Obituaries

Born in Yuba City, CA on March 4th, 1953 Passed away August 8, 2025, Saline Lake, Winnfield, LA Joan Lynn Bennett, cherished wife of Richard Bennett of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away peacefully in her home on August 8, 2025. Born in Yuba City, California, she was a devoted daughter of Frank and Alma Alexander, also residents of Yuba City.

Joan’s warmth, kindness, and generous spirit touched everyone she encountered. An avid San Francisco 49ers fan, she loved cheering her team on with infectious enthusiasm, long hours spent tending her garden, and Sundays fishing and basking in the sunlight. Above all else, she cherished her grandchildren, who were her pride and joy; doting on not only her own, but every child who entered her home—welcoming them with open arms and unconditional love.

Carl “Pops” Bryant Gaar, 66, native of Dodson, La., and resident of Larose, La., passed away on Monday, August 4th, 2025.

Carl is survived by his wife, Dana Bruce Gaar; his step-children, Ashley (Eleanor) Johnson, Keri (Brad) Pilcher, and Glynn Johnson; and his brothers, Jerry Gaar, Gary Gaar, and Dennis Fox.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Odie Mae Gaar; and his sister, Sarah Gaar Jones.

Carl was a proud minister for UPCI, and a wonderful husband and stepfather. He will be missed dearly.

Services are currently pending.

Mr. Troy Layne Kyson, age 60, of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away on Monday, July 21, 2025. Born on Sunday, May 9, 1965, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Troy was a veteran of the USAF and a retired electrical engineer, having graduated from NSU.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Troy Arron and Lana Ruth Bozeman Kyson, and his infant brother. Those left to cherish his memory include a host of his aunts and cousins.

Graveside services will be held in the Corinth Tabernacle Cemetery at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 9, 2025, with Rev. Patrick Blount officiating.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome. com.

A Memorial Service for Paul Watson Kennedy, Sr, was held Friday, July 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel. Pastor Steve Lee officiated. A visitation was held from 1:00 – 2:00 PM, one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org.

Paul passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 6, 2025. He was born on October 13, 1951, to Margaret Williams Kennedy and James Watson (J.W.) Kennedy.

Paul was born in Winnfield, Louisiana, graduating from Winnfield High School, and attended Louisiana Technical University. He started computer programming and later became a Systems Analyst.

Paul is survived by his dedicated wife, Debra Langley Kennedy, son, Paul Watson Kennedy Jr. and daughter, and son-in-law Chelsea Renee and Will Araujo, daughter Nadia Michelle Shamsedin, and granddaughter Isabelle Ellie Kennedy.

July 15, 1982 - July

4, 2025 Patrick Nicholas Zeno Jones was born on July 15, 1982, in Winnfield, Louisiana, to Mr. Russell Jones and Ms. Verlinda Zeno. He was the eldest of three children.

At an early age, Patrick accepted Christ and was baptized. He moved to Memphis, Tennessee at

the age of 8, where he continued to thrive both personally and academically. He attended Memphis City Schools and proudly graduated from Whitehaven High School, Class of 2000. Patrick was a bright, joyful, and determined young man who later developed a passion for cooking.

He honed his culinary skills and went on to work as a chef, most notably at Blues City Café on the legendary Beale Street. His most recent employment was at Stix in East Memphis, where he was well-loved by coworkers for his exceptional cooking and upbeat, cheerful personality.

Judith (Judy) McDonald Hudson, 80, a long-time resident of St Francisville, LA and employee at Angola State Penitentiary, died June 12, 2025, following a chronic illness. A private service will be held by the family.

She was born September 19, 1944, in Winnfield, Louisiana. Daughter of the late Marie Gresham Spikes of Atlanta, Louisiana, late stepfather Charles Orville Spikes of Atlanta, Louisiana; and father, the late William McDonald of Mississippi.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Joseph Shannon Worsham and wife Kim, Lyn Brossett and husband William, Sean Carrel, Shane Worsham and wife Justine, nine grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren, three sisters, Mary McDonald Kidd, Janea Spikes and Judy Spikes Finklea.

Mrs. Patsy Jean Martin, 88 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Cornerstone Specialty Hospital in West Monroe, Louisiana.

Mrs. “Pat” was born on Tuesday, November 17, 1936 in El Dorado, Arkansas. She was a secretary in a law office before becoming the loving wife of over 50 years to Bobby Joe Martin.

She was predeceased by her parents James Archie Wells and Maggie Lena Bass Wells, Husband, Bobby Joe Martin, Brother Jimmy Wells and sister Martha Lynn Barr.

Those left to cherish her memory are her son, David Lance Martin (Sharon); and grand daughter Emily Faith Martin of Houston, TX, daughter, Mary Diane Martin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Private graveside services were held Tuesday in Sanders Chapel Cemetery with Rev. Nick Verrett officiating. Services were in care of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield, Louisiana.

Leroy Hardwell, Sr., entered eternal rest on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren.

Born Jan. 10, 1943, to Kelly Hardwell, Sr., and Janie Jenkins Hardwell, Leroy’s life was marked by quiet strength, unwavering faith, and deep love for his family and community. He was first united in holy matrimony to the late Betty Lou Flowers Hardwell. From this blessed union, five children were born. Later in life, he united in marriage with Vickie Velicia Hardwell, and together they welcomed two children. Prior to this union, Leroy was also blessed with two children from a previous relationship. He was preceded in death by one loving daughter, Tina Hardwell Rivers, and one cherished grandson, Christopher Lewis; and nine siblings.

Edward Byron

Powell passed away on

March 25, 2025, in

Bossier City,

Louisiana, at the age of 76.

Byron was born on April 19, 1948, in Winnfield, Louisiana and attended his precious LSU after high school and later attended Northeast Louisiana University. His love for LSU remained a lifelong passion, particularly when it came to cheering on the LSU Tigers. Almost all of the time you’d find him either watching LSU football or baseball, or golf on the tv.

Byron was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Edward Powell, Jr and Kathalene Powell, as well as his sisters, Mattsye Kaye Powell and Lisa Lavinia Powell.

He is survived by his son, Mark & wife Jenny, and daughter, Jenni Roberts & husband Steve, along with four grandchildren: Ben Powell, Grant Powell, Katherine Roberts and Mary Ellen Roberts.

The family will be having a private memorial service at a later date.

Eugene Dale Skains, Jr., passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025 of pancreatic cancer. He was born September 22, 1961 in Winnfield, LA, and was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Dale Skains, Sr., and Barbara Arakaki Skains, as well as his wife, Annette Brigance Skains.

Eugene was talented, loyal and passionate in many areas and his life journey was marked with intelligence, humor and compassion. He approached life with honesty and integrity. In early adulthood he worked at upscale restaurants and discovered a lasting passion for cooking that brought him much joy. He delighted in nourishing others while making them smile and laugh. And if you ever tasted his dishes, then you have experienced his love.