A Winn Parish man has been arrested following an investigation into a burglary and multiple thefts in the Montgomery area, according to the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities identified the suspect as Lashard Leon Powell, 27, of Atlanta, Louisiana.
According to the sheriff’s office, the arrest stemmed from investigations into a reported burglary and theft-related incidents that occurred in the Montgomery area.
Powell was charged with:
Two counts of Theft Over $1,000
Theft of a Motor Vehicle
Unauthorized Entry of a Place of Business
Tampering with a Surveillance System
Two counts of Criminal Trespassing
Violation of Probation
The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office did not release additional details regarding the investigation or the circumstances surrounding the alleged offenses.
Officials credited the investigation into the burglary and theft reports with leading to the arrest.
No further information has been released at this time.
Legal Disclaimer
The charges listed in this article are allegations. All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. An arrest or criminal charge is merely an accusation and should not be considered evidence of guilt.
Residents of Winn Parish should prepare for several more days of intense summer heat as temperatures approach the upper 90s and heat index values climb into the triple digits before rain and thunderstorm chances increase later in the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service, hot and mostly sunny conditions will dominate the forecast through Saturday, with the best opportunities for rainfall arriving Sunday and Monday.
Hot and Humid Midweek Weather
Wednesday is expected to be mostly sunny and hot, with temperatures reaching 96 degrees. High humidity levels will push heat index values as high as 104 degrees, making it feel even warmer during the afternoon hours. Light southerly winds will increase to 5 to 10 mph throughout the day.
Wednesday night will remain mostly clear with temperatures falling to around 75 degrees.
The hot pattern continues Thursday, with mostly sunny skies and another high near 96 degrees. Winds will remain light from the south. Overnight temperatures Thursday night will only dip to around 76 degrees under mostly clear skies.
Little Relief Through Saturday
Friday’s forecast calls for more sunshine and continued heat, with highs once again reaching 96 degrees.
A slight chance of relief arrives Friday night, when a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms develops before 1 a.m. Temperatures will remain warm, with lows near 75 degrees.
Saturday is expected to be another hot day with highs around 96 degrees. A 20 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms is possible after 1 p.m., but much of the day should remain mostly sunny.
Saturday night will be partly cloudy with temperatures around 76 degrees.
Rain Chances Increase Sunday and Monday
A more active weather pattern is forecast to move into the region by Sunday.
Forecasters are calling for a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Sunday, although temperatures will still climb to around 95 degrees under mostly sunny skies.
The chance for storms continues Sunday night with a 40 percent probability of precipitation and lows around 75 degrees under mostly cloudy skies.
The highest rain chances arrive Monday, when showers and thunderstorms become likely across Winn Parish. The National Weather Service is forecasting a 60 percent chance of precipitation, with cloud cover and rainfall helping keep daytime highs closer to 90 degrees.
Heat Safety Reminder
With heat index values expected to exceed 100 degrees through much of the week, residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, wear lightweight clothing, and limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
Officials also recommend checking on elderly family members, young children, and pets, who can be especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
While isolated storms are possible beginning Friday, the most widespread rainfall is expected Sunday through Monday, when thunderstorms may bring periods of heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds.
Overall, Winn Parish is expected to experience a classic early-summer weather pattern, featuring hot afternoons, warm nights, and increasing thunderstorm activity as the weekend comes to a close.
The Winnfield Senior High School cheerleading squad is celebrating a successful week at summer cheer camp after earning multiple top finishes in several competitive categories.
According to Elite Athletics West, the WSHS Cheerleaders delivered strong performances throughout the camp, bringing home first-place honors in multiple events and showcasing their skills against other participating squads.
Among the team’s accomplishments were:
1st Place – Sideline Competition
1st Place – Cheer Competition
1st Place – Game Day Competition
2nd Place – Camp Routine
The awards recognize the squad’s excellence in areas ranging from crowd engagement and traditional cheer performance to game-day execution and overall routine presentation.
Cheer camp provides student-athletes with opportunities to develop leadership skills, improve technical abilities, learn new routines, and prepare for the upcoming school year and athletic seasons.
Elite Athletics West also highlighted the contributions of familiar faces who assist local athletes with tumbling instruction throughout the year, noting that their guidance and support played a role in helping the squad achieve success during camp.
School supporters and community members praised the cheerleaders for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to representing Winnfield Senior High School with pride.
The strong showing at camp serves as an encouraging start to the upcoming school year as the squad prepares to support Tiger athletics and compete in future cheerleading events.
