Home going services for Mary Jo Vaughn will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at the City of Refuge Community Church, 3089 US-71 in Campti, with Reverend Roland Smith officiating. Interment will follow at St. Titus Cemetery under the direction of Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches. The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at the City of Refuge Community Church. The precious life of Mary Jo Vaughn came to an end on Sept. 20, 2015 at Louisiana Extended Care Facility at the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. She was born Nov. 29, 1936 to the union of Lawrence and Louvenia Coutee. She was a God fearing woman that kept her family and friends in prayer daily. She was married to the Fred Marshall Vaughn Sr. and to this union 10 children were born, five boys and five girls. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She leaves to cherish her life one brother Lawrence Coutee Sr.; two sisters Julia Telsee and Mae Collins; 10 children Carolyn Lynch, Fred Vaughn Jr., Barbara Smith (Roland), John L. Vaughn (Denise), Marilyn Lee (Napoleon), Margaret Edwards (Anthony), Michael Vaughn (Terrie), Charlene Vaughn, Matthew Vaughn (Ruth) and Paul Vaughn (Kayla). She was blessed with 40 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Those honored to serve as pallbearers include: Reginald McCoy, Joseph Bush Jr., Alton Jones Jr., Lawrence Collins Jr., Jai Prelow, David Telsee III, Burtis Holden and Ricky Legardy. Honorary pallbearers will be Sefty Telsee, Elbert Collins, L.B. Collins, William Coutee, Donald Lewis, Joseph Bush, Sr., Ebenezer Vaughn, Elbert Vaughn Jr., Curtis Vaughn, Dean Vaughn, Willie Lee Vaughn and J. W. Landrum. The family would like to thank We Care Services, Professional Home Health Services, Louisiana Extended Care and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center for the excellent care provided to our mother during her journey to heaven. A special thanks to Dr. Botnick and Dr. Mayeux for all you did during such a difficult time.

A service to celebrate the life of Sonya Dee Creighton was held Tuesday, Sept. 22 at the Family Worship Center in Campti. Burial followed at the Black Lake Full Gospel Cemetery. The family received friends Sept. 21 at the Family Worship Center. Sonya, 38, went to be her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. She was born Aug. 16, 1977 in Alexandria to Joe and Corey Creighton. She was a very active member of the Family Worship Center. She loved music and singing, especially during worship services at church. An avid and vivacious reader, she was very knowledgeable about facts on many different subjects. She loved sports and was a big fan of the LSU Tigers and Lakeview Gators. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. She leaves to cherish her memory, her pride and joy, her son, Arthur Joseph “AJ” Williamson; parents Joe Creighton and Alma Corine (Corey) Creighton; brother Joey Creighton; sisters Abby Creighton Martin and Chris Snell; nieces Kaylee Jo Creighton and Tiffany Pinkard; nephews J.J. Clark, Hayden Creighton, Reagan Williamson, Travis Williamson, and Michael Williamson; great nieces Brendal and KenLee Pinkard; great nephews Christopher and Tyler Williamson; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, J. D. and Hazel Morris and her paternal grandparents, Josephine Malone and Jack Creighton; and halfbrother Randell Joe Creighton. Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Mark Walker, Dusty Vascocu, Danny Calder, Vince Brocato, Brandi Smith, Tony Baldridge, Jason Corbitt, Jackie Tingle and Mike Gavin.

