Obituaries

Alvin E. Calhoun was born on December 5, 1960 to the late Walter and Vadie Calhoun. Alvin passed away on Monday, May 3, 2021 in Baton Rouge, LA after a brief illness.

Alvin grew up in the Winn Parish Calvin community where he attended Union Hill Elem. School and graduated from Calvin High with honors. Alvin attended NSU and LSU; he was a life-long student, with a brilliant and curious mind, forever learning and sharing his knowledge. He joined Union Hill Baptist Church at an early age and continued to support the Church throughout his life. He made his home in Baton Rouge, LA.

Alvin’s most rewarding work was as a small business owner who became an industry legend in the racing industry. He was known throughout the area for his highly sought after prize winning bar-be-que. Alvin also enjoyed writing short compositions and drawing portraits. He will be missed by family and friends.

Dr. Jerry Lee Allen was born in Calvin, La., the 3rd child of Thomas Lee and Betty Mae (née Carpenter) Allen. Jerry arrived mere moments before his twin sister Joy Marie and to the delight of older brother Raymond.

Jerry spent his career as professor of microbiology at Northwestern State University, teaching and at times leading the department there from 1970 until his retirement in 2005. Dr. Allen was widely loved by his students, of whom he frequently spoke fondly. Jerry taught both advanced microbiology, immunology, and virology courses as well as introductory science courses. Any medical or nursing student at Northwestern during his tenure would have encountered Dr. Allen’s classes. Those students have gone on to research, patient care, and other influential roles across northwest Louisiana and around the globe.

Infant Kason D. Higgs, age 1 month, 16 days, of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, January 12, 2021.

Born Friday, November 27, 2020 in Washington, Pennsylvania, he was preceded in death by his grandfather, Robby Higgs; and great grandmother, Margarete Hinton.

Those left to cherish his memory include his parents, Haley Nicole Sorter Higgs and Jacob Thomas Higgs; sister, Adelyn Higgs, grandmother, Amy Antley Richey; Grandparents, Robert and Missy Sorter, Steven and Geni Guy; great grandparents, Rayford and Dorothy Higgs, Gene and Laine Sorter, Thomas and Doris Antley, Kelly Sorter and Catherine Maxwell.

The family received friends on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at Southern Funeral Home, from 10:00 AM until time of services.

Funeral services were held at noon on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Southern Funeral Home with Reverends Dick DeBusk and Rayford Chandler officiating. Interment followed in Hurricane Creek Cemetery, in Dodson.

Floye Mae Bryant, age 94 of Jonesboro, passed away surrounded by her loving family Thursday, April 22, 2021. Her family was her whole heart. She would go to the moon and back for her children and grandchildren.

Mrs. Goldie Marie Hill, age 88 of Dodson, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, April 10, 2021.

Born Monday, August 1, 1932 in Atlanta, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her husband Billy Ray Hill, father Clarence Barton, mother, Eula Horn Keith; sisters, Lennie Edmonds and Vera Keith; daughter-in-law, Debra Hill.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Billy Hill, Janice Suen and Brenda Kaseman; grandchildren, Shannon Suen, Chelita Brewer, Jamie Kaseman, B.J. Hill (Mikka), Curtis Ray Hill and Tyler Grant Hill (Grace), greatgrandchildren, Hudson Hill, Brylie Hill, Case James Hill, Maylin Hill, Wesley Turner and Troy Pelzel; and one great great grandchild Troumani Turner.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Harmon officiating. Interment followed in Liberty Chapel Cemetery in Williana.

Kadence Raylynne Blundell, age 16 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Friday, April 16, 2021.

Born Thursday, March 10, 2005 in Alexandria, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her grandfather, Kenneth “Kenny” Blundell.

Kadence was an artist and an avid deer hunter. She was a loving friend to all who knew her, and a great big sister to Jace, who called her “Sissy”.

Those left to cherish her memory include her father, Jason Blundell; her mother, Sandra Blundell; her grandmothers, Dianne Blundell and Becky Garrett (Norman); her grandfather, Tim Smart; her brother, Jace Blundell; her aunts, Tess Blundell (Chad), Erica Allwell, and Carla Smart; her cousins, Kelleigh Anne Blundell, Kyleigh Blundell, Kerrigan Worsham, Dylan Smart, Kaeson Smart, and Lillie Smart; and a host of other cousins, relatives, and friends.

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

Mr. Arthur Lawrence “Larry” Williams, age 82 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, April 8, 2021.

Born Saturday, November 19, 1938 in New Jersey, he was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Lucas and Emma Litka Williams; wives, Janice Adams Williams and Nelda Pirkle Williams; sister, Dee Vomvos; and daughter-in-law, Paula Jones Williams.

Mr. Williams was a native of New York City and attended NSU on a basketball scholarship. He was retired as a bookkeeper having worked for PK Smith, Brewton Lumber and Cole Oil companies.

Mrs. Jimmie Jean Adams Tarver, age 89 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at her home, surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren.

She was born Sunday, August 16, 1931 in Gaar’s Mill, Louisiana, and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Winnfield and also attended Zion Baptist Church with her family. Mrs. Tarver was a member of the Home Demonstration Club where she was known as the “dumpling queen”. She was also known for her Popcorn Balls at Halloween and her Peanut Brittle during the Christmas holidays. She loved fishing, working in her flower gardens and bird watching from her back porch.

Mrs. Tarver was preceded in death by her parents, William Troy Adams and Ollie Victory Sikes Adams, husband of 67 years James Tarver, and her six siblings.

Mrs. Lessie Mae Austin, age 86 of Quitman, crossed through Heaven’s gates on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Lessie was an active attendee at the annual Austin Family Reunion that was held in March each year until Covid-19 spoiled our reunion events for the years 2020 and 2021. She was always proud to bring her favorite dishes for everyone to share. She was an active and faithful member of Sweetwater Baptist Church. She loved to sing with “Shine”, formerly known as WMU. They would share their love of singing with people in nursing facilities. Lessie enjoyed visiting patients in the nursing home as well as doing other special projects until her health no longer allowed her to do so. She was a graduate of Winnfield Senior High School in 1952, attended ULM and was employed and retired from Jackson Loan.

Mr. James Mockosher passed from this life on March 28, 2021 in his residence. He was born to the union of Manuel and Jimmie Dean Thornton Mockosher on December 9, 1957 in Alexandria, Louisiana.

He spent most of his working career in the oilfield, and in his spare time enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years. As he grew older he developed a love for Television, especially westerns, and had a huge love for his family and grandkids.

He is preceded in death by his father, one brother Manuel Mockosher, Jr., and grandmother Effie Mae Clinton.

Those left to cherish his memory are his mother Jimmie Dean Thornton Mockosher Normand, one brother John Mockosher, sisters Darlene Thomason and Jeanette Yale, sons Waylon and Sonny Mockosher; nephews Daniel Mockosher (Amanda), Jason Bird Mockosher (Jennifer), and James “ManMan” Mockosher; one niece Jennifer “Sugar Woman” Moreau, 3 grandchildren and 4 great nephews.