Obituaries

Ella Ruth Dotson, 78, of Jena, passed from this life on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at the Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria. She was born June 15, 1940 in Holly Ridge to the union of Clyde Jefferson Farmer, Sr. and Rita Bertha Aaron Farmer. Services were held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 4, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with the Revs. Dominick DiCarlo and Dean Gunter officiating. Interment followed in the Jena Cemetery, east of Jena, under direction of Hixson Brothers, Inc. of Jena. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Dotson, Jr.; parents; and brother, Clyde Farmer, Jr. Those left to cherish in her memory include her son, Johnny L.

David McDowell, 75, of Dry Prong, passed from this life on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Hardtner Medical Center in Urania. He was born March 2, 1943 in Jena to the union of his parents, Ivy and Gladys Ganey McDowell. David was self-employed in equipment sales in the oil field industry. Services were held at 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 5, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with Rev. Steve Jones officiating. Interment followed in the Chalk Hill Cemetery in the Little Creek Community under direction of Hixson Brothers, Inc. of Jena. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lee McDowell, and Jack McDowell; son, Darren McDowell; and grandson Bradley Keith Phillips, Jr.

Robert Parham, 84, of Olla, passed from this life on Friday, October 5, 2018, following an extended illness. He was born November 1, 1933 in Olla to the union of his parents, James Ernest Parham and Etta Mae McDow Parham. Mr. Parham was a veteran of the United States Army and retired as a millwright with Louisiana-Pacific. Services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7, from the chapel of Riser Funeral Home in Olla with Rev. Denver McBroom officiating. Interment followed in the Woodland Cemetery, east of Jena, under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Olla. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ernestine Hodges; and a nephew, Mark LeBlanc.

Linda Ann Hudnall, 69, of Sharptown, passed from this life on Friday, September 28, 2018, at the LaSalle General Hospital of Jena.She was born January 2, 1949 in Owensville, Kentucky to the union of her parents, Lilburn Scott and Mary Marie Spence Purvis.Services were held at 3 p.m., Monday, Oct. 1, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with Bro. John Spears officiating.Interment followed in Tidwell Landing Cemetery of Jena under direction of Hixson Brothers, Inc. of Jena.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roy S. Hudnall; daughter, Rhonda Hudnall Cockerham; and brothers, Harold Wayne Purvis and William Earl Purvis.Those left to cherish in her memory include her son, Ronnie Hudnall and wife Amy of Trout; sister, Betty Nugent and husband Junior of Trout; grandchildren, D. J.

Velda Dean Keene, 80, of Jena, passed from this life on Sunday, September 30, 2018 in her residence.She was born May 20, 1938 in Walters to the union of her parents, Hugh and Audie Nugent.Ms. Keene was a lifelong resident of the LaSalle Parish area.She was a homemaker and was known for her love of basically anything outdoors. She enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening in her spare time as a devoted mother and grandmother to her loving family. She was certainly a Proverbs 31 wife and devoted to her church and serving the Lord.Services were held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 2, at East Jena Baptist Church with the Revs. Gary Norris, John Hebert and Clyde Sanchez officiating.Interment followed in the Hair Cemetery of Jena under direction of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena.She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Sam Keene.Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss are her daughter Lisa Keene Robbins and husband James of Jena; son, Rev.

Reba McLawchlin Huffman, 89, of Walters, went to be with the Lord at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, September 25, 2018.She was born August 30, 1929 in Walters to the union of Tom and Inez McLawchlin.Mrs. Huffman lived her whole life in the Walters community. She was a member of Pritichard Baptist Church.For many years, she owned and operated a children’s clothing shop in Jena. She also owned and operated Bayou Cypress Gifts with her daughter.As a Proverbs 31 wife, she lived her life loving her husband, providing for her children and others, and serving our Lord. She enjoyed reading, crafting and making desserts. Her home was welcoming and always had a fresh cake to greet family and visitors.Services were held at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 28, at Pritchard Baptist Church with the Revs.

Helen Autina Guin Cassady, 74, of Beckville, Texas, passed from this life and into her Heavenly home on Friday, September 28, 2018, in Carthage, Texas.She was born June 5, 1944 in Lena, LA to Mallie M. and Gladys Arnold Guin.Helen married the love of her life and best friend, James Marvin Cassady, on December 19, 1960 in Sharp, LA and together they celebrated 57 years. She was a member of the Sanctuary of Pentecost in Carthage, Texas, since 1976.Helen was a devoted wife, creative soul with a green thumb, dedicated prayer warrior and a Godly woman. Her humble spirit and contagious smile touched so many.Services were held at 10 a.m, Tuesday, Oct. 2, at the Sanctuary of Pentecost in Carthage with Rev. Dennis Landtroop officiating.Interment followed at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct.

A. Cedric Vickers, 81, of Baton Rouge, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, and friend, passed away peacefully at the Carpenter House in Baton Rouge, surrounded by his family on Saturday, September 8, 2018. He was born in Sikes, on October 20, 1936 to James Quincy Vickers and Chlotide Herring Vickers. He moved to Baton Rouge at the age of 17 to attend LSU where he earned a degree in Education. A 32-year career with EBR City Parish DPW started in the drafting room and concluded at his retirement at the age of 52 as the Head of Data Processing. A man with many hobbies and talents, Cedric was a perfectionist in everything he did. He was a master in woodworking making everything from furniture to earrings.

Katelyn “Katie” Marie Purvis Zimmerman, 31, of Jena, passed from this life on Wednesday, September 19, 2018. She was born March 4, 1987 in Greenville, Mississippi, and graduated from Jena High School in 2005. Katie worked in banking and cared for her mother. Katie’s greatest loves in her life were her husband, Wesley, her family, animals and makeup. Katie will always be remembered for her one of a kind sense of humor and her ability to bring joy to those who knew her. Services were held at 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 23, in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena. Interment followed in Woodlawn Cemetery of Jena under direction of Kinner and Stevens, Inc. of Jena. Katie was preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Paul Gaines, Jr.; maternal grandmother, Gloria Gaines; cousin, Joshua Gaines; paternal grandfather, Jesse Purvis; paternal grandmother, Anna Purvis; and uncles, Denver Purvis and Terry Purvis.

Janie Mae Sanson Huffman, 86, of Walters, passed from this life on Thursday, September 20, 2018. She was born November 4, 1931 to the union of her parents, Dave E. and Susan Sanson. She was a lifelong resident of LaSalle Parish. Mrs. Huffman was retired from the food service industry with the LaSalle Parish School System. She was a dedicated mom and grandmother to her family and all that knew her. She was a member of Prosperity Baptist Church of the Walters Community, where she served as the church clerk for over 40 years. Services were held at 10 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 23, in Prosperity Baptist Church of Walters with the Revs. Tommy Sanson, Terry Doughty, Robert Doughty, and Randy Miller officiating. Interment followed in the Bethel Cemetery of Deville under direction of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, the late Carter Huffman; and two stepsons, Charles Huffman and Aulcey Huffman; and step son-in-law, Everette Miller.