Obituaries

Mr. Willie B. Butler, age 91 of Tullos, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2019.

Born February 7, 1928 in Gibsland, Louisiana, he was a retired auto mechanic, an avid gardener and was an active member and deacon of Calvary Baptist Church.

Mr. Butler proudly served his country in the US Army during WWII.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Butler and Jewel Miles Butler.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 68 years, Georgia Couch Butler; daughters, Sherri Texeira (Frank) and Nancy Ricketts (Warren); grandchildren, Kris (Amy), Isaac (Melissa), Windi (Keith), Lori (Jason), Ashley (Mike) and Brittani; fourteen great-grandchildren; brother, Charlie Butler (Glenda); sisters, Margie Brent (Lucky) and Betty Spears; and a host of nieces and nephews and special neighbors, Monty and Marty Atkins.

Mary Pearl Stark, born on September 30, 1948, in Sherman, Texas, passed away after a strong battle against pancreatic cancer.

Family was the most important to her and it started with her marriage. Mary and Bill said, “I do” in Vinton, Louisiana on December 26, 1966. They were blessed with nearly 53 years of marriage.

Mary was preceded in death by brothers Roland and David McBride. And sister Joyce Franklin. Mary is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Stark, siblings Lloyd McBride, Hazel McBride, and Cheryl Donovan; daughters Carolyn Deardorff, and husband Gary, and Marjorie Barrilleaux, and husband Clay. Her grandchildren Alicia Yarrish, and husband Teylor, and Alex, Arianna, and Sasha Barrilleaux; Mary also leaves behind a great-grandchild, Greyson Yarrish, to remember her love. Numerous nieces and nephews are left with memories of her personality as well.

A Celebration of Life Service for Rachel Lea Walker was held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, in the Sanctuary of Trinity United Methodist Church under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home. Reverend Dr. Juliet Spencer and Reverend Leslie Stephens officiated. Visitation was held at Trinity in the Sanctuary on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 from 5:00 -7:00 PM.

Rachel was born September 23, 1975, in Monroe, Louisiana, and passed away, July 19, 2019. She grew up in Winnfield, Louisiana, and married Jason Walker, also of Winnfield, on July 11, 1998. Their daughter Kate was born in June, 2003. Rachel’s greatest love was her family.

Rachel is survived by her husband of 21 years Jason; daughter Kate; parents Helene and Jimmy Walker; parents-in-law Chris and Bo Walker; her brother Drew; brother-in-law Kevin; sister- and brother-in-law Joliene and Ruddy Sosa; nieces Piper Sosa, Dottie Walker, and nephew Walker Sosa.

Mr. Sam Houston Melton, Jr., age 79 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Friday, July 26, 2019.

Born Monday, April 29, 1940 in Packton, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnette Dick Melton and Sam Houston Melton; and sister, Sonja Duke,

Those left to cherish his memory include his daughters, Angela Suzette Melton and Jacqueline Melton Ratcliff (Carl); son, Sam Houston Melton, III (Kimberly); sister, Alma Cockerham; grandchildren, Jerrad Falcon, Carl Ratcliff, Jr., Sydnee M. Ratcliff, Payton L. Ratcliff, Kelly Melton, Coty Melton, and Katie Melton Boyett; and great grandchildren, Logan T. Ratcliff, Paige Ratcliff, Marissa Rose Melton, Leila Ledet, Brendan Ledet, Ivy Grace Boyett, Von Luke Boyett, and Emerald Faigh Boyett.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at Southern Funeral Home, from 9:00 AM until time of services.

Jimmie Jenkins King, age 87 of Olla, Louisiana passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, July 18, 2019 after a lengthy illness. Jimmie was born November 30, 1931 in Urania, Louisiana to the union of his parents, Samuel DeFrance King and Clara Jenkins King and he was a resident LaSalle Parish all his life. He is remembered fondly by his Olla-Standard High School friends as a member of the 1950 State Championship baseball team when he pitched a no-hitter to cinch the title winning game. After high school he served his country in the U. S. Army as a tank commander traveling throughout Europe. Upon his arrival home from the war he attended Northwestern State University where he played on the baseball team and earned an accounting degree. Jimmie was a hard-worker. He worked for La Salle Parish School Board as the accountant for the school system and also opened his own accounting business in his home in the mid-60’s where he was assisted by his wife, Aubin.

