May 2005, Southern Funeral Home Obits; Winn, Louisiana Submitter: B. Jo Branch Source: Southern Funeral Home Date: 14 June 2005 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ===== Arvel Boyett (December 24, 1933 - May 1, 2005) Mr. Arvel Boyett, age 71, of Winnfield, La., passed away Sunday, May 1, 2005, at Autumn Leaves Nursing Home in Winnfield, La. He Served in the Navy during the Korean War. He was the son of the late George Boyett and the late Erie (McNaughton) Boyett. Mr. Boyet was also preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Melva Rayburn Boyett; three brothers, Melvin, Douglas and J.D. Boyett; one sister, Lilly Ramsey; one grandson, Justin Burton Boyett. He is survived by his One Daughter, Cricket Boyett of Austin, Ark. One Son, Alan Boyett and wife Becky of Winnfield, La. One Sister, Eunice Mercer of Tullos, La. One Brother, Lawson Boyett of Natchitoches, La. Two grandchildren, David Boyett and wife Hayden of Winnfield Brittany Edwards and husband Jamie of georgetown. Three great-grandchildren Justin & Chloe Boyet and Gracie Edwards. Services are under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield, La.. Friends may visit with the family beginning on Monday, May 2, 2005 from 5 PM until service time at Corinth Baptist Church near Winnfield. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at Corinth Baptist Church with Rev. Lester Carpenter, Rev. Donnie Wise, and Rev. Wallace Ingles officiating. Interment will be at Garden Of Memories Cemetery in Winnfield, La. ===== Willis Elton Jones, Sr. (February 7, 1928 - May 2, 2005) Mr. Willis Elton Jones, Sr., age 77, of Winnfield, La., passed away Monday, May 2, 2005, at the Memorial Herman South East Hospital in Houston, Texas. He was the son of the late Troy Jones and the late Lula (Prescott) Jones. Mr. Jones was also preceded in death by his wife, Frankie Jones; son, Morris Lane Jones; three brothers, Ronald, Vernon, and Donald Jones; and his great-granddaughter, Abbey Gale Jones. He is survived by his Two Daughters, Edith Norris and her husband Dobbie of Winnfield, La.; Lula Jones and her husband Wilton of Winnfield, La. Three Sons, Norris Jones and his wife Sue of Manvel, Texas; Willis E. Jones, Jr. and his wife Brenda Kay of Joyce, La.; Troy Jones and his wife Brenda Gale of Winnfield, La. One Sister, Cassie Desadier and her husband Buddy of Winnfield, La. Fourteen grandchildren; Sixteen great-grandchildren; A Host of Nieces and Nephews Services are under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield, La., where the family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Thursday, May 5, 2005 and from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Friday, May 6, 2005. Funeral services will be at Southern Funeral Home at 4:00 PM Wednesday, May 4, 2005 , with Rev. Kenny Bratton officiating. Interment will be at Jones Cemetery in Winnfield, La. Chris Stevenson, Theo Meche, Marshall Jones, Dewayne Freeman, and Ben Mooney will serve as pallbearers. John Jones will serve as an honorary pallbearer. ===== Mary Eileen Christensen (December 15, 1924 - May 3, 2005) Mrs. Mary Eileen (Welch) Christensen, age 80, of Winnfield, La., passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2005, at the Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield, La. She was a much loved mother and sister . She was the daughter of the late John Welch and the late Eloise (Foust) Welch. She is survived by her One Daughter, Patricia Compton of Portland, Ore. Seven Sons, John L. Haddock of Tammarae, Fla Bill Jackson of Tammarae, Fla. Dennis Haddock of Jacksonville, Fla. Ronald Haddock of Arcata, Calif. Lee Haddock of Portland, Ore. George Haddock of Portland, Ore. Dale Tregaskis of Portland, Ore. Two Sisters, June Moore of Winnfield, La. Mildred Wright of Winnfield, La. One Niece, Cheryl Wright One Nephew Jerry Wright Ten grandchildren Five great-grandchildren Services are under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield, La., where the family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday, May 5, 2005 and from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Friday, May 6, 2005. Funeral services will be at Southern Funeral Home at 2:00 PM Friday, May 6, 2005 , with Rev. Doyle McGrew officiating. Interment will be at Goldonna Cemetery in Goldonna, La. ===== Ronald Jeffrey Rice (August 13, 1946 - May 9, 2005) Mr. Ronald Jeffrey Rice, age 58, of Winnfield, La., passed away Monday, May 9, 2005, at his home in Winnfield, La. He was a member of