Funeral services for John Henry Johnson were held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Fullerton Community Church with Reverend Tommy Powell officiating.  Burial followed in Holly Springs Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Serving as pallbearers were Don Pollard Jr., Dominic Conner, James Hernandez, Randy Chris, James Travis Johnson, and Alfred Ray Johnson.

John Henry Johnson was born to James and Dollie Johnson on October 1, 1964. He passed from this life on June 3, 2025. John spent much of his life in the woods, whether that was being a log cutter for his work, or doing what he loved, which was hunting. John also had a passion for fishing. John had a deep love for his family and friends and especially loved spending time with them. He truly enjoyed his sisters’ cooking and loved to eat. John will be deeply missed by his friends and family.

John was preceded in death by his parents, James Huey Johnson and Dollie Johnson; brother, Donald Ray Johnson; sisters, Shirley Ann Perkins and Linda Sue Stebbins; and his brother-in-law, Paul Morrison.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Shayanna Marie Johnson (Tucker) of Oberlin; sisters, Wanda Marie Morrison, Wanda Jean Reed (Phillip), and Wanda Lou Johnson (James) all of Pitkin; three grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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JOHN HENRY JOHNSON
October 1, 1964 – June 3, 2025
Service: June 8, 2025, at Fullerton Community Church in Pitkin, Louisiana at 11:00 a.m.

WILLIAM BARTON
February 7, 1952 – June 1, 2025
Service: June 5, 2025, at Laurel Hill Baptist Church in LaCamp, Louisiana at 10:00 a.m.

LTC (R) DANIEL H. “DAN” KINSINGER
July 21, 1948 – June 6, 2025
Service: June 12, 2025, at Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Leesville at 10:00 a.m.

DANIEL LEE BARRINGTON
November 24, 1962 – June 10, 2025
Service: June 13, 2025, at East Leesville Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m.

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Joseph Shannon Holton, age 48, of Leesville, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant for Probation Violation. Holton paid $490.50 in delinquent fees and was released.

Billy Ray Welch, age 31, of Leesville, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant for Probation Violation. Welch must pay $1353 in delinquent fees or serve 30 days in the parish jail. Welch remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Trevor Rentschler, age 30, of Richmond, Virginia was arrested on a Commitment to Await Extradition warrant for the state of Virginia. Rentschler remains in the Vernon Parish jail awaiting extradition.

James Pitts, age 43, of Evans, was arrested on two outstanding Bench Warrants. Bond has not been set. Pitts remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Bobby Ray Best, age 45, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Simple Burglary. Bond has not been set. Best remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Samuel Isaiah Rougeau, age 31, of DeRidder, was arrested and charged with one count of Reckless Operation of a Vehicle, one count of Illegal Discharge of a Weapon, and one count of Disturbing the Peace. Bond was set at $29,381. Rougeau remains in the Vernon Parish jail with a detainer for the DeRidder Police Department.

Payton Ray Kay, age 30, of Leesville, was arrested on an outstanding Traffic Warrant. Bond was set at $695. Kay remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Christian Holt, age 22, of Ft. Johnson, was arrested on a Commitment to Await Extradition warrant from the state of Mississippi.  Holt remains in the Vernon Parish jail awaiting extradition.

Kara Wells, age 29, of Longview, TX, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Bond was denied.  Wells remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Payton Ray Kay, age 30, of Anacoco, was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery.  Bond was set at $25,000. Kay remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on the theft of a 2019 LAMA 16’ black utility trailer, stolen from a residence on Holly Grove Road in Anacoco. The theft occurred between April 30 and May 31. If you have information contact VPSO at 337-238-1311.

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Saturday evening, May 31, at approximately 10:30 p.m., fire departments from around the parish converged on the Southgate Plaza in Leesville in response to a structure fire.  When the units arrived at the scene, a large storage building at the rear of the plaza was on fire.

The fire was contained and extinguished, but the interior of the building suffered major damage.

The Leesville FD, Sundown FD, New Llano FD, Vernon Sheriff’s Office and Acadian Ambulance were on the scene in response.  The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s office will investigate the cause of the fire.

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The Anacoco First Baptist Church invites the public to the Faith & Family Freedom Music Festival, Sunday, June 29.

Music begins at 4 p.m. and features the Erwins, Rhett Walker, the Jason Lovins Band, and five-time CMA Award winners, Shenandoah.  This event is free and open to everyone.  Event parking is available with shuttles to take festival goers to the concert area.  The church is located at 4813 Port Arthur Avenue in Anacoco.

A variety of vendors will offer food, beverages and merchandise.  The evening will end with one of the largest fireworks shows in Central Louisiana.  You are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and wear comfortable clothing.  For more information visit www.anacocofbc.org.

RELATED ACTIVITY

A fundraising Incrediball tournament will be held, Saturday, June 14 at the Anacoco Youth Fields on Greenhead Road.  The entry fee is $200 per team.  Proceeds will benefit the music festival.  Enter your 10-person team (co-ed) by calling 337-353-3804.

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The Village of Simpson invites the public to attend their Second Annual Red, White and Blue Festival on Saturday June 28.  The festival is free to attend and super kid friendly.  You will enjoy live music, vendors, a classic parade, food trucks and an entire area dedicated to the Kids Zone.

Vendors will set up at 9am on the grounds of Simpson High School.  Potential vendors can contact Tracy Parker for information at 337-208-7752.  Live DJ, “Big Daddy”, will hit the music from 1030-130 before live bands will take the stage to entertain.

Parade entries will gather at Simpson Baptist Church at 11am.  The parade rolls through town at noon.  Grab your lawn chairs and dress for comfort.

