Obituaries

Funeral services for Marvin Joe Deese of Jonesboro were held 10:00AM Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Southern Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Robert Leach and Bro. Richard Harmon officiating.

Mr. Edis Ray Sanders, Sr., age 74 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Friday, January 13, 2017.

Born Tuesday, August 18, 1942 in Winnfield, Louisiana, he was a member of South Winnfield Baptist Church where he was a deacon for many years and was a retired electrician. His favorite pastime was spending time with his family and going fishing.

Mr. Sanders was preceded in death by his parents, James Albert and Iris McCarty Sanders; wife, Mary Nell Sanders.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Barbara Clary Sanders; children, Edis Ray “Eddie” Sanders, Jr. (Shea), David Scott Sanders (Melissa), Kevin Whisonant (Robin), Carolyn Lang (Jimmie) and Nathan Whisonant (Michelle); sister, Iris Virginia Perry (Joe); 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 2 nephews.

Mr. Richard D. Smart, age 93 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Friday, January 20,2017.

Born Sunday, December 2, 1923in Winnfield, La, he was preceded in death by his father, David Smart, mother, Artie Smart, brother, Charles Smart and sister, Helen Smart.

Mr. Smart was a proud veteran of World War II, member of Sardis Baptist Church and a Welding Instructor at the Huey P. Long Memorial Vocational School for 22 years. His passions in life were hunting, fishing and telling stories.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 63 years Louise Smart; four sons Tim Smart, Claude Smart (Phyllis),Wayne Smart (Terry) and Larry Smart (Birgit) along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at Southern Funeral Home, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Dr. Horace Ray Teal, 83, died Sunday, January 22, 2017 at the Winn Parish Medical Center. Ordained in 1952 at his boyhood church Lone Star Baptist(Hineston) and completing his PhD in Theology in 1997, Bro. Teal served 4 churches, including Fullerton Baptist Church (1953-1954), Oak Hill Baptist Church(1955-1957), Atlanta Baptist Church (1958-2001) and First Baptist Church Montgomery (2003-2017).

Diedre Almeda Lewis, age 53 of Doyline, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2017. Born Monday, January 14, 1963 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her father, Alon Tracy Carpenter. She attended First Baptist Church of Doyline. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 8 years, Lawrence “Bubba” Lewis; mother, Maude Maxine Mooney Carpenter Council; son, Michael “Chase” Teral; sisters, Teresa Carpenter, Dianne West, Patricia Garner, Bobby Council and Rebecca Bedgood; brother, Randy Carpenter and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Calvin with the Reverends Lamar Carpenter and Sean Garner officiating. Interment followed in Bethlehem Cemetery in Calvin, under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. Serving the family as pallbearers were Joe Goodeaux, Joe Robinson, Ryan Chestnut, Brian Dobbins, Kyle Phillips, Jeremy Carpenter.

Deborah Jewel Colvin, 63, of Winnfield, went to be with her Lord and Savior surrounded by friends and family on January 11, 2017. Funeral services were held at 10:00am, Saturday, January 14, 2017 at First Baptist Church, Winnfield with Dr. Calvin Phelps and Reverends John Holland, Phil Howard, and Steven Smithson officiating. Burial was held at 3pm at New Hope Cemetery in Choudrant, LA, under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. Mrs. Colvin was born on October 23, 1953 in Freeport, TX and grew up in Pineville, LA. She married James “Jim” Colvin, of Winnfield, on February 28, 1976. She loved the Lord Jesus Christ and served him all the days of her life. Mrs. Colvin was an active member of First Baptist Church where she was a member of the Sanctuary Choir and the Pairs & Spares Sunday School Class. Mrs. Colvin was secretary at Winnfield Middle School and First Baptist Church for several years. She was a big fan and supporter of Winnfield Tiger Football. Mrs.

Mr. Terry Wayne Bates, age 56 of Calvin, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2017. Born Wednesday, May 25, 1960 in Winnfield, Louisiana, he was a member of Sanders United Methodist Church and will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a hard-working, strong and devoted man to his family. His grandchildren brought him so much joy and he loved his family. He loved hunting, fishing and being outdoors. He was a kind and compassionate person who was loved by everyone he met. He was always “Terry”. Mr. Bates was preceded in death by his father, James Roy Bates; brother, Mickey Lynn Bates; grandson, Braylen Dawayne Bates.

Wesley Joseph, age 71 of Missouri City, TX passed away January 9, 2017. Services were held January 14, 2017 in Winnfield.

Mr. Charles Franklin McCoy, age 74 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2017. Born Tuesday, July 28, 1942 in Tennessee, he was preceded in death by his parents, Luther James and Carrie Marie Mise McCoy and his sister, Jodie Barron. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Debra McCoy; children, Charles Steven McCoy, Sharonda McCoy and Eric McCoy; step-children, Janice Kelly and Michael McDaniel; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; siblings, Jimmy McCoy, Carol Booth, Virginia Welch and Pat Beacth. Memorial service arrangements will be announced by the McCoy family at a later date. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome.com

Evelyn “Tootsie” Billings, longtime resident   Winnfield, LA passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours   Sunday, January 8, 2017. She was an active member   First Baptist Church   Winnfield for over 71 years where she taught Sunday School and was an active member   Keenagers. For the past 3 years, she had been a resident at Autumn Leaves Nursing Home in Winnfield. She was born in Atlanta, LA to parents Benjamin Franklin Billings and Nancy Ann Raspberry Billings. She was the youngest   10 siblings and was proceded in death by all. Two   her sisters, Annie Mae Billings Sherwood (Skinny) and Minnie Lee Billings Sherwood (Roy) were also longtime residents   Winnfield. She is proceded in death by her parents and all   her siblings. She is also proceded in death by dozens   nieces, nephews and cousins.