Obituaries

Mamie Garner Wright, 94 of Ruston, LA passed away Saturday, March 19, 2016 in Ruston, LA. Mrs. Wright was born February 17, 1922 in Summerdale, AL. She was preceded in death by her parents Fannie and Eli Garner, seven brothers and three sisters. She was a homemaker. Survivors are one daughter, Margo Louise Cunningham of Newport, OR; two sons, George Louise Simon Jr. and wife Virginia of Dodson, LA and Le Roy Rogers Simon and wife Joanie of Saline, LA; five grandchildren, Shannon Cunnigham, Roger Simon and Jennifer, Jennifer Doty and Phillip, Nicholas Simon; and Joshua Norman and Brandi; and three grandchildren, Corey, Zach and Kaylie. Services were held Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Edmonds Funeral Home of Jonesboro, LA with Bro. Eric McBride and Bro. Robert MaGaha officiating. Interment followed at McDonald Cemetery in Jonesboro, LA.

A service to celebrate the life of Jerry Bryan Sanders was held at 2 pm Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home with Bro. Truman Leach and Bro. Harrell Shelton officiating. Interment followed at L. C. Weaver Cemetery in Campti, LA. Bryan, 46 years of age and a resident of Goldonna, passed away Monday, March 28, 2016. He was born October 21, 1969 in Shreveport, LA. Bryan was a 1987 graduate of Calvin High. For over 20 years he worked at the Red River Mill in Campti as an operator. He was a kind hearted person and will be missed by all who knew him and never forgotten. His family was the most important part of his life. He was a great father and would do anything to take care of the needs of his daughters first. Although he left us way too soon, we take comfort in knowing he is with his Lord and Savior in Heaven and is reunited with McKenna, Papaw Carson, and Mamaw Dorothy Sanders.

Memorial services for Mrs. Gloria F. Barron were held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the Pineville Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 4925 Monroe Highway, Ball, Louisiana with Brother Tim Horton officiating, under the direction of Gallagher Funeral Home and Crematory, Ball, Louisiana. Gloria Faye Barron, known to many as “Mamé,” fell asleep in death on Monday, March 28, 2016 at 82 years of age, surrounded by those who loved her the most. She was born on July 8, 1933, to Claude and Ruby (Dean) Howard and was raised in a sleepy little town in North Louisiana. She was 19 when she met her husband of 62 years, and they raised 3 beautiful girls together on Saline Lake. There was nothing she enjoyed more than being their mother and considered this one of her greatest accomplishments. Cooking for her family and friends was her favorite pastime. In fact, it was an expression of her love. Her loving hands cooked many wonderful meals.

Mr. Roger Craig Long, age 63 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, March 30, 2016. Born Wednesday, June 11, 1952 in Winnfield, Louisiana, he was a member of First Baptist Church of Winnfield, Eastern Star Lodge #151 F&AM and was a retired Assistant Postmaster with the U.S. Postal Service. Mr. Long was preceded in death by his Parents, Colvin Ray and Nellie Louise Nugent Long; Brother, Hershal Long; Grandson, Roch Christopher Drago; Nephew, Jarrod Long. Those left to cherish his memory include his Wife of 31 years, Tina Reed Long, Shreveport; Daughters, Erin Jeffres and husband Jay, Fairfield, Megan Martin and husband Jared, Lake Charles and Lacy Ducote and husband Drew, Keithville; Sister, Donna Long Pickett, Winnfield; Grandchildren, Malayna Abels, Jase Abels, Kylie Martin, Jett Jeffress, Bryce Ducote and Trace Ducote; Nieces and Nephews, Michael Pickett, Ryan Pickett, John Michael Pickett and Dolcy Pickett. Memorial Services were held at 2:00 p.m.

Mrs. Evie Nadean (Hand) Williams, age 84 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2016. Born Friday, July 31, 1931 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was a homemaker and member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by her Parents, Howard and Evie Weems Hand; Son, Glen Williams. Those left to cherish her memory include her Husband, Melvin Williams; Daughter, Karen Brazzell and husband Jimmy; Son, Dave Williams; Three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; Siblings, Marie Jordan, C.H. Hand, Eugene Hand and Jeanie Faye Maloy. Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Dick Enterkin officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. Serving the family as pallbearers were Jonathan Brazzell, Jeremy Brazzell, Justin Brazzell, Jeffery Brazzell, Ricky Polk, and Jimmy Mercer.

Mr. Joseph Levi Jones, Jr., age 83 of Olla, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, March 30, 2016. Born Monday, February 13, 1933 in Flat Creek, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Levi Jones, Sr. and Lottie Faulk Jones; Sisters, Opal Taylor and Jewel Cole. Those left to cherish his memory include his sons, Jeff Jones and wife Tonya, Weston, LA and Mitch Jones and wife Teresa, Quitman, LA; daughter, Jennifer Sims and husband Matt, Choudrant, LA; 9 grandchildren, Lauren King, Wade Jones, Levi Jones, Leslie Jones, Logan Jones, Abby Sims, Cloe Sims, Bryce Parker, and Mackenzie Parker; 3 great grandchildren, Kayleigh, Presley and Aubrey King; sisters, Lois Rigdon and Geraldine Thurber; brothers, D. E. Jones, John David “Bud” Jones, and James Taylor; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Sharon Baptist Church with the Reverends Brad Jones and Gene Cumpton officiating.

Eloyce Cole Phillips, age 79, of Natchitoches, LA went home to be with the Lord just prior to sunrise on Easter Morning, Sunday March 27, 2016. She was an avid gardener, gospel musician and singer. She was loved by all who knew her. She is survived by three daughters; Teresa Laverne Cutright of Campti, LA, Cheryl Ann Whitehead and husband Karl of Winnfield, LA, and Sandra Renee Williams and husband David of Grayson, LA; five grandchildren; Steven Lang, Tony Shecton, Andria Cutright, Brittany Shields, and Sarah Franklin. four great-grandchildren, and one sister; Wanda Ann Shell of Bogalusa, LA. Mrs. Phillips was preceded in death by parents Virgil and Myrtle Cole, her husband James “Jack” Franklin Phillips, five grandchildren; Clint Collier, Angela Lang, Jonathan Lang, Angel Alexander, and Elliot Cutright, and one brother, Arnold Ray Cole.

Happy Birthday Mama, April 7, 1922 – Dec. 26, 2011. God gave me the best mom in the world. I miss you so badly, your smile, your green eyes, your laugh, your funny sayings, your hugs, your butterfly kisses, your teasing me about eating too many biscuits, and then offering me a candy sucker. Not a breath goes by that I don’t think of you and miss you. You were my Mama and my Daddy when I was a little girl, and a very best friend when I was growing up. Thank you for teaching me about Heavenly Father and Jesus and how to pray and commune with them. Oh, how I love you, Mama. It’s been 4 years and 3 months. Help me live without you – until we meet again. Philemon 1:4.