Barbara Sant Ratcliff, 67, of Columbia, and formerly of Nebo, passed from this life on Friday, February 8, 2019, at the Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria.

She was born April 24, 1951 in Meridian, Mississippi, to the union of Willie Sant and Kathleen Ferrand.

Barbara had a true servants heart and dedicated herself to her chosen profession in healthcare as an LPN and then a RN for over fifty years. While she loved her career, her true passion and love was her family. She enjoyed spending her time and devoting her energy to her loved ones whom she cherished very much.

Services were held at 12-noon on Wednesday, Feb. 13, from the chapel of Riser Funeral Home in Columbia with Rev. Robbie Alford Robertson officiating.

Interment followed in the Columbia Hill Cemetery in Columbia under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Columbia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Danny Joe Ratcliff.

She is survived by her daughter and sonin-law, Laura and David Arnold; her grandson and his girlfriend, Josh Arnold and Keely Hayes; her sister, Brenda Sant Ellerbe of Columbia; her step-sons, Rad Ratcliff and Will Ratcliff; and a host of nieces and nephews.  

Pallbearers were Tye Ellerbe, Rad Ratcliff, Will Ratcliff, Desmond Ratcliff, Landon Ratcliff, and Jarrod Duff, with Rhett Ellerbe serving as an honorary pallbearer.

Any planned memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Helen Louise Webb, of Trout, passed from this life on Saturday, February 16, 2019, a day before her 66th birthday. Arrangements were incomplete at press time, but will be announced by Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena.

Betty Irene Phelps, 65, of Rhinehart, passed from this life on Wednesday, February 13, 2019.

She was born July 12, 1953 in Jena.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with Rev. Shad Tibbs officiating.

Interment followed in the Belah Cemetery in the Belah Community under direction of Hixson Brothers, Inc. of Jena.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Phelps; father, Percy Donald Strickland, Jr.; mother, Laura Lorrine Jones; daughter, Christina Phelps; brother, Donald Strickland; and sisters, Syble Smith, and Ruth Ann Ford.

Those left to cherish in her memory include her daughters, Charlotte Lee and husband Donald of Tullos, Cynthia Phelps of Rhinehart, and Charmin Dodson and husband Danny of London, AR; brothers, Junior Nugent and wife Betty of Belah, and Neal Nugent and wife Crystal of Rhinehart; sister, Linda Smith of Midway; six grandchildren, Candice Phelps and fiancé Bruce Weirich, Heather Smith and husband Charlie, Trinnity Hutzler and husband James, William Ray Lee, James Phelps, and Dakota Phelps.; and nine great grandchildren.

Departal for Heaven on February 18, 1013 Never To Be Forgotten!

It’s hard to believe, but six years have passed since you left us. We think about you, and love you more, each and every day of our lives. You were, and are everything to us, and our memories help to keep us going, as best we can, to cope with the loss of such a great lady! We are diminished by your absence, and Heaven is enhanced by your presence! God bless you, as he always has, and we’ll see you again some day.

Always, Pat, Sonny and Annabeth Brasseux all the rest of the family and a host of friends of Bobbie Virginia Smith

Elona Jones, 67, of Aimoch, passed from this life on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at the Jena Nursing and Rehab Center in Jena.

Graveside services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, Feb. 25, at Aimoch Baptist Church Cememtery with Rev. Bobby Magee officiating.

Interment followed under direction of Magnolia Funeral Home of Alexandria.

Those left to cherish her memory include her parents, Ronald and Joann Andrews; two brothers, Jerry Bass and wife Janice and Mark Andrews and wife Lynn; sister, Lori D’Arensbourg and husband Doug; nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.  

Pallbearers were Mark Andrews, Rodney Andrews, Chris Anderson, Stephen Crooks, Doug D’Arensbourg and Calvin Deason.

Gregg Lowell Jones, 63, of Olla, passed from this life on Sunday, February 24, 2019.

He was born July 21, 1955 in Port Arthur, Texas.

Gregg worked at T&L Dirt Work as a Shop Foreman, was a member of Christ Temple Pentecostal Church in Jena where he was Head Usher, and he loved to hunt and fish.