Crossroads Baptist Church of Atlanta, La.. Mr. Rice was a disabled veteran of the Air Force. He was the son of the late Thomas J. Rice, Jr. and the late Clarice Elizabeth (Clark) Rice. Mr. Rice was also preceded in death by his brother, Floyd G. Rice; his sister, Jerry B. Rice; and his nephew, Jeffrey Rice. He is survived by his One Sister, Cathy Frederick of Winnfield, La. Two Brothers, Wayne Rice and his wife Pat of Winnfield, La. David C. Rice and his wife Stephanie of Natchitoches, La. Two Nieces, Nicole Blake and Andrea Frederick Services are under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield, La., where the family will receive friends from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM Wednesday, May 11, 2005. Graveside services will be held at the Sardis Cemetery near Atlanta, La. at 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 11, 2005 , with Rev. Danny Keyes officiating. ===== Huey P. Taylor (October 13, 1927 - May 11, 2005) Mr. Huey P. Taylor, age 77, of Saline, La., passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2005, at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Alexandria, La. He was a member of Briarwood Baptist Church of Reidheimer. Mr. Taylor served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was the son of the late Sam Taylor and the late Bertha (Brewton) Taylor. Mr. Taylor was also preceded in death by three brothers, Willie, Albert, and Roy Taylor He is also survived by his wife Glennie Muriel (Hawkins) Taylor of Saline, La.; Two Daughters, Bonnie Taylor Yocum of Winnfield, La. Kathy Taylor Guilliams and her husband Kelly of Heflin, La. Two Sons, Hue Myrle Taylor and his wife Darnell of Houma, La. Kevin Lane Taylor of Reidheimer, La. Two Sisters, Eunice Barnett and her husband Lloyd of Brewton's Mill, La. Bernice White and her husband Rev. Huey of Brewton's Mill, La. A Sister-In-Law, Jimmie Taylor of Winnfield, La. Six grandchildren, Six great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Services are under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield, La. The family will receive friends at the Briarwood Baptist Church in Reidheimer, La. beginning at 4:00 PM Friday, May 13, 2005 until service time. Funeral servics will be at Briarwood Baptist Church in Reidheimer at 2:00 PM Saturday, May 14, 2005 , with Rev. Jeff Davis, Rev. Huey P. White and Rev. Nicholas Taylor officiating. Interment will be at Strange Methodist Church Cemetery in Reidheimer, La. Darrell White, Travis Taylor, Chris Barnett, L.C. Barnett, Delane Yocum, Arville White, Al Taylor, Greylen Barnett, Frank Taylor and Jerry Taylor will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Ken and Justin Taylor, Todd Weaver, Shane Hawkins, and Shawn Barnett. ===== William Debs Simmons (September 30, 1906 - May 11, 2005) Mr. W. D. Simmons, a Winn Parish native and long time resident of Winnfield, passed away at the age of 98 on May 11, 2005 at the home of his daughter in Lake Livingston, Texas. His cremains will be interred at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Winnfield at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 2nd with Brother Lindsey Burns of the First Baptist Church conducting graveside services. Visitation for friends and family will be held at the Southern Funeral Home from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening, June 1st. A descendant of two prominent Sikes area families, he was born September 30, 1906 at the home of his parents, Joseph Hugh Simmons and Mary Elizabeth Smith. Christened William Debs Simmons, he was called Debs by family and close personal friends, although he liked to be known by his initials "W. D." in the commercial world. Educated in local community schools, Debs graduated from Sikes High School in 1925. He earned a two year degree in business administration from the Tyler Business College in Tyler, Texas in 1928 and went to work for Dixie Oil Company in Shreveport, Louisiana. Shortly afterwards, Standard Oil of Indiana bought Dixie Oil and several other oil and gas properties and consolidated these businesses under the name Standland Oil and Gas Company with headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Debs was transferred to Tulsa in 1929. The Great Depression soon intervened, a downsizing of staff took place in 1931, and Debs returned to Winnfield. The Agricultural Adjustment Administration was created as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal in 1933. It's purpose was to help farmers by reducing production of staple crops, thus raising farm prices and encouraging more diversified farming. Soil Conservation later became a part of this effort and Debs worked in the Cotton Conservation Office in Winnfield until 1940. Carey Salt Company began operations of the Winnfield Rock Salt Mine in December 1931 and Debs went to work for Carey in October 1940 as Purchasing Agent. Old timers may remember that one of his community relations duties was to conduct public tours of the underground mining operations. The Winnfield mine flooded in November 1965 and the processing facilities were closed in February 1966. Debs continued in his role as Purchasing Agent and transferred to Carey's Cote Blanche mining operations near Franklin, Louisiana. He retired from Carey in March 1969 after 28+ years of service with the company. Debs was married to Margaret Horton of Winnfield on June 10, 1938 at the First Baptist Church in Winnfield by Pastor R. C. Land. He maintained his membership at Winnfield's First Baptist even after he moved to Houston in 1995. Debs was a member of the Winnfield Rotary Club and served as president of the club circa 1953. An avid if not proficient golfer, he was a member of the Pine Ridge Country Club. Debs is survived his son, R. Hugh Simmons of Paoli, Pennsylvania, his daughter, Deanna Simmons Hess of Lake Livingston, Texas, three grand children, and five great grandchildren. ===== Opal Odell Hartley (March 9, 1928 - May 13, 2005) Mrs. Opal Odell (Lasyone) Hartley, age 77, of Coushatta, La., passed away Friday, May 13, 2005, at Christus Coushatta Hospital in Coushatta, La. She was a loving mother and grandmother.. She was the daughter of the late James Lasyone and the late Georgia (Foster) Lasyone. She is survived by her Three Daughters, Patricia Rogers and her husband Brinon of Coushatta, La. Debbie Butler of California Rhonda McGehee of Coushatta, La. Two Sons, Mike Womack and his wife Phillis of Grand Cane, La. Larry "Butch" Parker and his wife Brenda of Natchez, Miss. Numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren One great-great grandchild Services are under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield, La., where the family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Saturday, May 14, 2005 and from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Sunday, May 15, 2005. Funeral services will be held at Southern Funeral Home at 2:00 PM Sunday, May 15, 2005 , with Rev. Willis Russell officiating. Interment will be at Sardis Cemetery in Atlanta, La. ===== Samuel D. Hammons (January 23, 1915 - May 17, 2005) Samuel Dean Hammons SHREVEPORT, LA - Early Tuesday morning, May 17, 2005, Samuel Dean Hammons passed away peacefully to be with the Lord. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2005, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Kilpatrick Rose-Neath Funeral Home on Marshall Street, Shreveport, Louisiana, followed by a brief memorial service to be held at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Thursday, May 19, 2005, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Southern Funeral Home, Winnfield, Louisiana, with graveside services to follow in the Harmony Grove Baptist Church Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. Dean is survived by his son, John L. Hammons, and his wife, Marleen, and by his two grandsons, Kyle Jeremy Hammons and Eric Reid Hammons. He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Etoil Adams Hammons, by his parents, Dayton and Lessie Hammons, by his sister and brother-in-law, Myrtle and Talmadge Parker, and by his brother, John D. Hammons who died while serving in the United States Army during World War II. Dean and Etoil enjoyed 65 years together truly happy and devoted to God and to one another. Their love for their son, their daughter-in-law and their grandsons has been truly wonderful. Their lives have been characterized by their faithful Christian example, their love and compassion for both their family and friends, their kindness to others and the peace and joy that so epitomized their life together. Few marriages exemplify the level of abiding love, compassion and unity as that of Dean and Etoil. God's grace was demonstrated profoundly through their lives, their commitment to the Lord and the sharing of their love with others. Both spoiled their only child, John, and their grandchildren with bountiful love and happiness. Words simply cannot express the respect, admiration, love and appreciation that their family and