Obituaries

Funeral services for Ms. Joycelyn Leigh Aymond, 47, were held September 9 at Rush Funeral Home in Pineville with the Rev. Hannah Henderson officiating. Interment followed in Dewil Cemetery, Gardner, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Pineville.She was of Gardner, born January 22, 1970 and entered eternal rest Tuesday, September 5, 2017 in her residence. Joycelyn was a member of Gardner Baptist Church. She led a faith filled Christ centered life and enjoyed her bible and daily devotionals. She fought a courageous battle with cancer for over two and a half years. Joycelyn obtained a bachelors degree in English from Northwestern State University. She was a very dedicated hard worker as she worked currently for the State of Louisiana as a Child Support Enforcement Officer. She also worked for Petrus Feed and Seed. She was an avid nature and animal lover. Joycelyn loved her horses, barrel racing and her dog, Sasha.

Dorothy Margaret Evans Branch, 85, of Lake Charles, died Tuesday, August 29, 2017 in her residence. She was born September 19, 1931 in Many where she graduated from Mount Carmel High School. She also graduated from Secretarial School in Pennsylvania. “Ms. Dot” as she was referred to by her friends, lived in Many until moving to Lake Charles in 1982. She was a past member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Many. She was loved by all and best remembered with her spoon in hand and for her friendly spirit. She was best known for mixing the wonderful drinks that were served at the Frosty Factory. Anyone who visited the Frosty Factory was always greeted with her loving smile and enjoyed her world famous drinks. She will be greatly missed by all those who have come to know her as “Ms. Dot.” She is survived by her daughter, Gail Branch Seegers and husband, David, of Many; sons, Samuel Branch and wife, Linda, and Dr.

B.L. Littleton, 86, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2017, at his home in Zwolle surrounded by his wife, Bea, daughter, Kim, and his beloved pup, Kretzie. He was a homebuilder, real estate broker, restaurateur, rancher and pilot. B.L. was preceded in death by his parents, John Henry and Fannie Yancy Littleton and his son, Barry Lynn Littleton. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Beatrice Littleton of Zwolle; her daughter, Kimberly Yvette Schoth of Zwolle; son, Bradley Gus Schoth and wife, Rachel; grandsons, Tyler and Mason Schoth, all of Bossier City; Ida Jean Simcox of Texarkana, Texas, the mother of his children: True Tawana Littleton-Grimes of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bryan L. Littleton, Jr. and wife, Diane, of Huntsville, Texas, Tonja McAllen of Houston, Texas, Tammy Smith and husband, Jeff, of Hot Springs, South Dakota, and Brent Littleton and wife, Dorothy, of Independence, Kansas; along with their 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. B.L.

Graveside services for Glynn Edward Kitchell, 82, of Robeline were held August 26 at Marthaville Cemetery with the Rev. Kenneth Leach, Sr. officiating. He was born Monday, February 25, 1935 in New Orleans, and passed away Monday, August 21, 2017 at Toledo Nursing Center in Zwolle. He was preceded in death by his wife, Billie Kitchell; mother, Elaine Kitchell; and children, Ginger Miller, Roy Varnell, and Lori Brown. He is survived by his partner in life, Betty Armstrong of Robeline; son-in-law, Michael Miller of Robeline; grandchildren, Jo- Beth Miller of Many, Misty Poole of Pollock, Kent Courville of Watson, Melissa Aymond of Louisiana, and Emily Aymond of Lake Charles; along with a host of great grandchildren, family and friends. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.warrenmeadows.com

Memorial services for Elew John Rogers will be held from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at First Baptist Church in Zwolle with Dr. Perry Penfield officiating. He was born in New Orleans on September 26, 1950 and passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 17, 2017 in Shreveport. John graduated from St. Bernard High School in 1968. He enlisted in the United State Army in 1970 and served until 1972 where he was honorably discharged and decorated. John graduated from the University of New Orleans and went to gain his Master of Science in Geography from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1978. He worked with the USDA-NRCS from 1978-1988 as a soil conservationist in Texas, and then transferred to Lake Providence where he was the District Conservationist. He was also the District Conservationist in Holden, Oklahoma and in Many where he retired in 2014.

