Obituaries

Richard Wayne Skains was born Saturday, July 4,1925 and died on July 6, 2022, at the age of 97 years and two days in Winnfield. He gave his life to the Lord in June 1938 at a tent Revival and continued to serve the Lord his entire life. He was a lifelong member of East Winnfield Baptist Church and was ordained as a deacon February 7,1960 and served until his death. He never said no when asked to do anything for the Lord.

He was a WWII Veteran serving in England, France, Germany, Belgium, and Holland. He joined the Louisiana Army National Guard in 1949 in Winnfield and worked up to Chief Warrant Officer until retiring in 1980 after 37 years. After retiring, he worked at Humana Hospital in Winnfield as Human Resource Director and then at 8th Judicial Court as a bailiff.

Mrs. Elaine P. Riley, age 70 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, July 9, 2022.

Elaine was born on September 23, 1951, in Texas City, Texas. After spending much of her youth in Texas City, she moved to Winnfield, LA where she met and married Rayford and started a family. She worked at various places throughout her career, including Bank of Winnfield and served as Winnfield City Clerk under Mayor BR Audirsch. The last several years, she worked at Winn Community Health Center. Her favorite and most cherished role was that of “Danny” to her five grandchildren, who she loved more than life itself.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur “Cotton” and Eleanor Prescott, sister Annette Cook and her husband Ray, sister Jean Nesmith and her husband Larry.

Sarah Lynn King Jones, age 72 of West Monroe, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2022 at Glenwood Regional Medical Center.

Born Wednesday, February 22, 1950 in Knoxville, Tennessee, she was preceded in death by her father Carven Buddy King and mother Sarah Olline Crain King, brother William Carven “Billy” King and her grandparents William Albert Crain and Ora Leona Simmons Crain.

Mrs. Jones will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband Danny L. Jones, sons David E. Jones (Sherry) and Mason L. Jones (Cynthia), grandsons Ryan, Austin, Reed and Cole, and nieces and nephews Buddy King (Christy), Caleb King and Christie Cotton (Tommy).

Graveside funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Cypress Creek Cemetery with Rev. Robert Leach officiating. Services were under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

Austin Lefaye (Fay) Abrams was born April 27, 1934 in Sikes, LA. He died on April 21, 2022 at the age of 87 at his home in Winnfield, LA. Austin was the son of Riley Alvin and Ola Mertha (Curry) Abrams and the youngest of 3 children. His sisters Geraldine Abrams Womack and Helen Mildred Abrams Malloy both of Winnfield, LA preceded him in death.

Austin is survived by his 4 children: daughter Rhonda Abrams Leeper (Cliff), Montana; son Kraig Abrams (Lana), Washington; son Derek Abrams, Oregon; and daughter Denise Abrams, Colorado; 7 grandchildren, 4 greatgrandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jack Madison Fluitt born October 23, 1955 in Jena, LA, left this earth on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 66 years of age to go to his Heavenly home.

Jack was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, gardening and tending to his horses. He excelled at deer hunting as anyone who has seen his den can testify. He was at one time the Bow Instructor for Winn Parish. The main love of Jack’s life, however, was his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jack was a long time member of Full Gospel Temple in Jonesboro, Louisiana. Since his retirement in 2018 as a 798 Union Welder, Jack faithfully taught his Prime Timers Sunday School Class. He was also a board member and part of the security team. Jack loved preaching and teaching the Word of God anytime there was an opportunity. He was often known to lead prayer meetings on his job sites.

Preceding Jack in death were his parents; Minnie Laverne Metchette and Jack Madison Fluitt, Sr; and step-father, Russell Fredrick Metchette.

Mrs. Erlene Melton Smith, age 90 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2022.

Born Wednesday, January 6, 1932 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Myrtle Loflin Melton and Fletcher Melton; husband, Glen Smith; and granddaughter, Caroline Rodgers.

Mrs. Smith was retired from the Bank of Winnfield, serving many years as a teller. She enjoyed fishing and gardening.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Kerry Wayne Smith; grandchildren, Howard Marshall Smith, Jodie Renee Hudgins, Cassie Janeen Rodgers, Alesha Ann Smith, and Megan Denise Smith; great grandchildren, Brielle Hudgins, Brentley Hudgins, Brayden Smith, and Kadence Smith; and cousins, Ronnie and Mike Melton.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at Southern Funeral Home, from 9:00 AM until time of services.

A memorial service to honor the life of William Rex Zimmerman will be at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at his daughter and son-in-law’s home, Anna and Brandon Knotts, 1476 Hwy. 1232 Winnfield, LA. Pastor Bobby Bates will officiate.

Friends may visit with the family from 11:00 a.m. until service time at 12:00 p.m.

Rex, 61, passed away Monday, May 30, 2022 in New Orleans hospital following a courageous battle with kidney failure.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles Eugene Zimmerman and Willie Jean Zimmerman.

He is survived by his life-long partner of 39 years, Tracy Waxley Zimmerman, one son, Colby and his wife Amy and their children Avery, Alivia and Reid; one daughter, Anna Claire Knotts and her husband Brandon Knotts and their son Lucas; two brothers, Mike Zimmerman and Barry Zimmerman, numerous nieces, nephews, friends and co-workers.

“He made his last cast, pulled in the trolling motor, cranked up the outboard and is heading home.”

Clarence Nathan “Nate” Durham, 98, of Houston, passed on to his next adventure April 29, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Haynesville Jan. 5, 1924, the son of the late Clarence Neal Durham and Gladys Marie Crocker. His parents and grandparents were from pioneering families in Winn Parish.

He is survived by two daughters, Susan Butler and Catherine Ellis of Houston; one son, Carl A. Durham and daughter-in-law Pam of Baytown, Texas; 16 grandchildren and their spouses; 20 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by daughters, Naylyn G. Durham Dill of Jena and Carol M. Durham of Pasadena, Texas; former spouse, Ruthmary Anderson Durham Goldman of Houston; and siblings, Carlton McIlwain Durham, Dorotha Marie “Dot” Moore and Walter Glynn Durham.

Marie Guthrie Saucier, age 96 of Dodson, Louisiana passed away from this life on May 16th, 2022 at Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield, Louisiana.

Marie Saucier was born on January 18th, 1926, in the Wattsville Community, Louisiana, as the daughter of the late Carrie and Ernest Guthrie.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Lavon Saucier, parents Ernest and Carrie Guthrie, brothers Arthur and John Guthrie, sisters Louisa Norman, Maude Guthrie, Mattie McNeill, stepson Douglas Saucier, granddaughters Carrie Eusey, Annette Lundy, and great grandson Michael Ryder Jr.

Charles Dillon Muse, age 78 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, May 1, 2022 in Christus St. Francis Cabrini Hospital of Alexandria, Louisiana.

Born Monday, September 13, 1943 in Many, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Ophelia Martin Muse; and his parents Melvin and Elsie Paul Muse.

Those left to cherish his memory include his sons James “Jim” Martin Muse (wife Kristi), John Wesley “Wes” Muse (wife Laken); his grandchildren Ava and Zoe Muse; two sisters Katherine Muse Timon and Delores Muse Vines.

Mr. Charlie spent his working career of 39 years as a machine operator for Kansas City Southern Railroad. He was an avid hunter, outdoorsman, and gun enthusiast. He proudly served his country in the United States Army and was a devoted Christian quoting, “Jesus is my Savior and I believe in Him!”

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at Southern Funeral Home, from 12:00 PM until 1:45 PM.