Benjamin Robert Simpson;

45; Hammond; December 27; survived by his wife, Ashley Simpson; children, Allen, Christian, and Hunter Simpson; mother, Mona Zimmerman; father, Gilbert Simpson (Joy); maternal grandmother, Audrey Lanier; sister, Bethany Simpson; brother, Aaron Simpson; stepsisters, Ginger Castell and Christina...

Virginia Modica Roper;

79; Hammond; December 28; loving wife of Roger Benoit Roper, Jr; beloved mother of Melissa Roper Fay (Jared, her favorite son-in-law); and loving grandmother of Grace Elenor Fay and Kane Benoit Fay.

William C. “Sonny” Scott Jr.;

79; Greensburg; December 28; survived by his wife, Dolores Scott; children, William Scott III (Linda) and Cissy Scott (Dennis); grandchildren, James Avara, Jr., Crystal Avara (TJ), Phillip Lemoine, Jr.

Cleveland Nichols;

80; Mount Hermon; December 28; survived by his son, Cleveland Nichols (Bonnie); daughters, Patricia Duncan and Sandra Bice (Eric); sister, Dianne Brewer; grandchildren, Michael Duncan, Jason Duncan, Andrew Duncan (Megan), Dixie Nichols (Roland), Shelby McCarroll (Dillon), Christy Kendall, and...

Thomas Lane “Tommy” Corkern;

71; December 28; survived by his wife, Dana; daughters, Richelle Hoover (Michael) and Jennifer Granier (Craig); grandchildren, Stephenie, Brianna, Thomas, Dakota, Lane, Karson, Grayson, John, Leighann, Ryatt, and Everett; two great-grandchildren; mother, Barbara Touchstone; brothers, Kenneth...

Jules Gerard Menesses Sr.;

66; Independence; December 28; survived by his sons, AJ Phillips (Gina), Robert Phillips Sr., Jamie Menesses Sr. (Karen), and Jules Menesses Jr.; brother, Lawrence Menesses; and grandchildren, Ian, Evan, Robert Jr. (Lea), Kayleb, Jaycob, Cameron (Cyrenity), Jonathan, Addison, Matthew, and Jamie Jr.

Vicki Shaw Decker;

62; December 29; survived by her children, Taylor Eisler and Tony Territo (Vanessa); brother, Craig Shaw; lifelong and dearest friend, Mary DiVincenti; and a host of cherished friends and extended family members.

Helen Louise Shaffett Lambert

Helen Louise Shaffett Lambert; 86; Albany; December 20; survived by her daughters, Michelle McTaggart (Todd) and Brenda Hughes (Roger); son, Jeffrey Shaffett (Sonya); grandchildren, Sherry, Crystal, Tabitha, Kaley, Megan, Gage, Hunter, Justin, Colton, Roger Jr.

Rita Mae Goelz Vuljoin

Rita Mae Goelz Vuljoin; 92; Hammond; December 16; survived by her children, Gilbert Vuljoin (Mary), Cheryl Giarrusso, Stephanie Reggio (Scott), Martin Vuljoin (Peggy), and Mary Robichaux (Mike Barthel); sixteen grandchildren and their spouses; 34 great-grandchildren; three unborn...

William "Bill" Arthur Dantin III

William "Bill" Arthur Dantin III; 84; Albany; December 16; survived by daughters, Peggy Mascaro (Ted) and JoAnn France (Clint); sons, William Dantin IV (Suriya) and Steven Dantin (Gina); grandchildren, Greg, Rachael, Alex, Samantha (Anthony), Nick, Josh, Lizzie, Simone, William V, Gabrielle, and...