Obituaries

Mary Jacqueline (Jackie) LeGrande Gaddis, age 70 of Winnfield, Louisiana, received her angel wings on February 28, 2021 after a valiant battle with cancer. Jackie was born in Jena, Louisiana on July 20, 1950 to Mary Maxine Carrier LeGrande and John (Jack) Alfred LeGrande. Jackie was a graduate of Jena High School. Following high school, Jackie followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a licensed cosmetologist after attending Pineville Beauty School.

Mr. Kenneth Harold “Coach” Simmons, age 86 of Dodson, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, February 14, 2021.

Born Tuesday, February 27, 1934 in Sikes, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, Eva M. Gulledge Simmons and Harold L. Simmons and his wife, Janell Spangler Wolfe Simmons.

Mr. Simmons was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in Germany. He was a retired high-school teacher and coach and was most proud of having taken his Vidalia High School Basketball Team to the Lousiana State Championship in 1979. Mr. Simmons enjoyed playing guitar and piano.

Those left to cherish his memory include his step-daughters, Sandra S. Mitchell, Sharyn J. Gregory (Stephen), and Marsha Davidson (Craig) and aunt, Ruth McDonald.

Private graveside services will be held at Sikes Cemetery with Rev. Charles Wesley officiating, under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

Ricketts, age 65 of Tullos, Louisiana passed away on Monday, February 1, 2021.

Born Saturday, November 19, 1955 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her father, Willie B. Butler.

Mrs. Ricketts was a member of Berean Baptist Church where she served as pianist and Sunday School Teacher.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 42 years, Isaac Warren Ricketts; mother, Georgia Lee Couch Butler; sons, Kris Ricketts (Amy) and Isaac Robert Ricketts (Melissa); step-daughters, Liz Ricketts Frederick (Les), Debbie Humphries (Mike), and Cathey Frederick (husband Trey); sister, Sherri Texeira (Frank); grandchildren, Trey (Megan), Andrew (Morgan), Laura, Shelby (Nathan), Macayla, Regan, Rayce, Josh, Kristyn, Ian, Briar and Jayden; great-grandchildren, Kayleigh, Anna, Levi, Natalie C., Kya, Jordan, Natalie M., Chloe and Colby; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Janet Lou Burnett Harty, 83, peacefully passed on February 13, 2021 with family at her bedside. Janet was born in Iron River, Michigan on July 11, 1937 and was a longtime resident and business owner in Winnfield, Louisiana. She was preceded in death by her husband Clifton Harty, parents Perry and Dorothy Burnett, and sisters Everall Carne and Nancy Kelley.

Ms. Audrery Mae Patton Peavy age 81 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away February 24, 2021 at Haven Nursing Home in Columbia. She was born March 31, 1939 in Hebert, Louisiana and was a caregiver for many years. She enjoyed flower gardening, home life, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She was the daughter of the late Jonie Frank Patton and the late Dona Monk Patton. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 53 years Otis Leighton Peavy, Sr. and a son in law James Aaron Banks, Sr.

Those left to cherish her memory are her two sons Otis Leighton Jr, (Jan), and Otis Rush Peavy, two daughters Dona Evelyn Hopper (Larry) and Donna Sue Banks.

She is also survived by a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Wanda Sue O’Bryan, 76, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 22, 2021 in Winnfield, La where she was a resident of Autumn Leaves Nursing Home.

Wanda was a graduate of Winnfield Senior High School. She later retired from the City of Winnfield Utilities Office. She lived a fulfilling life as a dedicated mother, a caring sister, an amazing wife, and a loving “mamaw.” Wanda was born April 8, 1944 in Winnfield to the late Dewey and Argie Creel. She is preceded in death by her parents Dewey and Argie Creel, brother Franklin Mayfield Creel and brother-in-law Charles R. Rowe.

Wanda is survived by husband Claude L. O’Bryan, son Cullen Carl Nugent (Kayla), stepdaughter Debbie Connor, grandchildren Randa Connor, Colton Nugent (Elizabeth), Colby Nugent (Holly), Kaytlen Nugent and great-grandchild Brooklyn Nugent, sister Elenare Creel Rowe and nephew Clayton Rowe.

She also leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her.

Marie Fritz 82 years of age, died peacefully at her home in Winnfield, Louisiana on Monday January 18, 2021. She was born August 22, 1938 in Patton California.

Sixty five years ago, she asked her daddy to sign her senior yearbook-”I share with you the triumph an honor. To you it is the opening chapter of a glorious new chapter of life-to me the closing of a beautiful one”.

The beautiful chapter of her life with us has ended, while her next glorious chapter begins. Her children are honored to have had the privilege of having her as their mom.

She was a veteran, having joined the WAF (Women in Air Force) less than ten years after it’s inception. After marrying a military airman, she kept quite busy creating a loving home in Texas, Alaska, Louisiana, Mississippi and Minnesota. Twice being a single mom of five children, while her husband was gone for a year at a time on short tours of duty.

Mr. Cargle Branch, Jr., age 71 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, February 28, 2021.

Born Monday, May 16, 1949, in Winnfield, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, Gertrude Gilmore Jowers and Cargle Branch, Sr.; his brother, Jesse Branch; and his sisters, Frances Freeman and Elsie Laurent.

In Junior’s early career, he worked on tug boats and drove an eighteen-wheeler truck. Since the late 1980’s he dedicated his life to public service. Junior was proud to work for local ambulance services, the City of Winnfield Police Department and, most recently, the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Department. He loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and will be remembered as a great cook, hard worker, a loving, caring man who was always pleasant, and dedicated to his family.

Mr. Kenneth Ray “Kenny” Blundell, age 71 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2021.

Born Saturday, November 26, 1949, he was preceded in death by his parents, Gloria Jackson Blundell and Keifer Blundell; and his nephew, Jamie Blundell.

Mr. Blundell retired from Chembond/Arclin after 30 years of service. He was an avid white perch and catfish fisherman. Mr. Blundell was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church where he served as Sunday School Director and Discipleship Training Teacher.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 49 years, Dianne Blundell of Winnfield; sons, Kenneth Chad Blundell (Tess) and Jason Ray Blundell (Sandie); siblings, Emmett Blundell (Janice), Larry Blundell, Jo Evelyn DelRio (Mike), Frank Blundell, and Troy Blundell (Pam); grandchildren, Kelleigh Anne, Kyleigh Elizabeth, Kadence Raylynne, and Jace Michael Blundell and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Donnie Edward Guilliams, age 73 of Dodson, Louisiana passed away February 9, 2021, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after a long illness.

Mr. Guilliams, born September 4, 1947, in Campti, was a saw filer for many years and worked at various mills in Winn Parish. He was a member of the Hurricane Creek Baptist Church and proudly served in the Louisiana National Gaurd.

He was preceded in death by his wife Frankie “Sally” Ann Guilliams, his parents Oliver and Lucy Mae Guilliams, as well as three brothers Jeff Guilliams, Allen Guilliams, Charles Ray Guilliams and his sister Jean Davis.

Mr. Guilliams leaves to cherish his memory three children Stacey Rupert (Randy), Shelley Swanson (Jeremy), and Dustin Guilliams (Casey), seven grandchildren, two sisters Doris Antley (Thomas), and Melba Pinder. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.