Obituaries
Clarence Rachal
Jan 4, 2026
Clarence Rachal, 99, of Harrison, TN passed away Sunday, January 4, 2026 at his home.
Born in Derry, LA, Mr. Rachal was a resident of LA for 23 years, before moving to Chicago, IL from 1950 until 1992 at which time he returned to LA for 15 years before moving to Harrison, TN in 2007.
He retired from Sales Tool in Chicago,...
Edward D. Trichel
Jan 1, 2026
Edward D. Trichel, a beloved father, grandfather, and brother, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, in Minden, Louisiana, at the age of 85. Born on March 18, 1940, in Natchitoches, Louisiana, to Eddie Trichel and Loraine Gourdon Trichel.
Edward dedicated more than half of his life to working for Madden Contracting Company, taking pride in a hard day’s work and...
James Edward McDonald
Jan 1, 2026
James “Jimmy” Edward McDonald was born on October 1, 1941, to Curtis and Dorothy Lofton McDonald in Powhatan, Louisiana. He departed this world on January 1, 2026. His grandchildren jokingly said that Papaw Jimmy made Big Mama wait an extra day for her birthday. Those who knew him knew that he loved to pick almost as much as he loved...
Adrene Methvin McKnight
Jan 1, 2026
“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost,
to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Adrene McKnight never slowed down long enough to be ordinary. At an age when most people begin to take it easy, she leaned in. She chose adventure over caution, laughter over...
James Randell Dupree
Dec 29, 2025
James Randell Dupree “Randy”, born February 20, 1954, entered his heavenly home at his residence, surrounded by his loving family, on December 29, 2025, at the age of 71.
Randy was born to the late Rev. A.J. Dupree and Pearlie Skinner Dupree. He was a devoted husband of 52 years to Rhonda Colston Dupree, a loving father to Brandi McManus and...
Raymond Louis Locatto
Dec 28, 2025
Raymond Louis Locatto, Sr. was born on April 8, 1949 in New Orleans, LA. The love of my life was unexpectedly called away on December 28, 2025. Ray was preceded in death by his parents Dominic Raymond and Florence Richardson Locatto; sister Connie Piazza; and brother, Constandino “Gus” Locatto.
Ray loved to fish, crab, and shrimp. Being Italian and from New...
Luther W. Lott, Jr.
Dec 28, 2025
Luther “Buddy” Lott was born on June 6, 1959, and passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family.
Buddy lived in Natchitoches his entire life. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1977, and in 2011 he was inducted into the SMH Hall of Fame for his continued support of his Alma Mater. Buddy attended Northwestern...
John Scott Wade
Dec 25, 2025
John “Scotty” Wade, the son of US Air Force Lt Col (Ret) and Mrs Ernest Wade (both now deceased) passed away at the age of 72 in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Due to his father’s military service, Scotty Wade, a native of Shreveport, LA lived in many states including over 50 years in Warner Robins, Georgia. It was here he throughly enjoyed bowling...
Maxine Cotton
Dec 25, 2025
Maxine Cotton was born on July 20, 1956 in Zwolle, LA. She entered eternal rest and was reunited with her mother on December 25, 2025, at the age of 69.
Maxine lived a vibrant life filled with love, kindness, and joy. She touched many hearts and will forever inspire those who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her parents Arthur...
Margie Lee Lonadier
Dec 21, 2025
Margie Lee Anders Lonadier passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
The daughter of Oscar and Alta Nobles Anders, she was born on October 1, 1925 in Natchitoches Parish. Margie spent her childhood living in Louisiana and California. As a young adult, she returned to Louisiana to meet and marry the love of her life Jules Henry (Buddy) Lonadier. Together,...
Zelda Grace Middleton
Dec 21, 2025
Heaven rejoiced on Sunday, December 21, as our beloved mother joined the alto section, greeted by family celebrating with shouts of joy.
Zelda Grace Rawls Middleton was just days away from reaching the grand age of 95. She was born on January 13, 1931, to Robert and Nettie Rawls in Marthaville, Louisiana. After attending Louisiana College for three years, she married...
Anita Marie DeSoto Gourdon
Dec 20, 2025
Anita Marie DeSoto Gourdon, born on December 24, 1958, in Natchitoches, Louisiana, passed away on December 20, 2025, at Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana. She was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of many through her warmth and kindness. A beloved mother and grandmother, Anita's nurturing spirit and unwavering love have profoundly impacted her family and those fortunate enough...
Daryl Allan Bruno
Dec 20, 2025
Daryl Allan Bruno, born on March 3, 1961, in Houston, Texas, passed away unexpectedly on December 20, 2025, in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He is fondly remembered for his incredible sense of humor that brought joy to those around him. Daryl had an exceptional talent for devising unique and off-the-wall sayings that would fit any occasion, eliciting laughter from friends and family...
Dale Saurage
Dec 19, 2025
Allan Dale Saurage, 76, of Winnsboro, Texas passed peacefully from this life to eternal life on Friday, December 19, 2025. His unwavering faith in God gave him inner strength and sustained him through his long health battle.
Mr. Saurage, a true Texan, born to Olen Wellington Saurage, Jr., and Helen Marie Saurage Jones, who have both preceded him in death, was...
Ernestine Neal Foshee Allen
Dec 18, 2025
Ernestine Neal Foshee Allen, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, was born on November 7, 1940, in Winnsboro, Louisiana, to James Lawice Neal and Grace Louise Latham Neal. Ernestine passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025, after suffering several health setbacks, at the age of 85.
Ernestine graduated from Natchitoches High School in 1958. Shortly thereafter, she married the love of...
Kerry Mitchell
Dec 18, 2025
Kerry Mitchell, a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and veteran, passed away on December 18, 2025, in Marksville, Louisiana, at the age of 83.
Born on March 5, 1942, in Many, Louisiana, Kerry spent his early years in this close-knit community, where he developed a strong sense of family that remained important to him throughout his life.
Kerry proudly served his country in...
Nancy J. Lauw
Dec 16, 2025
Nancy J. Lauw was born on October 18, 1939, in Waynesboro, Mississippi, to Luther Edward Jones and Rosie Elmedia (nee Shirah) Jones, and was the oldest girl in a family of nine children. To help support her family, she made a deal with her father: if she could secure a job at the local glove factory, she could quit school...
Edward O. Jones
Dec 15, 2025
Edward O. Jones, son of James and Masako Jones (Miki), went to be with the Lord on December 15 at his home in Ringgold, GA.
Edward (Ed) was born on July 15, 1958 in Fort Eustis, VA. Raised in a military family, he experienced life across cultures early on, including a three-year stint living in Tehran, Iran. He went on to...
John Dale Ropp
Dec 10, 2025
John Dale Ropp, one of Louisiana’s most prolific football coaches, passed away on December 10, 2025, at the age of 95. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Natchitoches on Thursday, December 18, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. A private family burial service will be at the American Cemetery.
John was born on March...
Robert Wayne Bennett
Dec 9, 2025
Robert Bennett passed away on December 9 at home, surrounded by the family who loved him most. He was a man of quiet strength. Robert lived with honesty, loyalty, and respect at the core of his being. He did not need to be loud to be strong, nor forceful to be wise. His calm presence brought comfort, and his words...
