Obituaries

Jerry Melton, age 90, left his earthly home on March 6, 2022, to go to his heavenly home that had been prepared for him. Jerry, the son of Cranford and Rosanna Melton, was born in Winnfield, Louisiana, on August 8, 1931. Jerry attended elementary school in Minden, Louisiana and received his secondary education at Winnfield High School. After graduating from high school, Jerry attended Northeast College (NLU) and completed an Army tour of duty in Korea. Upon returning home from Korea, He met Virginia Sheppard who was his life - long partner for 66 years. Jerry and Virginia were married January 28, 1956, and made their home in Delhi, where Jerry was employed by L P & L (Entergy) in high line construction. Ten years later Jerry was transferred to Ferriday to work in a new high line construction group. After several years in Ferriday, Jerry was then transferred to West Monroe where he worked in sub-station construction.

Richard Lamar Brooks was born in Winnfield, Louisiana, on September 21, 1940, and died at home the morning of March 1, 2022. He leaves behind his devoted wife Judy and wonderful daughter Catie. He excelled at piano competitions starting at age 6 and, throughout his life, loved listening to classical music on his piano. As a creative child, Richard designed clothes for popsicle sticks, a precursor to his life’s work. After high school, he attended LSU where he was Drum Major for five years, including their National Championship year, 1958. He was the first male to earn a Fashion degree from LSU.

Services for Phillip Wayne Cochran will be at 2PM, Monday, March 14, 2022 at Hurricane Grove Baptist Church, Sikes, LA, with Bro. Shad Tibbs officiating. Visitation will be from 10 AM, March 14 ^th until time of service at 2PM, Monday March 14 ^th at the Church. Interment will follow at Hurricane Grove Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Magnolia Funeral Home, Alexandria, LA.

Phillip Wayne Cochran, 71, of Dodson, LA, passed away March 4, 2022 at his home. He was pastor of Hurricane Grove Baptist Church. He loved his family and his Church family. He was a special education teacher for 19 years.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lucian Cochran; mother, Helen Cochran; sister, Barb Mitchell; and brother, Mike Cochran.

Funeral services for Mary Josephine Heidel, 52 of Ferriday, LA will be held at Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 2:00 PM under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home.

Mary was born on Friday, October 31, 1969 in Alexandria, LA. and passed away Saturday, February 19, 2022 in Ferriday, LA.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Heidel and stepfather, Robert Wright Sr.

Mary is survived by son, Michael Thomas Heidel II of Ferriday, LA; twins Sons, James Dewitt Heidel and Jessie Alan Heidel of Ferriday, LA; mother, Glenda Dodd Wright of Ferriday, LA; father, Dewitt Hagan and his wife Olene of Winnfield, LA; brother, Wayne Hagan and his wife Amanda of Winnfield, LA; sisters, Bobbie Jo Wooten of Vidalia, LA, Karen Sue McMillian and her husband Bud of Jonesville, LA and sister, Jamie Lea Hagan of Ferriday, LA; niece, Hollie McMillian and nephew, Cody Jackson.

Susan D. Hemphill, age 70 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, February 19, 2022.

Born Thursday, January 31, 1952 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Marilois Wilson Hand and David Vernon Hand; brother, Tommy Hand; and husband, Gary Hemphill.

Susan cherished her 3 grandsons and loved making gumbo for them. She loved to cook, snuggle with Cartman, Abby, Meow Meow, and her favorite, Rosie.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Michael Heath Poole (Kelly) and Jared Bumbalough; sister, Ondrea “Andi” Carpenter (Bruce); special friend Mike Poole; and grandchildren, Zoe Michael Poole, Zachary Robert Poole (Catherine), and Zane Thomas Poole (Ashley).

The family received friends on Friday, February 25, 2022, at Southern Funeral Home, from 10:00 AM until time of services.

Larry Truman Rogers, known as T-Pop by his family - husband, father, gifted sportsman, avid collector, skilled poker player, and the best grandfather two girls could ever have - passed away peacefully on Friday, February 11, 2022 surrounded by family at his home on Turkey Creek Lake. He was 85 years old.

Larry was born on October 10, 1936 in Rochelle LA to loving parents Rufus Ralph Rogers and Lessie Tarver Rogers. A lifelong resident of north Louisiana, he grew up in Winnfield and was a 1955 graduate of Winnfield High School. He married his lifetime sweetheart Dottie Rogers and they raised their two children in Winnfield, Winnsboro, and Gilbert. Larry and Dottie enjoyed the last forty of their 65 years together in the home they created on their family’s beloved spot on Turkey Creek Lake.

Mrs. Johnnie Lee Rainwater, age 92, was born Sunday, July 7, 1929, in Winnfield, Louisiana to Oscar and Josephine Perry Rainwater. She departed from this life January 31, 2022 at the Cornerstone Specialty Hospital in West Monroe. Mrs. Rainwater is preceded in death by her parents, three sons Charlie Cockerham Jr., Freddie Cockerham, and Danny Cockerham; and all her siblings.

Johnnie became a member of the Morning Star Baptist Church under the leadership Reverend HY Bell. She served faithful as an usher until she was physically unable to serve.

Mr. Buford Elmo “Sonny” Lashley, age 89 of Atlanta, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, February 20, 2022.

Born Thursday, January 12, 1933 in Atlanta, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, Bermie Shows Lashley and Buford E. Lashley; and siblings, James H. Lashley and Willie Jean Snead.

Mr. Sonny was a member of Atlanta Baptist Church, a retired truck driver, and a was a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He will be remembered as an avid gardener and as Atlanta High School’s #1 Basketball Fan.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Clark Lashley (Shawn), Brad Lashley (Leah), and Tammy Lashley James (David); 10 grandchildren and many great grandchildren; and siblings, Moeice Jones (Jack) and Walter Lashley (Cindy).

Billy Joe “Tennessee” Kerley, age 83 of Logansport, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2022.

Born Wednesday, March 9, 1938 in Crossville, Tennessee, he was preceded in death by his parents, Nora Bell Blaylock Kerley and Alvin Kerley; brothers, Carman and David Kerley; sisters, Thelma Greenlee, Hazel Kerley, Jean Carpenter, Helen Kerley, Rev. Clarence and Beulah Weatherford; and son, Douglas Ray Kerley.

Mr. Kerley was an avid hunter and fisherman after retiring from 49 years in the plywood business.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, LouVenia “Bennie” Kerley; sons, Ron Kerley (Carolyn) and Grayson Douglas Kerley; daughter, Jessica Jolene Kerley; grandson, Markiese Kerley; caregiver/special niece, Sue Forte; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at Southern Funeral Home, from 1:00 PM until time of services.

Johnny Garner, age 71 of Winnfield, Louisiana, went to meet his Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 6, 2022 after a lengthy time of declining health.

Born in Winnfield, Louisiana on June 14, 1950, he was preceded in death by his parents, John Wesley Garner and Mary Ethel Griffith, two brothers Robert”Bud” Garner, Paul Garner, and two sisters Janice Marie Hasselle and Carolyn “KaKa” Bedgood.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 52 years, Evelyn Garner; son Brandon Garner (Shellye) of Georgetown, LA; daughter Laurie Hennessy (Tobin) of Alexandria, LA; granddaughters Kaylee Garner and Alaina Hennessy; grandsons Tyler Garner, Logan Hennessy, and L T Hennessy. Sisters Emily Ann Gibson (Weylin) of Oakdale, LA and Paula Lucas. Also, a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. He will be greatly missed but we will cherish the wonderful memories.