Obituaries

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.

Barbara Jean Cohen Hatcher, affectionately known as Jean, peacefully passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2024 in Winnfield, LA. Born on Christmas Day, 1937 in Longview, TX, Jean was the cherished daughter of Albert and Mary Elaine Cohen.

Jean graduated from Grand Chenier High School in 1954. With a passion for education, she pursued and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Northwestern State University in 1983. Education was always close to her heart; prior

to completing her degree, she was a dedicated homemaker, lovingly raising her three sons. Afterward, she began her impactful teaching career in Winn Parish, which culminated at Winnfield Senior High School, where she taught until her retirement in 2008. Jean’s influence on her students and her community was profound and lasting.

In 1957, Jean married the love of her life, Alfred Carroll Hatcher. Together, they built a life centered on family values and community service until Carroll’s passing.

Anne Lasyone Futch passed from this earth to her Heavenly home on July 6, 2024 in Bossier City, La. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and great grand-mother. Anne was born March 31, 1928 to the union of Henry Elijah (Lige) Wilkerson and Bertha Mae Taylor Wilkerson in Joyce, La.

As a young woman, Anne was severely burned on December 14, 1942, which took many months of recovery, including many months of hospitalization in New Orleans, La. After some time, she tried returning to school but was physically unable to do so. She later studied and earned her GED from the Huey P. Long Trade School in Winnfield, La.

In 1944, she met a handsome young man, fresh out of the army, Huey E. Lasyone from Verda, La. This union produced two children. First, a daughter, Shirley Ann and then a son, Ronald Hugh (Ronnie). They were married until his death in November 1989.

Dr. Frank Mobley, 89, of Winnfield, La entered his eternal home on June 12, 2024. He was born on December 29, 1934 in Monroe, La. Dr. Mobley is a graduate of Ouachita Parish High School, Louisiana College, Northwestern State University and the University of Southern Mississippi.

A gifted athlete, Frank excelled at Ouachita Parish High School in multiple sports culminating in a record-setting football career at Louisiana College and induction into the LC Sports Hall of Fame.

Dr. Mobley wore many hats in his life but all of them were focused on his ministry to people in the church or the classroom. As a preacher, minister of music, Sunday School teacher, deacon, high school teacher and coach, college professor and administrator, his goal was to love others and share the gospel of Jesus which was so precious to him.

Mr. Gary Lynn Green, age 74 passed away Friday, May 31, 2024, at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Gary was born on October 5, 1949 in Alexandria, Louisiana to the late Jesse Wayne Green and Margie Chandler Green and spent his formative years in Winnfield, Louisiana. He went on to attend Winnfield High school where he was best known for his excellence in football, baseball, and track. He then attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where he not only received his degree in construction management but also aided in the foundation of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Eta Omicron Chapter. Gary started his career as a health and safety manager and retired as a well-respected environmental consultant with Jones Environmental in Shreveport, Louisiana. Throughout his career he was known for his hard work, dedication and expertise in his field.

Robert Edward DeLoach April 19, 1932 — April 19, 2024 Covington, Louisiana

Robert Edward DeLoach, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle passed away Friday, April 19, 2024, on his 92nd birthday. He was born April 19, 1932 in Winnfield, LA.

Robert lived a life devoted to family, friends, and education.

His unconditional love was something he shared with all. Robert loved meeting people and never met a stranger. He will be remembered by friends and family for his honesty, wisdom, contagious smile, and wonderful sense of humor. He had very rewarding career in education and proudly served his country in the Army during the Korean War.