Obituaries

Mr. Travis Lane Smiley, age 71 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2017. Born Monday, April 1, 1946 in Montgomery, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Edward Smiley and Lula Eugenia Evans Smiley; son, Murray Grant Smiley; sister, Carlene Smiley; and brothers, Guy Smiley and Jerry Smiley. Mr. Smiley served his country in the United States Army. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Winnfield and the Skid Row Sunday School Class. He was manager of Flash Lube Service Center in Winnfield for 40 years. Mr. Smiley loved fishing, work, and his family. Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Johnnette Smiley; wife, Sandra Kay Smiley; and siblings, C. E. Smiley, Jr., Neva Barr, and Jackie Henson. Funeral services were held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Winnfield with the Reverends Steven Smithson and Jessie Henderson officiating. Interment followed in Sardis Cemetery, in Atlanta.

A graveside service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Louise (Perot) Pinder was held at 10 am Wednesday, October 11, 2017, at St. Maurice Cemetery in St. Maurice, LA. Louise Pinder, 90 years of age and a resident of St. Maurice, LA, passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2017, with her family by her side. She was born August 21, 1927, to Evan Perot and Daisy Garner Perot in Coushatta, LA. She is preceded in death by her parents, her children, L.J. Lachney, Michael Lachney, Linda Pinder Lewis, Buford Pinder, Jr., and Annette Pinder; as well as two grandchildren, Tammy Lachney and Steven Lloyd. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Buford Pinder, Sr.; daughter, Pat Lloyd and husband Boyd Lloyd, Jr.; sisters, Shirley Tyler and Sue Perot; daughters in law, Helga Pinder, Peggy Joyce Lachney King, and Sylvia Lachney. She was blessed with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Victor Gale Simons, age 69 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2017. Born on August 7, 1948, he was preceded in death by his parents, Oles V Simons and Effie A Smith Simons; Brothers, Dalton Simons, Lavon Simons, Glen Simons, and Carl Simons; Sister, Geneva Simons McCain. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, of 47 years, Sue Pardue Simons, Son, Timmy Simons and wife Melisa, Daughters; Misti Simons, Kim Simons Spangler and husband Kevin. Grandchildren; Sierra Simons, Hunter Simons, Hailey Spangler, and Lily Spangler. Mackey, Lovie, Jaylen Belgard and Allana Beaubouef. He loved hunting, fishing, logging, and horses. He will be remembered as a loving grandfather, father, and friend. He loved his grandchildren more than life, spending his time making memories and supporting them any way he could. He was a provider for his family that taught each of us the meaning of hard work and dedication.

Mrs. Mandy Jane Pierce Young, age 72 of Goldonna, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2017. Born Saturday, September 22, 1945 in Winnsboro, LA, she was an active member of First Assembly of God Church in Winnfield. She will be remembered as one of the nicest and sweetest and most caring ladies in the world. She truly had a heart of Gold. She shared a great love of gospel music and was a wonderful cook who cared dearly for her family. Mrs. Young was preceded in death by her parents, L. E. Pierceand Dovey Carter Pierce; husb and, Clay Young; granddaughter, Sydney Young; sister, Dorothy Ezernack; brother, Danny Pierce. Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Lynne Curole (Clint), Elaine Mizell (Byron), Yvette Hingle, Shelby Martin, Acy Young (Tonia) and Emma Johnson (Adam); 15 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at First Assembly of God Church with Rev.

Mr. William Lloyd Johnston, age 88 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2017. Born Monday, September 16, 1929 in Chatham, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his wife, Elvie Dean Johnston; parents, Willie Matthew Johnston and Lena Stroud Johnston; daughters, Debi Lenard, Reba Kelley, Anita Fallis, and Lisa Jordan; Infant son, grandson, Jared Kelley, and granddaughter, Skye Lenard. Those left to cherish his memory include his daughters, Karon Hawn andhusband John, Rhonda Simpson and husband Chris, and Nikki Smiley; son, Greg Johnston and wife Debbie; 19 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at Friendship Baptist Church with Rev. Jared Little officiating. Interment followed in Friendship Cemetery, in Sikes. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome.com.

