Obituaries

Mr. Richard Lee Caskey, age 65 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2016. Born Thursday, July 27, 1950 in Winnfield, Louisiana, he was also employed in the timber industry and was also a retired veteran of the US Army National Guard having served in Operation Desert Shield. Mr. Caskey was preceded in death by his Parents, Jack and Jesse Killen Caskey; Sisters, Sue Smiley and Janice McMann. Those left to cherish his memory include his Children, Quentin, Amanda, Renee and Layla Caskey; Grandchildren, Darron Reeves and Haidon Caskey; Siblings, Judy Frazier and David Caskey. Memorial service arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date, under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome.com.

Mr. Richard Willard (R.W.) Ballio, age 79 of Dodson, Louisiana passed away on Monday, February 22, 2016. Born Saturday, June 20, 1936 in Dodson, Louisiana, he was the owner and operator of B&B Fencing Company and enjoyed fishing and spending time with friends. He was a US Army veteran. Mr. Ballio was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Annie Thompson Ballio; sister, Lelar Norred and brother James Ballio Sr. Those left to cherish his memory include his sister, Opal Thomisee and husband Jerry; Nieces and Nephews, Robert Lewis Thomisee, Steven Harrison Thomisee, James Ballio, Jr., Tammy Adams and Tina Adams; Numerous great nieces and nephews. Graveside funeral services were held at 1:30 PM on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at Atlanta Cemetery with Rev. Jessie Henderson officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

Mr. Billy Ray Kinney, age 76 of Goldonna, Louisiana passed away on Monday, February 22, 2016. Born Thursday, April 20, 1939 in Urania, Louisiana, he was retired from Placid Oil Company after 30 years of service. He was a member of Goldonna Lodge #293 F&AM and a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Monroe. Mr. Kinney was passionate about hunting and fishing and was a member of the National Rifle Association and was a US Army veteran. Mr. Kinney was preceded in death by his Parents, Elder and Edith Stockman Kinney; Sister, Belinda Stamper. Those left to cherish his memory include his Wife, Joanna Dearmon Kinney, Goldonna; Son, William Kinney (Liza), Goldonna; Daughter, Angela Kinney Johnson (Barry), Sikes; Granddaughter, Emily Kinney Nobles (Dalton), Titusville, FL; Grandson, Christopher Bordelon, Shreveport. Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 26, 2016 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Doyle McGrew and Rev. Lamar Carpenter officiating.

Mr. Carl Kay Tucker, age 70 of Sikes, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2016. Born Wednesday, July 4, 1945 in Winnfield, Louisiana, he was a retired logger and an US Army National Guard veteran. Mr. Tucker was preceded in death by his Parents, Fred and Mary Simmons Tucker; Brothers, Jerry Tucker and Jimmy Tucker. Those left to cherish his memory include his Sister, Becky Harris; Brothers, Freddie Tucker, Ronnie Tucker and Jackie Tucker. Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 26, 2016 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Danny Green officiating. Interment followed in Friendship Cemetery, in Sikes. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome.com.

Mrs. Scarlett Long Gates, age 67 of Winnfield, passed away Friday, February 19, 2016 at her residence surrounded by her loved ones. Mrs. Gates was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and a friend to many. Mrs. Gates is survived by her husband, Robert E. Gates, daughters Lori Gates Norton & husband Brian, Heather Gates Maloy & husband Timothy; grandchildren, Dustin Norton, Brittany Norton Head & husband Timothy, & Mykenzie Maloy; great-grandchildren, Gunner Norton, River Norton, & Remington Head; sister, Priscilla Bedgood. Mrs. Gates was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Long; brothers, Tuff Long, Sonny Boy Long; sisters, Cornelia Pray, Mary E.

Mr. Grover Lee Stroud, age 74 of Montgomery, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at his residence. Mr. Stroud was born December 5, 1941 in Atlanta, Louisiana. He spent most of his life doing carpentry and working in the logging industry and was retired from Kisatchie chip mill. He was preceded in death by his Parents, Floyd and Maude Cormane Stroud; Brothers, Harold Stroud and David Stroud; Sisters, Vernie Lee Hickman and Faye Adams. Those left to cherish his memory include his Children, Robert Stroud (Marie), Donald Stroud (Toni), David Stroud (Cheryl), Ted Stroud, Teresa “Denine” Gatti (Tom) and Lori Perry (Kevin); 12 Grandchildren and 13 Great-grandchildren; Siblings, Bobby Stroud, Douglas Stroud, Fred Cormane, Riley Stroud, Ray Stroud and Marlene Thomas. Graveside funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 19, 2016 at New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Chuck LaCroix officiating.

Mr. Richard Dewain Walters, age 87 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2016. Born Friday, August 24, 1928 in Hutchinson, Kansas, he was a retired air conditioning contractor. He served in the National Guard and enjoyed hunting, fishing and thoroughly enjoyed cooking. Mr. Walters was preceded in death by his Parents, Charles Rose Walters, Sr. and Vernie Moyer Walters; Daughter, Deborah Vicknair; Brothers, Charles R. Walters, Jr., Emerson C. Walters and Raymond S. Walters; Sister, Ruth Cline. Those left to cherish his memory include his Wife of 65 years, Betty Gorham Walters; Son, Richard Walters and wife Karen; Daughter, Teresa Blanda Russell Boutte; and his four-legged children, Bubba and Sandy. Memorial service arrangements will be announced by the Walters Family at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.