Obituaries

A funeral service for Robert “Luke” Buchanan, 68, was scheduled for 2 p.m., Monday, February 10, 2025, at Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville with Bro. John Bryant officiating. He was laid to rest at Still Waters Memorial Gardens.

Visitation began on Sunday, February 9, 2025, and friends were cordially invited to visit with the Buchanan family from 3 to 5 o’clock in the evening at Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

Luke was born on November 27, 1956, in Winnfield, Louisiana to Robert and Sybil Buchanan and entered into eternal life on February 6, 2025.

Dr. Jerry W. Williams, a distinguished optometrist and esteemed member of the Winnfield community, passed away peacefully at his home on January 15, 2025, at the age of 91. He was born on April 23, 1933 in Mansfield, LA.

Dr. Williams dedicated 64 years of service in the field of optometry. His unwavering commitment to his patients and the field began after graduating from Southwestern and completing his studies at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, where he met his beloved wife, Guendill.

Dr. Williams further honed his skills during his military service while stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. He worked in the eye clinic and met national leaders such as President Dwight D. Eisenhower, General George Marshall, and General Claire Chennault. He also took part in a groundbreaking study on the human cornea that would help make transplant surgery possible. He also did research on the detection and understanding of glaucoma.

Reverend Ronald “Ronny” Willard Taylor, 76, of Dodson, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, in Dodson. He was born on Sunday, July 25, 1948, in Winnfield, Louisiana, and made Dodson his lifelong home.

Ronny was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, brother, and pastor who dedicated his life to sharing the love of Jesus Christ. For 40 years, he faithfully preached the Gospel, serving as pastor of Gloryway Church for 25 of those years. Preaching was his true calling, and even in times of illness, he found strength and purpose in delivering the Word of God, often remarking that he felt whole and well when sharing Jesus.

Outside the pulpit, Ronny enjoyed riding his buggy around his place to check on his cattle, a cherished part of his daily life. He found peace and inspiration on his special prayer hill, where he felt a deep connection with God.

Grover “Hookum” LaFollette was born in Rochelle, La. to Sherman LaFollette and Lucille Hemphill. He started working at the age of seventeen for Tremont Lumber in Joyce and stayed until his retirement. He still talked about his days there and had many fond memories of the many people he worked with. He just mentioned Sunday that he only missed one day of work. He also joined the Army National Guard. He loved raising livestock of all sorts and did so most of his life. He always enjoyed talking about the things that he and his brothers did as young men.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Amy, wife Patsy Stewart, brothers Bobby, Charles and Billy, sisters Virginia Hutchins and Peggy Busby.

Those left to remember him are his daughters Kim (Alex) and Shannon Stassen (Robert), grandson Lathan Wise, granddaughter Halle Wise, brother Danny, longtime companion Ann Garlington and their precious fur babies Peanut and Little Bit and many nieces and nephews.

Randy Reppert Cole, age 74, left for his eternal home on January 11, 2025 at Houston Methodist Hospital after a sudden unexpected illness.

A visitation was held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at First Baptist Church Winnfield, Louisiana from 5:30 to 8:30. A funeral service was held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, also at First Baptist. After the service, he was laid to rest at Kitchens Creek Baptist Church in Ball, Louisiana. Not only was this place special to Randy because of the ties it holds to family, but also because it is where he rededicated his life to the Lord in his early adulthood.

Rev. Robert Franks September 30, 1937 – October 12, 2024

The family of wish to express their appreciation to all of their family, friends, business associates and all members of the community that sent flowers, food and donations, as well as giving their support to our family in ways too numerous to mention during our time of sorrow. We cannot thank you enough! Lord Bless You All.

Thank You

Mary Katherine Guillot Grantadams, age 91, left this world on the 27th of October, 2024 surrounded by family to pass into glory to be with Jesus her Savior. She was welcomed into her heavenly home by many friends and family.

Katherine was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 41 years, Russell Grantadams, and two daughters, Joanie and Rebecca Grantadams; and father Malone Guillot. Mrs. Grantadams will meet her mother, Cecile Lemoine Guillot, for the first time in heaven. She is also preceded in death by her maternal grandparents who raised her into her teenage years before passing. After their passing she lived with

different aunts and uncles till adulthood. She is also preceded in death by those aunts, uncles, and all but one cousin. Katherine was an only child so when she and Russell got married, his family became her family. She is preceded by several of his siblings and their spouses.

Gary Wayne Rayburn, 82, of Monument, Colorado passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024.

Born in Winnfield, LA, Gary graduated from WHS and NSU. He served as a special agent for the FBI for over forty years and retired on Colorado to be near his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his son Nicholas Rayburn and daughter Alyson Olson, six grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, nieces Barbara Watson of West Monroe and Sharon Brian of Winnfield, and nephew Johnny Stewart of Houston, TX.

Jeremy Taylor (Tannehill), Christy Taylor (Moss Bluff), Jordan Mercer (Ouray, CO), Kaitlyn Mercer (Arcadia), Aimee Shea (Ouray, CO), Jamie Mercer (Winnfield), and Chad Mercer (Houston). He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Shiloh, CJ, Tony, Jade, Alexis, and Stoney, 4 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

The afternoon of September 7, 2024, Richard R. Price quietly passed away from complications due to vascular dementia. He was surrounded by loved ones as his wife held his hand and he wient to be with God.

Richard was born on March 25, 1956 to Walter and Alice Price. He loved playing the guitar, feeding the birds, his pets (Kermit and Angel), spending time with his family, Sonic cokes and being in the backyard. His favorite tv shows were MASH and Andy Griffith. He was devoted to God and enjoyed looking into the stars and reading things philosophical to be closer to him.

Richard worked out at the mill in Joyce for almost 50 years. His friends and coworkers well remember him as Shrimp. He married Cathy Lynn Martin Price on December 16, 1978. The two were each others soulmates.