Nelline “Nell” Cox Adams, 72, of Urania, passed from this life to begin life anew on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, at the Christus St. Frances Cabrini Medical Center in Alexandria following an extended illness.

She was born October 9, 1947 at Hernando, Mississippi, to the union of her parents, Charles Noel Cox and Vergie Pepper Cox.

Nell lived her life as a Christian and was an active member of Restoration Church and had served as church secretary for over forty years.

Nelline loved quilting, flowers and flower gardening and cooking. She loved and adored her family and to know her was to love her. She will be truly missed by her family and friends alike. Services were held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, from the sanctuary of Restoration Church in Tullos (formerly Tullos United Pentecostal Church) with the Revs. Jared Miller and Floyd Temple, Jr. officiating.

Interment followed in the Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery near Sikes under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Olla.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and by her husband and the love of her life, Richard “Rick” Adams.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Ashley Adams of Urania; two brothers, Dale Cox (Debbie) of Urania and Richard Cox (Linda) of Sikes; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nephews.

Pallbearers were Lee Bratton, Chris Crochet, Michel Lee, John Little, Stewart Cox, Austin Cox, Chris Bedgood and Jonathan Lee.

Honorary pallbearers included Bart Cox and her great-nephews and great-great-nephews.

Marty Joe Chapman, 63, of Olla, passed from this life on Friday, November 8, 2019, at the Christus St. Frances Cabrini Medical Center in Alexandria. He was born July 17, 1956 in Wisner to the union of his parents, Willie “Chat” Chapman and Agnes Winnona “Nona” Cocker Chapman. Marty loved to work in his yard and loved anything to do with his granddaughters. Services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 10, from the Olla chapel of Riser Funeral Home with Rev. Denver McBroom officiating. Interment followed in the Wilbanks Cemetery near Summerville under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Olla. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister Donna Kay Elliott. Left to cherish a lifetime of memories are his daughter, Christi Estis (Chad) of Olla; his brothers, W. C. Chapman (Jane) and Mark Chapman; and a host of nieces and nephews; and his beloved granddaughters, Carli, Cammie, Callie and Catelyn.

We miss you Daddy… it’s been 20 years since you closed your eyes and left this earth. God called you home so suddenly, a part of us went away when you left. Daddy, you are absent from your body but your spirit is still with us, you are in our home and in the pulpit. You fought a good fight and you have finished your race. You will never be forgotten and you will forever be missed and will always be loved. We will meet again on the other side. Rest in Peace Daddy.

Missing and loving you, Rose, Yvette, Trina, Ernest Jr., Josh, Bre, Xavien, EJ, Antwone, Ashton and Antioch Baptist Church

Marjorie Octavia Cotten, 80, of the Nickel community, passed from this life on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at her residence, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

She was born October 29, 1939, in Jonesville, to the union of her parents, Hettie and Alfred Smith

Octavia was the oldest of the six children, and graduated from Block High School in 1957. She worked in various capacities in the Jonesville area including secretary at Patton Building and Welding, clerk at Hobson 5 & Dime, Brooks Drugs, QC inspector at Collins Radio in Dallas, TX and Home Health Assistant in the Jonesville area before her retirement.

She was an active member of the Cornerstone Apostolic Church of Olla at the time of her death.

Services were held Friday, Nov. 8, at 12-noon at Cornerstone Apostolic Church in the Aimoch Community with the Revs. Dan Mc-Clure, Chaney and R. V. Couch officiating.

Interment followed in the Swilley-Westbrooks Cemetery of Aimwell under direction of Magnolia Funeral Home of Alexandria.

She is survived by her husband of 53-years, Larry Cotten; daughter, Tina Cotton; and granddaughter, Grace Simons; three brothers, Marshall Smith and wife Barbara of Benton, TN, David Smith and wife Patricia of Tyler, TX, and Quinnon Smith of Florida; two sisters, Rowena Duke of Panola, TX and Roselea Cooper and husband Skeet of Jena; host of cousins, nieces, nephews, sisters-in-laws and many friends.

Pallbearers were Leroy Westbrooks, Preacher Westbrooks, Connor Ainsworth, Tyler Ivy, Leon Keel, Stanley Ainsworth, Bud Ivey and J.F. Westbrooks.

