Obituaries

Elinor Octavia Brian Krull, known as “Susie” to most, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2023, in Memphis, Tennessee. She was born to parents Elinor and Samuel Brian and spent the majority of her life in Winnfield, Louisiana. She served as an educator for 40 years, touching the lives of hundreds of children of all ages and intellectual abilities.

She is survived by two children Susanne Taylor (husband Doug), and Ray Krull (wife Amber) and their two children Lillian Elinor and Ridley Isaac. She is also survived by her brother Sammy Brian (wife Sharon), three nieces, a host of grand nieces and nephews, as well as many extended family members.

Lovan Barton Thomas, publisher of The Natchitoches Times, passed away peacefully at his home Sunday morning, Aug. 13, 2023.

Services will be Wednesday, Aug. 23, at the First United Methodist Church on Second Street in Natchitoches. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. with services at 11 a.m. A private burial will be in the American Cemetery on Second Street for family and close friends.

Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by his wife Patricia; mother Elsie Mae Childers, step-mother Freda Scoggins Thomas, father Maxwell John Thomas, sister Mary Galen Thomas, uncle Kenneth Thomas, aunt Ann Childers Barton, uncle Norman F. Childers and granddaughter Madeleine Renee Mayo.

He is survived by his daughter, Tracy Thomas Mayo; son, Maxwell John Thomas II and his husband Gabriel Masson; grandson Lovan Thomas Mayo; sisterin- law Kathleen Wilson Farmer; brother- in-law John Oliver Wilson and his wife Beclee Newcomer Wilson; and cousin Galen Clavier.

Martha Dollar Moore went to her Heavenly Home on Sunday, June 25, 2023, in Bossier City, Louisiana. Martha was born January 29, 1939, in Jonesboro, Louisiana. She was 84 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hazel and Ted Dollar, sister Diana Jo, husband Robert L. Moore, and aunts, uncles, cousins and friends before her.

Martha was born a song bird. She had a beautiful classical voice and attended Centenary College where she sang in the Centenary College Choir. Later on in life she was able to be a music teacher in Arkansas for a few years and loved it. Martha always sang in the church choirs and had her Bible studies. A few churches she went to and visited always had her sing.

Martha loved her garden flowers. She had a green thumb with flowers and worked in her flower beds until she just couldn’t, but she kept up flower pots in her house.

Ruth Elaine (Creel) Gard, age 78, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 16, 2023. Ruth was born April 21, 1945 in Winnfield, LA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Silas and Lelwyn Creel; husband of 11 months, William (Billy) Robertson; brother, John Creel; sister, Jenna Gates; and brother, Joseph Creel.

Ruth is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 55 years, Garry Gard; her daughter, Gina Crozier (Doug); granddaughters, Sydney Crozier and Katelyn Crozier; sister, Sarah Sanders; brother, Porter Creel, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Donald “Donnie” L. Wells, previously from Jefferson City, MO, was called to his heavenly home on July 20, 2023 after a brief illness.

He was born June 8, 1939 to Thomas and Viola Marie Wells. The Lord blessed him with 84 wonderful years.

He served his beloved country in the United States Marine Corps for 2 years and continued in the Reserves for another 4 years.

Mr. Walter Tate White, Jr., of Houma, Louisiana passed peacefully from this life on Sunday, July 2, 2023 in Terrebone General Hospital with his precious family at his side. Mr. White was born in Shreveport, Louisiana to the union of Walter Tate White, Sr. and Warrena Harlow White on April 24, 1929. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving on the USS Sabine (1946-1948) and then a merchant mariner (1948-1951). He married the love of his life, Florence Harrington on February 23, 1952. He retired from a long career from Bell South and AT&T phone companies

with 30 plus years as an engineer. A very active 94 year old, he spent his childhood in Packton, Louisiana and graduated from Selma High School. He enjoyed maintaining his timber property and loved traveling with his wife in their RV.

Mr. White is preceded in death by his parents, Walter Tate White, Sr. and Warrena Harlow White, and one grandchild, Andrew William White.

Thomas Andrew Wyatt, 57, of Bossier City, Louisiana, passed away on May 17, 2023 after a brief illness. He was born July 5, 1965 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He was known by friends and family for his laid-back personality, gentle demeanor and hard work ethic. He was highly skilled and knowledgeable in caring for his patients as a registered nurse at Willis Knighton in Bossier City. That desire to help others began with training in the Army Med Corp at San Antonio, Texas and lather attending North Western School of Nursing.

Thomas Andrew as a devoted family man and is survived by his wife, Monica McDonald Wyatt and his daughter Elizabeth Anne Wyatt of Bossier City, Louisiana.

He is also survived by his mother, Reggie Anne Walker-Wyatt, his sisters Marva Joe Wyatt of New Orleans and Lydia Anne Wyatt of Shreveport, and his great aunt, Nelda Watson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Benny Esley Smith, a beloved resident of Winnfield, Louisiana, peacefully passed away on Monday, June 5, 2023, at the age of 88.

Benny was born on Wednesday, October 3, 1934, in Winnfield, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Leda Elizabeth Gorum Smith; his devoted father, Samuel Esley Smith; his beloved daughter, Cheri Lynn Smith; and his brother and sister-in-law, Perry H. Smith and Charlotte Smith and brother Jerry T. Smith.

Mr. Smith graduated from Winnfield High School and Northwestern State University. He began his career in banking and later transitioned to teaching vocational education. Eventually, he retired from the Winn Parish School Board, where he had served as the business manager. Throughout his retirement, Benny and his wife found joy in playing golf with their many friends until their health no longer allowed it. He was a dedicated lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Winnfield, where he also taught Sunday school.

Our beloved husband and father Richard Cloid Crain passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the age of 80. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sybil Taylor Crain.

He was born in Houston, Texas on January 14, 1943. His childhood in Sikes, Louisiana instilled a lifelong passion for hunting, fishing, and gardening. He loved to speak about it with anyone who would listen. He graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Engineering. His work in the oil and gas industry took him and his young family to many South American countries. After settling back in Grant Parish, he continued to teach and consult for various industries including ESI International and traveled worldwide trainingteaching in Kuwait, Israel, Nigeria, England, Scotland, and Ireland. He was Grant Parish Manager and President of the 19th District Levee Board. He served on the board of directors of the Louisiana Correctional Facilities for many years.

Audie J. Brooks, age 80 of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away April 26, 2023 after a short illness.

Services were held at the First Presbyterian Church in Winnfield at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 14, 2023. Interment was at New Jerusalem Cemetery on Spillway Road following the services.

Audie was born August 24, 1947 to Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Neal in Alexandria, Louisiana. Audie graduated from Winnfield Senior High in 1961. Following graduation, she attended Huey P. Long Vocational College to obtain a degree in Business Education.

Audie was married to Jimmy Brooks, in 1962 and became a widow at the death of her husband in October, 1989. Audie had a long and active career in the service industry.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter Sonja Brooks, son, Jimmy Brooks, II, her sister Bert Gates of Orange Park, Florida, and many cousins and friends.