Obits: Winn Parish Enterprise obits, April 2005, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by: Yvonne J. Jones, Baton Rouge, LA ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** The following full obits are found below: Yancy Edward Edmonds James Murriel Taylor Thalia Leo (Crain) Walker Billy Ray Bates Mary Jane Cox Lecelia G. Jones Russell Varnell Velma Marie (Burnett) Womack Hayse Simpson Alon Gregory Myrtle E. Collins William "Bill" Travis Doughty, Jr. Edna Mae Avery Floyd Thomas Weems Alice Jeanette (Thomason) Austin Ardis Griffin Sims************************ Obituaries, Winn Parish Enterprise, Winnfield, Louisiana, April 6, 2005, Page 6-A Yancy Edward Edmonds Services for Yancy Edward Edmonds, age 56, will be at 10 a.m. on April 7, 2005 at Siloam Baptist Church in Gansville with Reverend Charlie Hammons officiating. Burial will be in Siloam Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home, Jonesboro. Mr. Edmonds died April 4, 2005 at his residence after a long illness. He was a member of Siloam Baptist Church. He was a timber buyer. Yancy Edmonds is survived by his wife Ramona Edmonds of Dodson, La; four sons, Ricky and Tommy Edmonds of Dodson, LA, Jimbo Tassin of Gulfport, MS, Carl Tassin of Mansfield, LA; three daughters, Lovena Beth Adams of Bloomburg, TX, Pamela Brown of Coushattta, LA, Brandi Layfield of Dodson, LA; one brother Jerry Edmonds of Dodson, LA; one sister Doris Roberts of Leesville, LA; 11 grandchildren, Taylor Hall, Amber Adams, Madison Daniels, Dayton Brown, Michael Tynes, Devan Edmonds, Brooke Layfield, Courtney, William, Jennifer, and Veronica Tassin; one aunt, Ida Rae Robinson of Jonesboro, LA; one uncle Frank King of Minden, LA.*********************** James Murriel Taylor Mr. James Murriel Taylor, Sr., age 51, of Winnfield, La., passed away Friday, April 1, 2005, at his residence in Winnfield, La. He was the son of the late Illey Taylor and the late Omera (Box) Taylor. Mr. Taylor was also preceded in death by his brother, Lloyd Taylor. He is survived by his one son, Jamie Taylor of Pineville, La, three daughters, Adriana Taylor of Winnfield, La., Linsey Smith and her husband James of Quitman, La., Abby Taylor of Jonesboro, La; one sister, Carolyn Wagoner and her husband Bill of Winnfield, La; two nephews, Kevin Wagoner of Winnfield, La., Shawn Wagoner of Pineville, La; one niece, Sondra Walker of Montgomery, La. Funeral services were held at Southern Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 3, 2005, with Rev. Matt Endris and Rev. Kenneth Tarver officiating. Interment followed at Iatt Cemetery in Verda, La. under the direction of Southern Funeral Home, Winnfield. Kevin Wagoner, Shawn Wagoner, J.T. Hanson, Paul Oretgo, Eric Jones, Jimmy Taylor, Jeff Walker and Ricky Powell served as pallbearers.************************ Thalia Leo (Crain) Walker Mrs. Thalia Leo (Crain) Walker, age 86, of Winnfield, La., passed away Sunday, April 3, 2005, at Dubuis St. Francis Cabrini Hospital of Alexandria, La. She was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Winnfield, where she served as church secretary until her retirement. Mrs. Walker was active in the church's WMU program as well as the Joyful Workers Sunday School Class. She was the daughter of the late Willam Albert Crain and the late Ora (Simmons) Crain. Mrs. Walker was also preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Lester E. Walker, and her brother, Kermit Crain. She is survived by her one sister, Mrs. Olline King of Dodson, La; one nephew Billy King and his wife Cindy of Dodson, La; three nieces, Sarah Jones and her husband Danny of West Monroe, LA, Judy Arthur and her husband Jim of Lake Jackson, TX, Jane Tailcott and her husband of Dallas, TX; great nieces and nephews, David and Sherry Jones, Mason Jones, Christie and Tommy Cotton, Buddy and Christy King, Cynthia Cheatwood, Caleb King, Michael and David Cole, Jeffery and Jonathan Arthur; great-great- nephews, Ryan and Austin Jones. Services are under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield, La., where the family will receive friends from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, 2005. Funeral services will be at Southern Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, 2005 with Rev. Lindsey Burns officiating. Interment will be at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Winnfield, La. Mrs. Walker's nephews, Billy King, Buddy King, Caleb King, Tommy Cotton, Mason Jones,and Danny Jones, will serve as pallbearers.