Obituaries

Betty J. Rowell, age 78, of Winnfield, La went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 25th of 2018 at St. Francis Cabrini hospital in Alexandria, La. She was born on 01/20/1940 in Winnsboro La.

She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother to all. She was very proud of her family and loved being surrounded by each of them any chance she could get. No one ever left her home hungry and without a smile on their face. Her overwhelming love and kindness brought warmth and a sense of home to all that she met. Her family loves her dearly and will greatly miss each and every moment without her.

Mrs. Rowell was preceded in death by her husband Gerald “Spunky” Rowell of Winnfield, LA; her mother Clorea Richard Smith of Winnsboro, her father Willie L. Smith of Winnsboro, LA and a brother Wille S. Smith.

Mrs. Myrtle Ann Gibson Edwards was born November 8, 1940 in Reading, Pennsylvania to the late Olridge Gibson and Elezabeth Low Evens Gibson. She fell asleep in death at her residence in Winnfield, LA Thursday, November 22, 2018.

Myrtle graduated from Kensington High School in Philadelphia, PA in January of 1959. After graduation she began fulltime missionary work for Jehovah’s Witness, teaching the truth from the Bible for 25 years. She really enjoyed helping people to learn what the Bible really teaches. Myrtle delighted in her sewing business named “As you like it,” as well as catering for special events and volunteering for the public school system.

Her hobbies included gardening, crocheting, cross stitching, cycling and being an avid world traveler which gave her the opportunity to visit several countries including Spain, France, Malta, Crete, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Thailand, Canada, Hawaii, Virgin Islands, Mexico, and Bahamas.

Mrs. Betty Sue Hall Worsham, age 79 of Montgomery, Louisiana passed away on Monday, November 12, 2018. Born Sunday, December 11, 1938 in Shreveport, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Neil and Martha Stanley Hall; husband, William Brian Worsham, Sr.; grandson, Preston Worsham; brother, Idriss “Bobby” Hall.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, William Brian Worsham, Jr., John E. Worsham (Deborah), Julie Herrera and Barbara McGee (James); 9 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Craig James officiating. Interment followed in Atlanta Cemetery, in Atlanta.

Serving the family as pallbearers were Joshua Raines, Brad Smith, John Kinsey Worsham, Clay Etheridge, Jarrod Pinder and Zachary Raines.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome.com.

Brandon Lynn Jurek, age 13 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, November 4, 2018. Born Thursday, January 13, 2005 in Houston, Texas, he was an 8th grade Winnfield Middle School student where he was a member of 4-H and the Accelerated Readers Club. Brandon was preceded in death by his great-great grandmother, Hazel Marie Schiel and his great grandmother, Ella Mae Warren. Those left to cherish his memory include his parents, Donald and Tasha Ennis Jurek; sister, Kaylie Jurek; grandmother, Selina Perrenot; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Joel Hines officiating. Serving the family as honorary pallbearers were George Moss, Richard Jurek, Trey Junkin and Lee Stone. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome.com.

Brandon Jurek

Mrs. Thelma Gunter Smith of Winnfield passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 9, 2018. A funeral service was held at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 13, 2018 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Kevin Smith officiating. Burial was held in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Preceding the service, visitation was at 10:00 am in the church sanctuary.

Thelma was born in Goldonna, LA on August 13, 1926 to the union of Ruth Reed Gunter and Edginton Terrel Gunter. She graduated from Goldonna High School and continued her education in Lake Charles studying business. On Thanksgiving Day 1946, she married Daniel Norwood “Woodie” Smith. Thelma worked at the Mosley Clinic in Winnfield for many years.

Thelma was a member of First Methodist Church for over fifty-five years. She held many offices in United Methodist Women Day and Night Units, various church committees, and was a member of the Taste Fair Committee from its inception.

