Charles Adriel Cooper
July 28, 1937 – April 16, 2026
Mr. Charles Adriel Cooper, age 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 16, 2026. A devoted member of Walnut Ridge Baptist Church, Charles lived a life rooted in faith, hard work, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors. He was an avid deer hunter who found joy in the quiet of the woods and a skilled carpenter who took pride in working with his hands. Whether tending to his garden or building something from the ground up, Charles embraced life with purpose and care. Above all, he cherished his family, finding his greatest happiness in the love of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Charles is survived by his wife of 64 years, Martiel (Lockhart) Cooper; daughter, Phyllis Cooper Kohler (John), son, Lavelle Cooper; grandchildren, Tony Kohler (Sara) and Blaine Cooper (Alexa); great-grandchildren, Avery Cooper, Asher Cooper, Adliegh Cooper, Steely Cooper, Autumn Kohler, and Ava Kohler. He was preceded in death by his father, Adriel Moore Cooper; mother, Lula Mae (Brown) Cooper; and brother, Gary Cooper.
The funeral service was held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel, followed by burial at Antioch Cemetery in Quitman under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
Serving as pallbearers were Tony Kohler, Lavelle Cooper, John Kohler, Blaine Cooper, Trey Parker, Stacey Johnson, and Asher Cooper.
Joshua Wayne Taylor
November 17, 2005 – April 6, 2026
Funeral services for Josh Taylor will be held at First Baptist Church in Chatham, Louisiana, on April 25, 2026, officiated by Bro. Tim Atkins.
Josh lived 20 years, 4 months, and 20 days on this earth before his soul took flight. He was known as brilliant, compassionate, serious, and funny—fiercely protective of those he loved. Though his time here was short, it was deeply impactful.
Throughout his life, Josh faced many struggles. His battles with severe allergies were visible to those around him, but he also carried deeper, quieter burdens that few truly saw. He endured unimaginable loss, including the passing of his sister and several cousins within just a few years. Rather than burden others with his grief, Josh often masked his pain with humor, bringing light to those around him even when he himself was hurting.
There were times when Josh wrestled with his faith, struggling to understand how such hardships could be allowed. But on December 19, 2025, during a hospital stay, he experienced a moment of peace that would stay with him. It was said that Jesus came to him, sat at the edge of his bed, placed a hand on his leg, and reassured him, “Everything is going to be okay.” Just 108 days later, he was called home.
Josh is preceded in death by his sister, Amber Taylor; maternal grandparents, Wayne and Darlene Ellis; great-grandparents, Fred and Retha Ellis; cousins, Kasey Dodson and Josh Weaver; paternal great-grandparents, Hugo and Virginia Succow; paternal grandparents, Peggy Kelly and Don Taylor, Sr.; and cousin, Lane Guidry.
He is survived by his beloved fiancée, Ilena Sumrall; his mother, Sharon Ellis; his sister, Virginia Ellis, his father, Don Taylor; and his nieces, Jade and Alina Cook; cousins, Caleb (Christopher), Jerri Ellis, Kori and Katie Dodson, Octavia and Archer Dodson, Ari Crenshaw, Penelope Steel, Destiny, Dalton, and Christopher Primeaux, Jessica Guidry, and Christopher Kennedy; his uncle, Jerry Ellis; aunt, Rachel Ellis; and uncle and aunt, Terry and Donna Orr, along with many extended family members and loved ones.
Josh’s life, though brief, was filled with love, resilience, and quiet strength. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew him.
William “Randy” McCurdy
November 12, 1964 – April 14, 2026
Graveside services for William “Randy” McCurdy Sr.,61, were held on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Frantom Chapel Cemetery in Eros, Louisiana, under the care and direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes, West Monroe. Bro. Russell Rhodes officiated.
Randy was preceded in death by his father, Willie “Buddy” McCurdy; mother, Nellie McCurdy; and nephew, Tyler Ledford.
Randy leaves behind his loving wife, Sherry Farnell McCurdy; son, William “Randall” McCurdy, Jr.; daughter, Sarah LeaAnn McCurdy; step-daughter, Hollie Rachelle Truelove; grandchildren, Bailey McCurdy, Jaden McCurdy, Blakely McCurdy, Leo Ziegler, Austin Anding, Elizabeth Truelove, and Rosie Grace Truelove; sister, Diane McCurdy Turnbow; brothers, Eddie Wayne McCurdy, Michael McCurdy and Kenneth McCurdy; numerous nieces and nephews; along with other extended family and close friends.
Honoring Randy as pallbearers was Stephen Zeigler, Kenny McCurdy, William McCurdy, Jr., Michael McCurdy, Eddie Wayne McCurdy and Chris Turnbow.
Honorary pallbearers were Russell McDannell, Joshua Sullivan and CJ Anding.