Grover “Butch” Cleveland Wiggins, 70, of Natchitoches, passed away Friday, Oct. 16, surrounded by his loving wife, children and family at CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini hospital in Alexandria. Butch was born to Mary Louise Ferrell Wiggins and Hazen Bert Wiggins Sr. May 15, 1945 in Compton, Cali., where he lived for a brief time before his family settled in Vidalia. Butch grew up in a large family, where he was an accomplished athlete, musician and hunter, all activities he passed down to his own children. He was a funny and popular student, graduating from Vidalia High. Butch attended Northwestern State University and made his home in Natchitoches. He was known to many in the community as a salesman. His family knew him to be a loving spouse, father, grandfather, uncle and brother. He is survived by his devoted wife, Cynthia Bagwell Wiggins; children, Van Campbell Wiggins and his wife, Lisa, of Natchitoches; Wendy Wiggins McCoy and her husband, Doug, of Rowlett, Texas; Sandy Wiggins Long and her husband, Justin, of Natchitoches; and Brandon Wiggins Stoker of Shreveport; step-children Carey Galyean and his girlfriend, Rebecca Griggs of Jackson, Tenn.; Brian Galyean and his wife, Kim, of Natchitoches; and Joel Kaufman, and his girlfriend, Shannon Herring, of Baton Rouge; grandchildren include, Kathryn, Nicholas, Thomas, Daniel and Victoria Wiggins of Natchitoches; Allison and Nathan McCoy of Rowlett, Texas; Liam Conn and Nina Long of Natchitoches; Rylee, Madison and Kaitlin Galyean of Jackson, Tenn.; and, Randy and Gregory Galyean of Natchitoches. Butch’s siblings include: Hazen “Bert” Wiggins Jr. and his wife Barbara of Monroe; Katherine “Katty” Wiggins Williams of McKinney, Texas; Betty Wiggins of Seattle, Wash.; William “Billy” Wiggins and his wife, Marti, of Pass Christian, Miss.; and Brenda Wiggins Morgan of Natchitoches. He is also survived by his three aunts Catherine Rose Ferrell Haley, Ella French Ferrell Atkins and Novice Wiggins Smith and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. He is preceded in death by his parents and infant daughter, Heidi Anne Wiggins. A celebration of life was held Monday, Oct. 19 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, with William “Billy” Wiggins officiating the ceremony. Interment followed at Memory Lawn Cemetery of Natchitoches. Pallbearers were Nicholas Wiggins, Thomas Wiggins, Jeff Wiggins, Mike Woodard, Van Barker, and Doc Koolar. Honorary Pallbearers were Nathan McCoy, Daniel Wiggins, Liam Conn, C.W. Weeks, Robert Miller, J.R. Guillory, Derrell Strother, and John Posey. The family would like to extend their appreciation for the care that Butch received from the medical team at St. Francis Cabrini hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude‚Äôs Children‚ Äôs Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences may be extended on-line by visiting www.blanchardstdenisfuneralhome.com

Funeral services for Joyce Doster Patrick, 85, of Natchitoches will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel in Coushatta, with Bro. Frank Mathis officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. Visitation was held Oct. 21. Mrs. Patrick was born Jan. 29, 1930 in Fordyce, Ark. and passed away Oct. 20, 2015. She was a loving mother and grandmother and will be missed by all those who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alline Rogers Doster and Alva Burton Doster; husband, Dewitt Patrick; daughter, Peggy Durr and husband, T.C.; son, John Patrick and wife, Nancy; grandson, Jimmy Patrick; sons-in-law, Artis Durr, Mike Harville, and Bill Rutledge; and great-grandchildren, Haize, Jaxon, and Elijah Durr and Haven Patrick. Mrs. Patrick is survived by her daughters, Nell Durr, Christy Harville, and Carol Adams and husband, Jimmy; grandchildren, Gene Durr and wife, Kim, Mike Durr and wife, Debra, Jennifer Bridges and husband, Sonny, Patrick Durr and wife, Shanna, Kris Durr and wife, Melinda, Keith Durr and wife, Chrystal, Tommy Patrick and wife, Sharon, Nolan Patrick, Richard Patrick, Trent Yarbrough and wife, Courtney, and Deanna Rivers; eighteen great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. The family wishes to express a special thanks to St. Joseph Hospice and Green Meadow Haven Nursing Home of Coushatta.

