Obituaries

Helen Mae Drewett Johnson passed away Saturday, July 15, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is survived by her son, Rusty Johnson and wife Caroline of Tulsa, and daughter-in-law Darlene Johnson of San Diego, California; grandchildren and spouses, Julia and Steve Mayer of Fair Oaks, California, Jennifer and Jon Parrish of Washington D.C., Jeffrey Johnson of Lake Oswege, Oregon, Ben Johnson and Maryann Hon of Tulsa; and three great grandchildren, Emily and Ava Parrish and Jevin Johnson. Other survivors include niece, Helen Lynn Bankston of Winnfield, and nephew, Jerry Drewett of Ruston. She is preceded in death by husband Julius Johnson and son Jeffrey Johnson. Her parents were the late Mr. and Mrs. A.T. Drewett, Sr.; sister Pauline Drewett LaCroix; brothers, A.T. Drewett Jr. of Winnfield and Colvin Drewett of Ruston. Memorial services will be held in Winnfield.

Infant Avery Danielle Stewart, age 1 month and 22 days, of Goldonna, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, August 15, 2017. Born Saturday, June 24, 2017 in Alexandria, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Pamela Renae Stewart. Those left to cherish her memory include her parents, Ethan and Angela Smith Stewart of Goldonna; sister, Alaina Stewart; maternal grandparents, Jeff and Sandi Freeman and Steve Smith; paternal grandfather, Dave Stewart; maternal great-grandparents, Walter Daniel and Geraldine Schmutz and Jim and Charlene Smith; paternal great-grandparents, Arnold and Carolyn Bedgood and Tom and Martha Stewart. Funeral services were held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Goldonna Assembly of God with Rev. Shaun Garner officiating. Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery, in Goldonna under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. Serving as pallbearers were Travis Braswell and Daniel Kirkham.

Mrs. Terri Lavonne Cloud, age 65 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, August 8, 2017. Mrs. Cloud enjoyed cooking and sharing meals with friends and neighbors all over Winn Parish. Born Tuesday, March 18, 1952 in Jonesboro, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie Blake and Edith Moore Blake; and her husband of 27 years, Benny Cloud. Those left to cherish her memory include her son, John Aldy (Terry), Rison, AR; daughters, Dana Thomas (Chris), Shreveport, LA and DeLinda Cockerham (Ross), Calvin, LA; 7 Grandchildren, Elizabeth, Dillon, Justin, Ricky, Tray, Olivia, and Tanner; and 4 great grandchildren, Caylee, Jase, Anna, Braison; brothers, Bruce and Ricky Blake; and sister, Patty Spillman. Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 11, 2017 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Lamar Carpenter officiating. Interment followed in Yankee Springs Cemetery, in Goldonna.

Mr. Charles Jefferson Griffin, age 74 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2017. Born Sunday, May 2, 1943 in Monroe, Louisiana, he was a member of Big Creek Baptist Church, where he served as Chairman of the Deacon Board, Sunday School teacher and much more. He was a hard worker who took care of his family and who also helped others in need. He further demonstrated his servant heart by caring for many widows in the community by mowing their yards. He enjoyed the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing. Mr. Griffin was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny Harold and Bonnie Essie Harris Griffin; siblings, James Griffin, Glenda Sue Thompson and Mary Williams. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Glenda King Griffin; Son, Pedro Griffin (Christina); daughter, Sissy Cook (Rhodney); grandchildren, Kyle Griffin, Kaitlyn Purvis (Justin), Kaleb Griffin and Karlee Griffin; great granddaughter, Tinsley Renea Purvis.

