Serving the Arkansas Valley since 1913, with Dignity, Compassion and Professionalism.
To serve Woodruff and surrounding areas with Care, Concern, Compassion and Superior Service, unmatched by any other funeral home, assist your family in planning a funeral and choosing the options that suit your families needs and your loved ones wishes. We are able to assist you in holding services in a wide variety of areas. From our chapel, to your church or at the cemetery we are able to prepare a meaningful service to honor your loved one. We will listen to your family and help to arrange a celebration of your loved ones life though whatever means you choose.
Forest Park Funeral Home began life in 1896 as Wellman Funeral Home. Wellman Funeral Home was located at 1202 Louisiana Ave, just south of downtown in a two story white frame home. On January 1, 1967 the Wellman Family sold the funeral home to a South Louisiana Corporation. In 1975, the owners of Wellman Funeral Home decided that it was time for an updating of the facilities and built the 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art building across the street from the original location on the northeast corner of Louisiana and Stoner Avenues. Many years later it was sold to a Canadian funeral home corporation.
But in 2001, a young man by the name of Robert “Bob” Lomison purchased Forest Park-St. Vincent’s Ave. and Forest Park West Cemeteries as well as the Wellman Funeral Home, restoring it to a “family owned funeral home”. It was upon this purchase that the funeral home name was changed to match that of the cemeteries, thus continuing the Forest Park and Wellman traditions. Originally from Pennsylvania, Mr. Lomison was so impressed with the Shreveport area, it’s people and culture that he purchased a home in southeast Shreveport.
Forest Park Funeral Home continues to serve the entire community with respect and dignity. We are here to honor the life your loved one, regardless of you social status, income, or religious preference. We are continually striving to adhere to our motto, "Unique Services Celebrating Unique Lives."
Founded in 1917, Forest Park is one of Louisiana's premiere cemeteries, with more than 35,000 residents amongst its 134 acres.
C.W. Hughes and Stephen W. Griffith, from Marshalltown, Iowa, were the founders of Forest Park Cemetery - East; however, the property was insolvent during the Great Depression. Recognizing the need for a cemetery of substantial size to serve the city's booming population, the Rasberry family, a local Shreveport family, purchased the cemetery. Their vision was to create surroundings that balanced nature with the environment, allowing a presence of civilization without disturbing the grandeur of the romantic setting.
From the first burial of 14-year-old Frederick Lanier Boanno in 1919, Forest Park was designed to serve both the dead and the living. It is the burial site of nine Shreveport mayors, Representative T. Overton Brooks, Senator Rose McConnell Long, General Gabrielle P. Disosway, pioneer oilman William Douglas, international sculptor Arthur C. Morgan, writer John William Corrington, architect N.S. Allen, and Lt. Commander Edward H. Railsback, the most decorated soldier in the history of Louisiana
Interesting and appropriate sculpture was added to the natural setting, including: a lifelike bronze statue of Lt. R.E. Smitherman, who perished in World War II; the Rev. M.E. Dodd's granite memorial, shaped like the pulpit at First Baptist Church; Paul Simmons' forest scene incised in stone; a simple stone monument commemorating the life of Sinclair Kouns, one of the original founders of Shreveport; and, the American flag that is flown in the War Veterans Section in remembrance of all those who died serving our country. Forest Park is filled with the rich history of the City of Shreveport and its surrounding area. The cemetery is dedicated to serving families in the best possible manner with dignity, compassion and understanding.