Obituaries

On March 21,1949, Terry Lyn Wagoner was born to Richard L. and Minnie Heard Wagoner in Winnfield, Louisiana. Terry passed from this world on March 5,2023 at 73 years of age. He was preceded in death by his wife, Debbie Wagoner, his parents, Richard L and Minnie Heard Wagoner and brothers, Neil and Bill Wagoner.

He is survived by sisters- in-law, Carolyn Wagoner and Martha Wagoner and nieces and nephews, Cheri Vaughn and Chris, Sondra Walker and Jeff, Kevin Wagoner and Tawny, Barry Wagoner and Lisa, Joey Wagoner and Rachel, Shawn Wagoner and Daisy, and special great-niece, Kristen Walker.

Terry married later in life and spent time living in Richmond, Virginia working as a draftsman for Williams Industries. He and Debbie loved their fur babies and loved visiting family in Louisiana. After Debbie passed away, Terry moved back home to be closer to his family. He enjoyed his time living back in Winnfield, LA.

Mrs. Edith Ann Smiley, age 83 of Dodson, Louisiana passed away on Friday, March 17, 2023.

Born Saturday, January 6, 1940 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Will Wallace and Bernice Cockerham Higgs; daughter, Paula Lynn Bice; granddaughter, Chasidy Rae Bice.

In her spare time Mrs. Edith enjoyed gardening, and loved her flowers, as well as deer hunting. She loved spending time at the camp with her husband C.E., and fishing on Black Bayou. She was a devoted grandmother and loved cooking

for the family. She was a member of Hurricane Creek Baptist Church Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, C. E, Smiley, Jr.’; daughter, Suzette Deville Dearman; sons, Wallace Bice (Melissa), Shane Smiley, Jon Smiley (Kyle); eight grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

Graveside services were held at Hurricane Creek Baptist Cemetery on Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 2:00PM with Rev. Jack Miller officiating.

James Lloyd Collins, of Bossier City, LA, went to be with his Lord peacefully March 19, 2023, surrounded by family. He was born on July 27, 1944, in Winnfield, LA, to Florence and Marlin Collins.

Mr. Collins graduated from Winnfield Senior High School in 1962 and from Northwestern State University, in Natchitoches, LA, in 1971. He worked as a nursing home administrator for over 40 years and was selected as the LA Administrator of the Year. Mr. Collins served as Chairman of Deacons at First Baptist Church Winnfield, First Baptist Church Bossier and served on the Board of Directors at Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport. He was very involved in Kiwanis Club of Bossier City and served as President and was named Kiwanian of the Year 2000. He loved training Labradors for hunting retriever championships and served as the Secretary Treasurer for the North Louisiana Hunting Retriever Club and the Shreveport Bossier Retriever Club. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Ms. Nelda Marie Smith Bryant, age 80, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March, 21, 2023 peacefully in her sleep. She was born the third of eight children in Karnack, Texas to the union of I.T. and Callie Marie Norwood Smith. She graduated from Start High School in Rayville, Louisiana. After graduation, she met and married Larry with who she spent 59 wonderful years. Nelda worked for many years outside the home including running the Verda Grocery Store that she and her husband Larry purchased, for Grant Parish Meals on Wheels Program, and Jordache in Colfax, Louisiana.

A memorial service honoring the life of Christian Edward Beyer was held on Friday, March 24, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Davis Springs Southern Methodist Church, 203 Davis Springs Road, Campti, LA 71411, with Bro. Olan McLaren and Bro. Truman Leach officiating. Visitation was held prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

A wake will be held for Joe Luke on March 24 from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Burks Temple C.M.E. Church, 600 West Boundary St. The funeral will be held at the church on March 25 at 11:00am.

Mr. Lee Roy Young, 95, of Winnfield, Louisiana passed from this life in the early hours of Thursday, March 16, 2023. Mr. Young was born May 07,1927 to James Owen and Minnie Ola Rachal Young; who preceded him in death, along with two siblings, Mary Waters and James “Jim” Young, one daughter Judy Bond and two grandchildren, Debbie Bond and Jesse Dauzat.

He was an avid fisherman, loved gardening, the outdoors and music. In his later years you could find him in his recliner watching westerns and wrestling. He was a veteran who proudly served his country in WWII and Vietnam.

Mr. Young loved his family and spending time telling about the “Good Ole Days”! He taught them how to plant a garden, take care of animals and to love one another. He instilled in them to first love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul, not to worry about things of this world because in the end, where you spend eternity is what matters.

Nora Lee Carter, age 87, of Calvin, Louisiana passed away on Monday, March 6, 2023.

Born August 17,1935, in Calvin, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, G.B. and Linnie Carpenter Carter; her brother, Garlon Lee (Bud) Carter; and grandparents, Luther and Mary Collins Carpenter and David F. (Seed) and Elizabeth (Betty) Chandler Carter.

Those left to cherish her memory include her aunt, Mary Lou Carpenter; sister-in-law, Kathy Carter; nieces, Robbin Willis (Alan) and Lisa Haymon (James); nephew, Jamie Carter (Cristy); great nephews, Austin Willis (Katy), Tyler Haymon (Nicole), Matthew Haymon, John David Huckaby and Wayne Curtis Huckaby; great, great nephews, Gus Haymon and Jake Haymon; great, great nieces, Harper Willis and Graysen Willis; and special family friend, Vickie Kelley.

Mason Lee Chandler was born November 2, 2016 arriving a whole month before expected weighing 5 lbs. 3 oz. and 19½” long. Taryn and Kyle were over the moon to be his parents, and he brought them so much joy and happiness. Mason Lee went to be with Jesus after a brief illness leaving us entirely too soon on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.

As Mason grew up, it was clear he was going to be a firecracker constantly on the go and doing everything little boys love to do. He grew up with many cousins he loved to spend time with. Mason Lee loved visiting his grandparents often; he loved power shopping and running the roads with his Popi, watching dinosaur shows with his Nana, wrestling with his Mimi and squirrel camping with his Pawpaw. Mason Lee also loved his baby sister, Maggie, as well as his dog brother, Odie, very much.

Ms. Elizabeth Louise (Poe) Wright was received into Heaven on Monday, February 20, 2023. Betty, as she was affectionately known, was born to the union of Lesley Earle Poe and Bessie Marie (Thompson) Poe in Jena, Louisiana on January 18, 1925. After finishing high school in Nacogdoches, Texas, she attended LSU where she met Hiram James Wright. They were married in June 1945 after Hiram returned from WWII.

While attending LSU, Betty studied business and was named a Darling of LSU in 1945.

Betty lived in LaSalle Parish and Texas for some of her early years, but always called Winnfield home after she and Hiram settled there in 1948. After moving to Winnfield, she worked as Hiram’s secretary when he established his law practice, and retired from that position when he was elected City Judge in 1969.