Obituaries

James Robert Jones, 74, of the Hargis community, passed away Dec. 15, 2017, at Willis Knighton Bossier hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. Arrangements are being handled by Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield. The family received friends from 1:00-2:00 pm on Monday, Dec. 18 at Hargis Baptist Church. The funeral service and burial followed at 2:00 pm at the church. James Robert was born Jan. 30, 1943, in Hargis. After graduating from Verda High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Northwestern State University in 1965. He received his Master’s +30 degree from University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1973. Jack’s first year of teaching was at Sulphur High School in Calcasieu Parish for the 1965-66 school year. From 1966-1987, he held several positions at Opelousas High School in St. Landry Parish, including advanced math & science teacher, counselor, and vice-principal.

Rardon Dixon Bevill, III, 79, a longtime resident of Ft. Collins, CO, and formerly of Darien, CT, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 5, 2017 of head and neck cancer. Mr. Bevill was born on February 23, 1938 in Winnfield, LA to Rardon Dixon Bevill, Jr. (affectionate- ly known as Quack) and Susan Ballance Bevill. He was a graduate of Sewanee Military Academy in Sewanee, TN and Washington and Lee University in Virginia. He later attended the• University of Minnesota where he received a PhD in Biochemistry. Dr. Bevill served in the US Army from 1960 - 1968, where he attained the rank of Captain in the Medical Service Corp. Following his discharge from the Army, he worked for Vickers in the early development of medical blood testing machines. In the mid 1970’s, Dr. Bevill shifted careers and became a com- modities broker working for a variety of institutions over 30 years. During his retirement years, he enjoyed working at Ace Hardware.

Mr. David Roger Carter, age 75 of Calvin, Louisiana passed away on Monday, December 4, 2017. Born Thursday, October 8, 1942 in Calvin, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund Wade Carter and Rubye Carpenter Carter; brothers, Charlie Carter and Rickie Carter; granddaughter, Kristen Lonadier. Those left to cherish his memory include his children, David Carter, II (Miranda), Stacy Lonadier (Chris) and Wade Carter (Alisha); special nephew, Anthony Carter; grandchildren, Jared and Emilee Lonadier, Jacie, Mason and Owen Carter and Jewel and Bently Carter. Graveside funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at Sanders Chapel Cemetery with Rev. Bobby Bates officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. Serving the family as pallbearers were Mason Carter, Anthony Carter, Jared Lonadier, Chris Lonadier, Jacob Caskey and Otis Lamar Wall.

Mrs. Ruby Faye Holden, age 68 of Sikes, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2017. Born Sunday, April 3, 1949 in Wynne, Arkansas, she was preceded in death by her parents, A. D. Jacobs and Evelyn Cochran Jacobs; brothers, Jerry Jacobs and Terry Jacobs. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Jerry C. Holden, Sikes, LA; son, Buz Holden (Lynn), Sikes, LA; daughter, Britney Gillich (Joshua), Baton Rouge, LA; sisters, Pat Cooper (Red), Sillsbee, TX, Sandy Barber (John Ray), Sikes, LA, Dianne Carrier (Bo), Sulphur, LA, and Tammy Caballero, Winnfield, LA; brothers, Barry Jacobs (Brenda), Sikes, LA, and Tony Jacobs (Renae), Jonesville, LA; grandchildren, Ethan Holden, Evan Holden, Atlas Gillich, and Jackson Gillich; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members. Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Mickey Parker and Rev. Jeffrey Marshall officiating.

Mr. Rodney Alan Cline, age 49 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Born Saturday, September 14, 1968 in Jena, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jessie and Beatrice Cline and Burl J. and Vivian Cockerham; uncles, Kenneth R. Cline and Donald Willett; and cousin, Karen Cline; mother-inlaw, Dona Jordan. Rodney loved spending time at his camp on Ouachita River with his wife and children. He loved his yearly trips to Kansas with family for hunting and fishing. He was a Sergeant in the U.S. National Guard, a member of Big Creek Baptist Church, and was an electrician for the Winn Parish School Board. Rodney was a beloved husband, father, brother, and son. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Penny Jordan Cline; children, Kennedy Dona Cline, Timothy Drake Cline and Bethany Paige Cline; parents, Marlin Rod Cline and Sandra Lou Cockerham Cline; and brother, Lane Cline.

Mrs. Betty Jean Smith, age 81 of Joyce, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2017. Born Tuesday, September 1, 1936 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil Couch and Marie Mercer Couch; husband, Chester A. Smith; and brother, Melvin C. Couch. Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Wayne Smith (Brenda), Winnfield, LA; daughter, Sissy Gunville (Mike), Joyce, LA; sister, Cele Couch Langford (Rick), College Station, TX; 8 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Alan Dick and Rev. Monroe Mercer officiating. Interment followed in Beech Creek Cemetery, near Winnfield. Serving as pallbearers were Adam Smith, Josh Thompson, Jake Smith, Brandon Ashlock, Kaden Ashlock, and Riley Taylor. In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Lehman Russell Sullivan went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 9, 2017, at the age of 82, with his loving wife of 63 years, Jeanette Austin Sullivan and family by his side. He was the cherished father of two daughters, Ginnie Noel and husband Skip Prairieville LA and Danita Sullivan and Joby Broussard New Orleans LA and one son, David and wife Elizabeth College Station TX. Papa was so loved by his grandchildren Scott & Courtney Noel Eads TN Grace Noel Bartlett TN Brice & Alix Noel Baton Rouge LA and William and Jonathan Sullivan College Station TX. Great grandchildren are Anna & Lyla Noel, Parker Russell, and Marshall Noel. Russell is survived by his sisters Linda Fay Williams and Sandra (Ernest) Little of Winnfield, Dianne (Jim) Gibson Natchitoches LA and his brothers, Danny (Mary Ann) Sullivan Jonesboro, LA, Glenn (Jackie) Sullivan South Augusta SC, Mike (Terry) Sullivan Ruston, LA.