Obituaries

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.

Mrs. Alice Gentry Rush, age 81 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2017. Born Saturday, August 3, 1935 in Many, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Marshall and Betty Carroll Gentry; husband, Bertis Rush; siblings, Jack Gentry, Hazel Peveto and Jimmy Dan Gentry. Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Susan Woods, Bobby Joe Rush (Barbara), Bertis Rush (Sharon), Connie Reed, Betsy Andrus (Charles), Johnny Rush (Angie) and Keith Rush (Angela); 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; brothers, Dub Gentry and Bob Gentry. Funeral services were held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Wallace Ingles and Rev. Onie Hay officiating. Interment followed in Garden of Memories, in Winnfield. Serving the family as pallbearers were Daniel Berry, Macy Compton, Matthew Walker, Josh Chellette, Gary Wayne Sepulvado and Cole McCartney.

Mrs. Mary Nell Box Parker, age 86 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on February 6, 2017. Born December 29, 1930, in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was a 1948 graduate of Winnfield High School. On March 1st, 1949, she married the love of her life, Charles Darrow Parker. After traveling the world with the Air Force, the family was transferred back to England Air Force Base in Alexandria where they resided for one year. Mary then settled with her family in Winnfield where she continued to raise two children and run a successful business, Box Flower Shop. She gave of herself tirelessly in her care for others, always going the extra mile to make sure they felt loved and cared for while her husband was away from the family home. She had several hobbies which included being an avid fisherman, a gifted painter, and a great cook. Her “Lake Cake” was always on the table anytime a family member was coming home.

Patrick Lee Shelton, passed away at his home in Winnfield, Louisiana on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at the age of 78. Patrick was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Florence Eileen Lee Shelton, sister Kay White, brother Richard Shelton and a son Michael Shelton. Patrick is survived by his loving wife Jean of 59 years. Those left to cherish his memory are his Wife Jean Lowery Shelton, son Frankie Shelton and his wife Pam of Alexandria, son Brian Shelton and his wife Andrea of Natchitoches, brother Cloy Shelton and wife Janie of Winnfield, sister Cele Thompson and husband Reggie of Atlanta, sister Jettie Moore and husband the late L. G.

Mr. James William Harston, age 78 of Goldonna, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2017. He enjoyed his home-life with his family, his yard work and gardening. Born Saturday, June 25, 1938 in Ft. Worth, Texas, he was preceded in death by his parents, Jeff James and Ida Celia Autrey Harston; brother, J.C. Harston; infant son, Douglas Harston. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 58 years, Dorothy “Dottie” Sutton Harston; son, Billy Harston (Denise); brother, Frank “Red” Harston (Sylvia). Funeral services were held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Southern Funeral Home with Steve Bartlett officiating. Interment followed in Bethlehem Cemetery in Calvin. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome.com

Terry Lewis Holden, age 58 of Winnfield, LA passed away February 5, 2017. Services were held February 12, 2017 in Winnfield.

Odell “Drysalt” Woods, Sr., age 76 of Winnfield, LA passed away February 4, 2017. Services were held February 11, 2017 in Winnfield.