friends had both for them individually and as a couple. Dean served his nation honorably as a member of the 291st Field Artillery Observation Battalion of the United States Army during World War II serving in the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He returned from war with a sense of personal peace that characterized his personal relationships throughout his life. After teaching high school and coaching basketball briefly, he became a Farmers Home Administration Supervisor and served farmers and rural communities in Sabine, Concordia, Ouachita, Caldwell and Winn Parishes for over 30 years. Dean never met a stranger and always had a kind and encouraging word for everyone he knew. His commitment to the welfare of others around him was a hallmark of the way he lived his life truly exemplifying the Golden Rule - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Dean had an incredibly positive outlook on life and could always find something good and noble about everyone he met. Dean Hammons met the world with a smile and always put the best interests of others before himself. He honored God, his nation, his family and himself with an exemplary life and brought happiness to all those that he encountered along life's journey. Our earthly loss is a heavenly and eternal gain. Dean has left the world that he entered a much better place.The integrity of the upright guides them... Righteousness delivers from death... The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them... The righteousness of the upright delivers them... The righteous man is rescued from trouble... When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices... Through the blessing of the upright, a city is exalted... A man of understanding holds his tongue... A trustworthy man keeps a secret... A kind man benefits himself... He who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward... The truly righteous man attains life... The Lord delights in those whose ways are blameless... The family wishes to thank the staff at Merrill Gardens and Odyssey Health Care as well as Dr. Jimmy Moss, Dr. Alan Grosbach, Dr. David Price and Dr. Mike Fleming for the loving care that they provided. ===== Leo Davison (September 30, 1919 - May 17, 2005) Leo Guice Davison was born on September 30, 1919 to Mack C. and Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Coleman Davison, at the family home near Montgomery, Louisiana. He passed from this life on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 in Natchitoches, LA. He married Lora Mae Darbonne Davison, a native of Melville, LA and they spent most of their married life in Winn and Grant Parishes. For many years, Leo, along with his brother J.C., owned and operated the Davison Sawmill near the family home in Winn Parish. In later years, Leo was well known for his fine gardens. He loved making things grow, and he and Lora Mae shared fresh vegetables with many. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mack and Betty Davison, and two brothers, J.C. Davison and Charles Davidson. Survivors include one sister, Mrs. Gertrude Melder of Tyler, TX; Four Brothers, I. D. Davidson of Montgomery, La. E. B. Davidson of Montgomery, La. Jerry Davidson of Montgomery, La. Clyde Davidson of Montgomery, La. all of the Montgomery area, and a number of neices and nephews. Graveside funeral services will be 10 AM, Thursday, May 19, 2005 at Mt. Zion Cemetery near Montgomery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 18 from 5-9PM at the funeral home. Friends may post online messages of condolence by visiting www.southernfuneralhome.com. ===== Harvie Kelly Jordan (June 9, 1924 - May 18, 2005) Mr. Harvie K. Jordan, age 80, of Winnfield, La., passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at the Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield, La. Mr. Jordan was retired from the Winn Rock Quarry and was a member of Big Creek Baptist Church. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was the son of the late Lawrence Jordan. He is survived by his wife Mrs. Ardell Jordan of Winnfield, La.; Mother, Mrs. Rhoda (Bartley) Jordan of Winnfield, La. Three Daughters, Linda Bruce and her husband Larry of Georgetown, La. Gloria Bruce and her husband Joe of Georgetown, La. Kellie Anthis and her husband Jim of Conroe, Texas One Brother Owen Jordan and his wife Marie of Winnfield, La. One Sister Mildred Shelton and her husband Jimmy of Shreveport, La. Seven grandchildren Scott Bruce and his wife Kelly, Shellye Garner and her husband Brandon, Joel Bruce and his wife Desirae, Steven Bruce and his wife Sarah, all of Georgetown, La. Rebecca Bruce, William Moore, both of Natchitoches, La. Denise Moore of Houston, Texas Five great-grandchildren Daylon and Morgan Bruce, Kaylee and Tyler Garner, and Maggie Bruce Services are under the direction Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield, La., The family will receive friends at the Big Creek Baptist Church from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Thursday, May 19, 2005 and from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Friday, May 20, 2005. Funeral services will be held at the Big Creek Baptist Church at 2:00 PM Friday, May 20, 2005 , with Rev. Terry Bartley and Rev. Lamar Carpenter officiating. Interment will be at Jordan Hill Cemetery in Winnfield, La. ===== Nellie Mae Brumley (June 2, 1927 - May 18, 2005) Angels came to claim one of their own on May 18, 2005. Mrs. Nellie Mae (Self) Brumley, age 77, of Montgomery, La., passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at the Oschner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans, La. Mrs. Brumley was a retired postmaster of Montgomery, La. after serving 24 years with the U.S. Postal Service. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Montgomery and St. Patrick's Alter Society. She was also a member of Montgomery Womens Civic Club, NAPUS, League, a Charter Member of Kaycee Auxilary, and a Charter Member the VFW Ladies' Auxiliary.. . She was the daughter of the late Marion Self and the late Clarise (Fredieu) Dubois. She is survived by her One Daughter, Julia Woodward and her husband Alvin of Hahnville, La. Four Sons, Jack E. Brumley, Jr. and his wife Ruth of Montgomery, La. Greg Brumley and his wife Mary of Montgomery, La. Damian Brumley of Pineville, La. Paul Brumley and his wife Janelle of Montgomery, La. Two Sisters, Evelyn Martin and her husband Fred of Tioga, La. Jessie Graves of Verda, La. Her Step Father Jesse Dubois of Verda, La. Eight grandchildren Ten great-grandchildren Services are under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield, La., where the family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM Thursday, May 19, 2005. Funeral service will be at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Montgomery, La. at 11:00 AM Friday, May 20, 2005 , with Father John Cunningham officiating. Interment will be at New Hope Cemetery in Verda, La. Steven Amadee, John Authement, Dirk Graves, Jason Graves, LeRoy Martin, and Virgil Brumley, Jr. will serve as pallbearers ===== Robert W. Courts (March 29, 1948 - May 21, 2005) Mr. Robert Wayne Courts, age 57, of Winnfield, La., passed away Saturday, May 21, 2005, at the Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield, La. Mr. Courts served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was the son of the late Robert Courts and the late Dorothy (Wigley) Courts. He is also survived by his wife Emma Jean Courts of Winnfield, La; One Daughter, Connie Beams of Oklahoma City, Okla. One Son, Robby Dean of Weston, La. Services are under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield, La., where the family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM Sunday, May 22, 2005 and from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM Monday, May 23, 2005. Funeral services will be held at Southern Funeral Home at 10:30 AM Monday, May 23, 2005 , with Rev. Bob Braley and Rev. Donnie Wise officiating. Interment will be at Garden Of Memories Cemetery in Jonesboro, La. ===== John Sanders (May 8, 1950 - May 28, 2005) John Mack Sanders, age 55, of Winnfield, La., died Saturday, May 28, 2005, at Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield, La. Mr. Sanders was retired and a member of the Old Union Baptist Church. He was the son of the late Coy Sanders and the late Hannah (Cockerham) Sanders. He is survived by his One Son, Son-Jared Sanders of Winnfield, La. Two Sisters, Sister-Edith Lang of Winnfield, La. Sister-Josie Desadier and husband Jerry of Winnfield, La. Nephew, Shannon Dryden and a Niece Shelley Desadier. Mr. Sanders was preceded in death by one son, Jay Sanders. Friends may visit with the familiy in the funeral home on Monday from 5PM until 9PM and on Tuesday from 8AM until time of services. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11 AM in the Southern Chapel with Reverend Rayford Higgs officiating. Burial will follow in the Union Cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. =====