Obituaries

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.

Mr. Charles Howard Hand, Jr. of Winnfield, Louisiana, age 91, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gallagher Funeral Home of Ball, Louisiana.

Services for Mr. Hand, were held on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Winnfield, Louisiana at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Joe Evans officiating. The burial followed the service at the church cemetery with Military Honors, under the direction of Gallagher Funeral Home.

Mr. Hand was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He was a Mason for over 60 years and a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. He worked as an iron worker and welder with Union 47 for many years. Mr. Hand enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and just spending as much time as he could outside. He dearly loved his grandchildren and loved to spend time with his family. He will forever be missed by those that loved and knew him.

Mr. Wilford “Red” Thompson, age 76 of Joyce, Louisiana entered into eternal rest on Saturday, March 21, 2020.

Born Tuesday, July 20, 1943 in Dodson, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, Shird G. and Edith Deese Thompson; brothers, Mack Thompson and Sherwood Thompson.

Red was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Red retired after 45 years from what is now, West Frazier. After retirement, he enjoyed fishing, working in his shop and working in his yard. He really enjoyed keeping his greatgrandchildren on occasion and playing outside with them.

Mrs. Sandra Kay Barber, age 68 of Sikes, Louisiana entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Born Thursday, April 26, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois, she was preceded in death by her parents, Evelyn Louise Cochran Jacobs and A. D. Jacobs; and her siblings, Jerry and Terry Jacobs, and Ruby Faye Holden.

Mrs. Barber was a member of the Sikes Apostolic Church and was a retired Lunch Room Manager at Sikes High School.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, John Ray Barber; daughter, Angella Wilson (David); son, John “Buster” Barber (Kristina); grandchildren, Tiffany Bailey, Ryleigh Carr (Stephen), Ashton Barber, Jesse Wilson, Eric Wilson, Gus Wilson, Annabel Wilson, Chris Caballero, and Caleb Caballero; great grandchildren, Stratton Carpenter, Stetson Wilson, and Hallie Faye; siblings, Pat Cooper (Red), Dianne Carrier (Bo), Barry Jacobs (Brenda), Tony Jacobs (Renae), and Tammy Caballero; many nieces and nephews,

Mr. Gary Eugene Tolbert, age 75, of Sikes, LA, passed from this life into enternal life on March 14, 2020.

Family and friends weree received for visitation at Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield on Sunday, March 15, 2020 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and again on Monday, March 16, 2020 from noon until service time. Funeral services were held in the chapel of Southern Funeral Home on Monday, March 16, at 1:00 PM with Bro. Tony Jacobs and Bro. Todd Lawrence officiating. Burial followed at Sharon Church Cemetery in Sikes, LA

Gary was a graduate of Sikes High School in 1962 and worked 36 years for the Louisiana State Highway Department. He remembered his coworkers in Monroe fondly. Gary was happiest when he was fishing, hunting, gardening, and spending time with his family. He enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor with his family, friends, and the community

Gary was predeceased by his parents, Alma Thompson Tolbert and Edd Tolbert, and his granddaughter, Tori Thames.