Mrs. Lorene Howell Doughty, age 90 of Atlanta, Louisiana passed away on Friday, July 26, 2019.

Born Friday, November 9, 1928 in Hargis, Louisiana, she was a life-long member of Hargis Baptist Church and was a graduate of Verda High School in 1946 as salutatorian. She was mostly a housewife,but did enjoy working for Old South Life Insurance Co. as well as Avon and Mary Kay. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, crafting, traveling and growing flowers in her garden.

Mrs. Doughty was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver Howell and Nora Futrell Howell; husband of 55 years, William T. Doughty, Jr.; granddaughter, Trista Tyler; siblings, Helen Land (Bill), O.M. Howell (Nadine), Elmore Howell (Gloria), R.C. Howell (Lillian) and Raymond Howell (Hella); brother-inlaw, Dwayne Bevill.

Bro. Jeffery Alan Dick, age 59 of Atlanta, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2019.

Born Wednesday, November 25, 1959 in Tacoma, Washington, he was a minister and logger who enjoyed spending time with his family and was an avid outdoorsman.

Bro. Alan was preceded in death by his mother, Sandra James Dick; grandparents, William and Letha Dick and Jessie and Effie Mae James.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Laura Norwood Dick; father, Carl C. Dick; children, Dwayne Kilpatrick, P.J. Horn, Sabrina Dick, and Ethan Dick; grandchildren, Stephen, Gracie, Joseph, Hydie, and Jessie Alan; siblings, Mike Dick (Denise), Tony Dick (Fran), and Melanie Gauthier (Tim).

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Union Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Bruce Weatherford and Rev. Frank Peacock officiating. Interment followed in Iatt Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home.

Leland Davison, a long timeresident of Winn Parish, age 68,passed away on Thursday July18, 2019.

He was born January 22,1951 in Winnfield, La to J.P.and Montine Beasley Davison.He was employed in the construction trade as a housepainter with his father andbrothers. He attended AtlantaHigh School.

On June 8, 1968, Leland dedicated his life to Jehovah and wasbaptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother JohnWayne Davison, and his sister Mary Davison Plunkett.

Leland is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, JudithMartin Davison. Those left to cherish his memory are his brother, Phillip Davison and sister-in-law Susan Davison. Nieces andnephews, Captain John Dewaine Davison, Derrick and DeAnneDavison, Ava Davison, Cheree Litton, and Danita Davison.

Mr. Lonnie Lee Corley Sr., age 72, of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away July 25, 2019, in Tioga, Louisiana after an extended illness.

Mr. Corley was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie Corley and Martha “Mattie” Atkins Corley; wife of 38 years, Evelyn Varnell Corley; son, Steven Procell; and brothers, Charles Corley and Johnnie Corley.

Those left to cherish his memory include his sisters, Marilyn Morgan, Elizabeth “Liz” Hargrove; children, son Lee Corley, daughters Kimberly Corley Lawrence and Jennifer Corley Strain; grand children, Tony Procell, Stephanie Procell, Megan Procell, Amanda Smiley, Ryan Ellis, Johnathon Duncan, Ethan Duncan, Justin Gough, Madison Black; as well as 12 Great-Grand Children.

Mr. Thomas Chad Hammonds, of Quitman, passed from this life on Monday, July 15, 2019 at the age of 28 years. He was a loving father, son, brother and friend who was an avid fisherman.

Friends visited with the family 6:00PM - 9:00PM Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Antioch Bible Way Church in Brewton’s Mill. Funeral services were held 10:00AM Friday, July 19, 2019 at the church with Reverend Elton Gunter and Reverend Richard Harmon officiating. Interment followed in the Antioch Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home of Jonesboro.

Mr. Hammonds is survived by his son, Thomas Jayden Hammonds; parents, Thomas Lee and Mary Ellen (Durbin) Hammonds; brothers, Nick Hammonds & Callie and Shannon Hammonds; neices, Blayne Hammonds and Emma Hammonds; maternal grandmother, Thera Lee Durbin. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Hesley Durbin; paternal grandparents, Tom Willis and Jean Elizabeth (Vines) Hammonds.