Obituaries

Judith Lynn Newsom, 63, of Tullos, passed from this life on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at her residence in Tullos following a brave, yet lengthy battle with cancer.

She was born March 27, 1956 in Columbia to the union of her parents, Gene Riley Powell and Lillian Taylor Powell.

Judy served as first lady of Tullos during the tenure of her husband, Charles Edwin Newsom, when he served as mayor. He preceded her in death, passing from this life on February 24, 2019.

She attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches and was a member of the Springhill Baptist Church. She was a retired employee of the LaSalle Parish School System.

Judy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, June 24, from the sanctuary of Springhill Baptist Church near Kelly with Rev. Elvis Price officiating.

Waymond “Pete” Hopkins, 84, of the Old River Community, passed from this life on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, in LaSalle General Hospital of Jena, surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. “Pete”, as he was affectionately known by all, was a bright spirited soul who always had a kind word, and a smile for everyone he met.

He was a longtime member and deacon of Pritchard Baptist Church, where he served his Lord and Savior to the best of his ability.

Mr. Pete served for 20-plus years as a Gideon of the Gideons International organization, and LaSalle Parish Prison Ministry after retiring from International Paper Company with 42½-years in the Natchez, Mississippi Division.

He has shared the good news of the gospel in many churches throughout the community with an excitement for what Christ was doing through the witness of the Gideons.

He will certainly be missed by all who had opportunity to make acquaintance with him.

Michael “Mike” Gene Fisher, 56, of Trout, passed from this life on Friday, June 21, 2019, at his home in Trout after a lengthy illness.

He was born November 13, 1963.

Michael was a proud Elder of The Jena Band of Choctaws. He worked in the oilfield as a driller most of his adult life.

He enjoyed watching Nascar and football, spending time outdoors, fishing and just riding the back roads listening to music. But his favorite thing though was to spend time with his wife, kids, grandchildren and great grandson.

Services were held at 12 noon Sunday, June 23, at Zenoria Baptist Church with the Revs. Joel Johnson and John Morgan officiating.

Interment followed in the Chalk Hill Cemetery at Little Creek under direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena.

Melina Ann Cruse, 61, of Jena, passed from this life on Monday, June 17, 2019.

She was born October 31, 1957 in Columbia. Services were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 19 at the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with the Rev. Bobby McGee and Randy Douglas officiating.

Interment followed in Woodland Cemetery, east of Jena, under direction of Hixson Brothers, Inc. of Jena.

Those left to cherish in her memory include her parents, Rufus Kenneth Cruse and Margie Grace Douglas Cruse of Jena; brother, Kenneth Scott Cruse of Urania; sister, Lori Cruse Bell of Pineville; nephews, Tyler Cruse of Olla, and Peyton Bell of Jena; niece, Mallori Bell Williams, and husband Cody of West Monroe; and great niece, Emmalyn Williams of West Monroe.

Pallbearers were Mike Medina, Kenneth Paul, Tracey Burton, Cody Williams, Peyton Bell, and Dandy Dove.

Honorary pallbearers were Butch Easter, Jim Williamson, and Billy Scott.

Billie Jean Thompson, 85, of Jena, passed from this life on Thursday, June 13, 2019, in LaSalle General Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

She was born December 7, 1933 to the union of Audie Grace and William Hugh Nugent.

Mrs. Billie loved and enjoyed her birds, and was an avid gardener of flowers. She had many accomplishments in life, including being president of the LaSalle Republican Women in its early years, was a Beauty Control Consultant, and had completed seminary studies at Bible Seminary in Chattanooga TN.

She was a sweet spirited soul and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 15, from the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena with the Revs. George Ferrington, Dominick DiCarlo, and Jimmy Keene officiating.

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

Shirley Prudhomme Stephens, 68, of Jonesville, passed from this life on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe.

Services were held at 12 noon, Saturday, June 15, at Sandy Lake Pentecostal Church with Rev. Joel Ford officiating.

Interment followed in the Pine Grove Cemetery of Rhinehart under direction of Magnolia Funeral Home of Alexandria.

She was preceded in death by her longtime companion of many years, Robert Louis Stephens; and father, William Louis Prudhomme.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Brandy Nicole Ragsdale and husband Jason; sons, Joshua Childress, and John Robert Stephens and wife Sheila; mother, Annie Jones; sisters, Libby Ford and husband Kenneth, and Tammy Guthrie; brothers, Robert Prudhomme and wife Carol, and Michael Shane Prudhomme and wife Nikki; grandsons, John and Zach Stephens and Tyler, Trey and Landon Ragsdale.

Waymond “Pete” Hopkins, 84, of the Old River Community, passed from this life on Wednesday, June 13, 2019, at the LaSalle General Hospital in Jena, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born July 15, 1934 to the union of his parents, Sam and Elemena Hopkins.

Mr. “Pete”, as he was affectionately known by all, was a bright spirited soul who always had a kind word, and an addictive smile for everyone he met. He never had an ill word to say about anyone.

Mr. Pete was a longtime member, and deacon of Pritchard Baptist Church, where he served his Lord and Savior to the fullest. He was a model Christian for all to follow. Mr. Pete served for 20 plus years as a Gideon of the Gideons International organization after retiring from International Paper, Natchez Mississippi Division.

Larry Edward Grimm, 75, of Nebo, entered eternal rest on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at his residence with his loving family by his side, after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He was born August 1,1943 in Paris, Texas, to Mary Rozena Netherland and Edward Earl Grimm.

Larry grew up and lived his life in Nebo. He was retired from the oil field industry. While working on a job in Woodville, Texas, he and his fellow crew members would eat at Ferrall Cafe’, where he met his loving wife, Elaine. They were married on August 28, 1965.

He was also a farmer, who had cows and baled hay. If it was summer and the sun was shining, Larry was in the hay field! He also served in the Louisiana National Guard for twelve years and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, June 17, at Nebo Baptist Church with the Revs. Matthew Murrell and Johnnie Phillips officiating.

Linda Jo Jeane Esters, 80, of Columbia, and a native of LaSalle Parish, passed from this life on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the Haven Nursing Center in Columbia Heights, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born October 9, 1938 in Urania.

Mrs. Esters was retired from Atmos Energy after thirty-two years of service. She also worked for Lawson and Lawson as a cook on a tugboat for three years. She volunteered at the Martin Homeplace in Columbia for four years.

Linda graduated from LaSalle High School in 1956 and was a member of the Grayson Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Eastern Star. Linda loved sitting on her back porch, tending flowers, and loved her family immensely. She nurtured and fed anyone who would let her. She will truly be missed by family and friends alike.

Louella Kenney Boothe, 88, of Harrisonburg, passed from this life on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Jonesville.

She was born December 6, 1930 in Wisner to her parents, W. E. Kenney, Sr. and Mary J. Kimball.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 9, at Rosin Creek Pentecostal Church with the Revs. Chad Curry, B. J. Randall, A. J. Kimball, and Gary Howington officiating.

Interment followed in the Boothe Cemetery of Harrisonburg under direction of Young’s Funeral Home of Jonesville.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61-years, Melvin Alfred Boothe; son, Keith E. Boothe; great granddaughter, Adyson Randall; her parents; five brothers and two sisters.