Johnnie Gates age 80, of Atlanta, Texas went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Wednesday, September 27, 2017 in a Shreveport, Louisiana Hospital. Johnnie was born August 5, 1937 in Sikes, Louisiana to Jayson and Vetoile Gates who preceded him in death. As a young husband and father Johnnie built a career for himself by starting Gates Pest Control in Vivian, Louisiana. He raised his family and served his Lord for many years at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Currently he was a member of First Baptist Church, Atlanta, Texas where he served as a deacon. He was also very honored to sing with his Masters Men and First Praise Choir. He loved camping, fishing, and traveling whenever possible.

Dr. Leonard Raymon Collier, 83, of Calvin, Louisiana passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at the Winnfield Specialty Hospital following 6 weeks of illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ashton B. Collier and Ida Lee Johnson Collier, and by his grandson, Clint Allen Collier. He was born Thursday, December 21, 1933 in Atlanta, Louisiana. After excelling in academics and basketball, he graduated from Atlanta High School in 1951. He went on to take the necessary prerequisite college courses at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana before moving to New Orleans, Louisiana to pursue a medical education. During this four years, he received the “Who’s Who Among Students In American Universities and Colleges” and the “Mosby Scholarship Book Award for Scholastic Excellence. He was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society as well as the Omicron Delta Kappa Society.

Mr. Trenton Cole “Trent” Pray, age 45 of Dodson, Louisiana passed away at Minden Medical Center on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Trent was a member of the First Baptist Church of Winnfield and was a welder for Turner Industries. He was born May 21, 1972 in Alexandria, Louisiana. He is survived by his parents Wayne D. “Butch” Pray and Danna Page Pray, a brother Tyler Pray (Veronica) a nephew Colby L. Pray and a niece Breanna M. Pray. Trent is also survived by his paternal Aunt Donnis Bozeman (Martin) and Renee Keiffer, maternal aunt and uncle Tim Page (Charlotte) and Susan P. Harris as well as numerous cousins and friends. Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 3, 2017 in the Chapel of Southern Funeral Home with Reverends Lamar Carpenter and Bobby Bates officiating. Interment followed in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Winnfield under the direction of Southern Funeral Home.

Mrs. Judy Evelyn Atwell, age 68 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Friday, September 22, 2017. Born Saturday, February 26, 1949 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her father, Olan Jordan. Mrs. Atwell taught 3rd grade at the Winnfield Primary School until she retired. She was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where she served as pianist for 25 years. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 48 years, Jimmy Wayne Atwell; mother, Audie Marie Hand; daughters, Stephanie Atwell Perkins (Frederick), Lorna Atwell Drach (Jeremy), and Lindsey Atwell Prince (Chad); grandchildren, Alexandra, Rhett, Evaline, Lily, Eli, Isabel, and Hannah; and sister, Sharon Jordan Bailey (Shafton). Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with the Reverends Dick Enterkin and Joe Evans officiating. Interment followed in Pleasant Hill Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

Heath Allen Snowden, age 34 of Winnfield, LA. passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2017. Heath was born on Tuesday, October 12, 1982 in Natchitoches, LA. He was preceded in death on his mother’s side by his grandfather W.O “Sonny Boy” Long, grandmother Elizabeth “Betty” Lasyone & Uncle Shane Long. On his father’s side by his grandfather Dale Snowden as well as a nephew, Jaxon DeViney. Heath had an adventurous spirit, he loved to be around family, make people laugh, pester his nephews and nieces and many more. He loved life to the fullest. Heath was very passionate about God and his beliefs. He had a heart of gold and would help anyone at any given time. Cooking & eating was one of the many things he absolutely loved to do. His infectious smile & laugh could brighten anyone’s day. Heath was loved by so many and loved everyone.