Obituaries

Mr. Calvin “Wayne” Sandifer, age 61, of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed on to his Heavenly home, on February 24, 2025.

Mr. Calvin “Wayne” Sandifer, age 61, of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed on to his Heavenly home, on February 24, 2025.

A celebration of life will be held for Lisa Joyce Thornton Kepper, at 11 a.m., Friday, March 7, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, March 6, at Riverwood and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.

Mrs. Kepper, 60, of Hattiesburg, MS, died March 4, 2025, at Asbury Hospice House. She was born in McComb, MS, September 28, 1964, to Jimmie Rogers Thornton and Barbara Mercier Thornton. She worked for many years as a Dental Hygienist.

Lisa loved spending time with her family and friends, and in particular, her new grandbaby, Luke. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church and an active member of “The Orchard” Bible Fellowship class. She was an avid gardener, and she loved cheering on her Mississippi State Bulldogs and her Atlanta Braves. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her granddaughter, Landry Ryan Kepper.

Derwood Maxwell July 6, 1952 — March 7, 2025 Funeral services for Derwood Maxwell were held 2:00 PM, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Riser Funeral Home in Olla, Louisiana, with Bro. Warren Maxwell officiating. Interment followed in Olla Cemetery under the direction of Riser Funeral Home. Visitation was held Monday, March 10, 2025, at Riser Funeral Home in Olla from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

Derwood Paul Maxwell was born July 6, 1952, in Winnfield Louisiana, to the union of his parents, Lyndle Maxwell and Ernastine Wooley Maxwell, and he passed from this life March 7, 2025, at Haven Nursing Home following a brief illness. Derwood was a one of a kind. He worked until retirement, and fished until he no longer could. Derwood was a good and honest man who liked keeping his things organized. Whatever he used he put it right back. Derwood was also one who kept up with his grandchildren, going to ballgames or whatever they were doing. He also enjoyed watching college football.

Reverend Gerald Glen Fogger, 87, of Winnfield, Louisiana, peacefully entered the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at his home. He was born on November 5, 1937, in Winn Parish to Lillie Mae Robinson Fogger and Thomas Iuria Fogger.

As a senior in high school, Glen started working for the Winn Parish Enterprise as a clean-up boy. After graduating from Winnfield High School in 1955, he began working in the back shop running the presses. Glen worked for The Enterprise for ten years. After graduating, he also joined the Army National Guard.

The Swafford family announces the passing of their brother Alvin Earl Swafford. Mr. Alvin Earl Swafford of Winnfield, La was born on August 4, 1964. He died peacefully on February 7, 2025 at Autumn Leaves Nursing Home and was blessed to be surrounded by his loved ones. Alvin lived most of his adult life in Seattle, WA where his occupation was a Janitorial Supervisor at the Federal Building; his unwavering commitment going above and beyond constantly caused him to standout as an exceptional employee.

Alvin was preceded in death by his father Edward Swafford Sr., mother Elaine W. Swafford, brothers Alfonzo Swafford and Jerry L. Swafford of Winnfield, La. Alvin is survived by his daughters Arianna Swafford-Robinov and Alexis Clay, his son Altreon Swafford, bonus daughters Damellia Russell and Urika Boyd, ex wife/best friend April Russell-Swafford, brothers Garry Holmes, Marvin Holmes, and Edward Swafford, Jr, sister Melissa Swafford and sister-n-law Lola Turner-Holmes.

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.