Aug. 17, 1932 - Oct. 16, 2015

Services celebrating the life and legacy of Mrs. Marylene K. Johnson will be held Thursday, Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. at the Abundant Life Ministries Church on Ben Drive with burial following in the Shady Grove Community Cemetery. The remains will lie in state at the Abundant Life Church for public visitation from 9 a.m. until service time. Those who were privileged to interact with our beloved Marylene Keegan Johnson would consistently describe her as a lady with admirable conviction, an intense love of God, family and country as well as the consummate domestic engineer. She was a dear daughter, precious wife, a loving mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and loyal friend. Born Aug. 17, 1932 in Jonesboro and reared in the Shady Grove Community, she was blessed to have two sets of parents, Mary Lee Cyrus and Wordie Hicks as well as Cora Keegan Bush and Dock Keegan. This gentle soul exchanged time for eternity Oct. 16, 2015 surrounded by family while a patient at the Willis-Knighton-Pierremont Medical Center in Shreveport. Her being nurtured in a devoutly Christian environment served as a natural prelude to her focus on preparation for eternal life. She did so by prayer and self-denial in seeking a personal relationship with God, publicly confessing her faith in Him as her Lord and Savior, being baptized and then uniting with the Shady Grove Baptist Church under the pastorage of the late Rev. John Gaines. During her adult life, she was spiritually led to become a part of the Abundant Life Ministries Family where the Rev. Dr. Aill R. Harris Jr. is pastor and teacher. Sis. Johnson remained an active part of that congregation serving in various capacities. Education was of great importance in her life’s perspective. She graduated from Natchitoches Parish Training School in the Class of 1950 where she had reigned on the Homecoming Court and earned the reputation of being a noteworthy athlete. The latter attribute was prominent during her tenure at what was then Grambling College and is now Grambling State University. The Lord blessed her with a loving companion in her marriage to the late Mr. James Johnson, a matrimonial union that brought forth fruit of two sons, Edward Charles Johnson, and James Ervin Johnson. For many years, she was blessed with a loving companion, Norwood Jackson Jr. and a third son, Norwood Jackson III. Johnson will long be remembered for the elegant manner in which she selected her wardrobe attire and articulated in a modulated voice tone. She was a productive member of the Natchitoches community, participating in a number of social organizations. She served on the Board of Directors for the Office of Community Service, Natchitoches Outpatient Clinic, and Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Additionally, she was an active member of the American Legion Post #10, VFW Post #1962 and the Kisatchie Legal Services Board. Known for her diligence in organizations, she was dedicated to the work of the Grambling State University Alumni Association for many years. This conscientious citizen retired from the Northwestern State University after a career in their physical plant division that spanned more than three decades. Her spirit will live on in the hearts and minds of those who survive her including her three sons: Edward C. Johnson (Gwendolyn) of Slidell, James Ervin Johnson of Maryland and Norwood Jackson III (Carolyn) of Natchitoches; her grandchildren, Tamma Johnson Gray, Baton Rouge, Natosha D. Payne (Damien), Natchitoches, and Germaine D. Johnson, Atlanta, Ga.; her great-grandchildren D. J. Rabb, Daiyan A. Gray, Ayla D. Payne and Samiya Gray; her sister, Jean Fields, of Bernice, her brothers, William D. Cyrus, Baton Rouge, LA and Aubrey Lee Cyrus (Mary) of West Monroe. She is also survived by very special friends: Cynthia Pierce King, Valerie McCoy and Bettie Ann Bush.

Aug. 4, 1946 – Oct. 19, 2015

Mrs. Dewana Gayle Lashley Grillette, 58, of Black Lake, went home to be with her Lord Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015 in Shreveport. She was born Friday, Dec. 21, 1956 in Montgomery to the union of EH and Omeria DuBois Lashley. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband Ron C. (Chris) Grillette, Black Lake; son Joshua Bryant and wife Pagie Montgomery; daughter Shonda Bruce and husband Andrew Montgomery; sister Delores Mercer and husband James, Lafayette; six grandchildren, two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. The family received friends on Nov. 4 at Iatt Baptist Church. They will receive friends Thursday, Nov. 5 until service time. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 at Iatt Baptist Church with Rev. Pete Anderson officiating. Interment will follow in Oglesby Family Cemetery in Verda, under the direction of Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Punkin Lashley, Donny Lasyone, Gage Gibbs, T.J. Lashley, Jimmy Perkins, Bobby Joe Chelette. Honorary pallbearers will be Coby Bruce, Cameron Bryant, Monty Trichel and Tommy Wayne Lashley. Condolences may be made at www.southernfuneralhome.com 