Honorary pallbearers were R.V. Couch and JE Randall.

Olga “Lisa” Elizabeth Rieman, 57, of Trout, passed from this life on Monday, November 4, 2019.

She was born May 26, 1962 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Memorial services were held Friday, Nov. 8, at Searcy Baptist Church of Trout with Rev. Steve Jensen officiating.

Arrangements were under direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena.

She was preceded in death by her father, Pablo Hugo Espaillat; and brother, Pablo Espaillat.

Those left to cherish in her memory include her sons, Jose David Holquin of Santo Domingo, Anthony Edward Rieman, and Christopher Scott Rieman, both of Trout; daughter, Ashly Elizabeth Rieman of Indiana; mother, Olga Llinas Espaillat of Fort Lauderdale, FL; brothers, Hugo Cesar Espaillat, Louis Homero Espaillat, Hugo Heckly Espaillat, Victor Hugo Espaillat, and Paulo DiValdi; and sisters, Jaqueline Espaillat, Jeannette Espaillat, and Angelina Espaillat.

Woodie Clayton Watson, 64, of Jena, passed away on Friday, November 8, 2019, at the Jena Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jena.

Graveside services were held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at Woodland Cemetery, just east of Jena, with Bro. Zach Wells officiating.

Interment followed under the direction of Magnolia Funeral Home of Alexandria.

Those left to cherish his memory include his brother, Herbert Gray Watson; sister, Betty Ann Gunter; brother-in-law, Dewayne Gunter; great niece, Lacie Janelle Bartley; two nephews, William Bartley and Jeffery Bartley; and one niece, Sharmine Bartley.

Hubert Evan Adams, 93, of Sikes, passed from this life on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at the Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield.

He was born August 26, 1926 at Sikes to the union of his parents, Joseph Egbert Adams and Myra Ola Johnson Adams.

Mr. Adams was a lifelong resident of Winn Parish, and a faithful member, deacon and treasurer of Shady Grove Baptist Church. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He married the love of his life LaVerne Gough in 1949 and they spent seventy years as man and wife. Mrs. Adams preceded him in death earlier this year.

Services will be held Wednesday, Nov. 20, from the Olla chapel of Riser Funeral Home with Rev. Terry Bartley officiating.

Interment will follow in the Shady Grove Cemetery of Sikes under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Olla.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, and a number of brothers and sisters.

He leaves behind his sons, Glen Adams (Pat), David Adams (Jackie), Roy Adams (Ethel) and Donald Adams (Dewanna); grandchildren, Shannon Adams (Amy), Allen Adams (Amie), Kristen Parham (Matt), Sarah Barbo (Tommy), Matthew Adams, Chris Adams, Melissa Rainbolt (Tommy), Derek Lisenby, Toni Bacon (Danny), Todd Long (Nickie), and his brother, Hollis Adams (Vera); and numerous great-grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers will be Tracy Humphries, Tommy Barbo, Chris Adams, Allen Adams, Larry Humphries, Kenny Cox, Derek Lisenby and Shannon Adams.

Calla Marie Matthews, 23, of Urania, passed from this life on Saturday, November 16, 2019, from injuries she sustained in a traffic accident.

She was born November 6, 1996 in Monroe.

Calla was a loving mother, daughter, sister, and granddaughter. Her son was her world. She enjoyed art and was very talented. She also loved music, and loved hanging out with friends and family, and living life to the fullest.

Services will be held 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Zenoria Baptist Church in the Zenoria Community with Rev. Scott Smith officiating.

Interment will follow in the Chalk Hill Cemetery in the Little Creek Community under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Olla.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Shelia and Terry Matthews, Sr. and maternal grandfather, Mike Fisher.

Survivors include her son, Samuel Dean Rodriguez; parents, Jason and Jessica Matthews, and Kristy and Bryon Ford; three brothers, Logan Matthews, Elijah Howell, and Bryor Ford; a sister, Allison Matthews; and maternal grandmother, Gina Fisher.

Rowena Dugan McQueen, 80, of Duncan, passed away Monday November 11, 2019, in Oklahoma City.