************************ Billy Ray Bates Mr. Billy Ray Bates, age 67, of Wyatt, La., passed away Thursday, March 31, 2005, at the Jackson Parish Hospital in Jonesboro, La. He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He was the son of the late Aura Bates and the late Ethel (Rowe) Bates. He is survived by a host of cousins. Funeral services were held at Southern Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2005 with Rev. Lee Mack Robertson officiating. Interment followed at Bethlehem Cemetery in Calvin, La. under the direction of Southern Funeral Home, Winnfield. Bobby Bates, Kenneth Bates, Steve Bates, Joe David Bates, Ricky Bates, Kenneth Weeks, Vernon Weeks, and James Box, Jr., served as pallbearers.************************ Obituaries, Winn Parish Enterprise, Winnfield, Louisiana, April 13, 2005, Page 6-A Mary Jane Cox Mary Jane Cox, age 95, of Tullos, La., died Thursday, April 7, 2005, at Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield, La. Mrs. Cox was a member of the Crossroads Baptist Church and was a homemaker. She was the daughter of the late Ben McGuffy and the late Dorothy (Smith) McGuffy. Mrs. Cox was also preceded in death by her husband Mr. J.W. Cox and a grandson Greg Franklin. She is survived by her children: son-Wesley Cox and wife Sammie of Tullos, La.; daughter, Dorothy Vines and husband J.J. of Winnfield, La; son-Herman Cox and wife Juanita of Tullos, La; daughter-Letha (Cox) Sanders and husband James of Tullos, La; seven grandchildren: Randy Cox, Rita Maxwell, Kenneth Cox, Cathy Smith, Kay Johnson, Theresa Fletcher, and Dianna Bratton; seventeen great grandchildren: Daniel Cox, Seth Cox, Eric Maxwell, Kimberly Maxwell, Jesse Cox, Jake Cox, Josh Cox, Matt Prescott, David Prescott, Mike Prescott, Richard Johnson, Summer Bartley, Christie Valentine, April Fletcher, Adam Fletcher, Timmy Bratton, and Shelby Bratton; four great great grandchildren: Brittney Prescott, Cheyenne Bartley, Emily Bartley, and Savannah Valentine. Funeral services for Mrs. Cox were held at 2 p.m. Saturday April 9 at the Crossroads Baptist Church near Winnfield with Rev. Rayford Higgs officiating. Interment followed at Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield.************************ Lecelia G. Jones Funeral services for Mrs. Lecelia G. Jones will be held Saturday, April 16, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Morning Star Baptist Church, M.L. King Drive, Winnfield, La. Interment will follow at Winnfield Cemetery.************************ Russell Varnell Graveside services for Mr. Howard Russell Varnell were held on Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at the Killen Cemetery. Reverend Billy R. Prince and Joe B. Jordan officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of Southern Funeral Home, Winnfield. Mr. Varnell, age 65, of Grayson, La., died Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at Citizens Medical Center in Columbia, La. He was the son of the late Homer and the late Tommie (Cryer) Varnell. He is survived by his one son, Russell Morgan Varnell of Florida; two daughters, Sharon Williams of Georgetown, La., Kelley Babin of Donaldsonville, La; one brother, Earl Varnell of Grayson, LA; three sisters, Patsy Clark, Yvonne Jordan and Shirley Belle all of Winnfield, La; three grandchildren, Jami Williamson and husband Tim of Georgetown, La, Jason Williams and wife Tracy of Georgetown, La., Mandy Nugent and husband Jason of Bentley, La; three great grandchildren and a special friend, Joan Salter of Grayson, La. Pallbearers were Kevin Clark, Jason Williams, Lee Williams, James Ingles, Billy Prince III and Bert Cockerham.************************ Obituaries, Winn Parish Enterprise, Winnfield, Louisiana, April 20, 2005, Page 6-A Velma Marie (Burnett)Womack Mrs. Velma Marie (Burnett) Womack, age 95, of Winnfield, LA, passed away Sunday April 17, 2005, at the Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield, LA. She was a member of New Hope Methodist Church. She was the daughter of the late Thomas Burnett and the late Ella (Campbell) Burnett. Mrs. Womack was also preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Lewis Womack. Mrs. Womack is survived by her two daughters, Patricia Riley and her husband Russell of Gloster, LA, Louise Jennings and her husband Charles of Austin, TX; one sister, Lucille Hebert of Bossier City, LA; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and a special family friend, Renee Carpenter of Hudson, LA. Services for Velma Marie Womack were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2005, with Bishop Loy Gaar officiating. Interment followed at New Hope Cemetery in Dodson, LA under the direction of Southern Funeral Home, Winnfield. The family request that in lieu of flowers donations be made in memory of Mrs. Womack to the charity of your choice.************************ Hayse Simpson Hayse Simpson, age 83, of Winnfield, La., died Monday, April 11, 2005, at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, La. Mr. Simpson was an avid hunter, and also enjoyed fishing and gardening. He was a native of Mississippi and a U.S. Army WWII veteran. He was the son of the late Harvey Simpson and the late Mattie Armstrong. Mr. Simpson was also preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Inez Simpson and one brother and two sisters. He is survived by his five daughters, Pat Lawson of Winnfield, La., Cathy Clark of Winnfield, La, Nancy Simpson of Winnfield, La., Lori Barton and husband Billy of Winnfield, La. Virgie Thompson and husband Russell of Winnfield, La; eighteen grandchildren; and sixteen great grandchildren. Funeral services for Mr. Simpson were held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 13 in the Southern Chapel with Rev. Keith Smith officiating. Burial followed in the New Jerusalem Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home, Winnfield.************************ Obituaries, Winn Parish Enterprise, Winnfield, Louisiana, April 27, 2005, Page 6-A Alon Gregory Mr. Alon Gregory, age 81, of Sikes, La., passed away Thursday, April 21, 2005, at North Monroe Medical Center in Monroe, La. Mr. Gregory was retired from Winnfield Senior High School. Mr. Gregory served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was the son of the late Sam Gregory and Mary (Herring) Gregory. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Mrs. Myrtle (Creel) Gregory. He is survived by his wife Vickie Gregory of Sikes, La.; two daughters, Ella Johnson and her husband James of Glenmora, La., Brenda Wood and her husband Lee of Burkburnett, Texas; five grandchildren Lenny, Graham and Benjamin Wood, and Jimmy and Judy Johnson; eight great-grandchildren; one great- great-grandchild. Funeral services were held at Southern Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2005, with Rev. Keith L. Smith and Rev. Mack Brunson officiating. Interment followed at Union Cemetery in Joyce, La. under the direction of Southern Funeral Home, Winnfield.