Obituaries

Mrs. Mary Ellen Fuller Rowlan, age 74 of Joyce, Louisiana passed away on Monday, August 16, 2021.

Born Tuesday, August 27, 1946, she was preceded in death by her parents, Hardy Fuller and Dorothy Burns Fuller; husband, Joe Dillion Rowlan.

Mrs. Rowlan was a retired CNA and was a loving mother, grandmother and grandmother who loved cooking for her family.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Curtis Rowlan (Gail), Raymond Rowlan, Sheila Sayer (Tony), Johnny Rowlan (Kim) and Leisa Ates (Wayne); step-son, Michael Rowlan; sister, Carolyn Gunn; 15 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 20, 2021 at Hasley Cemetery with Bro. Mathew Long officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

Mr. Johnny Ray Fannin, age 69 of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away August 16, 2021 at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria.

Johnny was born in Winnfield, LA and graduated Winnfield Senior High School in 1969. Johnny enlisted in the Louisiana National Guard after graduation and attended Northwestern State University where he earned a bachelors degree in business. During college, he worked at the A&P in Winnfield and continued to work for A&P for over 20 years before retiring. After retiring from A&P, Johnny went to work for Walmart where he has worked for the past 22 years. After helping with the opening of the Winnfield Supercenter, Johnny returned to management and served as an assistant manager for the Ruston Walmart until stepping down to return to the Winnfield Walmart to work in the sporting goods department. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed working in his yard and riding his tractor. He was a member of East Winnfield Baptist Church.

Annette Skains was born May 10, 1964, in Oxford, Mississippi. She passed away on August 19, 2021, at the age of 57, following a brief illness.

Cory Ray Austin, age 37 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Monday, August 16, 2021 in Winn Parish Medical Center of Winnfield, Louisiana.

Cory was born to the union of Felix and Diann Daigre Austin in Pineville, Louisiana on March 1, 1984. He was an avid animal lover, and in his spare time enjoyed various venues of music, movies, and precious time spent with his family. His bright spirit will certainly be missed by those who had the opportunity to meet him.

He is preceded in death by his father Felix Austin, and his grandparents J.O. and Gladys Daigre Austin.

Those left to cherish his memory include his mother Diann Austin; three brothers Teddy Bedgood, Duane Austin, and Erik Austin; four sisters Patricia Gorham, Shela Austin, Linda Dampier, and Jennifer Austin; nephews Dustin Gorham, Carlitos and Elijah Valdez, Alex Austin, Cody, Zach, and Justin Bedgood; neices Liliana and Ainsley Austin, Casey Gorham, Harley and Gabby Bedgood.

Ricky Tyan White went to be with his Savior on Saturday, August 14, 2021. He was born, January 29, 1963, to W.A. “Sonny” and Bobbie Thompson White in Winnfield, Louisiana.

He was a member of the South Winnfield Baptist Church. Ricky loved to fish and spend time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Tony White.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 29 years, Jennifer White and daughter, Rebecca White both of Winnfield. His stepson, T. J. Kennedy and wife Valriee of Mansfield and grandchildren: Jewel, Landon and Ruby Kennedy. Brothers: Jimmy White and wife Karen of Winnfield, Bobby White and wife Kathy of Columbia and sister-in-law Teresa White also of WInnfield, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Friends visited with the family Monday, August 16, 2021 from 5 until 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until time of services.

Mr. David Watson Shelton, age 80 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Friday, August 13, 2021.

Mr. Shelton was an avid deer hunter, planted a huge garden always giving vegetables away to neighbors and friends and enjoyed his profession as a carpenter.

Born Sunday, November 3, 1940 in Atlanta, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Clarence and Eileen Lee Shelton; siblings, Cloy Shelton, Pat Shelton, Richard Shelton, Jettie Moore and Kay White; grandson, Brandon Paul Reeves.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Barbara Shirley Shelton; daughters, Tina Williford (Cole) and Cindy Cook; grandchildren, Chad Reeves, Vanessa Reeves, Chris Cook (Keri), Adam Cook (Amanda) and Rachel Short (Eric) and eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Cele Thompson, Linda Weatherford, Connie Ferguson and LaWanda Holmes; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Aubrey Wayne Ferguson, age 80 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Mr. Ferguson was retired from the U.S. Army of 21 years, was a disabled Vietnam Veteran (2 tours) as well as International Paper Company of 20 years. He loved a challenge, was persistent in figuring out the seemingly impossible problems, and working in his shop on various projects.

Mr. Ferguson was born on Sunday, August 21, 1940 in Winnfield, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his father J.L. “Coonhide” Ferguson and mother Lillie Patten Ferguson, and brother Tritos Ferguson.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 59 years Connie Ferguson; three sons Todd Ferguson (Joanna), Greg Ferguson (Kathi), and Tony Ferguson; four grandsons, one granddaughter, ten great-grandchildren, one sister Voncile Ferguson Killgore, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Jerry Lee Stroud, 88 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at Lincoln General Hospital in Ruston, Louisiana.

Born Friday, August 5, 1932 in Montgomery, Louisiana, she was the daughter of the late A. M. Barnes and the late Cuma Hickman Barnes.

She was the wife of the late L.Z. Stroud. She spent her working career as a hairdresser and enjoyed every minute of what she did. Ms. Jerry enjoyed time working in her flower beds, as well as camping and fishing.

Those left to cherish his memory are one son, Glenn Davis (Sandy), two daughters, Ranee Ingles, and Vickie Smith; her grandchildren B.J. Davis (wife Sandra), Brock GrantAdams (wife Amy), Hylie Mercer (husband Andy), Brandon Smith (wife Brittany), Cole Ingles, Clay Ingles, Craig Ingles (wife Calli), and Christy Ingles; 23 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, one nephew Steve Melton, and two nieces Kay Bryant, and Ann Heck

Tara Hope Parker, age 41 of Georgetown, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, August 5, 2021.

Born Tuesday, July 22, 1980 in Alexandria, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. W. C. Cummings; Mr. & Mrs. Raymond N. Parker; and Mr. D.D. Jacobs.

Tara loved her family, her horses, her dogs and reading. Her son Payden, was her only child, and being his mother was the highlight of her life. Tara loved her job as a postal carrier and enjoyed visiting all the people she served.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son Payden Wade Parker; husband, Raymond N. Parker, II, her mother, Glenda Faith Cummings Guillet; father, Randall Keith Parker; siblings, Jacob Randal Parker, Leah Parker Kendrick (Ricky) and Leah’s son, Levi, Cole Martin, and Carly Parker; stepmother, Allison Parker; grandmother, Marie Jacobs.

The family received friends on Saturday, August 7, 2021, at Southern Funeral Home, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

Miss Emma Claire Gill, age 16 of Brewton’s Mill, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, August 8, 2021.

Born Thursday, September 2, 2004 in Fairhope Alabama, she was a junior at Winnfield Senior High School where she was a Tiger Mentor. She was also on the Lady Tigers Basketball team and was a member of 4-H, FFA and FCA. Emma was also a member of Bethel Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her great grandmother, Anna Welker Bastable.

Those left to cherish her memory include her parents, Joseph Ryan Gill, and Darla Gill; Her siblings, Rylan Elizabeth Gill, Joseph Burch Gill and Ava Chandler; Grandparents, Jeff & Christina Caskey, Darlene Gilbert and Joseph & Ruth Anne Gill; Great Grandparents, Huey & Ruth Caskey and Gary & Evelyn Coleman; and a host of Aunts, Uncles & Cousins.