Services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27, in the chapel of Christ Temple Pentecostal Church in Jena with the Revs. Zack Wells, Cade Posey and Jeff Sandifer officiating.

Interment will follow in the Summerville Baptist Church Cemetery at Summerville under direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gove Clarence Jones; and mother, Edna Earl Westbrooks.

Those left to cherish in his memory include his brothers, Michael Jones and wife Dana of Clever, MO, John Simkins, Barrett Simkins, and Adam Simkins all of Conway, AR; sister, Tammy Venee Jones of Calhoun; nieces, Lindsey Jones and Elizabeth Jones, both of Clever, MO; nephew, Joshua Jones of Austin, TX; and cousins, Tony Westbrooks of Jena, and Terry Westbrooks.

Pallbearers will be Cade Posey, Josh Temple, Louis Andrews, John Steele Bailey, Chad Mitchell, Dan Blasingame, Tommy Hudnall, Jr. and Thad Randall.

Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Sandifer and Frankie Germany.

Virgie Mary Lucas, 81, of Jena, passed from this life on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

She was born March 26, 1937 in Evangeline.

Services were held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with Rev. Kent Hatfield officiating.

Interment followed in the Woodland Cemetery, east of Jena, under direction of Hixson Brothers, Inc. of Jena.

She was preceded in death by her husband, B.J. Lucas; father, Noah Cloud; mother, Lovenia Aguillard; brothers, Joe Cloud, and Alvin Cloud; sisters, Jaunita Richard, Lessie Bouley, Eulla Mae Bouley, and Carrie Vincent.

Those left to cherish in her memory include her sons, Martin Deshotel and wife Sandy of Toledo Bend, Harvey Lucas and wife Vickie of Trout, Ben Lucas, Billy Lucas and wife Stacey of Shreveport, and Roger Lucas and wife Polly of Houston, TX; daughters, Georgia Randall and husband Ronnie of Natchez, MS, Loretta Yule and husband Sam of Summerville, and Martha Jester and husband Eddie of Vidalia; 25 grandchildren; and a host of great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Adam Otwell, Cody Lucas, Derek Hord, Kyle Lucas, Devin Lucas, Colby Lucas, Billy Ray Lucas Jr., and Daniel Batchlor.

Grandsons and great grandsons served as honorary pallbearers.

John Wade “J.W.” Nix, 94, of Jena, passed from this life on Monday, February 25, 2019, in LaSalle General Hospital of Jena.

J.W. was born December 9, 1924 in the Midway community, where he was raised, and graduated from Jena High School in 1942.

After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, J.W. taught school for 20 years and operated Nix Electric and Plumbing until he retired.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday Feb. 27 at Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena from 5 to 9 p.m. Visitation will resume on Thursday, Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. until time of the service.

Services will be held in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, with interment to follow in Jena Cemetery with full military honors, under the direction of Kinner & Stevens Funeral Home.

A full obituary with survivors, etc., will be published next week.

The family of Donna Poole would like to express our deep gratitude for all the prayers, thoughts, kind words spoken, calls, texts, messages, hugs and tears shed for us and with all of us. We appreciate all the flowers and cards given and food prepared on our behalf.

We would like to say a special thanks to Bro. Mickey Hudnall for his special message and Bro. Jesse Henderson and the entire Summerville Baptist Church for everything they have done for our family and for Mom during her illness and home going services. Thanks to Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home, the service was beautiful and you were all so very kind and compassionate. Thank you Tommy Sanson for playing the piano for us as well.

Also, a special thanks to Compassionate Care Hospice, specifically, Latisha, Todd, and Denise, you all took exceptional care of our Mother and we are forever indebted to you for that.

Kim Morace and Family Kristie Taylor and Family

Kevin Poole and Family

Kerry Poole and Family

Kirk Poole and Family

Kyle Poole and Family

In Loving Memory of Jackie Dunn On Your Birthday

What once was such a happy day brings many painful sorrows. A day when silent tears are shed for all your lost tomorrows No special birthday cards or gifts. Just a message fond and true, to say that not a day goes by without precious thoughts of you.

Happy Birthday in Heaven

with all of my love

February 27th

Always loved, Forever

missed

Ruby

E.C. (Sonny) Meyers, 85, of Harrisonburg, went to be with his Lord on Monday, February 18, 2019.

He was born August 22, 1933 in Harrisonburg to the union of Cullom and Vivian Slaughter Meyers.

Sonny graduated from Harrisonburg High School, attended Louisiana Tech and ULM before doing a stint in Korea for the U.S. Army. He worked for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for 28 years, farmed and raised cattle. He was a member and past president of the Catahoula Cattlemen’s Association, and a member of the Harrisonburg Rotary Club.

Sonny loved Meyers Bend, cow sales, and working with cattle. He died at home doing what he loved.

Sonny attended Harrisonburg Methodist Church.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 21, at Meyers Bend Pentecostal Church with Rev. Todd Whittington and Padget Boyd officiating.

Interment followed in the Harrisonburg Cemetery in Harrisonburg under direction of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Stephen M. Cruse; and sister, Getice Laffoon.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Rose Marie Stutson Meyers; daughter, Andrea M. Cruse; son, John Edward Meyers; two granddaughters, Stephanie Marie Cruse, and Mattie Cruse Chandler and husband Cody; and a sister, Evelyn Stringer.

Pallbearers were Druitt Taylor, Ken King, Everett Slaughter, Billy Glenn Floyd, Chad Evans, Jacob Paul, Ellis Boothe, and John Wayne Allbritton.

Honorary pallbearers were Sam Mason, Pete Prudhomme, J.R. King, Robert Oliphant, Pete Ford, Gary Watts, Leo Boothe, Kenneth Headrick, Marcus Evans, George Evans, Jason Hardie, and Clark Freeman.

Helen Anglin Webb moved on from this earth on Saturday, February 16, 2019, one day before her 66th birthday.

Helen was an avid gardener and loved spending her days tending to her many flower gardens. She loved nature and taking walks outdoors. She played piano beautifully by ear and loved to sing. She loved her family dearly and will be missed greatly by those she left behind.

Services were held at 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 21, at Searcy Baptist Church in the Searcy Community with the Revs. Steve Jones and Steve Jensen officiating.

Interment followed in the Belah Cemetery in the Belah Community under direction of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena.

She is survived by her son, Joseph Adam Walters and wife Daneen; two daughters, Eve Nicole Walters and Amber Leah Walters; three sisters Janice Anglin, Brenda Anglin, and Connie Lloyd and husband Carl; two brothers, Donald Anglin and Jerry Anglin; her grandsons, Garett Walters, Whittman Walters, and Cabott Walters; her granddaughters, Jade Walters, Aleasha Howard, and Alaiyah Howard; her great granddaughter, Nevaeh Stevenson; and granddog, Hank Walters.

Pallbearers were Garett Walters, Whittman Walters, Cabott Walters, Carl Lloyd, Owan Stringer, and Tony Owens, with William Bradford serving as an honorary pallbearer.

Jerry Dane Wilbanks, 54, of Katy, Texas, passed from this life on Friday February 15, 2019 in Katy Memorial Hospital of Katy, Texas.

He was born August 4, 1964.

Jerry was a construction contractor during his working career. He was a bright spirited soul full of laughter and energy. He was loved by everyone who came in contact with him, even for a few moments. He was a devoted husband and family man.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20, in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena with Rev. Tommy Sanson officiating.

Interment followed in the Woodland Cemetery, east of Jena, under direction of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Earl Wilbanks; grandparents, Chester and Bernice Floyd, and Dorothy and Finis Wilbanks.

Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss are his wife, Virginia Wilbanks; his son, Joshua Albert Wilbanks; his mother and step-father, Bonnie Sue and Clarence Hernandez; step-mother, Tess Wilbanks Hamilton; sister, Christa Wilbanks; and brother, Robert Wilbanks.

Pallbearers were Brent Floyd, Stacey Floyd, Kerry Lee Girlinghouse, Breard Milner, Conley Floyd, and Robert Wilbanks.

Wayden Levi Savell, 13, of Jena, died on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, from injuries sustained in a traffic accident near Jena.

He was born April 28, 2005 in Alexandria.

