Chris D. Blalock, Jr.
November 18, 1949-February 23, 2023
Chris was born November 18, 1949 in Hodge, LA to Elaine and Drue Blalock, and passed away peacefully with his children at his bedside on February 23, 2023, at Glenwood Regional Medical Center.
Chris was a graduate of Jonesboro Hodge High School-Class of 1967 and a 1971 graduate of Louisiana Tech with a degree in Horticulture. After 34 years of service to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture, Chris retired to pursue his love of the great outdoors. Whether it be fishing at the family pond, traveling with his children to the beach, watching LSU football, or just tending to his numerous plants he had acquired over the years. Chris was a kind and quiet man with a big heart. The loves of his life were his three children.
Chris is preceded in death by his father, Chris “Drue” Blalock, Sr. He is survived by his loving children; Aaron Blalock of Jonesboro, Lauren Mathews(James) of Dodson, and Alison Blalock of Quitman; his mother Elaine Turner of Jonesboro; his sister Lanie Walden of Bossier; his brother Steve Blalock of Bossier, and two grandchildren, Anslie Blalock and Luke Mathews.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 4th at the Jimmie Davis Tabernacle in Quitman under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
Kenneth Dale “Kenny” Strozier
September 19, 1950 – March 2, 2023
Funeral services for Mr. Kenneth Dale “Kenny” Strozier, age 72 of Ruston, LA will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, March 6, 2023 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston with Rev. Dana Thrash officiating. Burial will follow in the Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Ruston under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.
Kenny was born September 19, 1950 in Jonesboro, LA to Lucille and W.R. Strozier and passed away March 2, 2023 in Ruston. He was a member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church. Kenny graduated from Ruston High School in 1969. He attended and graduated from the Naval Training Center in Orlando, FL in 1972. Kenny served his country during the Vietnam War on the USS Meredith DD-890 as a Seaman Apprentice in the Mediterranean. He remained proud of his time in the Navy and had a deep devotion to his country. After his service, Kenny spent the majority of his career self-employed in the mobile home business. He was often referred to as “STRO MAN” to those who knew him. His personality was big, and it was unlikely to forget STRO MAN once you spent time with him. His son Kenny Wayne recalls hearing customers laugh out loud many times when working on their mobile home. Kenny loved the outdoors and spending time deer and turkey hunting, golfing and fishing with his brothers. He was preceded in death by his wife Diane Johnson Strozier and his parents Lucille and W.R. Strozier.
Kenny is survived by his son Kenny Wayne Strozier of Ruston; siblings: Samuel D. Strozier and wife Tami of Ruston, John D. Strozier and wife Becky of Ruston, Sharon L. and husband Harold Ray Parnell of Choudrant, LA and Rusty Strozier and wife Angela of Homer, LA; and a host of family and friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Kevin “Squirrel” Tilley, Shane Strozier, Craig Strozier, Ty Strozier, Jeff Bradford and Chad Tolar. Honorary pallbearers are Eddie Colvin, Mike Colvin, Lavelle Singleton and Nicky McCullin.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Sunday, March 5, 2023 at the funeral home.
Christine Virginia Anderson Jenkins
May 21, 1940 – February 22, 2023
Christine Virginia Anderson Jenkins 82, known to many as “Christy Luv”, Grandma, and Aunt Christine passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
Christine was born on May 21, 1940 to the late Mowitt Anderson and Lessie Jackson Anderson. She was the only girl of seven children. She loved growing up in the country, but she hated taking care of the chickens. She often told the story of being chased by the mean rooster and preferred spending time with her aunts cooking. Christine was a dedicated member of the St Paul Baptist Church and actively served as an Usher and Choir member (president).
She attended Shady Grove High School (Class of 1960) and Grambling State University. She was employed with the Bienville Parish School Board for many years and inspired many children with the famous finger pointing. She loved her Bienville High School Bobcats as you can see today her theme colors are well represented. She was a true Bienville High School Bobcat.
Christine was a wonderful sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt. She united into Holy matrimony to Morgan Ray Jenkins with this Union they combined their families. Now they are reunited in the presence of God.
