Obituaries

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.

Clara Joanne Starks Clara Joanne Starks, age 82 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, July 1, 2017. Born Friday, December 7, 1934 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Oree Allen and Pearl McMurry Allen; and husband, Pete Starks. Joanne loved her family, especially those grandchildren. She loved to spend as much time asshe could on Saline Lake in her boat fishing. Joanne enjoyed searching for hidden treasures (antiques) in old estates, as wellas searching for arrow heads and fossils. Mrs. Starks enjoyed reading and talking about history and loved the outdoors.Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Ken Starks (Jan), Natchitoches, LA and Ronnie Starks (Arlinda), Simmsport, LA; 8 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at Southern Funeral Home with Rev. Stanley Clemmons officiating. Interment followed in Garden of Memories, in Winnfield.

Mr. Willie Oscar “W.O.” Holmes, age 83 of Tullos, Louisiana passed away onSaturday, July 8, 2017. Born Monday, May 14, 1934 in Winnfield, Louisiana, he was retired from Huey P. Long Vocational School and served in the US Army from 1956-58. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. Mr. Holmes was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Clayton and Ola Mae Bruce Holmes; brothers, Raymond Holmes and Jimmy Holmes; grandson, Clayton Thomas Holmes; great granddaughter, Maci Alexander Holmes.

Mr. Robert Allen Clark, age70, was born May 11, 1947 in Winnfield, LA. He went to his heavenly home Friday, July 7, 2017. He was the son of Charles E. Clark, Sr. and Erma Drucilla Allbritton Clark. Robert spent his younger years in Winnfield, graduating from Winnfield High School in 1965. After graduating from highschool, he started a job in Lafayette, LA where he met his wife of 50 years, Beverly Hayes Clark. They went on to share a life of travelling, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and pursuing business ventures in Lincoln parish and LaSalle parish. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mildred Tullos Rooney, his brothers Charles Clark, Jr, Melvin Clark, Bill Clark, Jimmy Clark, and Jerry “Poochie” Clark.