Obituaries

Austin Lefaye (Fay) Abrams was born April 27, 1934 in Sikes, LA. He died on April 21, 2022 at the age of 87 at his home in Winnfield, LA. Austin was the son of Riley Alvin and Ola Mertha (Curry) Abrams and the youngest of 3 children. His sisters Geraldine Abrams Womack and Helen Mildred Abrams Malloy both of Winnfield, LA preceded him in death.

Austin is survived by his 4 children: daughter Rhonda Abrams Leeper (Cliff), Montana; son Kraig Abrams (Lana), Washington; son Derek Abrams, Oregon; and daughter Denise Abrams, Colorado; 7 grandchildren, 4 greatgrandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jack Madison Fluitt born October 23, 1955 in Jena, LA, left this earth on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 66 years of age to go to his Heavenly home.

Jack was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, gardening and tending to his horses. He excelled at deer hunting as anyone who has seen his den can testify. He was at one time the Bow Instructor for Winn Parish. The main love of Jack’s life, however, was his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jack was a long time member of Full Gospel Temple in Jonesboro, Louisiana. Since his retirement in 2018 as a 798 Union Welder, Jack faithfully taught his Prime Timers Sunday School Class. He was also a board member and part of the security team. Jack loved preaching and teaching the Word of God anytime there was an opportunity. He was often known to lead prayer meetings on his job sites.

Preceding Jack in death were his parents; Minnie Laverne Metchette and Jack Madison Fluitt, Sr; and step-father, Russell Fredrick Metchette.

Mrs. Erlene Melton Smith, age 90 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2022.

Born Wednesday, January 6, 1932 in Winnfield, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her parents, Myrtle Loflin Melton and Fletcher Melton; husband, Glen Smith; and granddaughter, Caroline Rodgers.

Mrs. Smith was retired from the Bank of Winnfield, serving many years as a teller. She enjoyed fishing and gardening.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Kerry Wayne Smith; grandchildren, Howard Marshall Smith, Jodie Renee Hudgins, Cassie Janeen Rodgers, Alesha Ann Smith, and Megan Denise Smith; great grandchildren, Brielle Hudgins, Brentley Hudgins, Brayden Smith, and Kadence Smith; and cousins, Ronnie and Mike Melton.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at Southern Funeral Home, from 9:00 AM until time of services.

A memorial service to honor the life of William Rex Zimmerman will be at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at his daughter and son-in-law’s home, Anna and Brandon Knotts, 1476 Hwy. 1232 Winnfield, LA. Pastor Bobby Bates will officiate.

Friends may visit with the family from 11:00 a.m. until service time at 12:00 p.m.

Rex, 61, passed away Monday, May 30, 2022 in New Orleans hospital following a courageous battle with kidney failure.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles Eugene Zimmerman and Willie Jean Zimmerman.

He is survived by his life-long partner of 39 years, Tracy Waxley Zimmerman, one son, Colby and his wife Amy and their children Avery, Alivia and Reid; one daughter, Anna Claire Knotts and her husband Brandon Knotts and their son Lucas; two brothers, Mike Zimmerman and Barry Zimmerman, numerous nieces, nephews, friends and co-workers.

“He made his last cast, pulled in the trolling motor, cranked up the outboard and is heading home.”

Clarence Nathan “Nate” Durham, 98, of Houston, passed on to his next adventure April 29, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Haynesville Jan. 5, 1924, the son of the late Clarence Neal Durham and Gladys Marie Crocker. His parents and grandparents were from pioneering families in Winn Parish.

He is survived by two daughters, Susan Butler and Catherine Ellis of Houston; one son, Carl A. Durham and daughter-in-law Pam of Baytown, Texas; 16 grandchildren and their spouses; 20 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by daughters, Naylyn G. Durham Dill of Jena and Carol M. Durham of Pasadena, Texas; former spouse, Ruthmary Anderson Durham Goldman of Houston; and siblings, Carlton McIlwain Durham, Dorotha Marie “Dot” Moore and Walter Glynn Durham.

