Obituaries

Clara Joanne Starks Clara Joanne Starks, age 82 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, July 1, 2017. Born Friday, December 7, 1934 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Oree Allen and Pearl McMurry Allen; and husband, Pete Starks. Joanne loved her family, especially those grandchildren. She loved to spend as much time asshe could on Saline Lake in her boat fishing. Joanne enjoyed searching for hidden treasures (antiques) in old estates, as wellas searching for arrow heads and fossils. Mrs. Starks enjoyed reading and talking about history and loved the outdoors.Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Ken Starks (Jan), Natchitoches, LA and Ronnie Starks (Arlinda), Simmsport, LA; 8 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Stanley Clemmons officiating. Interment followed in Garden of Memories, in Winnfield.

Mr. Willie Oscar “W.O.” Holmes, age 83 of Tullos, Louisiana passed away onSaturday, July 8, 2017. Born Monday, May 14, 1934 in Winnfield, Louisiana, he was retired from Huey P. Long Vocational School and served in the US Army from 1956-58. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. Mr. Holmes was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Clayton and Ola Mae Bruce Holmes; brothers, Raymond Holmes and Jimmy Holmes; grandson, Clayton Thomas Holmes; great granddaughter, Maci Alexander Holmes.

Mr. Robert Allen Clark, age70, was born May 11, 1947 in Winnfield, LA. He went to his heavenly home Friday, July 7, 2017. He was the son of Charles E. Clark, Sr. and Erma Drucilla Allbritton Clark. Robert spent his younger years in Winnfield, graduating from Winnfield High School in 1965. After graduating from highschool, he started a job in Lafayette, LA where he met his wife of 50 years, Beverly Hayes Clark. They went on to share a life of travelling, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and pursuing business ventures in Lincoln parish and LaSalle parish. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mildred Tullos Rooney, his brothers Charles Clark, Jr, Melvin Clark, Bill Clark, Jimmy Clark, and Jerry “Poochie” Clark.

Donnis Edgar Whisenant, 72, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at his home on July 1, 2017. Donnis was born on November 2, 1944, to the late AT and Cleo Whisenant. Donnis is survived by his devoted wife, Kathy Ann (Edgecombe) Whisenant; children, Michelle Jaskolski and husband, Nick, of Fayetteville, AR; Marie Flannery and husband, David, of Wildomar, CA; Thad Whisenant and wife, Molly, of The Woodlands, TX; and Theodore Whisenant of The Woodlands, TX; grandchildren Nicholas, Ellie, Josh, Connor, Carson, Colton and Cooper; special friends Kent and Jeanne Arrant, Jim and Jennie Killion, Ernie and Jean Jaskolski, Maryand John Wilson, and Patty Killion. Donnis was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed playing guitar, singing, telling stories, and teaching his grandson, Nicholas, all about life. A special thank you to the Fayetteville VA and Washington Regional Hospice for their loving care and support.

It’s been three months since you left us. If we could visit heaven even for a day or just for a moment, maybe the pain would go away. We’d put our arms around you and whisper words, “I loveyou”. That living life without you is the hardest thing for us to do. So, no matter how we spend our days, no matter what we do, no morning or evening or nights falls when we don’t cry and we all think of you. Every second Every minute Every hour of every day We miss and love you Mom and Roger Delisa & Tommy and Family Dawn & Sam and Boys Corey and Crystal

Mr. Vernon Carol Vines, age 62 of Dodson, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2017. Born Thursday, June 16, 1955 in Winnfield, Louisiana, he was retired from the forestry industry and was an avid hog hunter and fisherman. Mr. Vines was preceded in death by his parents, Bush Jackson Vines, Jr. and Geneva Hazel Myers Vines; Wife, Terri Ann Potts Vines; siblings, Clifford Vines and Margaret Vines Gorham. Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Rebecca Vines Welch (Jay); son, Chris Vines (Amber); grandchildren, Brittany Cobb (Tyler), Michael, Justin, Jayson and Mason Welch, Ethan, Nathan, Aspen and Kanyon Vines; siblings, Roger Vines, Bush Vines and Bennie Harris; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at Hurricane Creek Baptist Church of Dodson with Rev. Rayford Chandler, Rev. Billy Martin and Rev. Bobby Bates officiating.

Funeral services for Mr. Joey Mark Gray of Sterlington, LA were held at 2:00 pm Sunday, June 25, 2017 in the chapel of Griffin Funeral Home Monroe with Rev. Michael Green and Rev. Andy Myrick officiating. Interment followed at Wright Cemetery in Sikes, LA under the direction of Griffin Funeral Home. Mr. Gray was born November 2, 1960 in Kinder, LA and passed from this life on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at the age of 56. He is preceded in death by his father, Charles Allen Gray, Sr.; his mother, Ruby Louise Johnson Gray; and two sisters, Patricia Gray and Shelia Summers.

Mr. Ronald Brazzell, Sr., age76 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. Born Saturday, October 5,1940 in Shreveport, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by hisparents, Claude Brazzell and Gladys Jones Brazzell; wife of 54 years, Tommie Brazzell; and brother, Jerry Brazzell. Mr. Brazzell spent over 30 years in education as a coach, teacher, and principal. He was a member of First Baptist Church where he served as deacon and sunday school teacher for 5th and 6th grade boys. He enjoyed fishing, reading hisbible, listening to Cajun music, watching LSU sports, and spending time with his family. He will be remembered for hisquiet strength and gentle presence. Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Ciena Thompson (Greg); son, Ronald Michael Brazzell, Jr.

James Eugene Hubbard, 83,of Winnfield, passed awayTuesday, June 13, 2017 after ashort battle with cardiovasculardisease.Eugene was born in Sikes,Louisiana at home on the oldParker homeplace to Etta and Sam Hubbard on January 25,1934. He grew up around Winn Parish and later his career journey took him to south Texas, central Washington state, southern California, and the northern New Mexico mountains. However, a man passionate about theforest products and timber industry, he spent the majority of hiscareer as a logging contractor. He had an analytical mind withthe ability to imagine, design, and build almost anything some-one needed.

Mrs. Phyllis Eley McCoy, age88 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, June18, 2017. Born Sunday, October 14, 1928in Jackson, Michigan, she wasa homemaker, a member of East Winnfield Baptist Churchand was a resident of Autumn Leaves Nursing Home.Mrs. McCoy was preceded indeath by her parents, Rennie and Bernice Seacord Eley; husband, John McCoy; brothers, Robert Eley and Clair Eley;granddaughter, Kristi Gray; grandson, Charles Goodman.Those left to cherish her memory include her children,Theresa Norman (Michell), Danny McGuirk (Marlene), DianaShelton, Shelma Daniel, Patricia Aucoin, Patrick McGuirk, Jr.(Penny) and Terrie Daigle (Lowell); siblings, Christine Webb(Bobby) and Dorn Eley; aunt, Darlene Smith; and her 14 grand-children, 38 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.Graveside memorial services will be held at 10:00 AM onSaturday, June 24, 2017 at Bolton-Teagle Cemetery with Rev.Jack Miller officiating.