Obituaries

Mrs. Mary Davison Plunkett, age 74 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2017. Born Friday, April 30, 1943 in Augusta, Georgia, she was a long-time employee of South Central Bell Telephone Company and was also a substitute teacher. More recently, she was retired from Winn Parish Medical Center billing department. Mrs. Plunkett was preceded in death by her parents, J. P. Davison and Montine Beasly Davison; husband, Jack H. Plunkett; infant son, Jason Plunkett; brother, Wayne Davison. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Henrietta Plunkett; step-daughter, Carolyn Hinson; brothers, Phillip Davison and Leland Davison. Graveside funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at Garden of Memories with Jared Ferguson officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

Mrs. Dana Shelton Files, age 51 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at her residence. Mrs. Files was a Pharmacist at Grant Family Pharmacy in Bentley, a graduate of The School of Pharmacy at U.L.M. and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Winnfield. She enjoyed working in her yard, decorating her home but above all she loved spending time with her family. Dana leaves to cherish her memory her husband W. D. “Bo” Files, children Josh of Montgomery, Drew of Winnfield, Miranda Bates (Micheal) of Calvin, and Olivia of WInnfield, parents Cloy C. Shelton and Janie Taylor Shelton, siblings Steve Shelton (Liz) of Winnfield, Max Shelton of Winnfield, Betty Dempsey and Anita Vaughan both of Shreveport and one granddaughter Ashton Jayne Bates. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews as well as a host of friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Lawrence Leo “Bubba” Lewis, Jr., age 56 of Doyline, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. He was born Monday, December 12, 1960 in Montgomery, Louisiana and Attended Sportsman’s Church in Doyline. Mr. Lewis was preceded in death by his mother, Norma Hoob Lewis; wife, Diedre Carpenter Lewis; sister, Glenda Lewis Hunt. Those left to cherish his memory include his father, Lawrence Leo Lewis, Sr.; sisters, Janie Lewis Coolman (John) and Delores Lewis Carpenter (Mike); nieces and nephews, Pete Fredieu, Brad Fredieu, Michael Coolman, Jason Coolman, Larry Carpenter, Lance Carpenter and Melissa Friday (Joe). Graveside funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Bethlehem Cemetery with Reverends Lance Carpenter, Lamar Carpenter and Billy VerHoeff officiating. Interment followed under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

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.