Obituaries

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.

Mr. Julius Marvin Mercer, age 80 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away Monday, July 31, 2017. Born June 7, 1937, he was a member and “bell-ringer” of Corinth Baptist Church and was retired from the Winn Parish School Board as custodian with Winnfield Middle School. He served over 55 years with the Winnfield City Volunteer Fire Dept. where he was recently named Honorary Volunteer Fireman. Mr. Mercer was also a volunteer firefighter with Winn Parish Fire Dept.-Dist. 3 since 2001 and was a lifetime member of the Louisiana State Fire Marshall’s Association. Survivors include his brother, Roy D. Mercer (Linda); nephew, Craig Mercer (Shannon); and a host of caring friends. Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at Corinth Baptist Church with Rev. Brian Montgomery and Rev. Yancy Martin officiating. Interment followed in Crossroads Cemetery, in Tullos under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

James Melton Tarver, age 90 of Winnfield, Louisiana, passed away August 1, 2017 at Northern Louisiana Medical Center in Ruston. Mr. Tarver was retired from Manville and a native of Rochelle, Louisiana. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Winnfield and a U.S.M.C. Veteran of World War II. He loved fishing, working in his yard, and spending time with his family. Mr. Tarver was also known sometimes as the “unofficial mayor and tour guide of Branson” Mr. Tarver was the son of the late Julius Marl Tarver and the late Volena Melton Tarver. He was also preceded in death by his brothers Julius Tarver, Howard Tarver, and “Tootsie” Tarver as well as one sister Viola Cole. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 67 years Mrs. Jimmie Adams Tarver, one son Douglas “Doug” Tarver, daughter Teri Wright (Don) all of Winnfield, daughter Penny Harvey of Rogers, Arkansas, grandchildren Josh, Rachel, Miranda, and Sara, and fourteen great grandchildren.

Mrs. Helen Rachel Futch Audirsch, of Winnfield, Louisiana, was born on December 7, 1947 in Ruston, Louisiana. On August 30, 1969 she married Billy Ray Audirsch of Ruston, Louisiana. After along battle with pancreatic cancer, Helen passed away on July 29, 2017 in her home surrounded by her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Rosemary Cherry Futch and her father, Glenn Wyman Futch. She leaves behind her husband of nearly 48 years, Billy Ray Audirsch, two sons, Dr. Jeffrey Glenn Audirsch and Joseph Blake Audirsch, two daughters-in-law, Alicia Montgomery Audirsch and Suzanna Baird Audirsch, one grandchild, Matthew Gideon Kitibwa Audirsch, and three sisters, Glenda Futch Farmer (Philip), Jeanne Futch Muslow (Jimmy), and Jennifer Ann Futch. Helen was a graduate of Winnfield Senior High School and Louisiana Tech.

Mary Ann Baynes, 74, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully at home on July 11, 2017. Mary Ann was born to the late Gilbert and Ruby Jones in Dodson LA. She married James A. Baynes in 1963 and lived the life of an Air Force wife for the next 26 years, making life long friendships around the world. She spoiled her family and all of those around her, always willing to help when called and she was loved dearly in return. She was preceded in death by her son, Craig, sisters, Zell Simmons and Jean Chestnut, and brother, Bill Jones. She is survived by her husband, Jim, and daughter, Tammy, granddaughter, Megan and great granddaughter, Alaina, sister, Betty Jones and a host of nieces and nephews that loved her dearly. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Riverside Hospice for their compassionate care. A memorialservice was held Saturday July 15, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home with visitation following until 1:00p.m.

Mrs. Rose Watson Leger of Dodson, Louisiana passed away on July 18, 2017 at her residence. Mrs. Leger was the daughter of  the late John Edward Watson and the late Wilma Jean McDaniel. She was a native of Long Beach, California and was retired from the Laffayette Parish Sheriff’s Office after 17years as a detective. Later she was Director of Environmental Services at Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield. She enjoyed casinos, going on cruises and spending time with her family. Mrs. Leger leaves to cherish her memory her children John Leger (Susan), Ricky Leger (Tedi) all of Dodson, Susie Leger Tucker (Tommy) of Anniston, AL.; twelve grandchildren Ashley, Amanda, Courtney, Denisha, Cacy, Jayden, Chace, Heather, Tiffany, Adam, Joshua, and Jacob; great grandchildren Abel, Sophia, Lizzie, Kayleigh, Laura Rose, Chloe, James and Canton; and a sister Jacqueline Frickie (Robert) of Austin TX., She is also survived by a niece Robin Speed (Wes) of Dallas TX.