Douglas M. Quarles
March 3, 1953 – June 30, 2025
Douglas M. Quarles was born March 3, 1953, and raised in Jonesboro, Louisiana.
A few of his earliest murals were actually painted there. In the 1980’s he relocated to Natchitoches, LA where he did signs and started his professional mural career. From there it was on to So. Texas in Jasper, where he joined a team of muralists to paint the town!!
Later he relocated to Tucumcari, NM where he and his wife Sharon opened an art gallery and he began the murals along Historic Route 66. The final count of this amazing stretch of road is over 50!!
In 2013, Lisa Hill, founder of the newly revitalized Benson Clean & Beautiful made a call that would forever change the course of history for both Benson and the Quarles’!!! He began with the murals along both sides of the Visitor’s Center. He has since painted over 50 murals in Benson as well as numerous others throughout Cochise County. The history of Cochise County and the City of Benson will to live on for generations to come thanks to Doug’s art.
The art has been featured across numerous news outlets. Doug has been awarded numerous awards throughout his long and storied career including Birds & Art in Wausau, WI.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford, and his mother Sella Mae Womack Quarles, his brother Melvin (Dicky), sister, June Quarles, and a daughter Melinda Jordan.
Doug is survived by his wife of 22 years Sharon, his daughters April Jones, and Jennifer. He is also survived by his sons Jason Douglas, Shane, and eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
When I die and go to Heaven and God asks, “What have you done with the talent I gave you?” I would love to tell Him, “I used it all up!”
A funeral service will be held at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home in Jonesboro, Louisiana on Monday, July 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM with Bro. Jerry Quarles officiating. Burial will follow in Gayla Traina Cemetery in Jonesboro under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
If you would like to help the family during this time, there is a Go Fund Me to help with medical and funeral costs: Doug Quarles Go Fund Me
Daniel “Walter” Stringer
April 5, 1939 – July 9, 2025
Daniel Walter Stringer, age 86, passed away in Overton Brooks Veterans Medical Center, Shreveport, Louisiana on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
Walter proudly served his country first in the National Guard then he enlisted in the United States Army after serving National Guard and served another enlistment term. He completed high school and received his GED while serving in the United States Army then pursued higher education and received a degree in Engineering. While in the United States Army, Walter trained to become an Under Water Demolitionist. With that skill and training, he earned a Critical MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) and was held in the Army Reserves until 1977. Walter was Honorably Discharged from both the National Guard and the United States Army.
Most of his enlistment time in the United States Army he served in Germany. Because of his Critical MOS, he was called back to active duty twice after he had met the responsibilities of his enlistment term. Each time Walter was called was the result of continuing unrest in Berlin, Germany. His final active duty assignment included hand to hand combat brought about when the Berlin Crisis, a Cold War conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States broke out. He was in several skirmishes as well as hand-to-hand combat during that time.
After his final enlistment term was completed, Walter returned to Jonesboro, Louisiana and was employed by the paper mill in Hodge from May 19, 1961, until his retirement on August 1, 2001. He was first employed in the Bag Mill then transferred to Maintenance Department where he worked until he became President of Local 13-1505.
Walter married the love of his life, Flora Newsom-Stringer on February 5, 1966. They were wed 59 happy years.
In 1988-2001, Walter was honored to serve as President of Local 13-1505 at the Hodge paper mill. In addition to supporting his Local Union employees, Walter lobbied the Congress all over the United States trying to save jobs for employees at the Hodge plant, as well as saving jobs at paper mills all over these United States. Walter and Gerry Mims were privileged to lobby face-to-face President Bill Clinton’s Chief of Staff numerous times while attending to Union business in Washington, D. C.
Throughout his tenure as President of Hodge Local 13-1505 and beyond from 1983-1993 Walter served as Treasurer of the Work Force Development Board. The Work Force Development Board was created to assist in providing education to workers all over the United States and assisting in job placements for many who were either under employed or unemployed all together.
Walter was also a 32nd Degree Mason Jonesboro Lodge 280.
Before Walter’s vision failed, he enjoyed drawing his own blue print plans for his wood working projects. He was very creative and loved wood working. Walter drew his own blue prints and made 15 or more wall hanging clocks. Even intricate parts such as hinges he made wooden pegs by hand to function inside hinges without using any nails or screws in the clocks. Each tiny part he made by hand from his own hand drawn blue prints. Walter also made one grandfather clock that stands almost 80 inches tall.
