Obituaries

Judith “Judy” Syvern Brown, 67, of Houston, Texas, and a native of Jena, passed from this life on Wednesday, January 16, 2019.

She was born July 3, 1951 in Jena to the late Doretha Wilson and L. V. Walker.

Judy was baptized at Mars Hill Baptist Church at a very young age.

She attended Good Pine High School where she played varsity basketball for the Jena Giants. She later went on to attend community college in both Alexandria, and Houston, TX. Later she permanently moved to Houston, where she would continue growing her family.

She made many friends who would later become more like family. She did all of this while keeping close and strong bonds with family and friends in Jena.

Betty C. Wilson, 77, of Jena, passed from this life on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, in Shreveport following a brief illness.

She was born July 7, 1941 in Rosefield.

Betty was a retired Para-Professional at Jena Elementary School. She was an avid reader and loved to cook.

She also loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Services were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 26, at Temple Baptist Church in Jena with Rev. Jimmy Keene officiating.

Interment followed in the Belah Cemetery in the Belah Community under direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ray Cockerham; mother, Theo Eubanks; brother, Keith Cockerham; and granddaughter, MeAnn Miller.

James Douglas “Doug” Winberry, 83, of Alexandria and a native of Urania, passed from this life on Monday, January 20, 2019 at his residence.

He was born November 1, 1935 in Urania to the union of his parents, Mary Reed Winberry and James L. Winberry.

Doug started school in Tullos in 1942, moved to Urania in 1943 and went to Urania until he went to LaSalle High School in 1950 and graduated in 1954. While at LaSalle he lettered in four sports and was a state champion in the 100 and 220 yard dash. He was awarded the first full scholarship in track to LA Tech in Ruston upon graduation in 1954.

Doug married Romona Long, his high school sweetheart in 1955. After graduation from LA Tech in the spring of 1959 he coached and taught at the Winnfield High School the remainder of that school year. He coached and taught at Bonita High School, Bonita, Louisiana the following school year.

Kenneth Ray “Pee Wee” Fitzgerald, 62, of Olla, passed from this life on Thursday, January 17, 2019, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

He was born December 20, 1956 in Columbia to the union of his parents, Bill Junior Fitzgerald and Caroline Merlene Womack Fitzgerald.

Known to everyone as “Pee Wee”, he was a loving son and brother and a list of his friends would be endless because of his wonderful personality, a trait which allowed him to make friends everywhere he traveled being a trucker that went all over the United States.

Love for his family and his passionate love for trucking had to give way for his love of biking. He was a member of “Band of Brothers” and was a Caldwell Parish High School graduate of Class of 1975. Pee Wee never met a stranger and he will never be forgotten as his legend will live on in the hearts of all those who knew him.

Dlolita “Dee Dee” Hunter, 51, of Jena, entered eternal life on Monday, January 14, 2019.

She was born October 31, 1967 in Jena to the union of J. B. Hunter, Sr. and Laura Hunter.

Dee Dee confessed Christ at an early age and was united with New Evergreen Baptist church and later united with the Trout Creek Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Roger Green.

Dee Dee attended Jena High School, graduating with the Class of 1986. She was employed as a supervisor at Garan, Inc. of Jena until her health failed.

Services were held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19, at Trout Creek Baptist Church with Pastor Rev. Jamerson Jackson officiating.

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

She was preceded in death by her mother, Laura Hunter; and two sisters, Donnitta Hunter and Adrienne Hunter.