Wayden played football for the Jena Giants 8th grade league, number 72, and three years of baseball at a younger age. He loved four-wheeler riding, fixing that head of hair, and fishing and hunting. He loved cooking over the open fire on a homemade grill, and he could cook really well. He also loved spending every moment he could with Papa Clyde.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 22, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church near Jena with the Revs. Ricky Gresham and Heath Harris officiating.

Interment followed in the Moses-Collins Cemetery of Jena under direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Benny Leon Overstreet, Sr; paternal great grandfather, Rev. Jim D. Smith, Sr; maternal grandfather, Henry Young; maternal great grandmother, Marie Honeycutt; maternal great grandfather, Lloyd E. Coleman; and paternal great uncle, Don Smith, Sr.

Those left to cherish in his memory include his father, Charles Franklin Savell of Jena; mother, Holly Young Savell of Jena; sister, Kinslee Paige Savell of Jena; paternal grandmother, Margaret Uhazi of Jena; paternal great grandmother, Lessy Overstreet of Rayville; paternal great grandmother, Margaret Ann Smith; maternal grandfather, Clyde Young of Jena; maternal grandmother, Christine Young of Jena; maternal great grandmother, Helen Coleman of Jena; maternal Aunt, Jessica Snoddy and husband Daniel of Jena; paternal aunts, Rebecca Savell of Jena, and Robyn Overstreet of Alexandria; paternal uncles, Efton Savell of Jena, Benny Overstreet, Jr. of Jena, and Kolby Overstreet of Jena; and a host of cousins and loads of friends.

Pallbearers were Josh Corley, Chris Cruise, Marquis Webb, Robert Warwick, Daniel Hulsey, and Josh Graham.

Honorary pallbearers were Nathan Parker, Ethan Parker, Bryor Ford, and Trenton Stokes.

Charles Esbon “Pete” Cruse, 75, of Olla, passed from this life on Sunday, February 24, 2019.

He was born April 22, 1943 in Olla to the union of his parents, Esbon and Anna Cruse.

Pete loved to fish and sit around the campfire.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church near Olla with Rev. Robert McKeithen officiating.

Interment followed in the Harris Chapel Cemetery near Olla under direction of Magnolia Funeral Home of Alexandria.

Those left to cherish his memory include his two daughters, Karen Engles and husband Jeremy and Andee Engles and Nick Wheeler; grandchildren, Scotty Cruse and Melissa Morrison, Patrick Scarbrough, Kayden Engles, Ethan “Peanut” Jefferson, Chy Thomas and Carly Thomas; great grandchildren, Christian Cruse, Camron Parris and Savana Morrison; and sister, Wadean Callender and husband Dwight.

Doyle Wade Kyson, 84, of Winnfield, passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at his residence.

He was born Saturday, November 17, 1934 in Winnfield, to the union of his parents, Wade Kyson and Edna Parker Kyson.

Mr. Kyson was a member of Zion Baptist Church in Georgetown, the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, and the Winn Riding Club and was retired from the Louisiana Department of Transportation after 35 years.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 3,at Zion Baptist Church with the Revs. Vernon Blair and Bobby Bates officiating.

Interment followed in Zion Cemetery of Georgetown under direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his son, Dieter Kyson.  

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 58 years, Helga Rogge Kyson of Winnfield; his brother, Bobby L. Kyson (Faye) of Sulphur; his sister, Bonnie Kyson Lewis of Georgetown; a host of nieces and nephews; and two great nieces Magan and Lindsey Jordan

Pallbearers were Vince Jordan, Donnie Moon, Dennis Keiffer, Ricky Wilder, Daniel Nugent, David LaPairie, Dennis Kieffer, and Bubba Luther.

Honorary pallbearers were Mike Smith, Frank Banta and Bill Griffin.

John Wade “J.W.” Nix, Jr., 94, of Jena, passed peacefully from this life on Monday, February 25, 2019, in LaSalle General Hospital of Jena.

J.W. was born December 9, 1924 in the Midway community to the union of his parents, J. W. Nix, Sr. and Lillie Mae Parker Nix.

J.W. grew up in the Midway community, attending local schools and graduating from Jena High School in 1942.

He was halfway through his senior year at JHS when World War II was declared. Upon graduation, he married the love of his life, Berdina Gray. Looking forward to working and raising a family, all that was interrupted in August 1943 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army.

