Obituaries

Mr. Chester “C.B.” Hemperley, age 91 of Dodson, Louisiana passed away on Friday, May 10, 2019. Mr. Hemperley was employed by AT&T for many years and a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II. He is the son of the late Lacy Benson Hemperley and the late Hazel Payne Hemperley. He was also preceded in death by his son, Kerry Hemperley and his sister, Marilyn Connor. Survivors include his loving wife of 69 years Billie Lou Richardson Hemperley; son, Randy Hemperley (Cheryl); daughter, Kim Hemphill (Ronnie); nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Funeral services for Mr. Hemperley were held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 12, 2019 at the New Hope United Methodist Church at Gars Mill with Rev. Charles Hammons officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. Serving as pallbearers were Dustin Hemperley, Cody Hemperley, Chase Hemperley, Justin Hemphill, Wayne Williamson, Chuck Walker, Randall Barron, and Charles Clemmons.

Mr. Johnny L. Willis was a native of Sikes and a U.S. Army Veteran. He was a member of the South Bossier Church of the Nazarene, enjoyed southern gospel music, country music and played the steel guitar. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Mr. Willis is the son of the late William Alson Willis and the late Mary Emmaline Brister Willis. He is also preceded in death by brothers William Lloyd Willis, Artis Relton Willis, James Raymond Willis, twin brother Wiley Benny Willis, sisters Alma Gertrude Willis Parker, Ruth Janell Willis, Gloria Jean Willis Berman, and Emma Oleta Campanelli.

Survivors include his loving wife Lillian King Willis, Son Terry Willis (Kathy), daughter Kathy Willis Thomisee (Darrell), and son Kenny Willis. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Debra Kay Ferrier Smith, age 62 of Montgomery, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Born Friday, March 15, 1957 in Pineville, Louisiana, she was a member of Montgomery Church of Christ.

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her father, Warren Ferrier and her daughter, Stacy Vollm; sister, Deana Ferrier.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Alton Smith; mother, Bonnie Cox Ferrier; children, Ginger County (Jeffery), Timothy Vollm and Jasmine Smith; grandchildren, Tiffany, Lindsey, Dillon, Katherine and Kayleen; great-grandchildren, Jaiden, Dae’Veon, Camille, Camryn, Malik, Kylar and Damian; siblings, Clinton Ferrier, Ronnie Ferrier, Eugene Ferrier, Theresa Pippins and Susan Berry

Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Montgomery Church of Christ with Carey Smith officiating. Interment followed in Hargis Cemetery, in Montgomery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

Mrs. Chestine Calhoun Hale, age 93 of Atlanta, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Born Thursday, October 15, 1925 in Atlanta, Louisiana, she was a member of Mars Hill Baptist Church. She loved southern gospel music, particularly The Gaithers, and will be remembered as a great cook.

Mrs. Hale was preceded in death by her parents, Andon and Chestine McManus Calhoun; husband, Jack Hale; son, Timothy Hale; siblings, Dotrie Calhoun, Buddy E. Calhoun, Andon Willard Calhoun, Nolia Stapleton and Lurleen Lang.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Kevin Hale of Irvine, CA and Jack Hale of Redwood, CA; and her siblings, Waymond Calhoun of Columbia and Hazel Hale of Atlanta.

Funeral services were held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Norris Curry officiating. Interment followed in Mars Hill Cemetery in Verda.

Mrs. Mildred Iva Welch Wright, age 97 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Monday, April 29, 2019.

Born Friday, March 17, 1922 in Picher, Oklahoma, she was preceded in death by her parents, John Ivy Welch and Mae Faust Welch; and her husband, Carson Wright.

Those left to cherish her memory include her two daughters, Marty Wright of Columbia, SC and Cheryl Wright and husband Jerry of Winnfield; 4 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren.

Memorial service arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date.

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

Mrs. Debra McCoy, age 63 ofWinnfield, Louisiana passedaway on Friday, April 26, 2019.

Born Thursday, April 12,1956 in Bainbridge, Maryland,she was preceded in death byher parents, Willa Dean ShowsMcDaniel and Troy McDaniel;husband, Charles McCoy; sisters, Diane Hicks, DarleneEvans, and Dora Gatlin; and granddaughter, Madison Kelly.

Mrs. McCoy was a member of The Christian FellowshipChurch. She loved her family, church, football, and her dog,Mimi.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, MichaelMcDaniel (Lorena); daughter, Janice Kelly; grandchildren,Cody, Brittney, Dylan, and Haley; and great grandchildren,Colton, Alynsa, Zavier, and Clayton,

Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Monday, April 29,2019 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Darrell White officiating. Interment followed in Ebenezer Cemetery, in Weston.

Serving the family as pallbearers were Nathan Carlile, CodyRoberts,

It is with great sadness that the family of Monty Raymond Lenard announce his passing after a lengthy illness. Mr. Lenard passed away on Friday, April 19, 2019, at the age of 74. Mr. Lenard will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Vera Slipchenko Lenard and his children: Dean Lenard, Christy Bekhit, Penny Ferguson, and Amy Lenard. Mr. Lenard will be greatly missed by his five grandchildren, Abby Ferguson, Mariah Lenard, Amber Lenard, Hunter Lenard, Emily Goodson, and two great grandchildren. Mr. Lenard was predeceased in death by his mother, Mrs. Annie Mae Lisenbia Lenard; father, Mr. James E. Lenard; brothers, Rodney Lenard and Dwight Lenard all of Winnfield, Louisiana.

Ms. Ethel Lea Peters, age 91 of Calvin passed from this life on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. She was preceded in death by her parents Ike Peters and Laura Stein-Peters; brother Doyle Peters and sister Virginia Peters-Provence. Those left to cherish her memory are her brother, Don Peters and wife Evelyn; nephew Tommy Provence and wife Sharon; niece Stephanie Grice and husband Paul and their children Katelyn and Nathan Grice; niece Donna Taylor; niece Debi Nelson; nephew Scott Peters; niece Laura Ellen Garner; niece Pam Lloreda; and niece Ramona Christiansen. She was also survived by numerous other great nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Clara Luther, 80, of Mabank, TX, entered eternal rest on Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, Arlington, TX.

She was a retired nurse and an avid reader, who also enjoyed plants and crafts. She was of the Baptist faith and a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is preceded in death by: Her parents- Robert and Mae Morrison, Her husband- Alfred David “A.D.” Luther, One son-David Luther, and One granddaughter- Rusty Sturgen.

Melba Jane Bradford Little, age 81, of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away April 18, 2019, at home surrounded by her family.

Funeral services were held Monday, April 22, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at Southern Funeral Home, with Rev. Steven Smithson and Rev. John Holland officiating. Interment followed at Oak Grove Cemetery in Rhinehart, LA.

Mrs. Little was dedicated to her family, friends, and students. She was born in Rochelle, LA, on May 18, 1937. She graduated from Georgetown High School, received a Bachelor’s Degree from Louisiana Tech University, and Master’s Degree from Northwestern State University. After moving to Winnfield in 1968, she and husband Ray joined First Baptist Church. She taught English at Winnfield Senior High School for 30 years, leading the department to outstanding achievements. Her love of teaching, the knowledge she imparted to her students, and her standard of excellence is her legacy.