Obituaries

Mrs. Barbara Matthews Howard, age 76 of Statham, Georgia, formerly a long-term resident of Winn Parish, passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2017. Born Thursday, August 1, 1940 in Shreveport, Louisiana, she was a homemaker and member of First Baptist Church of Statham, Georgia and enjoyed keeping children. Mrs. Howard was preceded in death by her parents, S.T. and Myrtle Richardson; husband, Oliver Howard, Jr. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Teresa Melton (Steve) of Statham, GA and Lori Stowe (Bud) of Downsville, LA; son, Terry Joe Ramsey (Kay) of Orange, TX; 12 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; brothers, James Richardson, Donald Richardson (Brenda Kae), Mike Richardson (Velma) and Raymond Richardson; sisters, Jo Ann Durand (Kenneth), Jeanie Sullivan and Marcy Methvin (Mike); and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev.

Feb. 1, 1946 - Nov. 28, 2016 Just a few months without you have seen like a life time. I miss from hearing your voice and seeing your smiling face. The Broken Chain We little knew that morning that God would call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; For part of us went with you the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories; your love is still our guide, And though we cannot see you, you are always by our side. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again. We love you, Annette, Terrance, DeCourtney, Tama, your grandchildren, great-grandson and other family members.

Funeral services for Pamela Anne Peterson Baldwin, 67 of St. Joseph, formerly of Winnsboro, were held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at First United Methodist Church in Winnsboro with the Rev. Shawn Hornsby, Rev. Johnny Hankins, Rev. Wanda Smith and Rev. Fran Guy officiating. Interment followed in Lone Cedar Cemetery near Winnsboro under the direction of Gill First National Funeral Home of Winnsboro. Pamela was born to Kelly Leon Peterson, Sr. and Tubith Ernestine McKinney Peterson on December 7, 1949, in Winnfield, and passed from this life Friday, February 24, 2017 at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, TX following a lengthy battle with cancer. Pam was a graduate of Winnfield High School and attained her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Louisiana Tech University. She also attained her Master’s degree and +30 in Elementary Education from Northeast Louisiana University.

Mrs. Ethel Mae Lasyone Lantzer passed away on Monday, February 27, 2017 in the Heritage Manor Nursing Hone in Baton Rouge, LA. Mrs. Lantzer, age 100, was born on August 12, 1916 to the union of Robert and Emma Reeves Lasyone. She was a native of the Verda and Winnfield Area. Mrs. Lantzer had resided the past several years in Baton Rouge. Preceeding her in death were her husband Bennie Lantzer, parents Robert and Emma Reeves Lasyone, and sisters Adell L. Miles, Cecile L. Stone and Margie L. Smith. She is survived by nieces Vivian Baker and husband Robert of Las Vegas, NV and Linda Howard of Las Vegas, NV; 5 great nieces and nephews and 12 great great nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 11 .m. on Thursday, March 2, 2017 in the Southern Funeral Home Chapel in Winnfield. Interment to follow in the Verda Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family at the Southern Funeral Home on Thursday from 9 a.m. until time of services

Mr. Joseph “Durran” Gongre, age 54 of Montgomery, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2017. Born Monday, April 10, 1962 in Montgomery, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Joseph and Barbara Jean Lasyone Gongre. Durran loved to cook and entertain his friends. Everyone who knew him enjoyed his company and his comical opinions. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 27 years, Teena Clakley Gongre, Montgomery, LA; son, Dylan Gongre, Montgomery, LA; brothers, Eddie Joe Gongre (Becky), Las Vegas, NV and Marty Gongre (Mitzi), Pineville, LA; nieces, Tiffany Gongre, and Brook Gongre, Pineville, LA; and his special fur baby girl, Demi. Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at Northside Baptist Church with Rev. Scott Tilton officiating. Interment followed in St. Maurice Cemetery, in St. Maurice, under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