She was born in Lockport, Louisiana on September 11, 1939 to Norman and Nora Orgeron. She married Johnnie Dugan, Sr. and they made a life together for 35 years until his passing. She then married William “Dopey” McQueen.

Rowena earned her Licensed Practical Nursing degree and went to work for LaSalle Nursing Home in Jena, where she worked for over 30 years. Upon her retirement, she was the Assistant Administrator.

She enjoyed collecting cookbooks and trying new recipes out of those cookbooks. She enjoyed traveling especially motorcycle trips and when she could not ride anymore, she moved to the chase car and kept on going.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; one son, Johnnie Dugan, Jr; two brothers, Irvin Orgeron and Joseph Orgeron; and one sister, Doris Gass.

She is survived by her two children, Brenda McDaniel and husband Ralph and Bryan Dugan and special friend Rhonda Denmon; one sister, Evelyn Adams; nine grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

She was laid to rest in the Chalk Hill Cemetery in the Little Creek Community, under direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena.

Pallbearers were Johnnie Dugan, III, Ralph McDaniel, Bryan Dugan, Allen Adams, Bobby Adams, and Anthony Capogna.

We miss you Daddy… it’s been 20 years since you closed your eyes and left this earth. God called you home so suddenly, a part of us went away when you left. Daddy, you are absent from your body but your spirit is still with us, you are in our hearts. We miss your smiling face in our home and in the pulpit. You fought a good fight and you have finished your race. You will never be forgotten and you will forever be missed and will always be loved. We will meet again on the other side.

Rest in Peace Daddy.

Missing and loving you, Rose, Yvette, Trina, Ernest Jr., Josh, Bre, Xavien, EJ, Antwone, Ashton and Antioch Baptist Church

William Ezra Hudson,  60, of Urania, passed away on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at LSU Medical Center of Shreveport.

Graveside services were held at 10 a.m., on Thursday, October 17, in the Hawthorne Cemetery in the Little Creek Community, under direction of Miller and Hill “The Funeral Directors” of Alexandria.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ezra and Louise Hudson; and one sister, Elsie Lloyd.

Survivors include two sisters, Sarah Lofton of Jena and Edna Robbins (Walter) of Jena; ten nieces and nephews, fourteen great nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.   

Kellie Elizabet Salmi, 56, of Alexandria, and formerly of Urania, passed from this life on Saturday, November 23, 2019. She was born May 21, 1963 to the union of Melvin Neal and Billie Marie Sweat Wilson of Urania, and was the youngest of six children. Kellie enjoyed cooking a Southern style cuisine for her family, enjoyed taking long rides down old southern back roads and enjoying the scenery. Her favorite football team was the New Orleans Saints, which she enjoyed watching with her husband, Robert. A memorial service was held Sunday, Nov. 24, in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home in Jena with Rev. Kendall Price, Chaplain, officiating. Interment will follow at a later time in a private family ceremony. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Karla Wilson Ruddell, and Janice Marie Wilson. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Robert Kelly Salmi of Alexandria; one stepdaughter, Becky Rose Salmi; two sisters, Marilynn MacDonald and husband James of Huntsville, TX, and Rhonda Byrom and husband William, of North Charleston, SC; one brother, Gary Wilson of Ruston; nieces, Angela Byrom West, Robin Byrom Cook, Desire MacDonald, Christie Wilson Ouchley, Tarrah Ruddell Humphries, Jennifer Neal and Brandy Neal; and two nephews, James MacDonald, IV, and Toby Neal.

Hedy Weatherly Butler, 77, of Jena, passed from this life Sunday night, December 1, 2019. Hedy was the widow of the late Bob Butler, owner of Butler Insurance Agency of Jena, who died in 2014. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, at Nolley Memorial Methodist Church in Jena. A complete obituary was not available at press time, but will be published next week. Arrangements are under the direction of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena.

Murry Crawford, 66, of Jena, passed from this life on Saturday, November 30, 2019.

He was born November 9, 1953 in Ferriday, to the union of his parents, Charles Marvin Crawford and Alice Thompson Crawford.

Murry served his country in the United States Army during peacetime. He was employed by Justiss Oil Company until a motorcycle accident in 1980 left him disabled.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his daughter, Christy Beeson.