Neil Lassion Wagoner, passed away on October 28, 2018 surrounded by his family in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Neil was born on August 13, 1936 in Winnfield, Louisiana to Robert Lassion Wagoner and Minnie Heard Wilson and had two younger brothers, Bill and Terry.

Neil is survived by his wife of 61 years, Martha Sue Barton. Neil attended Winnfield High School before graduating college with a Petroleum Engineering degree from Louisiana Tech University. After college Neil was hired by the Louisiana State Highway Department and eventually became the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.

Neil and Martha had three children, Cheri Vaughn, Barry Wagoner and Joey Wagoner and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved him dearly.

Billy was the fifth child of the late Rev. M.A. & Lecelia Jones. He was a member of Morning Star Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. H.Y.Bell. He graduated from Pinecrest High School in 1959. He played the trumpet in the school band. After finishing high school he played with a number of bands in Winn Parish, Natchitoches and Alexandria, La. He married one of his school classmates, Barbara Leo Amos. They were blessed with 3 children.

He was known for his hauling pulpwood, and carpenter skills. He was a lover of flashy cars. He cherished his white 1961 Starfire Oldsmobile. He was an avid traveler, traveling many states with his family to New York, Mi., Oh., Wis., Min., Tn., Al., Washington DC, GA, Ms., Fla., Nev., N.Mex., and Ca. He loved to observe the scenery from all the states.

Mrs. Thelma Gunter Smith of Winnfield passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 9, 2018. A funeral service were held at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 13, 2018 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Kevin Smith officiating. Burial was held in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Preceding the service, visitation was at 10:00 am in the church sanctuary. Thelma was born in Goldonna, LA on August 13, 1926 to the union of Ruth Reed Gunter and Edginton Terrel Gunter. She graduated from Goldonna High School and continued her education in Lake Charles studying business. On Thanksgiving Day 1946, she married Daniel Norwood “Woodie” Smith. Thelma worked at the Mosley Clinic in Winnfield for many years. Thelma was a member of First Methodist Church for over fifty-five years. She held many offices in United Methodist Women Day and Night Units, various church committees, and was a member of the Taste Fair Committee from its inception.

Mr. Dudley L. Foster, 87, of Georgetown, Louisiana passed away at his residence on Friday, November 2, 2018. Mr. Foster was born on Wednesday, August 19, 1931. Graveside services were held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery, Georgetown. Survivors include his wife of 48 years (married May 29, 1970), Beth Bruce Foster; 5 daughters, Ms. Donna Jeffcoat, Mrs. Cindy Roberts, Mrs. Pamela Bruce (Mike), Mrs. Kim Sweat (Johnny) and Mrs. Amy Terral (Scott); brother, Mr. Max R. Foster; 8 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Mr. Foster was predeceded in death by his parents, Edward Dan and Bertha Pace Foster and his brother, Harold E. Foster. He was a member of Beulah Baptist Church and retired in 1995 from International Paper (Pineville Kraft) with 26 years. He served in the U.S. Army from August 1948 to June 1952 rising to the rank of Sergeant First Class, He is a Korean Conflict veteran.

Mr. Charles Edward Cloud, age 74 of Goldonna, Louisiana passed away on Monday, October 29, 2018. Born Saturday, August 5, 1944 in Natchitoches, Louisiana, he was a member and deacon of the Creston Baptist Church. He owned and operated his own contracting business for more than 40 years. Mr. Cloud more recently owned and operated The Store in Goldonna. He had a real passion for vintage vehicles having restored several including a 1938 Ford School Bus, which he rode to and from school as a youngster. He served on the Natchitoches Parish Police Jury from 2004 to 2008. Mr. Cloud was preceded in death by his parents, Theophilus and Virginia Adkins Cloud and his brother, Gerald Cloud. Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 52 years, Gayle Eaves Cloud; daughter, Sharlene Settle and husband James; grandchildren, Jordan Bevill and Abigail Bevill. Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Creston Baptist Church with Rev.