Sarah Ellen Overbey Rose passed away at the age of 75 on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at her home in Franklin. Sarah, one of four children born to the late Austin Kyle Overbey and the late Georgia Sowers Overbey, was a native of Winnfield, LA and has spent the past 50 years in Franklin where she raised her family and taught school. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, who had a deep faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A 1960 graduate of Winnfield High School, Sarah went on to receive her Bachelor’s in education from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. She was a longtime teacher in the St. Mary Parish School System where she retired from. She was also a former Den Mother of the Cub Scouts Pack 404. Some of Sarah’s favorite pastimes were gardening, reading, crocheting, painting, and simply spending time with family. She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Mrs. Shirley Jean King White, age 81 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2017. Born Tuesday, January 14, 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana, she was a member of First Baptist Church of Winnfield and was a graduate of Northwestern State University with a B.S. in Nursing. She was Director of Nursing for a number of years at Winnfield General Hospital and later, was instructor and helped to establish the nursing program at Huey P. Long Technical College. Mrs. White was preceded in death by her parents, John Coleman King and Lucy Eliza Little King; sisters, Mildred Shell and Nancy DeLoach. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, A. B. White; son, Andy White (Stephanie); daughter, Sharon Barnett (L.C.); grandchildren, Danielle Watson (Jerry), Christopher White, Jacob White, Matthew White, Nicholas Barnett and Emily Barnett; great-granddaughter, Ava Watson; as well as her three special nieces.

Ronald J. Lasyone, age 72, of Shreveport, passed away on August 3, 2017. He was born in Winnfield, Louisiana on March 15, 1945. Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Juanita Lasyone. Ronald is survived by his son, Paul Latham of Weatherford, Texas; daughter, Diane Elliott of Spring, Texas; siblings, Martha Barnes, Mark Lasyone, Clayton Cravens; grandchildren, John Latham, D’Artagnan, AnaBelle, and Chamberlaigne Elliott, and dog, Ruby. Burial will take place at Houston National Cemetery, Houston, Texas on Thursday, August 24, 2017, 2:30 pm. Cremation arrangements entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 W Main St, Jacksonville, 501-982-3400. www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com.

Services for Mrs. Pat Bamburg Carpenter, 70, of Tallulah, LA were held at 10 AM Tuesday, August 1, 2017 in Young’s Community Memorial Chapel-Winnsboro, LA with Rev. Paul Jones officiating, with internment following in Legion Memorial Cemetery – Newellton, LA. Ms. Pat passed away unexpectedly in her home in Tallulah, LA, Thursday, July 27, 2017. She is preceded in death by her parents, Courtney and Lula Bamburg; her husband, Bobby Carpenter; a son, Wayne Ott, Jr.; sisters, Arlie Mae Bamburg, Evelyn Bamburg, and Janie Bamburg; and brothers, Charlie Gray and Johnny Bamburg. She leaves behind a host of family and friends who will be lost without the love and kindness she so freely gave every day. She is survived by her children, Tony Coleman and his wife EDee of Dodson, LA, Bob Carpenter, Jr.

SHREVEPORT, LA - Fred Alvin Smiley, 83, an Air Force veteran, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 30, 2017, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Grave side services were held at Northwest Louisiana Veteran’s Cemetery on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. He is preceded in death by his father, Fred Ander Smiley, mother Lottie Mae Cunningham; son, Darrell Smiley; and brothers, Lavell, Glen and L.V. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary D. Smiley, of 62 years; son, Adrian and wife Beth; daughter, Renita Williams and husband John; daughter-in-law Shannon Smiley; sisters, Vera and Thera Lee, brother Wilburn; and 8 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donate to St. Jude’s or ALS Foundation.

Mrs. Rebecca Joyce Garner, age 68 of Winnfield, passed away Thursday, August 3, 2017. Born Monday, January 17, 1949 in Goldonna, Louisiana, she was retired as secretary with Goldonna Elementary/Jr. High School (1982-2011). She also served as secretary for over 20 years for the Village of Goldonna as well as for the River of Life Worship Center. Mrs. Garner was preceded in death by her parents, Huey Dale and Merna Vae Godwin Rowell; husband, Thomas Guin Garner; siblings, Sue Baxter, Billy Rowell, Jimmy Rowell, Norma Wendt, Gail Morgan and Lavora Ann Rowell; grandson, Caleb Smith.