The Kids Zone features a 46’ obstacle course(WET) and a (WET) bounce house/slide combo.  $10 armbands are good all day for these events. You may pay by cash, cash ap or Venmo. The Kids Zone will also feature a big arts/crafts station and games galore.

Live music begins at 2pm with the Old Man Band.  Southern Country takes the stage at 4pm.

 Food and drink needs will be handled by food trucks, including the 626 Lunchbox, Two Seven Five Smokehouse and Shellshocked.

Find information on Facebook on the Simpson Community Events Committee site.

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The Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University will present the program “A Life of Zydeco: A Musical Informance with Chubby Carrier” on June 21 at 1 p.m. at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. The event is free and open to the public. 

Dr. Shane Rasmussen, professor of English and director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern, will interview Carrier about the cultural significance of zydeco in Louisiana. Their discussion will include songs performed by Carrier on his accordion. Carrier will headline the 45th annual Natchitoches-NSU Louisiana Folklife Festival on July 19 in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum on the NSU campus. 

A third-generation zydeco musician, Carrier began his music career in Louisiana dance halls playing accordion and drums in his father’s zydeco band from the age of 12. Carrier played drums with Terrance Simien from 1986 to 1989, and then formed his own band, Chubby Carrier and the Zydeco Swamp Band. The band has released a total of 11 albums since 1989. Carrier has performed at the Chicago Blues Festival, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Utrecht Blues Festival in Amsterdam, and has played with Santana, B.B. King, Travis Tritt and Buddy Guy. Carrier’s most recent album, “Zydeco Junkie,” was the 2010 Grammy winner for best zydeco or Cajun album. 

Carrier was among the musicians recently featured on the CBS News program “60 Minutes” in a segment on Cajun and zydeco music. 

The event is sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center. Support for the Festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the City of Natchitoches, Cleco, the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and the State of Louisiana. 

The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. 

For more information, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu, or go to nsula.edu/folklife. 

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Summer is here, and there’s no better time to explore the legendary landscapes, local flavor, and small-town charm of Vernon Parish—proudly known as Louisiana’s Legend Country. Whether you’re craving outdoor adventures, air-conditioned escapes, or local finds, this summer is packed with things to do for every kind of explorer.

Hit the Water
Cool off and make a splash! With access to Anacoco Lake, Toledo Bend, Vernon Lake, Sabine River, and Toro Bayou, Vernon Parish is a haven for boating, kayaking, tubing, and some of the best fishing in the region.

https://vernonparish.org/outdoors_cat/fishing/

Soak in the Scenery
Get out in nature and experience the beauty of Kisatchie National Forest, where you might spot eagles nesting or catch other birds in flight. Don’t forget to check out the live eagle cam for a peek at this season’s hatchlings!

https://vernonparish.org/outdoors_cat/birding

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiTsPLDwyNU

Stay Cool Indoors
Beat the heat with indoor fun! Knock down some pins at Strike Zone Bowling Center, unwind with a spa day, or catch a local art exhibit or live theater show. Vernon Parish offers plenty of ways to relax and recharge indoors.

https://vernonparish.org/things-do-cat/indoors/

Shop Local Every Saturday
Stop by Leesville’s Third Street Market every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for fresh produce, handmade goods, and local crafts. Don’t miss Second Saturday on June 14th—featuring extra fun for the whole family!

https://vernonparish.org/event/second-saturday-at-the-third-street-market/

Treat Yourself
From classic snowballs to frozen yogurt and shaved ice, you’ll find plenty of sweet spots to cool down around town. Pair it with a local meal from one of our beloved eateries to round out your day.

https://vernonparish.org/dining/

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Last week I shared the story entitled, THE FIRST TIME I GOT IN TROUBLE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. At that time you were invited to share your story of: “getting in trouble in elementary school.”

Today my friend Sharon is sharing her story with us:

We lived in Tinsman and Dad was the school principal. I was so excited about the first day of school that I just couldn’t wait to get there. Kids today would not believe it, but back then September mornings were very chilly. I had on a dress with a little sweater and I ran into Miss Benson’s first and second grade classroom and sat down. The second my bottom hit that cold wooden chair, I realized I had forgotten an important part of my attire. 

I jumped up and ran back across the street with Miss Benson yelling at me, “Sharon O’Dell, you cannot just get up and run home even if your dad is principal!”

Miss Benson must have gone straight to my Dad’s office because as I ran back onto the school yard after donning my forgotten apparel, Dad was coming across the school yard toward the house. I waved at him and kept going to the classroom. He grinned and somehow immediately figured out what had happened and just turned around and went back to his office and the incident was never discussed! 

Sharon Scott

Personal Note from Billy Crawford: Sharon’s Dad, Dr. James O’Dell, was our school Superintendent at Thornton School when I was a student there. He started a Boy Scout Troop 64 for all the boys when I was 12. It was a wonderful experience–so much fun and learning so much about the outdoors.

An Army Veteran of World War II, Dr. O’Dell purchased a huge old WW2 truck for us to travel around in. We were so proud when we read on the side TP 64 –thinking it stood for “Troop 64”–only to later learn it really stood for “Tire Pressure.”

Please consider sharing your memory of school with us, and thanks for joining in with over 130 other friends who are reading these stories. And please feel free to forward your copy to family members and friends.

 

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FRANCES JOANN ADDISON WELDON
July 5, 1948 – May 30, 2025
Service: June 1, 2025, at Mitchell Cemetery in Anacoco at 3:30 p.m.

HENRY CLAY TOLIVER JR.
December 17, 1935 – May 27, 2025
Service: None announced

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