Those left to cherish in his memory include his daughter, Melissa Young and husband Dale of Pinehurst, TX; brother, Dennis Crawford and wife Calline of Olla; sisters, Sallie Teague and husband David, and Susan Hailey, all of Jena; six grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Syble Lorene Pritchard Joy, 88, of Whitehall, passed from this life on Friday, November 29, 2019.

She was born June 14, 1931 in Archie.

Services were held at 11 a.m., Sunday, December 1, at Pritchard Baptist Church with the Revs. Daniel Breithaupt and Terry Doughty officiating.

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

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Joy of Rhinehart; father, Baxter Pritchard of Archie; mother, Lottie Crooks Pritchard of Archie; and daughter, Martha Sue Joy of Rhinehart.

Those left to cherish in her memory include her sons, Tommy Glen Joy and wife Marlene of Jena, Robert Joy and wife Paula of Jena, and Alan Joy and wife Christy of Nebo; daughter, Dottie Allen and husband Lonnie of Nebo; sister, Eula Deason of Jena; nine grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Jason Allen, Robbie Joy, David Joy, Brandon Joy, Caleb Smith, and Greg Deason.

Honorary pallbearers were Kohl Joy, Jesse Allen, Jakob Norris, and Devin Deville.

Veronica Lee, 66, of Jena, passed from this life on Monday, November 25, 2019.

She was born November 15, 1953 in Marksville to the union of her parents, Elphege Lachney and Mary Gaspard Lachney.

Services were held at 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with Father Jason officiating.

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

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Ruby Turner.

Those left to cherish in her memory include her fiancé, Wesley Eubanks Sr; sons, Graig Lee of Jena, and Bruce Lee and wife Laura of Kentucky; daughter, Misty Lee of Jena; sisters, Jeanette Lachney of Mansura, and Dora Dozart of Marksville; four grandchildren, two step grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Allen Gregory, Wesley Eubanks, Sr., Wesley Eubanks Jr., and Scott Mc-Lendon.

Ronnie Joseph Roden, 72, of Olla, entered eternal rest on Monday, November 25, 2019, at the Hardtner Medical Center in Urania.

He was born March 7, 1947.

Ronnie was a United States Army Veteran, having served in the Vietnam War and was a retired long-haul truck driver. He was a member of Standard Baptist Church and enjoyed fishing and gardening. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29, at Standard Baptist Church near Olla with the Revs. Denver McBroom and Paul Nugent officiating.

Interment followed in the Chickasaw Cemetery, east of Olla, under direction of Rush Funeral Home of Pineville.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harvey Roden.

Those left to mourn his loss and cherish his memory include his loving wife, Betty Snoddy Roden of Olla; three sons, Benjamin Roden and wife Becky of Fort Worth, TX, Daniel Snoddy and wife Jessica of Jena and Homer Williams of Olla; two daughters, Rhonda Roden of Fort Worth, TX. and Susan Valentine and husband John of Olla; four brothers, Charles Bone and wife Carol of Boswell, OK, James Bone and wife Elaine, of Weatherford, TX., Bobby Bone and his wife, Linda, of Hugo, OK. and Danny Click of Burleson, TX; one sister, Judie McClure of Itasca, TX; one stepbrother, Steve Bone of OK; one step-sister, Pattie Bone Jamison of Fort Worth, TX; and ten grandchildren.

Rose Marie Mitchell Neal Stokes, 88, of Rayville, passed from this life on Friday, November 22, 2019, in Rayville.

She was born January 20, 1931 in Manifest, the middle child of seven children and the last survivor of the siblings.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 25, at the Brown-Holley Funeral Chapel in Rayville with Dr. Alan Miller and Bro. Charles Ellzey officiating.

Interment followed in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Jena under direction of Brown-Holley Funeral Chapel of Rayville.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Rev. Russell Neal and Herman Stokes.

