Obituaries

Mrs. Dorethea Bolton Smith, age 92 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on Friday, August 21, 2020.

Mrs. Smith was born Friday, July 27, 1928 in Olla, Louisiana. She then made her home in Winnfield, where she was co-owner and operator of the Diamond Drive In and the Best Western Motel of Winnfield.

She later moved to West Monroe and became involved at the West Ouachita Senior Center, where she enjoyed one of her favorite hobbies of painting ceramics. Mrs. Smith was also an avid gardner and a member of New Chapel Hill Baptist Church.

Mrs. Smith resided at Rosemont Assisted Living in West Monroe for the past 12 years, where she enjoyed visiting with friends and staff who became like family.

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her parents, Simuel and Jencie Vaughn Bolton; son, Richard Stephen Smith; the father of her children, Glenn Smith; brothers Richard Bolton and Herbert Bolton.

Mr. Daniel D. Mercer of Winnfield, LA answered his call to join his Lord and Savior on August 15, 2020. Danny was born November 3, 1948 to James L. and Johnnie Arrington Mercer in Winnfield, LA. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Winnfield for 50 years, where his greatest honor was to serve as a deacon. He also taught Sunday School, was former Sunday School Superintendent, helped on several committees, worked on mission trips, VBS and did just about anything and everything asked of him. Next to his God and family, Calvary was his heart. He retired from the

Mr. Bobby Lynn Lowrey, 65 of Sikes, La. passed away on Friday, Aug. 14, 2020.

Mr. Lowrey had been employed with Georgia Pacific in Gurdon, Ark. And a member of Caddo Valley Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Ark. for 20 years. Currently a member of the Union Baptist Church in Joyce.

His loving family members surviving him include his wife of 22 years, Mary Jane Lowrey; children, Lee Gorham (Jeannie), Lillie Burtness (Chris) and Kayla Anderson (Rusty); grandchildren, Brandon Gorham, Julie Gorham, Maddy Gorham, Addy Bonner and B.J. Bonner; brothers, Michael Lowrey (Janice), Gerald Lowrey and Raymond Lowrey (Tammy).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Morgan and Cassiel (Kelly) Lowrey.

Funeral services were held at 1:00pm on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020 at the Old Union Baptist Church, Joyce, La. with Rev. Doug White officiating. Interment followed in the Old Union Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield, La.

Thelma Jo (Carter) Gresham, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister passed away August 9, 2020 following a brief illness.

A private graveside service was held at Atlanta Cemetery on Friday August 14th.

She was born February 26, 1932 to J.L. “Bo” and Blanche (Lovett) Carter. She spent her childhood in the village of Atlanta, LA and later moved to Winnfield after her marriage to her husband Thomas. Jo worked for many years as a medical records professional at Winnfield General Hospital and later as a medical records consultant for senior care facilities throughout the state. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Winnfield. Jo had many and varied talents and interests including oil and watercolor painting, sewing, quilting, cooking, gardening and reading. She was also an active member and secretary of a local quilter’s club.

In loving memory of our strong, loving, caring, virtuous, praying, God-fearing, beloved Mom Mrs. Katie B. Swafford Washington, in whom we have sorely missed so much and we love you so—— much, Mom. Since that day you were called home, things have not been the same at all. You took a Big part of us with you. You are so in our hearts. Happy Belated Birthday to our loving beloved mom, Katie Washington, from your daughters: Nova Saffer/Michael Saffer, Ovlona Frazier, S. Washington; siblings Rosa Richardson and Shelma L. Shaw; a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles and relatives.

I Miss You Mom I awake each morning to start a new day

But the pain of loosing you never goes away.

I go about the things I have to do

And as the hours pass I think again of you.

I want to call you and just hear your voice

Then I remember that I have no choice

For you are not there and now my heart cries

Dusty Ray LeBaron, 36 of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away Monday, July 27th, 2020. He fought bravely, battling complications from COVID-19, earned his Wings and was called Home to our Lord.

Mr. William David White, Jr., age 91 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. He was a member of Sardis Baptist Church and was a retired home builder of over 70 years.

Born Thursday, September 20, 1928 in Winnfield, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, William David White, Sr. and Everlee Tarver White; wife, Kay Frances Shelton White; siblings, Rev. Charlie Ray White, Lucille Halston and Jean Haflen.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Johnny White, Kenneth White, Barbara White and Carolyn Cannon; sister, Roberta White; 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Graveside funeral services were held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, August 2, 2020 at Garden of Memories of Winnfield with Rev. Lamar Carpenter officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Southern Funeral Home.

The family received friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00 PM until 2:45 PM.

Mrs. Barbara Kay Stewart, age 67 of Goldonna, Louisiana went to be with Jesus on Saturday, August 1, 2020.

Mrs. Barbara will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of the Goldonna Chapter No. 244 Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the Creston Baptist Church. She was also a former member of Goldonna Baptist Church where she was active with the youth group and Acteens.

She was the daughter of the late Gerald Cloud and the late Clara Pinckard Cloud. She was also preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law Huey and Tency Tilley Stewart.

Mrs. Barbara leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 47 years Mike Stewart; children, Wendy Stewart (Ty Weeks), Chris Stewart (Michelle) and Felisha LaCour (Mark); ten grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Billy Cloud (Margie).

Sharon Theresa Ervin, 59, of Caddo Mills, TX passed away on July 18, 2020 in Royse City.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Celebratory arrangements to be handled by her spouse in the near future.

Sharon was born June 20, 1961 in Winnfield, Louisiana to Luther and Nellie Colvin Frantom. She married John Ervin on June 9, 2002 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She worked as a dental hygienist.

She is survived by her husband, John Ervin of Caddo Mills; step-daughter, Melanie Curtis and husband, Tyler of Emporia, Kansas; siblings, Raymond Carpenter and wife, Betty Joe of Winnfield, Louisiana, Bobby Frantom of Garland, Belinda and Wayne Upchurch of G r e e n v i l l e , Mississippi, Patricia Adams of Kosciusko, Mississippi, Robert Frantom and wife, Janice of Houston; grandchildren, Allison and Caroline Curtis and numerous nieces and nephews.

Frankie Sue “Pop” Simons Boswell was born April 29, 1936 in Winnsboro, Louisiana to Marion Louis Simons and Ola Hatten Simons. She went to be with the Lord July 18, 2020. Frankie Sue “Pop” grew up in Swampers, a small farming community in Franklin Parish. Her father was a farmer and her mother was a homemaker.

Education was very important to her family and after graduating from Crowville High School, she attended nursing school along with her sister Marion “Snookie”, in Galveston, Texas. They decided they wanted to be closer to home and they completed their education at Warner Brown School of Nursing in Eldorado, Arkansas. Upon graduation she returned to Louisiana and began her career. Many friends would ask her when was she going to settle down and marry. She would answer, “Not until I meet a man as good as my father and my brother.” She met the love of her life, Rue “Buddy” Boswell and they married in 1958.