************************ Myrtle E. Collins Mrs. Myrtle E. Collins, age 85, of Calvin, La., passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at the Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield, La. She was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. She was the daughter of the late Homer Kelly and the late Ethel (Taylor) Kelly. Mrs. Collins was also preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, W.H. Collins. She is survived by one son, William Homer Collins, Sr. and his wife Jan of Calvin, La; two daughters, Mrs. Ann E. Martin of Calvin, La., Jane Eileene Boutte and her husband Ron of Grapevine, Texas; three sisters, Imogene Lindsey and Mary Sue Pearson of Minden, La., Martha Lou Moreland of Rodgers, Ark; four grandchildren Kayla Nugent, Billy Collins, Collin Martin, and Ashlea Griffin; four great-grandchildren Colton Nugent, Colby Nugent, Madilynn Collins, and Catherine Martin. Funeral services were held at Bethlehem Baptist Church at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 21, 2005, with Rev. Lamar Carpenter, Rev. Wayne Morrow, and Rev. Dick DeBusk officiating. Interment followed at Bethlehem Cemetery in Calvin, La, under the direction of Southern Funeral Home, Winnfield. Billy Collins, Collin Martin, Phil Cooper, Rick Kelly, Vernon Weeks, and Billy Yocum served as pallbearers.************************ William "Bill" Travis Doughty, Jr. Mr. William "Bill" Travis Doughty, Jr., age 80, of Atlanta, La., passed away Monday, April 18, 2005, at the Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield, La. He was a native of Lecompte. Mr. Doughty drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and honorably discharged in 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1947 and retired at the rank of Master Sgt. after 23 years of service, having served in World War II, Korean Conflict, and Vietnam. After retirement he worked as a computer programer for the Louisiana Dept of Wildlife & Fisheries in New Orleans, Valley Electric in Natchitoches, and Southwest Computer Service in Gonzales, La. He was a member of Hargis Baptist Church. Mr. Doughty's hobbies included his garden, woodwork and Atlanta High School Basketball. He was the son of the late William Doughty and the late Blanch (Doyal) Doughty. Mr. Doughty was also preceded in death by granddaugher, Trista Tyler. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lorene Doughty of Atlanta, La; one daughter, Karen Tyler and her husband James of Atlanta, La; two sons, Danny W. Doughty and his wife Debbie of Verda, La., Dennis G. Doughty and his wife Tedra of Sterlington, La; five grandchildren, Jessie, Eric, Marie, and Miranda Doughty, and Travis Tyler; three step-grandchildren Angelia Dunbar, Corey Corbitt, and Justin Fulmer; six great-grandchildren Cole, Caleb, Nathan, and Micaela Reed; and Dakota and Bradon Doughty; two step great grandchildren Jacey and Triston Dunbar. Funeral services were held at Hargis Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, 2005, with Rev. Bruce Weatherford and Rev. Joe Kite officiating. Interment followed at Hargis Cemetery near Montgomery, La. under the direction of Southern Funeral Home, Winnfield. Pallbearers were Justin Fulmer, Bo Bevill, Shane Bevill, Steve Jackson, Dan Ferguson, and Gayle Tyler. Honorary pallbearers will be Eric Doughty and Travis Tyler.************************ Edna Mae Avery Mrs. Edna Mae Avery, age 88, died at her residence in Jonesboro, LA Wednesday, April 20, 2005. Mrs. Avery was born September 24, 1916 in Dodson, LA. She was a retired beautician. Mrs. Avery was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Minnie Sholars; two sisters Pauline Whitten and "Jackie" Boyett; two brothers, J.R. and James Hugh Sholars; daughter in law, Bit Avery; and son in law, Lynn Taylor. She is survived by her husband Shelby D. Avery of Jonesboro, LA; one daughter Lynda Taylor of Dodson, LA; one son, Larry Avery of Jonesboro, LA; one sister Maude O'Bryan of Calvin, LA; four grandchildren, Maurya Tyler and husband Tim of Nashville, TN, Dana Coe and husband Jamie of Shreveport, LA, Lynn Taylor and wife Lori of Dodson, LA, Cristy Posey and husband Pat of Dodson, LA.; five great grandchildren, Jarred and Chelsea Taylor of Dodson, LA, Kiel Tyler of Nashville, TN, Tyler and Ashton Posey of Dodson, LA. Funeral services for Edna Mae Avery were held Friday, April 22, 2005 at 2 p.m. at the Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel with the Elder Jesse Stripland, Bro. Russell Rhodes and Rev. Billy Mac McBride officiating. Burial followed at the Zions Rest Cemetery in Jonesboro under the direction of the Edmonds Funeral Home, Jonesboro. Pallbearers were Lynn Taylor, Darrell Avery, Pat Posey, Jamie Coe, Jarred Taylor, Kiel Tyler, Tyler Posey and Keith Rhodes. Honorary pallbearers were David Avery and Pat Patterson.