Obituaries

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.

Rev. C.W. “Jack” Jones, age 98 years, 9 months and 29 days, of Winnfield, Louisiana entered his Heavenly Home on Friday, September 13, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.

He was born November 15, 1925 in Atlanta, Louisiana to the union of Rufus T. and Nena Jones. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Archie, Wesley, Curtis, Buddy, Dr. E. Carl, Ardis and Raymond Jones. He graduated from Atlanta High School in 1942. He helped organize the Atlanta Alumni association and was an officer and board member for many years. He was employed in several businesses in Winnfield and retired from the United States Postal Service as a city letter carrier.

Bro. Jones was the oldest member of the First Baptist Church, Winnfield. He was the oldest World War II Veteran in Winn Parish. He served in the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise CV6 in the Pacific operation his entire time in service.

Cathy went home to glory in Heaven with Jesus on September 27, 2024 at 3:17 pm at Oschner Medical Center. She was at complete peace and surrounded by her girls as she ran into the arms of Jesus and her precious Richard.

Cathy was born on July 21, 1961 in Melton, Missouri to Nadine Lafay (Makne) and Bobby Lee Martin Sr. She was married to the love of her life and soulmate, Richard R. Price on December 16, 1978. Together they made a beautiful life with their two girls Lee Ann and Rebecca and a whole host of fur babies through the years. She worked as a self employed and business cleaner for many years. She also served as the church secretary at EWBC prior to receiving her transplant.

She loved all of her fur babies, but her Lily Girl, her sweet and loving dachshund hand her heart completely.

Mr. Dustin Maris Pickron, age 34, of Winnfield, LA, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024. Funeral services were held on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

Though Dustin’s life may have been short, it was full, crammed with love, laughter, and an unending stream of joyful moments. Dustin worked at O’Reilly Auto Parts here in Winnfield, LA for 3 years now, and boy was he a master of fixing things, but more importantly, he had a way of fixing hearts and spirits. He taught

others the true meaning of generosity, resilience, and joy. He had this incredible ability to lift spirits and make everything seem brighter. His joy was infectious, especially that great big belly laugh he had, and it was impossible to be upset in his presence.

Vivian Ann Davidson, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother, peacefully passed away on September 18, 2024, in her beloved hometown of Winnfield, Louisiana. Born on October 21, 1944, Vivian dedicated her life to serving her community, starting as a valued employee at First Federal Savings & Loan in Winnfield. She later became a devoted homemaker and partner in Davidson Brothers Logging and Pine Ridge Ostrich Farm alongside her husband.

A certified horticulturist, Vivian had a profound passion for flowers and gardening, sharing her love of nature and nurturing spirit with everyone around her. Above all, her greatest joy came from her family, whom she raised with unwavering devotion.

Ann B. Casey, 82, of Conroe, Texas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 1, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Born on Saturday, January 31, 1942, in Atlanta, Louisiana, Annie lived a life full of love, service, and dedication to her family and community.

She was preceded in death by her father, Barney Bandy; mother, Gladys Spillers Bandy; beloved husband, Larry Casey; her brother, Bill Bandy; and her sister, Sandra Huntington.

Ann was the class valedictorian at her high school in Atlanta, Louisiana, where she also earned a place on the All-State Basketball Team. She later became the proud owner of Ann’s Housekeeping Services, where her meticulous work and kind spirit made a lasting impression on all who knew her. In her free time, Ann enjoyed playing tennis and snow skiing, but her greatest joy came from spending time with her grandchildren, who were the most important thing in the world to her.

June Ann King July 29, 1953 – September 7, 2011

In Loving Memory Of my Wonderful Wife

Of all the special gifts in life, however great or small, to have you as my Wife was the greatest gift of all.

May the winds of love blow softly and whisper in your ear, “We love and miss you and wish that you were here.”

Deep in our hearts, your life is kept to love and cherish, not forget. No more tomorrows we can share but yesterdays are always there.

A silent thought, a secret tear keeps your memory ever near in our hearts forever.

Love Always, Stanley

Funeral services for Jimmie Ray Gates were held at 2:00 on Wednesday August 21, 2024, at Antioch Community Church in Goldonna, Louisiana. Officiating the service were Bro. Hayward Hossler and Bro. Elton Gunter. Interment followed in the Union Cemetery in Joyce, Louisiana. Visitation was held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m.

Jimmie Ray Gates was born on October 31, 1936, in Sikes, Louisiana to Floyd Gates and Ola Gates and passed away on August 16, 2024.

Jimmie was proceeded in death by his parents, Floyd and Ola Gates; wife, Ida “Fuzzy” Gates; son, Rockey Gates; brothers, James and William Gates; and sister, Vera Setters.

Those left to cherish his memory are sons, Kenny Gates (Jessica), Daniel Gates, and Cody Gates (Toni); brother, Douglas “Curt” Gates (Deborah); grandchildren, Myra, Ashley, Jaxon, Layken, Cayson, and Deacon Gates; great grandchild, Rockelle Roque, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Ira Joe “Joe Bear” Ates passed away on August 21, 2024 at the age of 62, in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. Joey was a cherished member of his community and a friend to anyone he met. He is survived by his daughters, Ashley White and Kristen Ates; granddaughter Alynsa Ates; grandson Evren Ates; son in law Darren White; devil cat companion Lucy; sister, Janice Pitre; niece, Frances Famularo; nephew, BJ Barber; nephew, Darren Pitre, and many other people proud to call him family. Joey was preceded in death by his parents Frances Ann Troquille Ates, William Allen (W.A) Ates, and his beloved Ma Joy.

Mrs. Gayle Williams Koonce, age 79 of Alexandria, passed away Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital.

Patsy Gayle Williams Koonce was born on January 26, 1945 in Winnfield, Louisiana, the first daughter of Audrey and Edna Williams of Ward 10 in Northwest Winn Parish. She died on August 1, after surviving a lengthy battle with rheumatoid arthritis and multiple myeloma.

Gayle was preceded in death by her husband John Ray Koonce; her parents Audrey and Edna Williams; her paternal grandparents Carl and Lydia Williams and her maternal grandparents Ezra and Reudell Hattaway.

She is survived by her siblings Reggie and Celie Williams of Winnfield; Lisa and Michael Chevy Castranova of Columbia, Missouri; Vonda and Jim Oliver of Hodge and by her beloved standard poodle Bentley. In addition, she leaves behind a host of close friends from her childhood and career.