Obituaries

Funeral services for A.C. Riggs, age 90, were held at Zion Baptist Church, Georgetown, LA at 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 18, 2017 with Rev. Byron Norris officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. Mr. Riggs of the Packton Community passed away on March 16, 2017. He was born on December 20, 1926, and was a life long resident of Grant Parish. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arch and Bessie Riggs, brothers Clyde, Thurman, W.O. (Blue) and Gerald and sister Dorothy Kees. Mr. Riggs was a graduate of Selma High School and a veteran of World War II having served in the South Pacific. His career with Penrod Drilling Company spanned many years in the oil field. Upon retirement, he established Riggs Enterprises, Inc. and worked as a drilling consultant.

Services for Patricia Ellen “Patt” Thurman, age 66 of Choudrant, LA will be held at 1:00pm, Saturday, March 25, 2017 at First United Methodist Church in Warren, AR with Minister Gary Harrison officiating. There will be a reception in the fellowship hall following the service. Patt was born and raised for the most part in Warren, AR. Later in life she moved to Winnfield, LA and was living in Choudrant at the time of her death. She loved to read books and spend time with family and friends. Patt was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Ron Thurman of Hope, AR, her parents, Nolan Leon Williams of Warren, AR and Adeline Helms Friedlander of Opp, AL, her sister, Nancy Lynn Grissom of Greenville, TX and a granddaughter, Erika McKenzie Higgs of Winnfield, LA. Patt is survived by her daughters, Ellen Kay Higgs of Choudrant, LA and Ashley Brooke Davis and husband Tommy of Bernice, LA, her brother, Nolan Stanford Williams and wife Celeste of Dallas, TX.

Mrs. Velma Hamberlin Shaw, age 94 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2017. Born Friday, September 15, 1922 in Colfax, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Houston and Linnie Cosby Hamberlin; husband, David Shaw; siblings, Mertis Dowty, Thelma Nash, Jeanette Johnson and Perry Hamberlin. Those left to cherish her memory include her sister, Vera Keith and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Carolyn Fletcher officiating. Interment followed in Mt. Zion Cemetery, in Montgomery. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome.com.

Mr. Tony Lee Hanson, age 53 of Pineville, Louisiana passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. Born Wednesday, July 17, 1963 in Winnfield, Louisiana, he was a member of Trinity Baptist Church and was a logger and pipeline mechanic. His favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing and reminiscing about his childhood and telling wild stories of his wild ways. . Mr. Hanson was preceded in death by his father, Robert Lee “Bob” Hanson. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Linda Smith Hanson; children, Casey Stroud (Mitchell), T.J. Hanson (Melissa), Brenton Hanson, Bradley Hanson, Arenna Hanson, Lauren Perkins (Stetson), Brieanna Cowher (Brandon), Paiten Brothers and Sally Raxsdale; mother, Betty Hanson Sisom (Curtis); siblings, Rob Hanson (Angela), Kurt Hanson and Tammy James (Craig); and two grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Darryl Hoychick officiating.

Graveside services for Ralph H. Killgore, age 91 of Winnfield, will be held at 4:00 PM, Friday, March 10, 2017 at Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston. Mr. Killgore died Wednesday, March 8, 2017 in Winnfield, LA. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee; for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psalm 9:10 Mr. Killgore was a WWII veteran and former resident of the Ruston area. He is preceded in death by his son, Kelton, three brothers, Lewis, Ellis and Ray, and one sister, Audrey. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Voncile, one daughter, Milan (Derek), two grandchildren, Summer and Fawnn (Joey), and two great grandchildren, Cloe and Luke. He is also survived by two sisters, Nellie Jean and Sandra, and one brother, Charles. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Betty D. “Miss Betty” Hall, age 70 of Calvin, LA passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. The viewing and wake will be held on Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. Services will be held on Friday, March 17, 2017 at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel at 12:00 Noon. Interment will following in the Winnfield Cemetery under the direction of Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home of Winnfield, LA.

On March 18, 1930 his parents, William Samuel “Judge” and Martha Hancock Jones, named him Judge Eroy Jones. In most of his business matters he was known as J. E. Jones, but to his family he was always “Roy”, Dad, PaPaw or PaPaw Great. He lived his 86 years in Winnfield and was involved in several functions around the parish. His passion was farming and hunting after his retirement in 1988. He also loved to talk and never met a stranger. He would talk politics, share stories and memories from his childhood and everday life. He was known for his tomato plants grown in his green house and the tomatoes sold at the Farmer’s Market, along with other vegetables. Due to his health, he was unable to farm or hunt like he wanted to. Prior to his death, he had a deer stand built in front of his house (under protest of some of his family, especially his wife). It was a health hazard and in the center of her rose bushes. But…that year, he killed a deer from that stand and was one proud hunter.

Mrs. Barbara Nell McDavid Johns, age 68 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2017. Mrs. Johns was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church.

Born Sunday, August 22, 1948 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her father, Virgil William McDavid and brother, Gary “Rusty” McDavid.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Melanie Renee Leach (Don), Mary Alecia Johns, and Barbara Jean Parker (Andy); her son, Jerry Louis Johns (Amanda); her mother, Ethel Lucille Fletcher McDavid; her sister, Gloria Folden; and ten grandchildren and three great grand children.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Andy Parker officiating. Interment followed in Zion Hill Cemetery, in Winnfield.

Serving the family as pallbearers were Dylan Johns, Jeremy Johns, Bodene Alford, Hunter Simons, Gary Lynn McDavid, Jr., Christopher Lee McDavid and Heath Johns, Honorary.

Mr. Russell Collins Keith, age 75 of Jonesboro, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2017.

Mr. Keith was a US Army veteran of the Vietnam conflict and a retired auto mechanic.

Born Monday, September 15, 1941 in Monroe, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Virginia Ruth Petoscia Keith.

Those left to cherish his memory include his siblings, William Keith (Jennifer), Shirley Heddon, Louise Bodry (Charlie), Michael Keith, Renee Coker (Randy), John David Keith and Joseph Wayne Keith (Renee) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial service arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome.com.

Norene Evans Sanders, a long time resident of Winnfield, Louisiana went to live with the Lord on February 20, 2017. She was born on February 1, 1931 to Ply Lenard Evans and Ottis Lee Albright Evans. A devoted mother and “Mimi”, she went to greet many loved ones in Heaven. She was married to Chester Robert Sanders Jr. and together they raised seven children. She lived a life filled with love for her family, always putting their needs ahead of anything she needed for herself. Her pride and joy were her children. She taught them the most important qualities of life: unconditional love, patience, kindness, perseverance. She will be greatly missed and the memories will be many. Norene was preceded in death by her parents; husband Chester Robert Sanders Jr., brothers Marvin Evans and James Evans.