Five brothers preceded her in death: John Ed Jackson, Robert Gaines, John Anderson Sr., Morlee Anderson and Cleauthur Anderson, also two stepdaughters Tomeaka Jenkins and Angela Martin.
She leaves to reflect on her fondest memories: her son Gregory Anderson (Vickie) of Jonesboro, Louisiana; her daughter Vickie Jenkins of Jonesboro, Louisiana; step daughters: Lawanda Traxler (Preston) and Brenda Mallard both of Jonesboro, Louisiana; brother Cleophus Anderson (Rose) of Ruston, Louisiana; grandchildren: Shanda Burks (Steve), Phillip Gregory Anderson, Kristen Jenkins, Victoria Jenkins, Jack Williams Jr, Jacqueline Williams, Horace Lee, Steve Lee, Orlando Jenkins, Krystle Williams, Landon Jenkins, Shareda Jenkins, Rodney (Angela) Jenkins, Nalalei Nagawo, Karri Traxler, Kevin Traxler, Joshua Traxler and Rozetta Clark; 15 great grandchildren, and a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. She also leaves a special friend Neomia Underwood and a special sister Willene Davis (Eliza).
Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 4th at Sandhill Baptist Church in Quitman.
Johnny Redge Culpepper
May 24, 1951 – February 27, 2023
Johnny Redge Culpepper passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023 in Ruston, Louisiana. He was 71. Johnny is survived by his wife, Penny (Barber) Culpepper; numerous cousins, brothers and sisters in-law; and other relatives and friends.
Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Wyatt and Mary Sue (Watts) Culpepper; brother, Gary Culpepper; and sister, Gloria Culpepper.
Johnny graduated from Weston High School and attended Huey P. Long Trade School in Winnfield where he became a certified welder. He retired from Entergy (Louisiana Power and Light) after twenty years of service.
He was an enthusiastic squirrel hunter and loved pond fishing with his wife, Penny. They raised cattle, horses, donkeys and chickens on their farm on Gladway Road. Johnny was an avid collector of all sorts of tools, and had amassed an extensive collection over the years.
The funeral service was officiated by Bro. Glen Nash on Saturday, March 4th in the Southern-Edmonds Chapel in Jonesboro. Burial followed at Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery in Weston, Louisiana.
Serving the family as pallbearers were Eddie Willis, Cade Smith, Mac Smith, Lance Ledford, Mitch Nunn, Stanley McKaskle. Honorary Pallbearer was Little John Watts.
John Webster Rogers
June 25, 1945 – February 28, 2023
John Webster “Webb” Rodgers was born in Jigger, Louisiana on June 25, 1945 to Veldon and Winnie Rodgers. He passed away on February 28, 2023 at his residence in Jonesboro, Louisiana.
“Webb” attended school in Franklin Parish where he was a graduate of Fort Necessity High School. He was entrepreneur, and a jack of all trades. “Webb” and Janice opened Pawn Shop in Jonesboro, LA in 1999 and later turned into a flea market until his retirement.
“Webb” served in the United States Marine Corps from 1964-68. During that time, he served in Vietnam for (18) months.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Veldon and Winnie Rodgers; brother, L. V. Rodgers, sisters, Edith Hughey and Julia Sevilla Hill.
He is survived by his wife Janice Searcy Rodgers; children: Darla Bass (T. J), Bill Rodgers (Tracey), Kane Searcy (Melissa); grandchildren: Joli Rodgers, Jacob Rector, Caroline Rodgers, and Samantha Searcy; brother Tim Rodgers of Chase, LA; brother-in-law Steve Hill; lifelong friend Ronald Camp (Melba); a very special nephew Terry Raynes of Hessmer, LA; bonus grandchildren: Braydon, Bailey, Parker, and Pierson Brown; several nieces and nephews, and many special friends from Franklin Parish. Last but not least our very best friend Pam Brown.
Rodgers Celebration of Life was held on Friday, March 3rd at Paradise Funeral Home in Jonesboro. Interment followed at Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Rayville, LA.
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