Funeral services for Charles Herbert Garsee will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 at Coldwater Baptist Church in Hagewood, with the Rev. Luke Hendrickson officiating. Interment will follow at Coldwater Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9- 11 a.m. Nov. 5 at Coldwater Baptist Church in Coldwater. Herbert Garsee, 85, passed away Nov. 2, 2015. He was born Feb. 18, 1930 in Bordenlonville. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Herbert faced his cancer with dignity, grace, and faith. He told his children that when the Good Lord got ready to call him home; he was ready. The Lord called Dad home. He was a veteran of the Korean war, serving in the Army for two years on active duty, and eight years in the Army Reserves. He is survived by his children, Allen Garsee and wife Kathy, Kathy Rushing and husband David, and Donna Compton; his grandchildren, Melissa Coutee, Candice Harris and husband Jeremy, Amanda Saunders and husband Tre, and Kylie Hughes and husband Nick; and his great-grandchildren, Hunter and Kaelyn Coutee, Hailey and Brooklyn Harris, Samantha and Jackson Saunders, and Kaylie and Ty Hughes. Those waiting to great him were his wife of 37 years, Myrtle Horn Garsee; former wife, Henrietta Curry Garsee; his parents, Charles and Ethel Johnson Garsee; four brothers; and four sisters. Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be David Rushing, Jeremy Harris, Tre Saunders, Nick Hughes, David Cheatwood, and Paul Cormane. Honorary pallbearers will be his great grandson; Jackson Allen Saunders and Ty Anderson Hughes. 

Diane Below, 53, left her earthly home peacefully to meet her Heavenly Father Oct. 30, 2015. This loving daughter, precious sister and the dearest mother was born to the late Mr. and Mrs. James and Doris Anthony Below, Oct. 29, 1962 in Pineville. She was called home while at her residence in Natchitoches surrounded by family Friday, Oct. 30, 2015 at 5:17 p.m. She was reunited in her Heavenly home with her parents, James and Doris Anthony Below, brother Bobby Burns, and grandson Jace Higgins. Those who will be profoundly deprived of her presence will be her children Brandon S. Below Sr. of Houston, LaQuinta D. Below of Natchitoches, Shantonesia T. Below of Natchitoches, Jamaica N. Below of Monroe, and Meshay Below of Natchitoches. Her spirit will live on in her surviving siblings: Rev. James Below, Jr. (Andrea), Terry Below (Donna), Rev. John C. Below all of Natchitoches, Craig Below of Baton Rouge; Gregory Below, DeAndre Below, Jared Carter, and Rhoda Houston all of Shreveport, Temika Below of Monroe; Monica Below Smith (Frederick) of Pineville; one aunt, Betty Anthony of Natchez, and one uncle, Louis Charles Below (Lillian) of Oakland, Cali. Also cherishing her beloved memory are grandchildren Layla Below, Brandon S. Below Jr, Amiya Below, Kaylee Jones, Brielle Below, and Bobby D. Newton Jr. and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

A service to celebrate the life of Cecelia Renee (Free) Denham was held Nov. 4 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with Robert Jackson officiating. Interment followed at Progress Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. The family received friends Nov. 3. Beloved wife and mother passed into God’s loving arms on Oct. 31, 2015 at the age of 44. She was the youngest child of James and Jeanette Free. Renee was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Dana Free. She was a loyal and devoted wife of 24 years to Charles E. Denham Jr. of Winn Parish, and a loving mother of Desiree Alyson Denham, Kayla Renee Denham, and “Gammy” to Aubrey Nichole Denham, who was the light of her heart. She will truly be missed by her siblings, Mike Free and wife Dale of Burlington, Kan., and Jodie LaCour and wife Lisa of Bend, Ore., Judy Hall and husband Mitchell of Medical Lake, Wash., and Joretta Denham of Campti. She was blessed with one niece and three nephews, Fallon Dale and husband Jared of Glennallen, Ark., brother in law, Mark LaCour and a motherly figure to Brooke Miles, Heather Murphy, Morgan Ragan, Tristin Cross, and Landon Williams. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Those honored to serve as pallbearers included Sammy Ragan, Charlie Denham Sr., Mark LaCour, Kelly Gourdon, Tony Miles and Michael Free. Honorary pallbearers were Tristin Cross, Kevin Gourdon, Thomas Gourdon and Raymond Gourdon. 

