Obituaries

Edwin “Cowboy” Neal Allen, 84, of Soldotna, Alaska, and a native of Jena, returned home to his Heavenly Father on Thursday, July 18, 2019.

He was born February 2, 1935, in Jena to the union of his parents, Dwight Moody Allen and Janet Almeda Dickens Allen.

Ed enjoyed playing basketball and loved hunting with his brothers. After graduating from Jena High School, Ed joined the United States Army and was stationed at Wildwood in Kenai, AK in 1957.

Ed met and married his first wife of 28 years, Barbara Jean Stock, on January 25, 1958. He performed a year of isolated duty on Shemya Island in 1961 and remained stationed in Alaska until 1962 when he was transferred to Warrenton, VA and then again to Ft. Dix, NJ in 1965.

Willie B. Butler, 91, of Tullos, passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2019.

He was born February 7, 1928 in Gibsland, to the union of his parents, Henry Butler and Jewel Miles Butler.

Mr. Butler proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He was a retired auto mechanic, an avid gardener and an active member and deacon of Calvary Baptist Church, west of Tullos.

Services were held at 11 a.m., Sunday, August 4, at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Norris Curry and Pastor Lori Spangler officiating.

Interment followed in the church cemetery under direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

Clarence William “C.W.” Breland, Sr., 80, of Jena, entered eternal rest on Thursday, August 1, 2019, at the Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria.

He was born November 24, 1938 to the union of his parents, Clarence and Lillie Breland.

C.W. was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Jena, and the retired business owner of B&E Machine Shop, which was in operation since 1973 in Good Pine. He was an avid sports fan, supporting the Jena Giants and a fan and supporter of his grandchildren as well!

He enjoyed playing dominos with his brothers and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, August 5, at Magnolia Baptist Church in the Rogers Community with Rev. Mark Breland officiating.

Interment followed in Magnolia Baptist Church Cemetery under direction of Rush Funeral Home of Pineville.

John L. Bloodsaw, 77, of Wildsville, passed from this life on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, in Jena.

He was born Johnnie Lynn Bloodsaw, on June 23, 1942 at Wildsville, to the union of his parents, Issac “Ike” Bloodsaw, Sr. and Cenolia Allen Bloodsaw.

John confessed his life to Christ at an early age and proudly served Old Daughters Baptist Church throughout most of his adult life.

He put his ambition to become a professional boxer aside to help on the family farm. He was a firm believer in respecting and honoring his parents. He worked on the family farm for more than 60 years. His knowledge and love was felt beyond the family farm.

John held a PhD that no brick or mortar school could provide. His blessing was his hands, the tools he used to provide for his family and help others in his community.

Robert L. Spence, 87, passed from this life on Monday morning, July 22, 2019, in the LaSalle Nursing Home of Jena surrounded by his loving family and friends. He died one day after his 87th birthday.

He was born July 21, 1932 in Pineville, Florida (Escambia County) to the union of his parents, Robert Franklin and Myrtle Lee Lambert Spence.

Robert resided in the vicinity of Jena where he spent his working career in the Petroleum Industry as a Drilling Superintendent. He was a devoted father, truly loved all his friends, and was a devout Christian. He enjoyed taking his wife fishing in his spare time, and also had a hobby of woodworking. He will certainly be missed by all who knew him.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jul 24, at Trinity Baptist Church with the Revs. Mike Russell and Johnnie Phillips officiating.

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

Huey Edward King, 81, of Trout, passed from this life on Monday, July 22, 2019 at the St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria following an extended illness.

He was born July 27, 1937 in Aimwell to the union of his parents, Oscar Edward King and Mary Lou Barr King.

Huey was a well-known carpenter serving numerous families in the Jena area with their carpenter needs.

He also served on the Board of Directors of the LaSalle Waterworks District and LaSalle Sewer District at Good Pine for many years, and served as chairman for several years.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, July 25, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with Rev. Truman Stagg and Sister Amanda Carpenter officiating.

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

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Nugent King; parents; brother, George King; and grandchild, Landon Jackson.

Charles Ray Kelly, 68, of Jena, passed from this life on Wednesday evening, July 24, 2019, with his wife and family by his side.

He was born February 12, 1951 in Jena to the union of his parents, Charles Eugene Kelly of Pollock and Dorothy Breland of Jena.

Charles worked in construction as a roofer in the surrounding area.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, July 29, in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home in Jena with Rev. Gary Norris officiating.

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

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Pamela Kelly, Diane Evans and Barbara Kelly; a brother, Tony Kelly; and a daughter, Brenda Kelly.

Ernest C. Gibson, 83, of Lafayette, and formerly of Jena, passed from this life on July 24, 2019 in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, surrounded by his loving wife and family.

He was born July 29, 1935 to the union of his parents, Leroy and Hazel Keene Gibson of Jena.

Ernest spent his working career in the petroleum industry serving as a Drilling Superintendent and later as a Consultant. He very much enjoyed fishing in his spare time and certainly his family and grandchildren.

He will certainly be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Friday, July 26, in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home in Jena with Rev. Todd Richardson 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 parents; one brother, Leroy Gibson and wife Shirley; and one sister, Myrna Taylor and husband Lonnie.

Hazel Dayton, 81, of Jonesville, passed from this life on Friday, July 26, 2019 at her home.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, July 29, at Oak Grove Free Methodist Church of Jonesville with the Revs. Emitte Belgard and Beau Edwards officiating.

Interment followed in the Heard Cemetery near Manifest under direction of Magnolia Funeral Home of Alexandria.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Doc and Daisy Bass; and daughter, Edna LaCroix.

Lonnie Lee Corley, Sr., 72, of Winnfield, passed away July 25, 2019 in Tioga, after an extended illness.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, July 28, at the chapel of Riser Funeral Home in Olla with Rev. Rick Hargrove officiating.

Interment with full military honors followed in the Welcome Home Cemetery, east of Grayson, under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Olla.

Her was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie Corley and Martha “Mattie” Atkins Corley; his wife of 38 years, Evelyn Varnell Corley; son, Steven Procell;  and brothers,  Charles Corley and Johnnie Corley.