Obituaries

John Mack Curry, 64, of Jonesville, passed from this life on Thursday, December 26, 2019, at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria.

He was born January 6, 1955 to the union of his parents, Rev. Mayo and Laura Curry.

Services were held at 11 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 29, at Wallace Ridge United Pentecostal Church of Jonesville with the Revs. Tyler Steveison and Charlie Curry officiating.

Interment followed in the Oakley Cemetery of Wisner under direction of Magnolia Funeral Home of Alexandria.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Earl Curry, Sherman Curry and Solon Curry; and son, Mike Corley.

Johnnie Lee Clark, Sr., 76, of Rhinehart, passed from this life on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 in Alexandria.

He was born September 10, 1943 in Jena to the union of his parents, Johnnie Isaac Clark and Clara Smidt Clark.

Johnnie Lee was a wonderful husband of 57 years and father of six children, who loved spending time with his large family. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and gardening, providing most of the family meals with these activities. His work life included 42 years as maintenance supervisor at the LaSalle Parish Courthouse.

Services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 28, at the Pine Grove Baptist Church of Rhinehart with the Revs. Ashton Clark and John Spears officiating.

Interment followed in the Pine Grove Cemetery of Rhinehart under direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son; and daughter-in-law, Misty Randall Clark.

James Milton “Hog” Paul, 72, of Nebo, passed from this life on Monday, December 16, 2019 after a nearly six-year battle with cancer.

He was born in Nebo on November 23, 1947 to the union of his parents, Milton and Lillian Bignar Paul.

James was a United States Army Veteran who served in the Vietnam War. For a time, he served with the local Veterans Honor Guard until he became physically unable. The family feels extremely blessed that the Veterans Honor Guard honored him at his passing. He was a member of Shady Grove United Pentecostal Church and worked as a switcher in the oilfield.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Shady Grove United Pentecostal Church of Nebo with the Revs. Curtis Thornton, Dan Davis, and Joey Paul officiating.

Interment followed in the Nebo Cemetery at Nebo with full military rites, under direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Marvin E. Jones, 79, of Farmerville and a native of Jena, passed from this life on Monday, December 16, 2019.

He was born October 8, 1940 in Jena to the union of Lanys E. Jones and Luella Enterkin Jones.

Marvin was a member of Farmerville First Baptist Church and the owner/operator of Louisiana Bridge, Inc. of Farmerville. He was a pioneer in heavy highway, street and bridge construction. During his lifetime, he invented and improved many forming systems for this industry.

He was honored as the Outstanding Business Person of the Year by the Union Parish Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Jones was very proficient in all phases of heavy machine operation.

Marvin also served as an officer with the Louisiana A.G.C.

He was a kind, generous and loving man who loved his children and grandchildren.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 19, at Farmerville First Baptist Church with Rev. Kurt Auger officiating.

Joshua Carter Childress, 43, of Columbia, passed from this life on Thursday, December 19, 2019, at Columbia.

He was born September 27, 1976 in Natchez, Mississippi, the son of Shirley Ann Stephens and Robert Lee Stephens.

Joshua loved his family so much. He especially loved spending time with his brother-in-law, Jason. They would often fish together and ride 4-wheelers, which Joshua enjoyed. Joshua was a prankster and loved a good laugh. He enjoyed eating a good meal with his family.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 23, from the chapel of Riser Funeral Home in Columbia with Rev. Chris Gainous officiating.

Interment followed in the Pine Grove Cemetery at Rhinehart under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Columbia.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Rev. Elton Deloy Cahoon, 70, of Jena, passed from this life on Monday, December 16, 2019, following a brief illness.

He was born September 12, 1949 in Truman, Arkansas, to the union of his parents, Leroy Cahoon and Verona Meeks Cahoon.

For more than 33 years, from 1986 to 2019, Rev. Cahoon served as pastor for several churches including Aimwell Baptist Church, Bellevue Baptist Church, SouthSide Baptist Church, Bentley Baptist Church, Sicily Island Baptist Church, Dubach Baptist Church, Castor Baptist Church, and his final pastorate, Bellevue Baptist Church.

Services were held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 19, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with the Revs. Scotty McDowell and Ricky Gresham officiating.

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

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Kaye Henry.

Malcolm Edwin Poole, 54, of Jena, passed from this life on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 in Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria surrounded by his loving family.

He was born April 1, 1965 in Jena to the union of Doyle Poole and his sweet wife Jo Ann Poole.

Edwin, as he was affectionately known to all, spent his working career as a contractor in the construction industry. He was a bright spirited soul and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure to meet him.

A memorial service was held at noon on Saturday, Dec. 14, in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home in Jena with Rev. Jimmy Keene and Bobby McGuire officiating.

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

He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents.

James Milton “Hog” Paul, 72, of Nebo, passed from this life on Monday, December 16, 2019, after a nearly six-year battle with cancer.

He was born November 23, 1947 in Jena to the union of his parents, Milton and Lillian Bignar Paul.

James was a United States Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War. For a time, he served with the local Veterans’ Honor Guard until he became physically unable.  The family feels extremely blessed that they will honor him now.

As of press time on Monday, arrangements had not been made but will be handled by Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena. The wake and service will be at Shady Grove United Pentecostal Church of Nebo.

Nealson David Mayo, 27, passed from this life on Thursday, December 12, 2019 in Evangeline Parish.

He liked to hunt and fish and liked the Saints and LSU football. He always enjoyed spending time with his family.

Graveside services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15, at Heard Cemetery of Manifest with Rev. Bill Cotton officiating.

Interment followed under direction of Magnolia Funeral Home of Alexandria.

He was preceded in death by Evelyn and Larry St. Amand; Donald Phillips; Kathy Elliot Mayo; Cindy Acosta and Aiden Mayo.

Those left to cherish his memory include his father, Mark Mayo; mother, Rebecca Burton and husband Steve; brothers, Brandon Mayo, Troy Mayo, Ryan Mayo and wife Lacey, and Logan Burton; grandparents, Daniel Mayo, Shannon Mayo, Danny Mayo and wife Betty, Kim Poole and husband Justin, Chip Phillips and Beth Phillips; nieces and nephews, Lauren Mayo, Rylan Mayo, Brayden Mayo, JoAnna Mayo; and numerous great aunts and uncles.

Lester Hailey, 76, of Jena, passed from this life on Thursday, December 12, 2019.

He was born March 7, 1943 in Nebo to the union of his parents, John Hailey and Gencie Chevallier Hailey.

Services were held at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 16, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with the Revs. Matthew Murrell and Brandon Poole officiating.

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

He was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother, Chester Hailey; brother, A.W. Hailey; sisters, Bernice Deville and Wilma Sanders.