptist Church, Mansfield at 2:30 PM. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, April 27 from 5pm-8pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield.

Mr. Flanders was born in Mansfield on September 22, 1940, and passed away on Saturday, April 25 after a courageous battle with lymphoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Doris Flanders; his brother, William Frank Flanders; and his infant grandson Samuel Frank Flanders. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 43 years, Beverly and their children: Jane F. Heisser of Chattanooga, TN; Sarah F. Baxter and husband, Kevin, of Stonewall; and Stephen F. Flanders and wife, Bridget, of Mansfield. He was also blessed by the love of his grandchildren; Elena Heisser; Will and Adrianne Baxter; and Ben and Cecilia Flanders.

The life of Alfred Flanders centered around his family, his church (First Baptist Church, Mansfield) and his work and community service. He served his church as a Deacon and Church Treasurer for many years. He was a Sunday School teacher (currently teaching the Welcome Class), and served on most committees within the church. He especially enjoyed his part in establishing the church's TV ministry. On the State level he served several terms as Trustee and Officer of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation.

Mr. Flanders graduated from Mansfield High School in 1958. He continued his education at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston and graduated in 1964 with BS degrees in both Electrical Engineering, and Business Administration. A goal of a career in business led him to Bloomington, Indiana where he received a Masters in Business Administration from Indiana University in 1965. It was at IU that he met his wife, Beverly, so he returned to Mansfield in 1966 with an MBA and a wife. He went to work with his father at DeSoto Federal Savings and Loan Association, and as a partner in the Flanders Insurance Agency. He was CEO of "DeSoto Federal" when it closed in 1991. He then continued his banking career at First National Bank in Mansfield, which became Hibernia National Bank, which became Capitol One. He retired from Capitol One on December 31, 2008. He was highly respected throughout the community for his honesty, integrity and good financial advice and management. The example of his father's work ethic and fairness continued through him.

Service to his community was an important part of Mr. Flanders' life. He worked diligently with the Chamber of Commerce (serving as an officer many times), to make DeSoto Parish a better place to live. In March of 2007, he received the Chamber's "Outstanding Business Leader" Award. He considered his most rewarding contribution to the community to be his 27 years of volunteer work on the Board of Directors of DeSoto Regional Health Systems and also with the Hospital Foundation. He enjoyed weekly Rotary Club meetings with friends and he was an enthusiastic fan of the Mansfield High School Wolverines.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Leigh Dillard, Dr. Gary Burton, Dr. Francesco Turturro, and nurse Julie Evans for their devoted and compassionate care. For those who would like to place memorials, the family requests that they be made to the First Baptist Church's Multi-Media Fund (1710 McArthur Drive, Mansfield, LA. 71052); DeSoto Regional Health System Hospital Foundation, or the American Cancer Society.

Mr. Flanders was a man of many talents. He will be remembered for his quick wit and his willingness to serve wherever he was needed. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His strong Christian example led his children to establish their own God-centered homes. His family has lost their loving leader, the community has lost a true Christian friend; but Heaven has welcomed home a good and faithful servant. His was a life well lived. Kilpatrick's Rose-Neath.

Funeral Home, Mansfield, LA 318-872-4660.