Obituaries

B.J. Perry, Jr., 62. of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on Saturday, October 20, 2019. B.J. was born to Mae and Bobby Perry in Lake Charles, Louisiana on October 25, 1956. He called Winnfield home for 12 years before graduating from Winnfield Senior High School and going on to graduate from the Northwestern School of Nursing. B.J. worked for the Traveling Nurse Corps for a number of years, living in many different places, before settling down in Charleston, South Carolina. He worked as a nurse for many years, but said that his time working with hospice care was the most rewarding job that he had ever had, considering it an honor and a blessing. He married Denise Southerland on August 31, 1997, and they lived there for the remainder of his life, attending the Seacoast Church of Charleston. He loved traveling, cooking, and reading. BJ used his love of cooking to cook for the volunteer men’s group at his church.

Mrs. Johnnie Elaine Arrington Mercer, age 92 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.

Born Tuesday, February 8, 1927 in Colfax, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence A. Arrington and Lee Ola Biddle Arrington; husband, James Mercer; brother, C.A. Arrington; sisters, Omera Sneed, Jackie Bankston and Vergine Arrington.

Mrs. Mercer was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and was a homemaker.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, James C. Mercer and wife Mary and Danny D. Mercer and wife Sara; grandchildren, Chad Mercer, Aimee Mercer Spears, Jamie Mercer McLarty, Jordan Mercer, Kaitlyn Mercer, Jeremy Taylor, Jeffery Mercer, Adam Mercer and Richie Mercer; ten great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Funeral services for Mrs. Burdette Bell were held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 4, 2019 in the chapel at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport, Louisiana. Visitation was held from 1:00 p.m. until the service began. Officiating the service was Reverend Mimi McDowell. Interment followed at Rose-Neath Cemetery in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Mrs. Bell, age 96, of Shreveport, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2019 at Stratmore Heritage Manor.

Mrs. Bell was preceded in death by her parents, James E. Dark and Maude L. Sikes Dark; her husband, John Y. Bell and sister, Nelwyn D. Fordham. She is survived by her daughter, Gaylyn Bell; sister, Marilyn D. Barrett and husband, Ray; her nieces, Ann F. Green, Michelle B. Hancock; nephew, Mike Barrett and several great nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Sara “Beth” Elizabeth McDade Etheridge Stewart, age 91 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Monday, October 14, 2019.

Mrs. Stewart was a native of Winnfield and lifelong member of First Baptist Church. She served as Sunday school teacher, was active in WMU, helped organize Operation Christmas Child, and worked as church financial secretary. Mrs. Stewart was active in home demonstration club for many years.

Born Monday, July 9, 1928 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Dosia Hall McDade and Hollie D. McDade, Sr.; second husband, Glenn E. Stewart; first husband, Bonner G. Etheridge, Sr.; and sons, Bonner G. Etheridge, Jr. and Kerry B. Etheridge; and brother, Hollie D. McDade, Jr.

Mr. James Leslie Pruitt, age 75 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Monday, October 14, 2019. He was a member of the Christian Fellowship Church.

Born Thursday, January 27, 1944 in Hamburg, Arkansas, he was preceded in death by his parents, Bertha Mae Carter and Clarence Pruitt; daughter, Dana Pruitt Gates; 4 brothers; and 5 Sisters.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 58 years, Pauline Pruitt; daughters, Leanie Holland (Ronald) and Angie Curry (Nathan); son, Paul Pruitt (Jill); 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

The family received friends on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at Christian Fellowship Church, from noon until time of services.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Christian Fellowship Church with Rev. Huey White and Rev. Kenneth Stanfill officiating. Interment followed in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Winnfield under the direction of Southern Funeral Home.

Ms. Maygon Marie Edmonds, age 26 of Joyce, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2019.

Born Thursday, August 26, 1993 in Natchitoches, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her biological mother, Lisa Edmonds; biological father, Randy LeJune; and adopted mother, Bessie Leona Riggs.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Trae and Haven Edmonds; siblings, James Lee Edmonds, Michael Edmonds, J.J. LeJune, Mickal Riggs, Clay Riggs, Antonio Whisenant and Sharee Halphen; and adopted father, Rufus Mack Riggs,

The family receivee friends on Friday, October 18, 2019, at Southern Funeral Home, from 9:00 AM until time of services.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 18, 2019 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Danny Keyes officiating. Interment followed in Zion Cemetary, near Georgetown.

Kelsey D. Bagwell of Mooringsport, Louisiana, transitioned into the next on Tuesday, October 8, 2019, following a period of illness. Kelsey was the son of Roy C. Bagwell and the late Barbara Leudtke. He leaves behind his wife of 28 years, Jeanie Spears Bagwell, his brother, Kevin Bagwell of Memphis, TN, and two beloved dogs, Travis and Lady.