Walter’s hand-crafted items didn’t end with clock making; he also made his own belt buckles and several other unique items. He also enjoyed repairing and restoring guns especially making the wood come alive with the special oils and his own polishing techniques he used restoring the wood parts on guns, as well as, his way of restoring all metal parts to showroom condition.
Walter is survived by his wife, Flora Newsom-Stringer, one daughter, Melinda Stringer; three nephews, Bill Stringer, Jr., (Melissa), Steve Stringer, (Deanna), Brian Keith Taylor, (Michelle), one niece, Cheryl Ann Stringer and several great nieces and nephews. Walter is preceded in death by his parents, Gwin A. Stringer and Marie Pierce Stringer, his brother, Billy Ray Stringer and sister-in-law, Gloria Ann Duck Stringer, a nephew, Ronald Glen Taylor.
Funeral services were held in the chapel of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home on Saturday, July 12th, with Bro. Joey Anderson and Bro. Robert Tyler officiating. Burial followed in Sikes Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
Serving the family as pallbearers was Joey Stringer, Sonny Nomey, Robert Tyler, Gerry Mims, LaVerl Shell, and Justin Shell. Honorary pallbearers were Terry Council, Lynn Nugent, Steve Shovan, and Steve Stringer.
Thomas Wayne Antley
June 17, 1961 – July 7, 2025
Funeral services for Thomas Wayne Antley were held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at New Hope Baptist Church in Choudrant, LA, with Brother Laymond Tucker Jr. and Brother Reagan Colvin officiating. Interment followed at New Hope Baptist Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston.
Wayne was born June 17, 1961, in Ruston, LA, and passed away July 7, 2025, in Downsville, LA.
He was preceded in death by Paternal Grandparents, Hardy and Estell Antley, and Maternal Grandparents, Clayton and Dorothy Futrell
Wayne is Survived by Daughter, Haley Antley Kemp (Joey), Son, Logan Antley (Katherine), Son, Landon Antley; Parents, Mary John Futrell Antley and Tommy Antley; Brother, Tony Antley ( Alisa); Grandchildren, Grayson Kemp and Parker Kemp; Nephews Hunter Antley (Rachel) and Carson Antley.
Wayne Antley had a love for sports from a young age. Wayne graduated from Downsville High School, where he was an outstanding basketball and an All-American baseball player.
Wayne went on to graduate from Louisiana Tech University in Education, where he continued his love of sports through intramurals playing Slowpitch Softball with The Country Boys, which continued long after college.
After Louisiana Tech, Wayne went on to start his coaching career at Montgomery High School. He eventually made his way home to Downsville High School, where he would coach for 24 years. Leading the Demons to 2 State Championships and years of excellence. Wayne later coached Simsboro High School and finished his 35-year career at Choudrant High, leading the Aggies to the state tournament in 2023. Wayne finished his career with 573 wins across 5 schools. Wayne had a deep love of softball and the girls who played it. Making friendships and connections that would last a lifetime. Below are some quotes from just a few of those people whose lives Wayne touched over the years:
“Coach Antley impacted many lives creating lifelong memories.” “He was an integral part in developing players into the adults they are today.” “Wayne was the type of person that left a permanent mark on your life, not because he had to but because of the type of person he was.” “Wayne was one of the funniest and happiest people that you ever met.” “Wayne was more than just someone who taught the game. He was a teacher of life, a leader by example, and a steady voice when things got tough.” “A good role model and a brother in Christ.” “He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and kept me going with encouragement.”
After retirement, Wayne continued his lifelong loves of gardening, fishing, and hunting. Wayne also started a new business with his brother Tony, Antley Brothers Sawmill. But most importantly, in retirement, Wayne found a new love in being Poppa to two wonderful grandchildren, Parker and Grayson.
Pallbearers will be Larry Long, Terry Havins, Rusty Farrar, Scott Simmons, Robbie Smith, and Toby Hammons.
Honorary pallbearers will be David Antley, Gerald Bartlett, Ritchie McDonald, Richie Tolar, Warren Kemp, A.L. Brown, Lane Rugg, and the entire Country Boys Softball Team.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts/donations be made to Buddy Ball of Ruston and LA Hunters for Heroes.
