Obituaries

David Evan Johnson, 78, of Jena, passed from this life on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at Pelican Pointe Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Maurice. He was born August 17, 1940 in Jennings to his parents, Derward Dennis Johnson and Vera Mae Todd Johnson. After serving his country in the U.S. Navy, David went to Zoller Technical School and was employed by Avendale Shipyard in Lake Charles as a journeyman machinist. It was there where he met the love of his life, his wife Sue Jackson. They were married and moved to Lafayette where he attended the University of Lafayette, graduating from there with a 4-year degree in industrial engineering. He then worked at the ammunition plant in Minden. He later moved to Catahoula Parish and taught school at Sicily Island High School. He then moved to Jena and worked for Dresser Industries in Tioga, ending up teaching school at Caldwell High School and Jena High School, where he taught industrial arts and math.

Jessie Claudette Harper Palmer, 82, of Grayson, passed from this life on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at the St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe following an extended illness. She was born February 27, 1936 at Kelly to the union of her parents, Jessie C. Harper and Laura Belle Prestridge Harper. She was a member of the Rosefield Baptist Church and loved to cook for her family. She loved to work in her yard and always grew beautiful flowers. She was loved by all and will be sorely missed. Claudette was a humble, hardworking woman. She put her children before herself always. She instilled in them a strong work ethic by example and was very proud of every one of them. She was a blessing to her family and will be greatly missed. Nothing made her happier than all of her children to be together with her. She worked many years in the dietary department of Haven Nursing Center. She took lots of pride in providing good meals for the residents and employees.

Kathryn “Kathy” Nugent Roberts, 64, of Winnfield, passed from this life on Sunday, October 21, 2018, at her home. She was born April 4, 1954 in Urania to the union of her parents, Gerald and Aline Nugent. She was the oldest of five children. Kathy was a retired registered nurse, who spent her career working for Hardtner Medical Center in Urania and for twelve years at Rapides Home Health, where she not only provided care for her patients but genuinely cared for them as well. First and foremost, she was a wife and mother who loved her family. To her family and friends, she was simply “Kathy”. Kathy grew up in Urania and was a 1972 graduate of LaSalle High School and received her degree in Nursing from LSU at Alexandria in 1982. Services were held at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 26, in the chapel of Riser Funeral Home in Olla. Interment followed in the Urania Cemetery under direction of Riser Funeral Home of Olla.

Jerry Warren Lloyd, 62, of Trout, passed from this life on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 in Shreveport following a brief illness. He was born March 14, 1956 in Jena to the union of his parents, Rev. Walter and Dixie Lloyd. Jerry was a bright spirited soul and was loved by everyone who knew him. He enjoyed hog hunting, deer hunting and duck hunting with his father. He was an avid horse rider and loved to read as well. Services were held at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 26, in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena with the Revs. Brandon Poole and Mickey Hudnall officiating. Interment followed in the Woodland Cemetery, east of Jena, under direction of Kinner and Stevens, Inc. of Jena. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Greg Lloyd; and a brother-in-law, Ed McClure.

Donald James Mason, 70, of Jena, passed from this life on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at his residence. He was born May 16, 1948 in Newburg, Missouri. Don served his country in the United States Air Force from 1967 to 1971. He was a sergeant in the combat security police during the time of the Pueblo Crisis in Korea and Vietnam. He was retired from CenturyLink. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 28, 2018 at Miller Cemetery in Nebo, with the Revs. Brandon Poole and Gary Norris officiating. Interment followed with full military honors under direction of Hixson Brothers, Inc. of Jena. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Thomas Mason and Wilma Louise Stogsdill Mason King and a sister, Bonnie Heath. Those left to cherish in his memory include his wife, Patsy Hudnall Mason; son, James Thomas Mason and wife Jennifer; granddaughter, Jessey Mikayla Mason; sister, Joanne Pemberton and husband David; and family friend Sarah Davis.

Johnny Neal, 77, of the Belah Community, passed from this life on Monday, October 29, 2018 at the LaSalle General Hospital of Jena. He was born June 1, 1941 in Old River, LA. Services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Jena with Revs. Ron Nations, Jeff Sandifer, and Zack Wells officiating. Interment will follow in the Pritchard Cemetery of Rhinehart under direction of Hixson Brothers, Inc. of Jena. He was preceded in death by his father, Andrew Neal; his mother, Peggy Rosier; brother, Butch Neal; and sister, Ethlyn Richey. Those left to cherish in his memory include his wife of 54 years, Christine Hudspeth Neal of Belah; son, Kenneth Neal of Trout; daughter, Connie West and husband Scott of Addis, LA; sister, Nona Farmer of Belah; two grandchildren, Cody Smith, and Calee Smith; three great grandchildren, Thatcher Smith, Edith Smith, and Grayson Dauzart.