Heather DeAnne Ryals

Converse, Louisiana – Funeral service celebrating the life of Heather Ryals, 30, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Mitchell Baptist Church with Bro. Danny Asbell and Debra Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Converse Cemetery at Old US Highway 171 Converse, Louisiana 71419. The family will receive friends from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, October 23, 2026, at Rose-Neath Mansfield Chapel.

Heather was born on December 20, 1995, in Shreveport, La. to William Ryals Jr. and Melissa McInnis Ryals and passed away October 20, 2026, in Desoto Parish.

Heather had an infectious laugh and the brightest, most beautiful smile. She was always ready to greet every person with a hug and always left with a genuine “I love you.” Heather led a life full of joy and a heart for service. You could always rely on her to be a shoulder to cry on, an ear to vent to, and then to brighten your day with her jokes and banter. She was always ready to turn up the radio and dance in any situation. She was never seen far from her best friend and Mom, Melissa. They were two peas in a pod, whether it be on the front porch or out on the town shopping, especially thrifting, and having lunch. Lately her attention and focus had shifted to planning a wedding to her fiancé Zach, for April 2027. She was never shy to express the excitement she had to begin her life with Zach. Of all the jobs she held, “Aunt” always seemed to be the one she was best at. She loved her many nieces and nephews tremendously, whether related or as an honored title. She leaves behind incredible, happy memories with everyone she met.

Heather was preceded in death by her grandparents, Clifford and Patricia McInnis, William Edward Ryals Sr., and her aunt, Melanie Ryals Wiley.

Left to cherish their memory are her parents, Melissa (Jeff) Alford, William Edward Ryals Jr. (Julie); fiancé, Zachary Sterling; grandmother, Betty Ryals; nieces and nephews, Paityn, Carter, Abbi, Emilia, Ryker, Piper, Mary, P.J., Waylon, Rhett, Tatum, Olivia, Kaylum, and Kaisen; siblings, Peyton (Tori) Ryals, Billy Ryals, Nikki (William) Martin, Tyler Smith (Chloe); and sister-in-law, Sodika (Shemar) Drew.

Honoring Heather as pallbearers will be members of the North Sabine Fire District, Blake McDonald, Brady Green, Braden Rivers, Chris Ezernack, Gary Garrison, and Jaqualen Carhee.