Obituaries

James Evans

We just wanted to take a moment and express to you how truly grateful we were for all your help and support during the illness and loss of James Evans. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Much appreciation for letting us know that we were not alone during that time.

Love, Carolyn Evans and family.

A memorial service will be held for Robert Dale Boyette (Bubba), 56, of Charlotte North Carolina, at Corinth Baptist Church in Winnfield Louisiana on December 16, at 11:00 AM. Mr. Boyette passed away on November 24, 2023 at Duke Medical Center surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born on October 28, 1967 in Louisiana to Robert Ellie Jasper and Phyllis Boyette Jasper.

Robert was a veteran of the Army National Guard for 6 years, a volunteer fireman for 5 years, and a diesel mechanic in Charlotte for over 20 years. He was an avid sports lover from youth— if you knew Robert you knew that he loved LSU, Louisiana Saints and the Atlanta Braves. Robert played baseball most of his life and enjoyed coaching his son’s T-ball team and going to games with him. He also loved taking trips to Myrtle Beach to participate in golf tournaments with friends and cherished summer vacations with his family there.

Matthew Douglas Garrett, affectionately known as Matt or Mr. G., passed away on November 15, 2023, at the age of 48 in Rogers, Arkansas. He was born on March 18,1975, in Ruston, Louisiana, the son of Donald and Patricia O’Gorman Garrett.

Matt taught Science to sixth graders at Oakdale Middle School in Rogers, Arkansas. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving active duty for two years and reserve duty for four years. He graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and earned a Master of Science in Education, Curriculum, and Instruction from Arkansas State University.

Mrs. Betty Jean Burnworth, a resident of Eros, LA, passed away on Friday, November 17, 2023, at the age of 78. Born on Saturday, August 18, 1945, in Winnfield, LA, Betty lived a life rich in love and devotion, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew her.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, John L. Bartley and Eunice Faye Jones Bartley. She is survived by her loving husband, David Burnworth, and her dear brother, Lavelle Bartley (Ann). Betty’s memory will be cherished by her niece, Dana Grant (Darrell), and her nephew, Craig Bartley (Tina). She is also survived by her great niece, Sage Bartley, and great nephews Micah Chesney, Caleb Chesney, and Dalton Bartley. Betty leaves behind a host of other relatives and friends.

Connie Vines Brooks Thompson Memorial services for Connie Vines Brooks Thompson will be at 2PM, Saturday, October 7, 2023 at

Hurricane Creek Baptist Church, Dodson, LA, with Bro. Author Robinson officiating. Visitation will be from 12 PM until time of services at the Church.

Connie Vines Brooks Thompson, 59, of Dodson, LA, passed away September, 27, 2023 in Winnfield, LA.

She was preceded in

Lee Edwin “Ed” Carter, 83, of Corpus Christi, Texas passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2023. He was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas on March 15, 1940. Ed graduated from Winnfield High School, Winnfield, Louisiana, in 1958. He graduated from Louisiana Tech University with degree in Petroleum Engineering.

He married his high school sweetheart, Edith Marilyn Shivers on August 25,1961. They were happily married for 44 years.

Ed’s career in the oil industry spanned 61 years where he served as a petroleum engineer for Continental Oil Company, BDK Oil Company, Terra Resources and Pacific Resources, after which he became a consultant for various companies.

Syble Melton Bagur DeLoach joined her Holy Father in Heaven in September 27, 2023. Graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on October 5, 2023 at the Melton Cemetery near Winnfield, Louisiana. Tammy Melton Harrell (niece), Dr. Martin Morris (son-in-law) and Dr. Chad Morris (grandson) will be officiating.

Syble was born to Luther H. Melton and Tennie McDaniel Melton on December 19, 1923. She graduated from Winnfield High School and Monroe Commercial School. She proudly served our country as a yeoman in US Navy in WWII.

Syble married Warren A. Bagur, of New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1944. They had two beautiful children together, Albert W. Bagur, of Rockwall, Texas, and Barbara B. Morris, of Zachary, Louisiana. Warren passed away in 1993. Five years later, in 1998, Syble married Thomas H. DeLoach, of Winnfield, Louisiana. They resided in Henderson, Texas until his death 2016.

Mrs. Geneva Aline Ayres James, age 91, of Dodson, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, in Jonesboro, Louisiana. She was born on Wednesday, March 16, 1932, in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, to her parents, Lee R. Ayres and Allie Davis Ayres.

Geneva was a loving and devoted wife for 64 years to her late husband, Walter Lynn James, Sr., and together they created a loving and close-knit family. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Geneva was preceded in death by six cherished family members, including her father, Lee R. Ayres; mother, Allie Davis Ayres; husband, Walter Lynn James, Sr.; brothers, Lee R. Ayres, Jr., Lavelle Ayres and Leslie Carl Ayres; sisters, Doris Ayres, JoAnn Smudericks and Linda Tamborella; and grandson, Justin Daniel James.

Regan Montgomery James of Jonestown, Texas left this world 8/9/23 after a brief illness. Her beloved husband, her father, and her brother were at her bedside.

Regan was born 6/25/77 in Sedalia, Missouri to Mike and Darice (Crawford) Montgomery. She attended school in Sedalia and Liberty, Missouri and graduated form Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, Texas with a degree in Communication and Journalism.

Regan is survived by her loving husband, Richard James of Jamestown, Texas, her mother Darice Crawford Montgomery of Decatur, Texas, her father Mike and Trish Montgomery of Lockhart, Texas, her brother Kirk (Catherine and Oliva) Montgomery of Brandon, Mississippi, her maternal grandmother Catherine Crawford of Sedalia, Missouri. Regan is also survived by her mother-in-law, Sharon Carpenter of Winnfield, Louisiana, her brother-in-law Brandon James of Winnfield, Louisiana and her life long friend Kelly Jarma of Temple, Texas.

William ‘Bill’ Lee Burton died on April 5, 2023 in Jonesboro Louisiana at the age of 82. Bill was born to Leonidas and Hattie Margaret Kirkland on December 28, 1941 in Kissimmee Florida. Leonidas died during the World War 2 conflict. Hattie later married Robert Lloyd Burton, who quickly adopted Bill and his two younger siblings, brother Richard Arlie Burton and sister Janice Marie Dick.

Bill worked offshore drilling rigs in the gulf and throughout the world including the North Seas and the Middle East. He also worked locally logging and felling timber.

When not working, Bill could be found on the river fishing.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by his two siblings Richard A. Burton, Janice M. Dick, his three children William L. Burton Jr, Robert L. Burton and Christina L. Burton and 13 grandchildren.