Obituaries

Nancy Carol O’Neal Keyes, age 63 of Natchitoches, Louisiana passed away, Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at Willis Knighton North in Shreveport. She grew up in of Winnfield, was a member of the Laurel Heights Baptist Church in Winnfield and a homemaker.

Mrs. Keyes was preceded in death by her mother Patsy O’Neal Shirley and a brother Dave Hoffman. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 28 years, Johnny Keyes, Sisters Marie McWilliams, Vicki Deptawa and brother Billy O’Neal.

She is also survived by nieces and nephews: Joshua McWilliams, Kristen McWilliams, Dustin Deptawa and Ashley Deptawa.

Friends visited with the family in the Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield on Saturday, May 2, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Sunday, May 3, 2020 from 12:30 until 1:15. Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. at Bethel Cemetery with Reverend Danny Keyes officiating.

Mrs. Tammy Norman Keith, age 50 Calvin, Louisiana passed away April 27, 2020 at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria. She was born November 23, 1969 in Winnfield, Louisiana.

She is survived by her son Layton Keith, daughter Marisa Keith, mother Alice Webb, father Roy Norman, brother Justin Norman, and nephew Logan Boyette.

Private memorial services will be held at a later date.

Mrs. Roberta “Bobbi” Russell, age 75 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2020.

Born Sunday, October 8, 1944 in Chicopee, Massachusetts, Throughout her life, Mrs. Russell spent countless hours of her own time, lending a hand to others in need of all types of assistance; personal, mental, and physical. She volunteered with Catholic Charities, in Norfolk, Virginia, providing assistance to anyone that required medical treatment, transporting them to various appointments as necessary, and assisting the homeless with acquiring shelter and/or passing out food during times of need. She volunteered in local nursing homes there, providing assistance to anyone in need of care or by just visiting them when they had no living relatives.

Mrs. Jeanette Cook Horn, affectionately known by her family and friends as “Granny” passed away at Autumn Leaves Nursing Home in Winnfield on Monday, April 20, 2020. Mrs. Horn age 78 of Montgomery, Louisiana was born July 22, 1941 in Gilmer Texas.

Mrs. Horn was the daughter of the late J.D. Cook and Lois Lyles Cook. She was also preceded in death by her husband James H. Horn Sr., daughters Heather Lynn Horn and Rheanee Horn as well as two sisters and two brothers.

Mrs. Horn loved working in her yard, she loved spending time with her family and also with her church family. She was a long time member of the Union Hill Baptist Church and later Victory Church.

Mr. Lonnie Wayne Higgs, age 63 of Dodson, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

Born Wednesday, January 16, 1957 in Winnfield, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his father, Wayne E. Higgs; paternal grandparents, Enos and Bertha Higgs; maternal grandparents, Lonnie and Letha Jordan; and son, Justin Higgs.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Karla Higgs, mother, Florene Jordan Higgs; son, Colin Higgs and Amber; brother, Randall Higgs; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family received friends on Friday, April 24, 2020, at Southern Funeral Home, from 10:00 AM until time of services.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 24, 2020 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Arthur Robinson and Rev. Mike Green officiating. Interment followed in Hurricane Creek Cemetery, in Dodson.

Mr. James Douglas Head, age 75 of Sikes, Louisiana passed away on Monday, April 27, 2020.

Born Thursday, October 5, 1944 in Winnfield, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, Ida Lee Gregory Head and Willis Onus Head; sister, Nellie Simmons; and grandson, James Robert Head.

Mr. Head was the owner/operator of James D. Head Logging and a Master Mason at Rosemary Lodge #278 at Hebron, LA.

Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Paige Parker (Robin); son, Tim Head (Shelia); grandchildren, Dustin Parker, Courtney Cromer, Laura Head, and Rachael Head; and 3 great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at Southern Funeral Home, from 9:00 AM until time of services.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Michael Green officiating. Interment will follow in Sikes Cemetery, in Sikes.

Her many talents came from the place our pain now emanates – the heart.

Beverly Parker Harrell (70) was surrounded by family when God called her home on April 17, 2020.

It is hard to summarize a life well lived by one who touched so many. At a young age, Beverly met her match, Hovey. Together they lived a true love story for 50 years all the while raising their three boys.

Beverly graduated from Northwestern State University with dual master’s degrees in early childhood and special education. For 36 years, Beverly taught thousands of teachers who are now teaching their own students today. They will tell you she set the example for who they wanted to be in their own classrooms.

Sunrise: 4/17/1934

Sunset: 4/10/2020

Deacon Hayward Alexander, Sr peacefully passed away on April 10, 2020 around 11:30 p.m. while residing at the Autumn Leaves Nursing Home and is now joyfully walking with Jesus! He was 85 years old. Hayward was a life-long resident of the Winn Parish community. He lived a life of honor and integrity as he loved and provided for his family and served his community. He was a faithful member of the Union Hill Baptist Church in Calvin, La. Hayward also proudly dedicated nearly forty years of service to the Winn Parish auxiliary sheriff team.

A graveside celebration was held for Mr. Alexander at the UHBC cemetery on Monday April 13, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.. The services were entrusted to Paradise Funeral Home, Jonesboro, LA

May the winds of heaven blow softly,

And whisper in your ears,

How much we love and miss y’all

And wish that y’all were here!

Loy Russell Gaar, 94, of Gaars Mill Community died Sunday, March 22, 2020. Mr. Gaar was born April 29, 1925, in Dodson, LA. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Winnfield, Louisiana.

He was the son of the late W.R. Gaar and Eva Hall Gaar. Also preceding him in death was his wife, Grace, his brother, Lee, a daughter, Dinah, and a grandson, Jarrett Doss. Survivors include daughters Gloria Watts of Shelbyville, TX and Loyna Gayle Roussel of Hester, LA; one son, Gary Gaar of Collierville, TN; 13 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Mr. Gaar was an Army veteran of WWII, serving in the South Pacific. He was the postmaster in Dodson for over years and a Winn Parish Policy Juror. He also served multiple times as the Bishop of the Winnfield Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.