Obituaries

Loy Russell Gaar, 94, of Gaars Mill Community died Sunday, March 22, 2020. Mr. Gaar was born April 29, 1925, in Dodson, LA. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Winnfield, Louisiana.

He was the son of the late W.R. Gaar and Eva Hall Gaar. Also preceding him in death was his wife, Grace, his brother, Lee, a daughter, Dinah, and a grandson, Jarrett Doss. Survivors include daughters Gloria Watts of Shelbyville, TX and Loyna Gayle Roussel of Hester, LA; one son, Gary Gaar of Collierville, TN; 13 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Mr. Gaar was an Army veteran of WWII, serving in the South Pacific. He was the postmaster in Dodson for over years and a Winn Parish Policy Juror. He also served multiple times as the Bishop of the Winnfield Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Mr. Charles Howard Hand, Jr. of Winnfield, Louisiana, age 91, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gallagher Funeral Home of Ball, Louisiana.

Services for Mr. Hand, were held on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Winnfield, Louisiana at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Joe Evans officiating. The burial followed the service at the church cemetery with Military Honors, under the direction of Gallagher Funeral Home.

Mr. Hand was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He was a Mason for over 60 years and a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. He worked as an iron worker and welder with Union 47 for many years. Mr. Hand enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and just spending as much time as he could outside. He dearly loved his grandchildren and loved to spend time with his family. He will forever be missed by those that loved and knew him.

Mr. Wilford “Red” Thompson, age 76 of Joyce, Louisiana entered into eternal rest on Saturday, March 21, 2020.

Born Tuesday, July 20, 1943 in Dodson, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, Shird G. and Edith Deese Thompson; brothers, Mack Thompson and Sherwood Thompson.

Red was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Red retired after 45 years from what is now, West Frazier. After retirement, he enjoyed fishing, working in his shop and working in his yard. He really enjoyed keeping his greatgrandchildren on occasion and playing outside with them.

Mrs. Sandra Kay Barber, age 68 of Sikes, Louisiana entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Born Thursday, April 26, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois, she was preceded in death by her parents, Evelyn Louise Cochran Jacobs and A. D. Jacobs; and her siblings, Jerry and Terry Jacobs, and Ruby Faye Holden.

Mrs. Barber was a member of the Sikes Apostolic Church and was a retired Lunch Room Manager at Sikes High School.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, John Ray Barber; daughter, Angella Wilson (David); son, John “Buster” Barber (Kristina); grandchildren, Tiffany Bailey, Ryleigh Carr (Stephen), Ashton Barber, Jesse Wilson, Eric Wilson, Gus Wilson, Annabel Wilson, Chris Caballero, and Caleb Caballero; great grandchildren, Stratton Carpenter, Stetson Wilson, and Hallie Faye; siblings, Pat Cooper (Red), Dianne Carrier (Bo), Barry Jacobs (Brenda), Tony Jacobs (Renae), and Tammy Caballero; many nieces and nephews,

Mr. Gary Eugene Tolbert, age 75, of Sikes, LA, passed from this life into enternal life on March 14, 2020.

Family and friends weree received for visitation at Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield on Sunday, March 15, 2020 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and again on Monday, March 16, 2020 from noon until service time. Funeral services were held in the chapel of Southern Funeral Home on Monday, March 16, at 1:00 PM with Bro. Tony Jacobs and Bro. Todd Lawrence officiating. Burial followed at Sharon Church Cemetery in Sikes, LA

Gary was a graduate of Sikes High School in 1962 and worked 36 years for the Louisiana State Highway Department. He remembered his coworkers in Monroe fondly. Gary was happiest when he was fishing, hunting, gardening, and spending time with his family. He enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor with his family, friends, and the community

Gary was predeceased by his parents, Alma Thompson Tolbert and Edd Tolbert, and his granddaughter, Tori Thames.

Mr. Thomas Jerry Martin, age 82 of Winnfield, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2020. He was born September 14, 1937 in Robeline, Louisiana.

Thomas Jerry was a 1956 graduate of Winnfield High School and a 1963 graduate of Northwestern State University. He was an ironworker for many years, and also was employed as a welding instructor. He retired from the Jackson Parish School Board after 25 years and then taught welding classes for CLTCC at Winnfield Senior High School. T. J. was very passionate about working with young people and was a mentor to many of his welders.

Throughout his life, Thomas Jerry was an active church member and was serving as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Winnfield.

Mrs. Nellie Peterson Hughen, age 79 of Saline, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2020.

Born Monday, April 8, 1940 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Joe D. Hughen; parents, Velta Stewart Peterson and Aubrey A. Peterson; and siblings, Donel, Douglas, and Bobby Peterson, and Louise Ross.

Rennie was known for sharing her flowers and her fresh apple cake. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her family. Her newest hobby was singing “Jesus Loves Me” to Aubrey Jo on a daily basis over the phone.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Mona Russell and husband Danny of Madisonville, LA, and Cindy Chandler and husband Kevin of Winnfield, LA; granddaughter, Sara Beth Rushing and husband Trevor of Walker, LA; and great granddaughter, Aubrey Jo Rushing.

Mr. Keaton Allen Hataway, age 19 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Friday, March 13, 2020.

Keaton was a member of First Baptist Church of Winnfield. He was a graduate of Winnfield Senior High School, where he was president of the Future Farmers of America and was chosen as Mr. WSHS. Keaton attended Northwestern State University. He loved music, cooking and movies. His passion was skateboarding. Keaton’s mission in life was to help others and comfort those in need.

Born Saturday, August 12, 2000 in Monroe, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Billy Poisso and Dennis Mills.

Those left to cherish his memory include his parents, Andrea Parker Poisso and John Poisso; siblings, Madison Ballea Parker-Hataway, John Landon Poisso, Brennan Poisso, Tyler Hataway, and Ryder Hataway; maternal grandparents, Allen and Brenda Parker; and paternal grandmothers, Cathy Mills and Dianne Poisso.

Mrs. Delores Guthrie Baker Harper, age 82 of Sikes, Louisiana passed away Sunday, March 8, 2020. She was born August 12, 1937 in Jigger, Louisiana and was a 40 year plus member of Hart Assembly of God. She was a homemaker, enjoyed cooking and loved her family reunions.

Mrs. Harper was the daughter of the late James Jewel Guthrie and the late Altha Mae Quaid. She was also preceded in death by her husband James Howard Harper, daughter Debbie Baker Cooper and stepson Danny Harper, siblings Jim Guthrie, Dell Boyette, and Dorothy Wyles.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children James Baker (Pam), Michael Baker, Dennis Baker (Karen), Stacy Harper (Susan), Vickie Beaubouef (Hudey), Stepson, Ronny Harper (Susan), stepdaughter Janice Taylor (Dave). She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Ms. Peggy Ann Cheatwood Wise, age 72 of Saline, LA, died February 29, 2020. She was a devout follower of Jesus Christ and faithfully attended Carolina Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Saline High School. Ms. Wise was a loving mother and grandmother and will genuinely be missed by friends and family. She worked as a coach and educator for 38 years, until her retirement form Natchitoches Parish School System, primarily at Goldonna Elementary School. Her passion and dedication to the personal care and education of children was exemplary, and displayed in the countless hours that she personally spent with an untold number of of children. She was truly a champion of those in need. She spent much of her retirement years selflessly caring for many of the elderly in her community. Her absence from this Earth will truly be felt by many.