Yanelia Nannette Cotten Shaw,
August 21, 1947 – October 31, 2026
Yanelia Nannette Cotten Shaw, age 79 of Ruston, LA was born to Allen Cotten & Alice Moffett Cotten on Aug 21, 1947 in Hodge, La and passed away peacefully Oct 31, 2026.
Graveside services are scheduled for 2:00 PM, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026 at Antioch Cemetery in Quitman with Bro. Bo Nicholson officiating under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.
Yanelia is lovingly remembered by her husband of 59 years, Gary Shaw. They met at Shipley’s Do-nut in Ruston, summer of 1967 and married a few months later. It was a true love story and as she always said, he made her laugh every day.
She is survived by her daughters, Tammy Pearson and Shelaine Murphy (Jesse); grandchildren, Vance Shaw, Hannah Turrentine (Ben), Leah Gordon (Andrew), and Luke Murphy; great-grands, Tommy & June Turrentine; her sisters, Delores Smith (David), Shirley Davis (Joel); and brother, Richard Cotten (Beth), as well as many nieces and nephews – she loved you all.
Momma loved Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla but her favorite flavor was Pecan Pralines & Cream. She liked chocolate pie but preferred pecan and her pecan pie was the best. Momma wanted her water ice cold and her coffee hot hot. And if it wasn’t, she’d refuse to drink it. Momma always wanted a good cold coke which meant heavy on the good ice.
Yanelia loved George Taber azaleas like the ones that line the front of their home. Momma had lots of collections like Precious Moments, Coca-Cola, anything Ruston or Peach Festival, cookbooks, and her cherished Follette pottery. Momma also loved animals and we’ve adopted many from 4 Paws Rescue Inc
of Ruston. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to their mission.
Her favorite color was red but somewhere along the way it changed to pink. Both looked good on her. Momma had lots of blessed girl t-shirts and she wore them as a testimony of her faith. She loved her many doctors, nurses, various therapists, and everyone that cared for her over the years. And there was
definitely a special place in her heart for children. One of her many gifts was caring for and teaching little ones. It all started at Nell Chance Daycare and soon she opened Ms. Yanelia’s Daycare. Years later, she taught at Emmanuel Baptist followed by Temple Baptist before retiring. If you ever called her Ms. Yanelia
as a child – SHE LOVED YOU dearly!
It may seem redundant but it’s simple – Momma loved… and we loved her. Some called her Yunkie, many cherished her as Ms. Yanelia, and one lucky guy called her Doll. She loved Coca-Cola and she loved Gary Shaw. She loved her friends and family, she loved the children. She also loved the Lord and was ready to go home. Years ago, her doctor said that her body had failed her. Her body betrayed her over and over again but her Lord and Savior never has – she is healed at last!
Thank you to Jackson Parish Ambulance, Jackson Parish Hospital, Dr. Ed, amazing nurses and staff for your loving care these past months and dedicated service to our community. Thank you to Christus Highland doctors, nurses, and staff over these last two weeks. Thank you to Christus Highland Hospice
for your kindness through these last days.
Please join us at Antioch Cumberland Presbyterian Church after the service as we honor her wishes and fellowship over Johnny’s pizza and a good cold Coke. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com
James Raydell Tims, Jr.
Dec 15, 1974 — Nov 3, 2026
James Raydel Tims JR, age 51 of Lake Charles, Louisiana, passed away November 3, 2026 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He was born on December 15, 1974 in Shreveport, Louisiana to James Raydell and Angella Suzette (Wilson) Tims, Sr.
James was married to Crystal Gale (Coker) Tims and together they had two children, Brittany Tims and Ronald Tims. He took great pride in the work he did as a butcher in the meat departments he worked in. James also worked for a while in the oil field industry, and did carpentry work as well. James and was a man with many traits and talents. He showed a caring side to everyone he met, even strangers. James would lend a helping hand when needed and without being asked.
James is survived by his two children, Brittany Tims, of Saline, Louisiana and Ronald Tims and Chevis Hood of Saline, Louisiana; granddaughters, Kimberlynn, Raylee, and Nadalee; grandsons, Ethan and Eli; sisters, Cherry Tims of Sioux City lowa, Candy Dillion of Jonesboro Louisiana, Joyce Time of Jonesboro, Louisiana, Sugar Vines of Jonesboro Louisiana; brothers, Ted Tims of Jonesboro Louisiana, Phillip Tims of Jonesboro, Louisiana, Timothy Tims of Alexander, Louisiana; and a host of nieces and nephews.
James is preceded in death by parents, James Raydell Tims, Sr. and Angella Suzette (Wilson) Tims; sister, Sherry (Tims) Simmons; wife, Crystal Tims.
James will be cremated as per his wishes.
Delward Austin Jones
Dec 6, 1960 — Nov 3, 2026
Delward Austin Jones, age 65, of Dodson, was called home on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Delward was a hardworking man who was not afraid to put in the effort when it came to any task in life. He enjoyed farming and loved to grow his own vegetables. In his free time, he could be found outdoors in the wilderness. Delward enjoyed hunting and was an avid deer hunter. He loved the Lord and listening to His word.
He leaves behind a son, Thomas “Baylee” Vines; sister, Denise Scahexnayder; brother, Darron Jones; step-sister, Kim Jones; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Edward Jones and mother, Ivy Ernestine (Bradley) Jones.
A graveside service under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home in Jonesboro, LA, is set for Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Cypress Creek Baptist Church Cemetery at 2:00 PM, with Reverend Jesse Henderson officiating.