Catherine Durbin Hager went home to be with our Lord on February 13, 2017. She was born on October 21, 1919. 97 years here on earth. She has many family and friends in Winn Parish. she was an accomplished painter, seamstress and bookkeeper. The loves of her life were her children and family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Bernard L. Hager, her son Ronald A. Durbin and grandson Darrell A. Smiley, parents Fred and Gene Zimmerman, sisters Flora Bolten, Myrtle Stewart and Wanda Zimmerman. She leaves to tell her stories: daughter Mary D. Smiley and son in law Alvin Smiley, daughter in law Sandra Durbin, grandchildren Renita, John Williams, Adrian and Beth Smiley, Shannon Smiley, Maggie D. Acree (Mitch), Katie D. and Matt Womack; great grands: Travis, Sean, Sara, Ben and Amelia Smiley, Reece (Jodie) Morphew, Hanna Williams, Hayes and Mattie Acree, Lyla and Durbin Womack; great-great grandchildren: Heidi Morphew, Ashton Clements, Alon and Anderson Smiley.

Mrs. Martha Ruth Durbin, age 88 of Winnfield, LA passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2017 in the Forest Haven Nursing Home in Jonesboro, LA. Mrs. Durbin was born on January 11, 1929 to the union of W.M. and Elsie Jordan Walters. Those left to cherish her memory are two sons, Gary and wife Jodie Durbin of Humboldt, TN and Larry Durbin and wife Julie of Holliser, MO; 5 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and one great great grandchildren; two sisters, Jeanette Davis of Chatam, LA and Gloria Poole of West Monroe, LA; and a host of nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at the Antioch Cemetery near Brewtons Mill. Revs. Hayward Hossler and Huey White will officiate the services. Friends may visit with the family at the Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield, LA on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2018 from 5 until 8 p.m. and on Wednesday in the Funeral Home from 1 until 2:30 p.m.

On February 18th 2017 the good Lord looked down with his grace and called our Aunt Aline home. She was born 3/1/1916 and spent over 100 years spreading her unending blessing to any she could find. Heaven is now brighter and the world weeps a profound loss. She leaves behind an army of souls touched. She wasted no days being beautifully kind and loving. Preceeded in death by her husband Leamon Williams and parents M. V. Malone, Sr. and Angie Clifton Malone. Also sisters Helen Cole, Maureen Foshee, Melba Ladd, and brother M.V. Malone, Jr.

Mrs. Betty Lou Walker Tolbert, age 84 of Sikes, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2017. Born Thursday, July 7, 1932 in Cloutierville, Louisiana, she was a member of Friendship Baptist Church and was retired from Winn Parish Medical Center where she was a registered nurse for many years. Mrs. Tolbert was preceded in death by her parents, Zach and Mary Delrie Walker; husband, Floyd Tolbert; grandson, Cole Parker; great-grandson, Chandler Parker; brothers, Earl, Elbert and Glen Walker. Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Vernon Tolbert (Ruby); daughter, Diane Weatherford (James); 6 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson; sister, Barbara Walker (Wayne). Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Wallace Ingles officiating. Interment followed in Sharron Cemetery, in Sikes.

Mrs. Violet Weeks Palmer, a Retired Supervisor at East Texas Pulp and Paper, was born on September 27, 1924 and passed from this life on Saturday, February 11, 2017. She was 92. Funeral services were held on Monday, February 13, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel, Jonesboro, LA with Bro. Terry Bartley and Bro. Craig Stephens officiating. Burial followed in the Yankee Springs Cemetery in Goldonna, LA. Survivors include one daughter, Patsy June Palmer of Goldonna, LA; one brother, Evyonne Weeks and wife Betty of Goldonna, LA; a host of nieces and nephews; Mrs. Palmer is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Lena Weeks; and her husband, Gilbert Palmer Jr.; three brothers, Douglas Weeks, Dudley J. Weeks, and Billy W. Weeks; one sister, Christine Hibbard. Pallbearers were Steven Weeks, D J Leach, Logan Adams, Jeff Caskey, Monty Beard, Mark Weeks. Services were under the direction of Edmonds Funeral Home, Jonesboro, LA.