Obituaries

Erline Carpenter Martin wascalled to be with her HeavenlyFather on July 24, 2015.Erline was born on July 10,1932 in Calvin, Louisiana. Sheblessed her family and friendswith 83 years and 14 days.Erline was preceded in death byher parents, W.E. Carpenter Srand Martha Sonora HodgesCarpenter, her husband, JamesC Martin Jr., brothers, FrankCarpenter, Calop Carpenter, WECarpenter Jr. “Sam”, Leon Carpenter, Alon Carpenter, BobCarpenter, Clifford Carpenter, sisters Ruby Carter, Ruth Loweand Helen Reed.Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter Cecelia“Cindy” Ann Garrett and husband Stanley. Son, James Lincoln“Link” Martin and wife Stacie. Grandchildren Nick Martin,Hunter Garrett and wife Emily, Courtney Edwards and husbandNick, Somer Garrett, Caroline Womack, Caitlin Womack andCatherine Womack.

Every time that I smile, Everytime that I sigh, I think of yourface, And a tear escapes my eye.Ten years have gone by, still remembering that touch, You taught me to laugh, held mew hen I cried, You told me not tobe scared, of the day that you died. You told me to be thankfulof all the memories we had.The more that time passes, the more that I feel, The more I miss you and wish you were here.You were my world, My inspiration and my heart, But whenyou left me, I thought I would fall apart.No one will ever know quite how I feel inside, And on thatday you left, You weren’t the only one who died.I would have given anything to have you back, But I knownow that it was meant to be,For you are still watching from up above, And I know you arestill watching over me.I love you Mama, and I miss you dearly.Wishing our time together hadn’t come to anend.Sherry

Funeral services for Ruth Ava Elouise Racine Bryantwere held at 10:00 a.m. onFriday, July 17, 2015, in thechapel of Kramer of Colfaxwith Rev. Tony Dick officiating. Interment followed in Mars Hill Cemetery, Verda,LA. Ruth Ava Elouise Racine Bryant lived 87 years, 5months and 18 days until God called her home. She is preceded in death by her husband J.W. “Dub” Bryant;one granddaughter, Searra O’Neal; her parents, William “Bill”and Hazel Racine; and 3 brothers and 2 sisters. Ruth was the back bone and dictionary of the family. With aloving heart she would help anyone in need. If you needed toknow anything you just had to ask, and she could remember thepast as if it was yesterday. Ruth never judged and was alwaysfull of love. She was a loving mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, great-great grandmother, and friend to many.Ruth will be dearly missed.

Services will be heldSaturday, July 25, 2015 at 1:00p.m. at Morning StarMissionary Baptist Church,located at 306 Martin LutherKing Jr. Drive in Winnfield, LA71483.Visitation will be held onFriday, July 24, 2015, also atMorning Star MissionaryBaptist Church from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Jeffrey Jay Collins (58) of Winnfield died July 4, 2015 inAlexandria. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 18,2015 at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.

Mrs. Ruby Elaine Tharpe,age 93 of Winnfield, Louisianapassed away on Friday, July10, 2015.Born Wednesday, June 21,1922 in Wheeling, Louisiana,she was a member of SouthWinnfield Baptist Church andthe Ladies HomeDemonstration Club and wasalso past president of the VFWLadies Auxiliary and enjoyedplaying Mexican Dominoes. The joy of her life was spendingtime with friends and family.Mrs. Tharpe was preceded in death by her Parents, Van Veronand Nannie Paulina Davison; Husband, Virgil A. Tharpe, Jr.;Sisters, Ethel Metcalf, Linnie Mae Estes, Helen Garner, InaMoore and Addie Horn; Brothers, Earl V.