After basic training at Ft. Riley, Kansas, he was sent to Ft. Ord, CA, then on to New Guinea and from there to the Admiralty Islands. During that time, he took part in the invasion of the Leyte Island (Philippines – also known as the Battle of Lyte), all in 1944.

J.W. returned to Jena in January 1946 where he began to pick up the pieces of his life and enrolled at La. College under the GI bill and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics. In January 1952 he began teaching at Tullos Elementary, and that fall transferred to teach 7th grade at JHS. He taught math for several grades at JHS until he retired in 1972. During that time, he also taught driver’s education at JHS.

While teaching, J.W. started Nix Electric and Plumbing, which he operated during breaks from the classroom. After retiring from teaching, he devoted his full time to the business and when it become too demanding, he dropped the plumbing service and devoted all his time to electrical service.

J.W. was known and loved by all and he will be greatly missed.

Services were held at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 28, in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home in Jena with Rev. Bobby Magee and DeeDee Nix Head officiating.

Interment followed in Jena Cemetery with full military honors, under the direction of Kinner & Stevens Funeral Home.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Berdina McNeely Nix; one son, Buddy Nix; and one grandson, Tristan Wade Allen.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Linda Kendrick, and husband Charles of Lafayette and Debbie Greggory and husband Terry of Jena; one daughter-in-law, Sarah Nix; his grandchildren John Lee, Dena Lowe, Christie Thomas, Melissa Wold, DeeDee Nix Head; and numerous great-grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Ryan Nix, Tracy Wold, Dennis Head, Scott Thomas, Greg Allen, Josh Perrin, and Tommy Lowe.

Honorary pallbearers were Benjamin Lee, John Perrin, Jordan Perrin, Andrew Head, and Levi Perrin.

Marie Morace Dickson, 75, of Monterey, passed from this life on Sunday, February 24, 2019.

She was born March 23, 1943 in New Era.

Services were held at 12-noon on Thursday, Feb. 28, in the chapel of Monterey Church of Christ in Monterey with the Brothers Vince Mallette, Paul Stephens, and Clyde Gramin officiating.

Interment followed in the Dewey Cemetery in New Era under direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jessie Charles Morace; mother, Bessie Mae Hamilton; brother, Troy Donald Morace; sisters, Camille Morace, Elaine Gargainers, Barbara Hewllet, and Sadie Morace.

Those left to cherish in her memory include her son, Richie Dickson of Monterey; daughter, Mary Kay Toms of Houston, Alaska.; grandchildren, Ashley Nicole Dennis, Rebecca Marie Toms, Racheal Lynn Toms, and Alec Troy Dickson; great granddaughter, Olivia Ruth Dennis; brother, Jessie Thomas Morace of Ridgecrest; sisters, Geraldine Paulk of Holloway, and Betty Powers of Deville.

Pallbearers were Darrell Paulk, Dennis Morace, Troy Ray O’Neal, Jessie Allen Morace, Troy D. Morace, Bryan Paulk, and Bobby Ray Paris.

Honorary pallbearers were O’Neal Wigginton, Lewis Wigginton, Richie Tiffee, Ray Paris, and JT Morace.

Bessie Aline Ramsey, 88, of Olla, passed from this life on Monday, February 25, 2019.

She was born in Monroe on July 16, 1930.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Friday, March 1, at the Olla Methodist Church in Olla with Rev. Aaron Carpenter officiating.

Interment followed in the Olla Cemetery under direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena.

She was preceded in death by her father, Nelson Talley; mother, Vera Harris; brother, Bobby Talley; and son-in-law, Rickie Tyler.

Those left to cherish in her memory include her daughters, Gay Higdon and husband Phillip of Longview, TX, and Becky Tyler; brother, Billy Talley of Olla; grandchildren, Todd Dearmon and wife Lisa of Jena, Brandy Bowers and husband Buster, and Candy Hudak, all of Conroe, TX, Bryan Higdon and Leslie Higdon, both of Longview, TX; ten great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces who cared for and loved her.

Five long, lonesome years have passed. It doesn’t get any easier. You are always on my mind. I believe I will see you again. That will be a happy day.

Sadly missed by your wife, Meddie