Obituaries

Mrs. Billie J. Southern, age 88 of Castor, passed away on Friday, October 12, 2018. She is survived by her husband, Ray L. Southern; her children, Mike Collinsworth, Barry Collinsworth and wife Betty, Sandy Keiffer and husband Clifton, Debbie Keiffer and husband Harvey; 10 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ben Collinsworth; daughter, Linda Collinsworth Hawkins; granddaughter, April Collinsworth; great-great grandson, Chandler Wise; parents, Doss Elmer and Minnie Lou (Toms) Caskey. Friends visited with the family on Monday, October 15, 2018 from 11:00AM- 2:00PM at Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services followed at 2:00PM with Reverends Jerry Martin and James Lovell officiating. Interment was in Pine Ridge Cemetery near Goldonna under the direction of Edmonds Funeral Home.

Mrs. Irine Ashley, age 84 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, October 6, 2018. Born Saturday, March 17, 1934 in Winnsboro, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Hudson Franks and Hubert Perry Franks; husband, James Ashley; and brother, W. H. Franks. Mrs. Ashley enjoyed being outside working in her flower beds, cooking and walking. She loved her family and friends. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Connie Ashley; sons, Alvin, Eddie (Jerri), Woody (Lynn), Pat, and Chris Ashley; grandchildren, Gary (Natasha), April, Kevin, Payton, Summer, Bryce, and Leah; 12 great grandchildren; sister, Mary Lea Glass; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends., The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at Southern Funeral Home, from 12:00 PM until time of services. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Spikes and Rev.

Mr. Albert Michael “Mike” Cockerham, age 70, of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away on Friday, October 5, 2018. Born Thursday, December 4, 1947, in Winnfield, he was a member of First Baptist Church of Winnfield and was a graduate of Northwestern State University with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. His hobbies included fishing, woodworking and gardening, but above all, he most enjoyed helping other people. Mr. Cockerham was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Howard and Clara Rachel Carpenter Cockerham; first wife, Janice Richards Cockerham; siblings, Howard Cockerham, Frances Williams and Cathy Franks; nephew, Roger D. Lowery.

March 3, 1942 – Oct. 7, 2018

Ruth “Janell” Beardsley, formerly of Strandburg Ave. passed away (Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018) at the Pines in Machias. Born March 23, 1934 in Sikes, Louisiana, she was the daughter of William and Mary Brister Willis. In 1994 in Warsaw, NY she married David Beardsley who survives. Mrs. Beardsley was a graduated of Sikes High School, and was employed by Merrill-Lynch Brokerage Firm in Buffalo, she later worked at Mallory Inc. of Warsaw, NY, where she made her home for 38 years. Ruth enjoyed gospel singing, recording her own music, working in the yard and flowers. Surviving besides her husband are 2 daughters Lisa Schwab of Erie, PA, Linda (Duane) Edmunds of Pittsford, NY, a son Richard (Kimberly) Schwab of Pike, NY, 2 grandsons, Adam and Hayden Schwab, a brother John Willis of Boser City, LA, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 8 brothers and sisters. Friends gathered with the family on Thursday (Sept. 27, 2018) at the Babbitt & Easton Funeral Home 7 N. Main St.

Mr. James McBride, age 82 of Goldonna, went to be with the Lord Monday, September 24, 2018. He will always be remembered as a loving, hard working man of God. He was a compassionate caregiver and an avid gardener. He enjoyed and adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mr. McBride was a long standing member, board member, and deacon of Antioch Community Church in Brewton’s Mill. Following his retirement he became quite the talented baker and always had a cup of coffee ready to enjoy with all of his sweet treats. Those left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 50 years, Mary Alice (Martin) McBride; daughter, Karla Campbell and husband Tommy; grandchildren, Brent Carpenter and wife Jennifer, Brooke Womack and husband Stuart, Zachary Kieffer, Martin Shaw and wife Amber; 6 great grandchildren; brother, Billy Mac McBride and wife Dorothy; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Beulah Hammer Wise, age 91 of Atlanta, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, September 29, 2018. Born Monday, November 15, 1926 in Chewey, Oklahoma, she was preceded in death by her parents, Callie Thurman Hammer and Grover Hammer; daughter, Ona Elizabeth Wise; granddaughter, Kimberly Dawn Wise; and siblings, James Hammer, Lila Mae Williams, Ann Butler, and Bonnie Eads, Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 71 years, John Pierce Wise, Sr.; Children, Phyllis Castro, Catherine Crow, and John Wise, Jr. (Melinda); 10 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and siblings, Dick Hammer and Francis Espinosa. Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at Mars Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Ricky Williams officiating. Interment followed in Mars Hill Cemetery, near Verda, under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. Serving the family as pallbearers were Justin Wise, Joshua Wise, Jesse Crow, Phillip Wise, Toby Guidry and Cranford Jordan.