Obituaries

Lee-Ann Aymond was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana on October 5, 1966 and went to be to with her Lord on June 9, 2016. Lee-Ann was the daughter of Jimmy Aymond and Bonnie Moore. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School and from Northwestern State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Helen Marie Aymond Brocato and Tom Brocato, Mamie and H.B. Gorum and uncle, Benny Gorum. Survivors include her parents, Jimmy Aymond and Bonnie and Dale Moore; son, Jesse James “J.J.” Moore; siblings, Zak Aymond, Jessi Rials and Jamie McLaren; husband, Timothy Bartlett, along with nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Vincent Brocato officiating. Interment followed in Kimbrell Family Cemetery in Wheeling.

Richard Rudolph Ashcroft Jr., 72, died Thursday, June 2, 2016 at the Ridgecrest Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Forney, TX. He is survived by his sons, Richard “Trey” Ashcroft and wife Tanya, Jason Ashcroft, his brother, Don Ashcroft, his sister in-law Sue Ashcroft, his cousin, Sue Burford; his first wife, Patricia Ashcroft, six grandchildren, Jessica, Devin, Justin Ashcroft, and Michael, Alana and Joseph Carew; close family friend, Mark Thomas, and many more. Born in Alexandria, LA, the son of Richard and Doris (Barrios) Ashcroft, Richard lived in Shreveport and Winnfield most of his young life. In his early years, Mr. Ashcroft worked for the family’s business, Ashcroft Lumber Company. After graduating from Byrd High School in 1961, he attended Northwestern State University, graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business.

Mr. John Earl Briscoe, age 57 of Taylor, Arkansas, formerly of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at Springhill Medical Center in Springhill, Louisiana. There are not enough words to describe the man that John was. He was the best husband, father, papaw, brother, son, and friend. It brought him no greater pleasure in life than to work hard and provide for his family. In this he expressed his deep love for us all. We never doubted his love for a moment. Laziness was not a part of his vocabulary. Everything that his hands found to do, he did with all of his strength and unto the Lord. He continually poured his life into the lives of each person he knew. A more faithful friend could no man find. His integrity, loyalty, and passion for God sustained him and will continue to be his legacy. He served in many capacities, including youth pastor, royal ranger commander, and deacon at First Assembly of God of Winnfield for many years.

David Glen (Decon) Smiley was born October 14, 1939 to Fred and Lottie Smiley. He went home to bit with Jesus on May 30, 2016 at 12:47 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents Fred Ander and Lottie Mae Smiley, his brothers, Lavelle and L.V. Smiley and several other family members. He was also preceded in death by the love of his life, Gloria Jean. Glen or Decon as most people knew him is survived by 2 brothers, Alvin and wife Mary, and Bob Smiley of Shreveport; Wilburn Smiley of Dodson, 2 sisters, Vera Grishom of Winnfield and Thera Lee Durbin of Jonesboro; 2 sons, Carl and wife Betty of Florida and David; 4 daughters, Glend and husband Michael, Kayla and Paul, Katrenia, Cristy, all of Washington. Glen was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Glen (Decon) enjoyed his family and friends in Washington and Louisiana by visiting often. Everyone enjoyed his visits, his smiles and his outlook on life. Services were held at 3 p.m.

Funeral services for Mrs. Billie Tallent Newman, age 90 of Benton, Louisiana, were held at Hill Crest Funeral Home in Haughton, Louisiana, at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2016. The Reverend Rolly Walker conducted the funeral service. Billie Tallent Newman was born in Mountain Home, Idaho on February 14, 1926, and passed away at her home on Saturday, May 28, 2016. She was a high school football coach’s wife for 33 years (1949-1981) and was affectionately called “Big” by her grandchildren because of her small stature. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years Charles “Hoss” Newman, parents Luke and Josephine Tallent, and brother Jack Tallent. Mrs. Newman is survived by her daughters, Sandra Newman Dyson and son-in-law Don Dyson of Ruston, Jody Newman Johnson of Keller, Texas, and Renee Newman Ryan and son-in-law Bo Ryan of Benton.

Mrs. Thelma Marie Manshack Procell of Winnfield went to the arms of the Father on June 1, 2016. She succumbed to a short illness after suffering a major stroke in 2011. She was surrounded by family when she was reunited with her late husband of 62 years, David Paul Procell and parents Amos and Elsie Ebarb Manshack. Ms. Marie was born in Ebarb, Louisiana in 1931. She met the love of her life and life partner marrying David Procell on January 23, 1947. Ms. Marie and Mr. Dave, members of the great generation, gave life to seven children. She was known for being a wonderful cook, generous giver, and an incredible “green thumb”. A plant dare not grow straight, strong, and give off plentiful fruit and blossoms. Like her children and their friends this was a mom who meant business or else… She was a Girl Scout troop leader, catechism instructor, Elder of the Choctaw Apache Tribe of Ebarb, and the Ladies Altar Society taking pride in making and mending altar cloths. Ms.

John William Smith passed away on Wednesday, May 25, 2016, at the age of 77 years. He was born on July 5, 1938, in Urania, Louisiana, to Hugh Ellis Smith and Zadie Mae Cox Smith. John proudly served our country in the U.S. Marine Corps. On July 17, 1968, he married Linda Jo Taylor in Dennison, Texas. He has lived in the Katy area for the last 40 years and ran his own CPA practice for the past 33. He was also an avid hunter, loved to travel, and spend time with friends and family. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Linda Smith of Brookshire, Texas; daughters, Amy Wade and her husband Randy and Sara Root and her husband David, all of Brookshire, Texas; grandchildren, Kasey Wells, Taylor Root, Kendall Wells, Tip Wade, Eli Wade, and Colton Root; sister, Carolyn Bice and her husband Charles of Winnfield, Louisiana; as well as other loving family members and a host of friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Emile “Brother” Iverstine, age 93 of Winnfield, passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at Germantown Methodist Hospital in Germantown, TN. Mr. Iverstine is the son of the late Luke Iverstine Sr. and the late Frances Stafford Iverstine. He was also preceded in death by a son, Frankie Dewayne Iverstine, and five sisters: Tina Profita, Laura Baptist, Josephine Puma, Annie Poillion, and Linda King. Mr. Iverstine is survived by one son, Steven Wayne Iverstine and his wife Mary Watts Iverstine, two grandchildren: Adam Daniel Iverstine and Sarah Kathryn Iverstine all of Collierville, TN. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Stang and Bessie Magro and two brothers, Dave Iverstine and Luke Iverstine Jr. After service in the United States Army during WWII, he retired from Harrell Builders and Supply and moved to Tennessee to be near his son and grandchildren. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many.