The Reverend Dewayne Bolton faithfully served as an ordained elder, pastor and evangelist in the Church of the Nazarene for 41 years. There will be a memorial service Saturday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. at the United Pentecostal Church in Provencal. Rev. Bolton was born Oct. 27, 1943 and passed away Oct. 24, 2015. He was preceded in heaven by his parents, Arthur and Emma Bolton; one brother Chester Bolton; five sisters Rosa Dolan, Edith Bolton, Ovada Carter, Dorothy Mitchell and Willie Richardson. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Kay Jackson Bolton; two sons, Michael and wife April Bolton of West Richland, Wash., and Samuel and wife Shari Bolton of Oklahoma City; four grandchildren, Ashlei and Kristoffer, Lexi and Will; and one great grandchild, Lily; two brothers, Robert and Ralph Bolton; three sisters, Peggy Lindsey, Velva Colston and Nelda Bolton; and a host of nieces, nephews and many friends who have been blessed by his radiant walk with Jesus. 

Funeral Services will be celebrated at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11 a. m. with burial in the Breda Town Cemetery. The remains will lie in state at the funeral home Saturday morning from 8 a. m. to service time. There will be a repast at the United Missionary Baptist Church in Natchez. Mr. Oliphant was born Oct. 7, 1970 and passed away Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015 

Services will be celebrated Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. at Choctaw Island Baptist Church. Visitation will be from noon until service time at the church. Burial will be held in the church cemetery. Mr. Washington was born Jan. 11, 1031 and passed away Nov. 11, 2005. 

Husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Funeral services for Mr. Donald Ray Stoker, were Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 11 a.m., in the Chapel of Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home with the Rev. Cecil Boswell Sr. And Christopher Dew officiating. Interment followed at Central Baptist Cemetery in Robeline. The family received friends Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home. Donald, was born on Nov. 9, 1929, to Dewitt Horace Stoker and Imogene Welch Stoker, and passed from this life at 86 years of age  Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. Donald was beloved by his family and friends. He filled so many roles and held so many titles: Husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, leather worker, farmer, horse trainer, helper, storyteller and beloved friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dewitt Stoker and Imogene Stoker of Robeline; his wife Mildred Marie Stoker of Natchitoches; one brother, Byron Elvin “Spooks” Stoker of Robeline; one sister Virginia Claire “Sis” Odem of Robeline; one grandson Scott Byles of Robeline and one great grandson Cole Byles of Tyler, Texas. He is survived by his two daughters, Dianne Byles and husband Jimmie of Robeline, and Shirley Graybiel and husband Jed of Bethany; two brothers, Bobby Dale Stoker, Sr. and wife Audrey of Robeline and Billy Jack Stoker also of Robeline; three grandsons, Chad Byles and wife Misty of Many, Christopher Dew and wife Rachel of Vichy, Mo., and Dexton Dew of Hagewood; seven great grandchildren, Kenneth and Ashlee Byles, Karsten, Kayden, and Kellen Dew, Logan and Lucas Dew; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Those honored to be pallbearers were Jed Graybiel, Chad Byles, Dexton Dew, Eric Stoker, Seth Stoker, and Whitt Stoker. Dale Stoker, Max Stoker, and R. C. Hall will serve as honorary

Funeral services for B. R. Loftin, 62, of Martin, were at 1 p..m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Martin Baptist Church with Bro. Rick McDonald officiating and Bro. Greg Patton assisting. Interment will follow in Martin Cemetery. Visitation were from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home. Bonne Roy Loftin, aka BR Loftin, passed from this life to his eternal home, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. He will be greatly missed by family and friends who cherish him. He was a loving father, grandfather, and soul mate to his wife, Donna. He had a servant’s heart and leaves behind a legacy of faith, love and integrity. He is preceded in death by his father, Isaac Roy Loftin; and sister, Patricia Loflin. B. R. is survived by his wife, Donna Loftin of Martin; daughter, Haley Brook Campbell and husband, Eric of Bremen, Ga.; granddaughters, Payton and Auldyn Campbell; mother, Gladys Loftin of Martin; brother, David Loftin and wife, Cindy of Martin; and sister, Jeannie Dupree of Martin. Pallbearers were Eric Campbell, Heith Bates, Keith Bates, Brandon Quick, Brian Taylor, Lee Loftin, Curtis Myers, Randy Quick, Hunter Wilson, Tommy Cloud, Gary Quick, David Quick, Michael Berlin, “Bo” William Lockard, Justin McKnight, and Paul  Flores.