Survivors include her children, David Russell Neal of Rayville, D’Juana Neal Stewart and husband, Gene of Rayville, and Billy Neal and wife, Suzette of Emory, TX; grandchildren, Apryle Allen Mitchell of Rayville, Danielle Neal Tibbs of Rayville, Michelle Neal Taylor of Darlington, SC, Amanda Neal Herrington and husband, Joe of Shreveport, Angela Neal Hobgood, Amber Graham of Fort Worth, TX, and Ashley Neal Soto and husband, Migel of Fort Worth, TX; 14 great-grandchildren; and a special friend and singing companion, W. Reed Gorden.

Pallbearers were Greg Romero, Nicholas Romero, Timothy Branch, Tyler Wade, Robby Mitchell, and Chris Thomas.

The family request memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, act.alz.org/donate.

Joy Faye Owens Trunzler, 81, of Harrisonburg, passed from this life on Wednesday, November 27, 2019.

She was born October 5, 1938 in Alexandria, to Jack and Iva Clark Owens. In 1945, the Owens built a home in Harrisonburg, and Joy grew up in Harrisonburg and graduated from Harrisonburg High School.

While in high school she played basketball on the Harrisonburg girls’ team like many young girls of her age. Joy graduated in 1960 from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology, chemistry and physics.

In the summer of 1984 Joy returned to live in Harrisonburg and began working for the State of Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Community Services as a child abuse investigator. Joy continued to work in that office until her retirement and during her tenure had a positive impact of the lives of countless children in both Catahoula and Concordia Parishes.

Upon her death, Joy was a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Jena, Louisiana. Joy was also a devoted LSU fan who loved her team, was addicted to discount stores and could never pass up a yard sale.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating her life will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Jena with Rev. Jason Gootee officiating. A graveside service and burial will follow at Harrisonburg Cemetery under direction of Young’s Funeral Home of Jonesville.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 27 years, Basil G. Trunzler, IV, and her beloved nephew T-jack Owens.  

Survivors include two children Anne Lemke Head and Paul A Lemke III; her brother, Jack F Owens, Jr; her grandchildren, Ava Diamond and Weston Diamond; step-grandchildren, Jackson Head and Kendall Head; nieces Tia Powers and Leah Tiffee; nephew Zachery Owens; son-in-law Ken Head; and finally her beloved Maltese Mia.

Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Oliphant, Jackie Owens, Daryl Floyd, Ken Head, Jackson Head and Zachary Owens.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, by mail to 501 St. Jude Plaza, Memphis, TN 38105. Donate by phone at (800) 805-5856 or go to http://www.stjude.org/donate.

Hedy Joan Weatherly Henderson Butler, 77, a resident of Jena, passed from this life on Sunday, December 1, 2019.

She was born in Brinkley, AK on August 14, 1942 to the union of Ira Vernon Weatherly and Florence Florene McCullar, the second born of six children.

Hedy attended LaSalle High School and went on to complete her studies in Real Estate at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, TX and later attended Tyler Commercial College where she graduated as an Automation Secretary. On February 28, 1992, she married her husband Robert M. “Bob” Butler at Nolley United Methodist Church.

Hedy became an active member of her church family and the Nolley UMW Wesley Circle. Hedy had great passion for the arts and was a talented and accomplished artist herself. She studied through the Art Institute in Michigan and held membership in the Contemporary Artist Guild in Alexandria.

After moving to Jena, she assisted with the formation of the Hemps Creek Art Guild and was active in promoting the arts in her community. Hedy enjoyed working in the public interest of the communities where she resided. She strongly supported fire departments, public works, and enjoyed organizing local parades and festivals.

She took a special interest in the promotion of activities to recognize and honor war veterans and was named the 1996 Kiwanian of the Year Award in Jena.

Memorial services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, at Nolley United Methodist Church in Jena with Rev. Truman Stagg officiating.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Hope Lynna Henderson, and four brothers.

Those left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Kecia Henderson Nugent (Samuel) of Bentley, and Tyra Henderson Rabalais Melder (Mike) of Deville; one sister, Mary Rebecca “Becky” Gough (Benny) of Pineville; her granddaughters, Samantha M. Nugent of Bentley, Natalie Rabalais Watson of Enterprise, AL, and Jill N. Rabalais of Pineville; four great grandsons, Drake, Jed, Arliss and Connor and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She also leaves behind a “family” of loyal friends.

Memorial donations may be made to the Nolley UMW Wesley Circle or the local VFW Lodge.