Obituaries

Joe Norman Leavins, 76, of Olla, passed from this life on Wednesday, August 28, 2019.

He was born March 4, 1943 in Urania to the union of his parents, Joe and Marie Leavins.

Joe worked in the oilfield for 35 years until he became disabled. He worked at Summerville-Rosefield Fire Department for eight years and dearly loved it. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His family was his life and what he lived for.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 30, at Aimoch Baptist Church in the Aimoch Community with the Revs. Bobby McGuire and Daryl Floyd officiating.

Interment followed in the Antioch Free Methodist Church under direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ray Leavins; sister, Ann Peredez; son, Kevin Leavins; and granddaughters, Hillary Crouch and Cynthia Williams.

Helen Louise Thacker Johnson, 76, of Jena, passed from this life on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, in Jena.

She was born September 10, 1933 at Harrisonburg to the union of her parents, Maggie and Essic Thacker.

Helen was one of thirteen children. Growing up in a large family taught her the importance of family. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly. She loved her Lord and her church family at Tullos Pentecostal Church, where she attended until her health prevented her from going.

She enjoyed working in her yard and going camping. She loved to play cards, work puzzles and draw. She will be greatly missed.

Services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Tullos United Pentecostal Church with the Revs. Elsie Johnson and Jerry Johnson officiating.

Interment followed in Harris Chapel Cemetery near Olla under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Olla/Columbia.

Angela Jeanette Parker, 53, of Jena, passed from this life on Thursday, September 12, 2019. She was born March 23, 1966 in Jena.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with Rev. Bill Robertson officiating.

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

She was preceded in death by her father, Harold Clifford Parker.

Those left to cherish in her memory include her mother, Iva Jeanette Windham Parker of Jena; uncle, Harold Windham of Jena; aunts, Sybil Evans of Trout, and Levita Richardson of Jena; and numerous cousins.

William Virgil Garsee, Jr., 78, of Jena, entered eternal rest on Sunday, September 8, 2019, at Tioga Community Care Center in Tioga.

William was a graduate of Mangham High School, and a star football player scoring the only winning point leading his team to their only State Championship in 1956.

He was a retired construction superintendent and a very creative and talented woodworker and craftsman. He was a devoted outdoorsman, loving husband, father and friend to all. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial visitation was held on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Rush Funeral Home in Pineville.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Virgil Garsee, Sr. and Lula Estelle Ellerbe Garsee; and one son, Robert Daniel Garsee.

“Time for me to go now, I won’t say goodbye. Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky. In the morning sunrise, when all the world is new, just look for me and love me as you know I loved you. Time for me to leave, but I won’t say goodbye, look for me in rainbows high up in the sky. In the evening sunset, when all the world is through, just look for me and love me and I’ll be close to you. It won’t be forever, the day will come and then, my loving arms will hold you when we meet again.”

In loving memory of the greatest wife, mother, and mi-mi anyone could ever ask for.

Dorothy Lea Harrison Gardner, 72, of Jena, passed from this life on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

She was born December 28, 1946 to the late General B. Harrison and Jeanette Williams Harrison.

She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at New Evergreen Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dave Woods. She continued her Christian journey at L&A Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Jimmy R. Young.

During her service at L&A, Dot served as youth director, culinary committee until her failing health.

Dot was a 1964 graduate of Good Pine High School and later served on the Good Pine High Alumni Association. She worked at Uncle Albert’s Fried Chicken until it closed and Walmart for 15 years. Dot and Curt owned and operated the Disco Queen, and partnered in ownership in the RamShack Beauty Salon.

Sandy Corbitt, 58, of Dodson, passed from this life on Monday, September 9, 2019.

She was born Wednesday, March 15, 1961 in Winnfield.

Sandy was a loving caregiver who loved and tended to her family.

Services were held at 12-noon on Thursday, Sept. 12, at Hurricane Grove Baptist Church of Sikes with Rev. Rafferd Chandler officiating.

Interment followed in the church cemetery under direction of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Geneva Wise; father, Buster “J.B.” Wise; brother, Gary Wise; and sisters, Jonette Smiley and Shelia Moffett.  

Harvey Belgard, 84, of Deville, passed away peacefully from this life on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, at his home surrounded by family and friends.

Harvey served the Louisiana Conference of the Free Methodist Church as pastor of several churches in central Louisiana. He was a member of New Hope Free Methodist Church, where through the years he served as song leader, adult Sunday School teacher, and interim pastor.

He was a carpenter by trade and he retired as a carpenter contractor in the housing industry. People who knew him in life, those who worked with him and for him, testify to Harvey’s honesty, integrity, and sense of fairness. His sense of humor carried him through the difficult and trying times of life.