Obituaries

Mary Ann McCartney Roberts, age 87, of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2021.

Mary was born on February 23, 1934 to Julian “Mack” and Mary Inez Strange McCartney.

Almost six years later, a sister, Julia McCartney Green, came into their home. She was reared on the Banks of Dugdemona near Maxwell Ferry in lower southeast Winn Parish, except for a brief time in Pineville in the 1940’s. She was educated at Curry and Winnfield schools. In October 1952, she was saved and attended Beulah Baptist Church. Mary attended Northeast State University (BS) and Northwestern State University (MS), where she studied Home Economics.

Mrs. Jacqueline Dingler Henderson, age 65 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Friday, May 7, 2021.

Born Sunday, October 9, 1955 in New York, she was preceded in death by her parents, Jacqueline Myers Butler and Robert Dingler; step-father, Clayton Butler; husband, Emery Henderson; siblings, Bill Dingler, Bobby Dingler, Sally Schmitt, and Martha Dingler.

Mrs. Henderson will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt, who loved to cook, hunt and fish.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Susie St. Andrie (Kenneth); son, Chris Hayes; grandchildren, Zachary, Kristin, Ryan, Alexis, Alissa, Madilyn, and Shelby; great grandchildren, Jaxson, Bryleigh, Grayson, Ella Kate, and Emory; siblings, John Dingler, and April Powell; sister-in-law, Delores Gay; special family members, Ronnie Turrentine and Rick Turrentine; and special friend, Melissa Milem; and a host of nieces and nephews.

A Chapel Service for George “Chappy” Elton Gunter will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 13, 2021, at John Kramer & Son Funeral Home with Rev. Joel Hines and Wayne Setliff, Jr. officiating.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until the time of service on Thursday, May 13, 2021, at the funeral home.

George “Chappy” Elton Gunter, 74, of Winnfield, passed away on Friday, May 7, 2021, at Autumn Leaves Nursing Facility.

George is preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Maxine Strickland Gunter; first wife, Paulette Gunter; brother, Joseph Gunter; sister, Roxanne Gunter; and three infant brothers.

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.