Obituaries

Irma Rae Thompson, 87, of Jonesville, passed from this life on Monday, August 12, 2019.

She was born February 24, 1932 to the union of her parents, Allen Book and Loney White Book.

Sister Thompson, as most called her, was a very precious lady. Her walk with God was unique. She and Brother W. D. Thompson were married in 1949, and oh, what a life they had.

No, they didn’t have a lot of these earthly riches, but they had each other and they loved each other very much and they loved God. She taught her children to love God.

She was a very loving wife, and was a pastor’s wife to Bro. Thompson and followed him all over Texas and Louisiana. She taught Sunday School for many years, was a leader of worship, and was always the first to stand up and start praising God during the service.

Lloyd Lee Poole, 78, passed from this life on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at St. Joseph Nursing Home.

He was born April 1, 1941 in Olla, to the union of his parents, Velva Smith Poole and Leroy Poole.

Lloyd enjoyed fishing, hunting, and traveling.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 29, in the chapel of Riser Funeral Home with Rev. Grant Bamburg officiating, with eulogy being delivered by Brother Ricky Jones.

Interment followed at Blake Cemetery (behind Pleasant Ridge Church) under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Columbia and Olla.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jimmie Lawrence Poole; and sister, Betty Jo Poole Cruse.

Herman “Hamp” Johnson, 77, passed from this life on Friday, August 16, 2019, in Compton, California. Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, at Antioch Baptist Church with the Revs. Brian L. Moran and Paul Stubbs officiating.

Robbie Dale Masters, 63, of Jena, passed from this life on Saturday, August 17, 2019, at his home.

He was born August 30, 1955 in Jena to the union of his parents, Cary Masters and Oleta Ainsworth Masters.

Robbie was a tool pusher for H&P Drilling Company. He loved to hunt, fish, ride motorcyles and four-wheelers, but most of all, he loved his grandchildren.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church near Jena with Rev. Ricky Gresham officiating.

Interment followed in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Jena under direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Marlene Dunn.

James B. Evans, Jr. age 64, of Menasha, and a native of Jena, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, Wisconsin.

He was born on August 5, 1955 in Jena, to James B. “Jim” and Lydia Alice Gibson Evans.

Jim was a graduate of Jena High School and later attended Fox Valley Technical Institute in Appleton. On May 11, 1985 he married Susan Vajgrt in Spring, Texas. He was employed with Plunkett’s Pest Control for the last 14 years.

Jim’s family was very important to him. He was active in the Boy Scouts, and loved coaching youth sports, especially baseball and softball. He also liked hunting, fishing, camping and woodworking.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 11 a.m., at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Community, in Neenah, with Fr. Dennis Bergsbaken officiating.

Arrangements were under direction of Wichmann Funeral Homes, Laemmrich Chapel.

Graveside services for James Norris Creel and Remi LaKaye Creel were held at 10 a.m., Friday, August 23, at Heard Cemetery in Manifest with Rev. David Poole officiating

Interment followed under the direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena.

James Norris Creel and Remi LaKaye Creel of Harrisonburg were born Tuesday, August 20, 2019 in Alexandria at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital and went on to their heavenly home on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

Howard Decell Ward, 90, of Jena, passed from this life on Friday, August 9, 2019 in the Palliative Care Unit of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Pineville.

He was born on March 5, 1929, in Jena, to the union of his parents, Watson Ward and Elizabeth Courtney Ward.

Mr. Ward proudly

served his country in the United States Army during World War II and the Korean War.

Services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 17, at New Evergreen Baptist Church of Jena with full military honors provided by the Jena Honor Guard.

Interment followed in the Webster Cemetery in Good Pine under direction of Gayden Funeral Home of Jena.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James Ward, Bobby Ward, and Eugene Ward; his sisters, Essie L. Polk, Myrtle “Mert” Beard, Marie Combs and Wilma Wright; his wife, Ella Bell “Red” Ward; oldest son, Donald Ray Ward; and oldest daughter, Catherine K. Ward Louis.

Polly LaCour Miley, 75, of Ferriday, and a native of LaSalle Parish, passed from this life on Sunday, August 11, 2019, in Alexandria.

She was born December 29, 1943 in LaSalle Parish.

Polly was a resident of Ferriday, a member of Ferriday First Baptist Church and a member of The Ladies Auxiliary Club at Panola Woods Country Club.

Polly earned her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Education at Northeast Louisiana University and was a school teacher in Concordia Parish School System until she retired.

Polly was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Family and friends were her most prized possessions. One was always welcome to come and sit and visit with her on her front porch. Polly was the “glow” in a room full of people and had a true zest for life. She had a strong faith in God and she loved her community.

Timothy Wade McDowell, Sr., 58, of Jena, passed from this life on Friday, August 16, 2019.

He was born September 23, 1960 in Alexandria to his parents, Eugene McDowell and Beverly Plummer McDowell.

Timothy loved hunting, fishing, and being at the camp with his family.

Services were held at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 19, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with Rev. Scotty McDowell officiating.

Interment followed in the Pine Grove Cemetery of Rhinehart under direction of Hixson Brothers, Inc. of Jena.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Arnold and Verdie McDowell, and Melvin and Irma Plummer.

Robbie Masters, 63, of Jena, passed from this life over the weekend at his home on Lutrick Lane in the Pleasant Hill Community, east of Jena.

Funeral arrangements had not been made as of press time on Monday, but will be handled by Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena.