Obituaries

Mrs. Mary Lee Sproles Ortego, age 71 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, March 18, 2021.

Born Sunday, May 29, 1949 in Gilbert, Louisiana, she was retired from Chase Bank having worked in the banking industry for many years. She was a member of the Kisatchie Quilting Club and enjoyed sewing, reading and fishing.

Mrs. Ortego was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas James and Margaret Kennison Sproles; siblings, Lois Lawrence, Lawrence Sproles, Earl Sproles, Henry Sproles and Bill Sproles.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 54 years, John Ortego; children, Steve Ortego and Tricia Wilson (Russ); grandchildren, Justin, Crystal, Devin and Emily and three great-grandchildren; siblings, Audrey Berry, Pat Reynolds and Boots Griffith; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be announced by the family at a later date.

Mrs. Marjorie Maxine Carter Godman, age 92 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Friday, March 12, 2021.

Born Tuesday, May 22, 1928 in Downsville, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Mignon Smith and Willie Alvie Simpson; sister, Helon Hayes; and husbands, Jepp Dayton Carter and Willie Godman.

Mrs. Godman enjoyed gardening, reading, and her little dog, Maple. She worked in the insurance business and was a Notary Public in Winn Parish for many years.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Ken Carter (Gail); grandson, Christopher Carter (Kevin McHargue); great grandson, Carter McHargue; brothers, Bill Simpson and Dawson Simpson (Juanita); sister, Elizabeth Young (Huey) and special nephew, Bruce Carpenter (Andrea).

Graves services were held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at Bethlehem Cemetery with Rev. Lamar Carpenter officiating, under the direction of Southern Funeral Home.

James Conrad Amberg passed from this life on February 27, 2021 at his home in Georgetown with his wife and son at his bedside. He was 83 years old and had waged a 20 plus year battle with leukemia. He was laid to rest on Sunday February 28th at the Starks Cemetery in graveside service officiated by Rev. Mark Breland.

Jim was born to the union of John Christian Amberg and Annie Mae Gaar. He was survived by his wife of 59 years Linda Holmes Caraway and his son and namesake James Conrad Amberg, II “Jay”. He is also survived by his sisters Frances Perego of Shreveport, Mildred Harter (Bobby) of 011a, Cheerie Jackson (Paul) of Sulfur and a number of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Jim was born on land homesteaded by his grandmother in what is now the Kisatchie National Forest. He was second generation born in the country. His grandfather had immigrated from Switzerland in the late 1800’s.

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. Andrew Buron White, Jr. passed from this life on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at the age of 84 in Autumn Leaves Nursing Home of Winnfield, Louisiana. Mr. White was born in Greenville, South Carolina on July 18, 1936.

He graduated Winnfield High School in 1954, and attended Northwestern State College where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Adminstration in 1958. Mr. White spent his working career as a loan officer and real estate appraiser for First Federal Savings and Loan and later as an independent real estate appraiser. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Winnfield, Louisiana.

He enjoyed spending time at “The Farm” gardening, fishing, and hunting. He loved cooking and sharing his delicious meals. He developed great friendships with the workers at both Wal-Mart and Mac’s Fresh Market. He never met a stranger and always had a quick wit about him. He was always a very giving man and loved to make people laugh.

Mrs. Angelene (Pete) Barton Bartley, age 81 of Atlanta, Louisiana passed away on Friday, March 5, 2021.

Born Monday, February 19, 1940 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was a member of Sardis Baptist Church and was a retired nurse. She enjoyed quilting and spending time with her family.

Mrs. Bartley was preceded in death by her parents, Wilmer and Mellie Taylor Barton; husband, Walter T. Bartley; and her five siblings.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Vince Bartley (Donna), Sharleen Gongre (Eddie) and Khristy Bradford (Ken); grandchildren, Tom Gongre, Justin Gongre, Landon Bartley and Payton Bradford and four great-grandchildren; sisters, Frances Rogers and Edna Whittom; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 8, 2021 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Danny Keyes and Bro. Thomas Collins officiating. Interment followed in Jordan Hill Cemetery, in Winnfield.

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.