Marie Guthrie Saucier, age 96 of Dodson, Louisiana passed away from this life on May 16th, 2022 at Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield, Louisiana.

Marie Saucier was born on January 18th, 1926, in the Wattsville Community, Louisiana, as the daughter of the late Carrie and Ernest Guthrie.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Lavon Saucier, parents Ernest and Carrie Guthrie, brothers Arthur and John Guthrie, sisters Louisa Norman, Maude Guthrie, Mattie McNeill, stepson Douglas Saucier, granddaughters Carrie Eusey, Annette Lundy, and great grandson Michael Ryder Jr.

Charles Dillon Muse, age 78 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, May 1, 2022 in Christus St. Francis Cabrini Hospital of Alexandria, Louisiana.

Born Monday, September 13, 1943 in Many, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Ophelia Martin Muse; and his parents Melvin and Elsie Paul Muse.

Those left to cherish his memory include his sons James “Jim” Martin Muse (wife Kristi), John Wesley “Wes” Muse (wife Laken); his grandchildren Ava and Zoe Muse; two sisters Katherine Muse Timon and Delores Muse Vines.

Mr. Charlie spent his working career of 39 years as a machine operator for Kansas City Southern Railroad. He was an avid hunter, outdoorsman, and gun enthusiast. He proudly served his country in the United States Army and was a devoted Christian quoting, “Jesus is my Savior and I believe in Him!”

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at Southern Funeral Home, from 12:00 PM until 1:45 PM.

James Cornelius “Cornie” Parker passed from this life of Friday, April 29, 2022 at his residence. He was born to the union of Lawrence and Ethel Erskins Parker of Sikes, Louisiana on March 29, 1936. Cornie, as he was affectionately known, graduated from Sikes High School where he met his future bride Margie Hatten. They were married on November 1955, and have been married for 66 years.

Cornie worked several different jobs over the years including his final job with the Winn Parish Police Jury as a heavy equipment operator upon his retirement. He loved working outside and over the years enjoyed working in his vegetable gardens.

His greatest passion was singing gospel music. He was in a quartet at New Prospect Baptist Church. After moving back to Sikes he sang with several different people at the nursing homes which he loved doing. He loved eating ice cream and peanuts, which he ate for supper or a snack every night.

Mr. Marvin Eugene Denler, 49 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed from this life on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Encompass Health Care in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Born Saturday, April 22, 1972 in Winnfield, Louisiana, he was the son of the late Eugene Denler and the late Marie Bagwell Denler. He was the husband of Kimberly White Denler. Marvin enjoyed various activities in his spare time including model cars, car shows, woodworking, and computers.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Margaret Goss, and David Taylor.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Kimberly White Denler; sons Justin Denler (Kelsi) and Draiden White; daughters Tammy Denler and Malaina White; eight grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; siblings, Jimmy Taylor (Karen), Polly Peltier (Alfred), Lisa Denler (Tony), Maxine Trullender, Michelle Denler Hudson, Ricky Denler (Lisa), and Herbert Denler (Traci).

Mr. DeWitt George Hagan, Jr., age 77 of Winnfield, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2022.

Born Monday, October 2, 1944 in Alexandria, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, DeWitt George Hagan, Sr. and Josephine Laningham Hagan; daughter, Mary Josephine Heidel.

Mr. Hagan was a US Navy veteran having served from 1964-1968 during the Vietnam era. He was retired from AT&T and attended Pentecostals of Alexandria.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 40 years, Olene Holloway Hagan; son, Wayne Hagan (Amanda); daughters, Bobbie Jo Wooten, Karen McMillin (Bud) and Jamie Hagan; grandchildren, Hollie, Michael, Cody, Jessie and James; sister, Ruth Long (Bobby).

Service arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.southernfuneralhome.com.