Obituaries

A celebration of the life of Hope Austin Weeks was held Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel in Minden, Louisiana with Bro. Chet Johnson officiating. Hope was born December 10, 1933 in Dodson, Louisiana to Evan W. and Rhuey Stewart Austin. She entered her eternal rest Wednesday, August 22, 2018 in Minden, Louisiana. She was raised in the Tannehill Community where she resided until her marriage to Dewey D. “Bob” Weeks. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Minden where they raised their three children plus five foster children. Hope was a charter member of Eastside Missionary Baptist Church in Minden. She was an excellent cook and provided lunch for her family every Sunday until her health prevented it. She loved her family with a passion and left a legacy of memories to all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband; Dewey D.

Rose Creel Epperson, a native of Winnfield, LA and resident of Baker, LA, passed away, Sunday, August 26, 2018, at the age of 85. She was born on April 3, 1933, in Winnfield, LA. Rose was educated at Winnfield High School, Northwestern State University with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education, and Louisiana State University with a master’s degree in Library Science. While at Northwestern State University, Rose was member of the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band where she served as a majorette. Rose was elected as the State Fair Queen for the Northwestern vs. Louisiana Tech football game in Shreveport, LA. She was also named queen of the Central Louisiana Fair game between Northwestern and Louisiana College in Alexandria, LA. Rose was a retired teacher from the East Baton Rouge Parish School System with 25 years of service, a retired business owner of 20 years, and retired church organist of First Baptist Church of Baker with 51 years of service.

Mrs. Brenda A. Pardue, age 75 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. Born Thursday, October 15, 1942 in Jonesboro, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Irris F. Austin and Alice O. Walker Austin; son, Howard Pardue, Jr.; and brothers, Johnny, Felix, Homer, and Freddy Austin. Brenda’s Chicken Inn is a fixture in Winnfield and has been serving Winn Parish and the residents of surrounding parishes for almost 40 years. Mrs. Brenda was a devout Christian and a member of Trinity Baptist Church. She never met a stranger, was very generous and always willing to help anyone. Mrs. Pardue loved the Lord, as well as her community, family, and especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mrs. Cora Lea Miller, age 84 of Montgomery, Louisiana passed away on Monday, August 20, 2018. Born Sunday, January 14, 1934 in Aloha, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Herman Wash Fredieu and Charlie Beatrice Perkins Fredieu; husband, James Edgar Miller; son, Joseph Willis Miller, and grandson, James Randall Miller. Mrs. Miller was a vital member of the Council of the Aging for Grant Parish and a life-long member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Randy Miller (Fonda), Robbie Miller, Steven Miller (Melinda), Juan Miller (Leah), and Sean Miller (Sara); daughter-in-law, Ola Mae Gibbs (Widow of Joseph Willis Miller); sister, Bobbie Lee Lashley; 19 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 24, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Mr. Bridges Calvin Pardue, age 84 of Gonzales, Louisiana passed away on Friday, August 17, 2018. Born Thursday, June 7, 1934 in Sikes, Louisiana, he was a retired diesel mechanic and a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. He proudly served his country in the U S Army. Mr. Pardue was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Evelyn Willis Pardue; brother, Floyd Pardue. Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Bridgette Rodrigue (Marvin); grandchildren, Brooke, Roth, Lauryn and Ryan; siblings, Howard Pardue, Nancy Walters, Elizabeth Rolen, Melba Dulaney, Esther Stewart and Sue Simons. Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Monday, August 20, 2018 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Norris Curry officiating. Interment followed in Garden of Memories, in Winnfield. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome.com.

Mrs. Connie Wynne Hogenkamp, age 79 of Eagle Nest, New Mexico passed away on Saturday, August 18, 2018. Born Saturday, December 24, 1938 in Cut Bank, Montana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Severson. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 58 years, Allen L. Hogenkamp; children, Dan, Bill, and Ron and his wife Amanda; grandchildren, Amanda, Katrina, Sara and her husband Aaron, Kelsey and her husband Matthew, Ron-Hunter, Matt and Angela; great grandchildren, Harper, Savanna, Valida, Lucas, and Braden; and sister, Diana Omdahl.š Connie never met a stranger, always had a contagious smile and loved to sing in the choir at First Baptist Church of Winnfield as well as her church choir in Eagle Nest, New Mexico. She was an avid volunteer in many organizations and her passions in life were her savior Jesus, her family, and her many friends.

Funeral services for Mr. James Don Jones, 74, of Winnfield, LA were held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 27, 2018 at the Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Dale Reed officiating. Burial followed in the Restland Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Visitation with the family was 10-11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Mr. James Don “J.D.” Jones was born June 16, 1944 in Shreveport, Louisiana and passed away July 23, 2018 in Shreveport, LA, on what would have been his 35th wedding anniversary. He was the oldest of three children born to the marriage of J.D. and Lavone Burdine Jones. He was raised and schooled in Winnfield, Louisiana graduating from Winnfield Senior High School with the class of 1962. He was a three time Louisiana football All State Champion and received a full scholarship to play for Georgia Tech where he earned his Bachelors in Industrial Engineering.