Obituaries

Jim S. Atnip, Sr., 86, of Georgetown, passed from this life on Monday, April 1, 2019, at his residence following an extended illness.

He was born January 5, 1933 in Smithville, Tennessee, to the union of his parents, Burley Lee Atnip and Novella Martha Curtis Atnip.

Jim was the youngest of ten siblings. He was a well-known building contractor throughout the north central Louisiana area.

Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Services were held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 3, from the Olla chapel of Riser Funeral Home with the Revs. Lester Carpenter and Willie Beaubeouf officiating.

Interment followed in the Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery located on LA 471 at Georgetown, under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Olla.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley Ann Atnip; and by nine brothers and sisters.

Emmett Ray Book, Sr., 74, of Jonesville passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2019, at his home.

He was born Tuesday, April 11, 1944 in Ferriday to the union of his parents, Walter Edmond Book and Delia Ann Book.

Emmett Ray was a lifelong resident of Jonesville. He retired from the Catahoula Parish Police Jury where he served as secretary-treasurer for over 20 years. He worked for many years at Catahoula Correctional Center as an Administrative Supervisor and continued to work there part-time in transportation when he retired. He was an avid golfer and won the Senior Golf Championship at LaSalle Country Club in 2017.

Services were held at 12-noon Tuesday, April 2, at Larto Baptist Church with the Revs. Kenny Smith and Juan McClure officiating.

Interment followed in the Pease Cemetery near Larto under direction of Young’s Funeral Home of Jonesville.

Linda Christine Crawford Brantley, 75, of Columbia, and a native of Enterprise, passed from this life on Friday, April 5, 2019, at the Willis Knighten Medical Center in Shreveport following an extended illness.

She was born February 28,1944 at Enterprise to the union of her parents, Walton Laverne “Buddy” Crawford and Anna Lea “Momma Lea” Hooter Crawford.

To know Linda was to love her. She was a wonderful and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Mrs. Brantley was a member of the New Ouachita Baptist Church at Enterprise having been baptized in 1956, and she was a retired office manager with Cajun Boats, INC. In her early years she was a beauty operator. She loved to paint and one of her special loves was that for puppies.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 9, at the chapel of Riser Funeral Home in Columbia with Rev. Wesley Pittman officiating.

Nellie Ruth Cooper, 68, of Jena, passed from this life on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at her home.

On February 2, 1951, a bouncing baby girl by the name of Nellie Ruth Jones was born in Jena, to the late Herbert and Ida Jones, who have preceded her in death.

She was educated in the LaSalle Parish School District. Ms. Nellie accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into her life at an early age and was baptized at Trout Creek Baptist Church.

Nellie worked at Golden Age Nursing Home for several years and later worked for Louisiana Department of Transportation.

Gwendolyn Evonne Dozier, 72, of Jena, passed from this life on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Christus St. Frances Hospital in Alexandria.

She was born October 26, 1946 in Clarks to the union of her parents, Johnny Stevenson and Idell Donald.

As a young child, she was raised in Clarks by her great grandmother, Saline Davis, until they re-located to Jena, where Gwendolyn attended Good Pine High School.

She accepted Christ at an early age, and united with the L&A Missionary Baptist Church in Good Pine, and served as a faithful member, including service on the Usher Board.

Gwendolyn was employed by Belden Wire and Cable Company in Jena for 20 years. After her retirement, she volunteered at the LaSalle Mission House for more than 20 years.

Services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 30, at L&A Baptist Church in Good Pine with Rev. Jimmy Young officiating.

Ellis “Choate” Evans, 74, of Pollock, passed from this life on Thursday, April 4, 2019, at the Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria.

He was born August 26, 1944 to the union of his parents, J. P. and Edna Beavers Evans.

Choate served our country in the Louisiana Army National Guard and also worked in the timber industry as a logger. He was a member of Lincecum Baptist church and was a kind soul, holding no hate for anyone.

Choate was an avid sportsman who loved the outdoors and caring for horses. A special husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, he loved his grandkids and great grandson tremendously and enjoyed spending as much time as possible with them. He was deeply loved and will be fondly remembered by those who knew and loved him.

Services celebrating his life were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 6, at Lincecum Baptist Church of Georgetown with the Revs. Jim Winegeart and Courtney Dunn officiating.

Mildred LaVonne Lansdale, 83, of Jonesville and formerly of Olla, passed from this life on Sunday, March 31, 2019, in Riverland Medical Center in Ferriday, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born November 17, 1935 to the union of her parents, Cy and Laura Wainwright. She was a sweet spirited soul, and loved by all who knew her.

Ms. Lansdale was a member of the First Baptist Church of Olla. She enjoyed hunting and fishing in her pastime, and was a devoted homemaker for her family.

Graveside services were held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 2, in the Olla Cemetery with Rev. Bryan Rankin officiating.

Interment followed under direction of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Lansdale; parents; two brothers, Tommy Wainwright, and J.T. Wainwright; and three sisters, Modelle Vanantwerpen, Doris Babcock, and Kathrine Dana.

Burl Lively, 85, of Jena, passed from this life on Sunday, March 31, 2019, in Jena following a lengthy illness.

He was born December 3, 1933 in Columbia to the union of his parents, Claudius Davenport Lively and Katie Mae Harveston Lively.

Mr. Lively retired from the Louisiana Department of Transportation. He loved riding horses and working cows. He also enjoyed farming and was happiest when driving a tractor or combine. He had a big heart and was loved by all who knew him.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 2, from the chapel of Riser Funeral Home in Columbia with Rev. Denver McBroom officiating.

Interment followed in the Welcome Home Cemetery, east of Grayson, under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Columbia.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Burl “Poncho” Lively; sister, Mary Lynde; and brother, Claude Lively.