Obituaries

Donald “Donnie” L. Wells, previously from Jefferson City, MO, was called to his heavenly home on July 20, 2023 after a brief illness.

He was born June 8, 1939 to Thomas and Viola Marie Wells. The Lord blessed him with 84 wonderful years.

He served his beloved country in the United States Marine Corps for 2 years and continued in the Reserves for another 4 years.

Mr. Walter Tate White, Jr., of Houma, Louisiana passed peacefully from this life on Sunday, July 2, 2023 in Terrebone General Hospital with his precious family at his side. Mr. White was born in Shreveport, Louisiana to the union of Walter Tate White, Sr. and Warrena Harlow White on April 24, 1929. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving on the USS Sabine (1946-1948) and then a merchant mariner (1948-1951). He married the love of his life, Florence Harrington on February 23, 1952. He retired from a long career from Bell South and AT&T phone companies

with 30 plus years as an engineer. A very active 94 year old, he spent his childhood in Packton, Louisiana and graduated from Selma High School. He enjoyed maintaining his timber property and loved traveling with his wife in their RV.

Mr. White is preceded in death by his parents, Walter Tate White, Sr. and Warrena Harlow White, and one grandchild, Andrew William White.

Thomas Andrew Wyatt, 57, of Bossier City, Louisiana, passed away on May 17, 2023 after a brief illness. He was born July 5, 1965 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He was known by friends and family for his laid-back personality, gentle demeanor and hard work ethic. He was highly skilled and knowledgeable in caring for his patients as a registered nurse at Willis Knighton in Bossier City. That desire to help others began with training in the Army Med Corp at San Antonio, Texas and lather attending North Western School of Nursing.

Thomas Andrew as a devoted family man and is survived by his wife, Monica McDonald Wyatt and his daughter Elizabeth Anne Wyatt of Bossier City, Louisiana.

He is also survived by his mother, Reggie Anne Walker-Wyatt, his sisters Marva Joe Wyatt of New Orleans and Lydia Anne Wyatt of Shreveport, and his great aunt, Nelda Watson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Benny Esley Smith, a beloved resident of Winnfield, Louisiana, peacefully passed away on Monday, June 5, 2023, at the age of 88.

Benny was born on Wednesday, October 3, 1934, in Winnfield, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Leda Elizabeth Gorum Smith; his devoted father, Samuel Esley Smith; his beloved daughter, Cheri Lynn Smith; and his brother and sister-in-law, Perry H. Smith and Charlotte Smith and brother Jerry T. Smith.

Mr. Smith graduated from Winnfield High School and Northwestern State University. He began his career in banking and later transitioned to teaching vocational education. Eventually, he retired from the Winn Parish School Board, where he had served as the business manager. Throughout his retirement, Benny and his wife found joy in playing golf with their many friends until their health no longer allowed it. He was a dedicated lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Winnfield, where he also taught Sunday school.

Our beloved husband and father Richard Cloid Crain passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the age of 80. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sybil Taylor Crain.

He was born in Houston, Texas on January 14, 1943. His childhood in Sikes, Louisiana instilled a lifelong passion for hunting, fishing, and gardening. He loved to speak about it with anyone who would listen. He graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Engineering. His work in the oil and gas industry took him and his young family to many South American countries. After settling back in Grant Parish, he continued to teach and consult for various industries including ESI International and traveled worldwide trainingteaching in Kuwait, Israel, Nigeria, England, Scotland, and Ireland. He was Grant Parish Manager and President of the 19th District Levee Board. He served on the board of directors of the Louisiana Correctional Facilities for many years.

Audie J. Brooks, age 80 of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away April 26, 2023 after a short illness.

Services were held at the First Presbyterian Church in Winnfield at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 14, 2023. Interment was at New Jerusalem Cemetery on Spillway Road following the services.

Audie was born August 24, 1947 to Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Neal in Alexandria, Louisiana. Audie graduated from Winnfield Senior High in 1961. Following graduation, she attended Huey P. Long Vocational College to obtain a degree in Business Education.

Audie was married to Jimmy Brooks, in 1962 and became a widow at the death of her husband in October, 1989. Audie had a long and active career in the service industry.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter Sonja Brooks, son, Jimmy Brooks, II, her sister Bert Gates of Orange Park, Florida, and many cousins and friends.

Mrs. Yvonne Cockerham Jordan, age 81 of Winnfield, Louisiana gained her angel wings on Sunday, May 21, 2023, after a lengthy illness. The family would like to thank Autumn Leaves Nursing Home, Hill Top Nursing Home, and Compassionate Care Hospice for the care and compassion they provided Mrs. Jordan during her illness. She lived a life of servitude to the lord and her family.

Born April 11, 1942 in Columbia, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents Homer Varnell, Sr, and Tommie May (Cryer) Varnell; her first husband of 42 years, John Cockerham Sr.; her second husband of 21 years, Joe Butler Jordan; and siblings Earl Varnell, Hormer Varnell Jr, Russell Varnell, Patsy Clark and Shirley Varnell Johns.

Sara June McPherson, age 90, passed away March 13th 2023 in Winter Park, Fl. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. Her departure has left an indelible void in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

She was born to Arthur and Alma Chandler on June 24th 1932 in Dodson, LA. She was very active in her local churches for many years and enjoyed singing in the choir. She really enjoyed bird watching and always had a bird feeder in her front yard.

She is survived by her son Jay McPherson (Astrid) of Winter Park, FL. Her grandchildren Jackie Delzell (Alan) of Austin, TX and Joshua McPherson. Her great grandchildren Jesse Ledesma, Jastin Ledesma, Gabriel Delzell, and Ali Delzell. Her sister Katherine Wilkinson and many nieces and nephews.

Charles Edward Liles, 73 of Saint Martinville, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at St. Frances Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Charles was born Tuesday, September 6, 1949, to the union of the late Barney Liles and the late Inez Wright Liles. He was the husband of Ginger “Gin” Robertson Liles. Charles, “Chuck” as he was affectionately known, grew up in Immokalee, FL and joined the US Army and served in the Vietnam war beginning in 1969. He also served in South Korea as head of an installation on the DMZ. Mr. Liles spent his working career as an Industrial Electrician in various industries, which ended in his retirement after 30 years from Lasuca Sugarmill in June of 2019. His retirement renewed his love for bowling. Chuck had made many

new friends at his favorite spot, “Cajun Bowl”.

Kevin Chad Camp, dedicated husband, father, teacher, and coach, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at the age of 51.

Chad was born the oldest of three children to Julius and Sarah Camp in Alexandria, Louisiana on May 8, 1971. He graduated from Winnfield Senior High School in 1989 before attending Louisiana Tech University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education. Upon graduation, he started his 29-year career as the agriculture teacher at Calvin High School. In 2017, he began his journey as Calvin High School Lady Cougar’s head softball coach. In his short coaching career, he led the Calvin Lady Cougars to victory with two consecutive state championships.

Under his leadership, his students excelled on the local, district, state, and national levels. Throughout the years he earned multiple FFA State Sweepstakes Championships.