Obituaries

Earl W. Nugent, 81, of Olla, passed from this life on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at Hilltop Rehabilitation Center.

He was born Thursday, March 17, 1938 to the union of his parents, Earl B. Nugent and Maureen Hutson Nugent.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 21, at Standard Baptist Church, north of Olla, with Rev. Ed Smith officiating.

Interment followed in the Taylor Chapel Cemetery of Summerville under direction of Magnolia Funeral Home of Alexandria.

Judy Ann Meierhans, 75, of Jena, entered eternal rest on Monday, February 17, 2020 at the Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria surrounded by her loving family.

Judy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She loved caring for and cooking for family and friends. She spoke her mind, loved reading, enjoyed arts and crafts and enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino. She will be missed by everyone that knew and loved her.

A celebration of life for Judy Ann Meierhans was held Friday, February 21, 2020, at the Community Center in Jena.

Arrangements were entrusted to Gallagher Funeral Home and Crematory of Ball.

She was met in Heaven by her parents, Henry and Esta Towell; a sister, Janice Meredith; and two brothers, David Towell and Larry Towell.

Lewis Bradley Deville, 61, of Emmet, Arkansas and a native of Jena, passed from this life on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, in Tyler, Texas.

He was born October 15, 1958 to the union of Lonnie Lewis and Marilyn Elaine Deville of LaSalle Parish.

Brad spent his working career in the Oilfield Industry. He enjoyed farming, working with his cows, and certainly his family and grandchildren. He will certainly be missed by all who knew him.

Services were held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home in Jena with Rev. Tommy Prince officiating.

Interment followed in the Nebo Cemetery of Nebo under direction of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena.

Rev. Gary Lynn Wright, 72, of Georgetown, passed from this life on Monday, February 10, 2020.

He was born Sunday, June 8, 1947 in Olla to the union of his parents, Beulah Mae Hemphill Wright and Elbert James Wright.

Gary was known far and wide for his storytelling. Gary began honing that skill while making his classmates laugh at GHS, working the oilfield, and through the airwaves driving a log truck going by the CB-handle…Bull-Moose.

Later in life, his story would eternally change when he accepted Christ as his Savior. Called to preach, Gary would find his life’s passion telling the greatest story every told. He would spend hours in personal study, one-on-one discipleship, teaching small group, preaching Bible Conferences, serving as interim pastor at several Baptist churches and just fellowshipping with fellow ministers.

Richard Lee Whittington, 70, of Columbia, passed from this life on Thursday, February 13, 2020, at the Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria following an extended illness.

He was one of six siblings born to Harry Richard “Sonny” Whittington and Johnnie Lea Whitten Whittington.

Richard was a heavy equipment operator and retired with the LaSalle Parish Police Jury. He was an avid deer hunter and fisherman. He loved rabbit hunting and loved to cook.

Services were held at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 16, from the sanctuary of Cross Roads Baptist Church, west of Grayson, with the Revs. Shane Duke and Todd Whittington officiating.

Interment followed in the Cross Roads Baptist Church Cemetery under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Columbia.

He was preceded in death by his father and by his brother, Larry Dean Whittington.

T. W. Terral, 87, of Baton Rouge, and a native of Jena, went home to meet his heavenly Father on Friday, February 14, 2020.

He was born July 22, 1932 in Jena to a family of loggers, and lived a long and fruitful life. His parents were J. B. “Buddy” and Ethel Terral.

He never forgot his humble roots and he never lost his bond with the working man. He was known as “Dad” to his children, “Pop” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, “Uncle T” to his many nieces and nephews, and “Brother Terral” to the community.

T.W. was called to vocational ministry at a young age and dedicated the remainder of his life to preaching the gospel and sharing the love of Jesus to everyone he came in contact with. He exemplified God’s love through his humble servant hood, his steadfast faithfulness, and his relentless dedication to sharing the gospel with everyone he met.

Grace Iona Cooper, 96, of Trout, passed from this life on Friday, February 14, 2020.

She was born December 7, 1923 in Timpson, Texas, to the union of her parents, Jesse Edgar Coleman and Addie Octavia Pritchard Coleman.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 16, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with the Revs. Jesse Henderson and Ricky Gresham officiating.

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

She was preceded in death by her husband, Everette “Buster” Cooper; parents; son, John D. Cooper; brothers, Authur Coleman, and Lloyd Coleman; and sister, Octavia Taylor.

Those left to cherish in her memory include her sons, James D. Cooper and Jesse N. Cooper, both of Jena; daughters, Margaret Brumette of Trout, Marilyn Callender of Urania, Janice Stringer of Trout, and Mildred Powell of Jena; 14 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; and two step great grandchildren.