************************ Floyd Thomas Weems Mr. Floyd Thomas Weems, age 75, of Winnfield, La., died Sunday, April 10, 2005, at LSU Medical Center in Shreveport, La. Mr. Weems was a U.S. Army Veteran. He was the son of the late Thomas Weems and the late Ida (Ross) Weems. He is survived by his one son, Thomas M. Weems of Houston, Texas; two daughters, Renee Ramey of Garland, Texas, Sandra Maxwell of Winnfield, La; two sisters, Clara Grass of Kenner, La., Dorothy Bilello of Thibodaux, La; one brother, Joe H. Weems of Winnfield, La: five grandchildren, Heather Garcia, Morgan Ramey, Lindsey Ramey, Thomas M. Weems Jr., and Christopher Maxwell. Graveside funeral services were held Zion Hill Cemetery, in Tannehill, 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2005, with Rev. Jack Miller officiating.************************ Alice Jeanette (Thomason) Austin Mrs. Alice Jeanette (Thomason) Austin, age 52, of Winnfield, La., passed away Sunday, April 24, 2005, at the Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield, La. She was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. She was the daughter of the late John Thomason and the late Delta (Brown) Thomason. She is survived by her husband James M. Austin of Winnfield, La.; two sons, Mark C. Austin of Houston, Texas. Michael T. Austin and his wife Donna of Jacksonville, Fla; one sister, Carolyn Harlan of Winnfield, La; five brothers, Ray McManus of Baton Rouge, La., Robert Thomason of Franklinton, La., J. C. Thomason of Montgomery, La., Donald Eric Thomason of Riverside, Md., Marion Thomason of Neptune, N.J; two grandchildren Alyssa Dawn and James Michael Austin. Services are under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield, La., where the family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, April 27, 2005. Funeral services will be held at Southern Funeral Home at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, 2005, with Rev. Deloy Shows and Rev. Kenneth Tarver officiating. Interment will be at New Jerusalem Cemetery in Winnfield, La.************************ Ardis Griffin Sims Ardis Griffin Sims, widow of James Walter Sims, passed away on Monday April 25, 2005 in Bossier City, Louisiana. Ardis was born on October 21, 1908 to Robert and Etta Brown Griffin, early residents of Ward 8, Winn Parish. She married once, to James Walter Sims on September 7, 1929 and their marriage lasted until his death in 1982. Ardis was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Margaret, who died in 1940 at five years of age; her brother, Russell T. Griffin, and sister, Verdie Griffin Bates. She is survived by her children, Rose Marie Sims Baughman, and husband Joe, of Gainsville, Missouri; Billie Jean Sims Melton Waterman, of Bossier City, Louisiana; and Robert Louis Sims, and wife Diane, of Buna, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Michael Baughman, Jan Melton, Robert Lee Sims, Rene Sims and Bobby L. Sims, eight great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. Ardis, a life-long Christian, was a homemaker, Sunday School teacher, care giver to her family and community, and a wonderful cook. She loved her Lord Jesus and her Bible. Services for Ardis will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at Southern Funeral Home Chapel, Winnfield, Louisiana, burial to follow in Bethlehem Cemetery near Calvin, Louisiana. Anyone wishing to make a donation in lieu of flowers may send one to their favorite charity, or to Bethel Church of Christ, Calvin, Louisiana, where Mrs. Sims remained a member.