Obituaries

Rita N. Guin Shelton, 64, of Tullos, passed from this life on Sunday, July 29, 2018 at the LaSalle General Hospital of Jena. Rita loved to cook, loved animals and her family. Services were held at 10 a.m., Thursday, August 2, at Tullos United Pentecostal Church with the Revs. Bruce Maxwell, E. R. Johnson and Shelton Guin officiating. Interment followed in the Georgetown Cemetery in Georgetown under direction of Magnolia Funeral Home of Alexandria. She was preceded in death by father, Clarence Guin; mother, Mary Edith Guin; and brother, Clarence Wayne Guin. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Richard William Shelton; children, Marida Shelton McDaniel, Stephanie Shelton, Andy Palmer, and John David Palmer; two brothers, Shelton Ray Guin and Joel Maurice Guin; nine grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Ray Baum, Taylor Baum, Chance Grice, Richard McDaniel Jr., Heath Guin and Bobby Lynn Albert.

William Rand “Billy” Smith, 53, of Jena, passed from this life on Thursday, August 2, 2018, at the Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans following a brief illness. He was born January 4, 1965. Billy was a member of Searcy Baptist Church and was employed in the telecommunication field as a telephone technician. He liked guns and was an avid sportsman. Services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 6, at Searcy Baptist Church with the Revs. Reid Terry, Steve Jones, and Johnnie Phillips officiating. Interment followed in the Smith Family Cemetery of Jena under direction of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena. He was preceded in death by his mother, Aldis Boyd Smith; and a sister Monty Lanier. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Loretta Smith of Jena; daughter, Emmalee Smith of Jena; son, Will Smith of Thibodaux; sister, Mary Jo Poole of Thibodaux; and his father, Freddie Rand “Sonny” Smith. Pallbearers were Brand Bignar, Marty Cooper, Dustin Keene, Bryan Robertson, L. D.

Alice “Linda” Clingan, 85, of Jonesville, passed from this life on Friday, August 3, 2018 in Jonesville. She was born Friday, November 4, 1932 in Utility to the union of her parents, Houston O. Boyd, Sr. and Martha Oneal Boyd. Linda was a resident of Jonesville, a lifelong member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and retired from the Catahoula Parish School System as a lunchroom worker at Block High School. She was an avid gardener, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, who loved to cook for her family and friends. Services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, August 6, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in the Sandy Lake Community with the Revs. Mickey Hudnall, Dustin Robertson, and David Richmond officiating. Interment followed in the Pine Grove Cemetery at Rhinehart under direction of Young’s Funeral Home of Jonesville. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Curtis Doughty; grandson, Israel Boothe; four brothers, Lloyd Boyd, H. O. Boyd, Jr., A. D.

Robert Keith Stringer, 60, of Natchitoches, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, July 17, 2018. He was born February 7, 1958 in Natchitoches to the union of his parents, Cecil and June Barker Stringer. Robert was a graduate of Natchitoches Academy. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time outdoors, particularly in Kisatchie National Forest. He loved spending time with his family, especially with his grandson, Kane. Robert was a loving father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle and will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 21, at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches. Interment followed in the Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches.

Charles Edgar Taylor, of Jena, died Sunday, July 22, 2018, after a long and valiant battle against rheumatoid arthritis and its ravages, at the age of 74 years and 10 months. He was born on September 19, 1943 near Jonesville, to the union of Lee Edgar and Mary Tolar Taylor. Charles was a truck driver in the oil industry for 32 years, and was respected by all who knew him. He was a man of simple tastes. In healthier times he took great pleasure in gardening, woodworking, deer hunting with dogs, and fishing with his family. His children cherish the memories made as they spent many hours white perch fishing in the lakes and bayous near their home in Jonesville. Memorial services were held at 2 p.m., Friday, July 27, at First Baptist Church in Jena with Jerry Gurie giving the opening prayer, Rev. Terry Townsend reading scripture, Rev. Johnnie Phillips sharing some thoughts, and message by Rev. Dominick DiCarlo, FBC pastor. Ron Carr led in the closing prayer.