Funeral services for Frank M. Yerby, 67, of Florien were held August 27 at Antioch Baptist Church with the Reverends Richard Partridge, John Sparks and Wilton Anthony officiating. Burial followed in the Antioch Cemetery. He was born Tuesday, November 22, 1949 at Clarks AFB in the Philippines and passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2017 in Many. Frank graduated from L. D. Bell in Hurst, Texas in 1969. Later he deployed to Vietnam as a member of Alpha Company, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment (Berlin Brigade) in 1970 where he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service during the Vietnam conflict. He graduated with a Forestry degree from Stephen F. Austin in 1977 where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. In 2008 he retired as District Ranger of the U. S. Forest Service with the Winn District in Winnfield. He served in the U. S. Forest Service with over 30 years in multiple locations and positions.

Funeral Services for Mackie Cecil Thaxton, 73, of Fisher were held August 21 at Cenchrea Nazarene Church with Bros. Wayne Chance, John Sparks, and Eddie Jones officiating. Burial followed in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. He was born September 29, 1943 in Many, and passed away Saturday, August 19, 2017 at his home in Fisher. He was preceded in death by his parents, Troy and Decie Jones Thaxton; sisters, Geneva Snell, Martha Foote, Lovie Rond, Melba Parker, Ruby Rond and Rebecca Hickman; brothers, Vollie Thaxton and Sammy Ray Thaxton He is survived by his wife, Barbara Thaxton of Fisher; daughters, Monica Jones and husband, Eddie, of Florien, Monette Miller and husband, Brian, of Florien and Melanie Miller and husband, Scott, of Florien; nine grandchildren; four great grandchildren; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Pallbearers were Brady Jones, Brennan Jones, Justin Miller, Bailey Miller, Brently Miller, Lance Rivers, Tony Parker, Delane Johnson and Ryan Alford.

Funeral services for Lonnie “Velvet” Durr, 66, of Ft. Jessup were held August 14 in Marthaville at Jennings Chapel. He entered into eternal rest on August 11, 2017. Funeral arrangements handled by Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield. Brother David Hill and Brother Butch Bruce officiated at Jennings Chapel, Bethany Community in Marthaville. Lonnie was born May 19, 1951 in Converse to J.W. Durr and Pearl Viola Davis Durr. He attended Marthaville Schools and was part of the last graduating class from Marthaville School in 1969. He married Barbara Mertens Durr of Bossier City on September 14, 1972. He was truly a small town country boy and did things his way. During his high school years he caught chickens to help provide for his family. He later worked for Conagra, then became an 18-wheel truck driver hauling wood chips. He later went to work for Jenkins Logging driving a log truck for over 21 years, finally retiring in April 2016 due to his failing health conditions.

Funeral services honoring the life of Robert Joseph “R.J.” Wates, Jr., 20, were held August 16 at Old Pisgah Baptist Church in Marthaville with the Rev. Dean Johnson officiating. Burial followed at Spring Ridge Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. R.J. was born August 4, 1997 in Shreveport to Rosemary Brown Wates and Robert Joseph Wates, Sr., and entered into rest on August 13, 2017 in Converse. He was preceded in death by his sister, Kelsi Marie Wates. Those left behind to cherish his memory are his parents; maternal grandfather, Hugh Harvey Brown, Jr.

Funeral services for Roy Eldred Bison, 93, of Zwolle were held August 16 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Richard Norsworthy officiating. Burial followed in the St. Joseph Cemetery. He was born Monday, October 29, 1923 in Sabine Parish and went to his heavenly home on Monday, August 14, 2017 in Shreveport. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise “Sissy” Bison; parents, Will Bison and Dorothy Ebarb Bison; sons, Edward Bison and Lloyd Bison; grandson, Derek Scott Meyers; great grandson, Logan Brant; brothers, Albert Bison, Willie B. Bison and Willis Doyle Bison; and sister, Delores Jackson.