With multiple first-place finishes and a runner-up performance against other talented teams, the WSHS Cheerleaders demonstrated the teamwork, discipline, and school spirit that have become hallmarks of the program.Officials and supporters extended congratulations to the squad on its accomplishments and
wished the team continued success throughout the upcoming season.
Several members of the Winnfield Senior High School Lady Tigers softball team have been recognized among the top players in Louisiana after earning prestigious all-state and regional honors for their performances during the 2026 season.
Leading the accolades were Karley Caskey and Kaylie Callender, who were both named to the Northeast Louisiana Softball First Team for 2026, recognizing them among the region’s elite players.
In addition to their regional honors, both athletes were selected to the 2026 Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA) Class 2A All-State First Team, an honor reserved for the state’s top softball players at their respective classifications.
The all-state recognition highlights the impact both players made throughout the season as key contributors to the Lady Tigers’ success on the field.
Winnfield’s postseason honors extended beyond the first-team selections.
Kaylee Vercher earned LSWA Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention recognition, while Santana Harris also received All-State Honorable Mention honors for her contributions during the season.
The multiple selections underscore the strength of the Lady Tigers program and the talent that helped Winnfield compete throughout the 2026 campaign.
All-state honors are selected based on player performance, statistics, contributions to team success, and voting conducted by sportswriters and media representatives from across Louisiana.
The recognition of four Winnfield athletes reflects not only individual excellence but also the continued success and competitiveness of the Lady Tigers softball program.
Coaches, teammates, and supporters praised the athletes for their dedication, hard work, and commitment throughout the season, noting that the honors are well-deserved achievements that showcase the talent present within Winn Parish athletics.
As the program looks toward the future, the accomplishments of Caskey, Callender, Vercher, and Harris provide another milestone in the proud tradition of Winnfield softball and serve as an inspiration for the next generation of Lady Tiger athletes.
Debra Charlene White Waddle March 13, 1953 – June 3, 2026
DEBRA’S OBITUARY
Mrs. Debra Charlene White Waddle, age 73, of Jonesboro, Louisiana, passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Debra was born on March 13, 1953, in Newport, Tennessee, to Delmar White and Edith McGaha Coley. She spent her life devoted to her family, her faith, and the simple joys that brought beauty to everyday living. She enjoyed flower gardening, traveling country roads, and spending treasured time with her family and friends.
Debra attended East Leesville Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Dodson, where she enjoyed participating in church activities and fellowship. She boldly shared her faith in Jesus Christ with others, and her favorite scripture was John 3:16, a verse that reflected the hope and conviction that guided her life.
She was preceded in death by her father, Delmar White; her mother, Edith McGaha Coley; her stepfather, George W. Coley; and her husbands, Andrew Gregory and Theodore Whittson, her great-nephew, Mason White,.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Donald G. Waddle of Jonesboro, Louisiana; her daughter, Angelia Smith and husband Daniel; her brother, Roger White and wife Donna; her grandchildren, Dakota Smith and wife Joan, Alexis Phillips and husband Alek, Kaitlyn Smith, Jacob Smith and wife Scotlyn, and Sadee Wallin; her great-grandchildren, Bentley, Sage, Rosalina, and Liam; her nephews, Matthew White and wife Ashley, and Wesley White and wife Marci; Caleb, Landyn, and Blakely; and the cherished memory of Braylyn/Raylyn White, an unborn great-niece or great-nephew, along with numerous other family members and friends who will miss her dearly.
Memorial services will be held at East Leesville Baptist Church in Leesville, Louisiana, on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., with Pastor Doug Dixon officiating.
Though she will be deeply missed, her family finds comfort in the faith she lived so openly and in the promise found in her beloved scripture: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Winnfield City Judge Keith Gates has officially announced his candidacy for District Attorney, pledging to bring experience, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and a tough-on-crime approach to the office.
Gates, who currently serves as Winnfield City Judge, unveiled his campaign this week, highlighting nearly two decades of legal experience and public service as he seeks to become the parish’s next chief prosecutor.
A lifelong resident of Winn Parish, Gates earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northwestern State University in 2004 before obtaining two law degrees from Louisiana State University in 2007.
His legal career has included service as Winnfield City Prosecutor from 2013 to 2020 and as Winnfield City Judge since 2021. He has also worked as a law clerk for a justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court and founded a law firm in Washington, D.C., focused on combating government corruption and waste.
In addition to his courtroom experience, Gates has taught as an adjunct professor of law at Northwestern State University and has instructed negotiation courses at Louisiana Tech University. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, and all Louisiana state courts.
Throughout his career, Gates has been active in professional organizations, including the Louisiana City Judges Association and the Louisiana Family and Juvenile Judges Association. Outside of public service, Gates and his wife, Amber, are active members of First Baptist Church in Winnfield, where he serves as a deacon and pianist.
As part of his campaign announcement, Gates outlined several key priorities he says will guide his administration if elected District Attorney.
Among those priorities is a commitment to fiscal responsibility. Gates said he plans to operate the District Attorney’s Office efficiently and work closely with the Winn Parish Police Jury to control costs and avoid unnecessary spending of taxpayer dollars.
He also emphasized a tough-on-crime philosophy, stating that habitual and violent offenders should face strong prosecution and sentencing.
“The people of Winn Parish should not have to worry about criminals stealing off their porches or harming their loved ones,” Gates said as part of his campaign platform.
Another major focus of his campaign is strengthening partnerships between law enforcement agencies, schools, churches, and community organizations. Gates said he believes collaboration is essential to preventing crime before it occurs and creating safer neighborhoods throughout Winn Parish.
Transparency within the District Attorney’s Office is also a cornerstone of his platform. Gates pledged to improve communication with crime victims and their families by ensuring they remain informed throughout the legal process while maintaining professionalism and efficiency in case management.
The District Attorney serves as the chief prosecutor for the judicial district, overseeing criminal prosecutions and working closely with local law enforcement agencies to uphold public safety.
As the election season unfolds, Gates says he looks forward to sharing his vision with voters and discussing how his experience and leadership can serve the people of Winn Parish.
The race for District Attorney is expected to draw significant attention as voters consider who will lead one of the parish’s most important public offices in the years ahead.
Residents of Winn Parish can expect a warm and mostly dry start to the week before rain and thunderstorm chances increase heading into the weekend, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.
Forecasters are calling for mostly sunny conditions on Wednesday with temperatures climbing to around 86 degrees. Light northeast winds near 5 mph will provide some relief from the early summer heat. Wednesday night is expected to remain pleasant, with partly cloudy skies and a low near 67 degrees.
Thursday will bring another warm day with highs reaching the mid-80s. While much of the day is expected to remain sunny, a slight chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms develops after 1 p.m. Rain chances remain low at 20 percent.
By Friday, the likelihood of afternoon thunderstorms increases. Forecasters predict partly sunny skies with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms developing after 1 p.m.
Temperatures will again reach the upper 80s before cooling to around 71 degrees Friday night.
The greatest chance for widespread rainfall arrives on Saturday, when showers and thunderstorms become likely across Winn Parish. Rain chances increase to 70 percent as highs reach approximately 86 degrees. Residents planning outdoor activities are encouraged to monitor weather conditions and have alternate plans in place.
Scattered thunderstorms remain possible Saturday night and into Sunday. The National Weather Service forecasts a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Sunday, with temperatures nearing 89 degrees under mostly sunny skies.
Five-Day Forecast at a Glance
Wednesday
Mostly sunny
High: 86°
Low: 67°
Thursday
Mostly sunny20% chance of afternoon thunderstorms
High: 86°
Low: 67°
Friday
Partly sunny
40% chance of afternoon thunderstorms
High: 87°
Low: 71°
Saturday
Showers and thunderstorms likely
70% chance of rain
High: 86°
Low: 72°
Sunday
50% chance of showers and thunderstorms
High: 89°
Meteorologists recommend residents stay weather aware through the weekend, particularly those with outdoor plans, as thunderstorms could produce periods of heavy rainfall, lightning, and gusty winds.
The Winn Parish Library is inviting residents of all ages to slither into an educational adventure when Louisiana Snake ID visits as part of the library’s 2026 Summer Reading Program.
The special presentation, themed around the Summer Reading Program slogan “Plant A Seed, Read,” will feature live snake demonstrations, interactive learning opportunities, and fascinating information about Louisiana’s native snake species.
According to library officials, the free event will be held on Wednesday, June 3, with presentations scheduled at 10 a.m. at the Winnfield branch and 2 p.m. at the Sikes branch.
Presented by Louisiana Snake ID, the program will give attendees the opportunity to see live snakes up close while learning about the important role reptiles play in Louisiana’s ecosystems.
Participants will also learn how to identify common snake species found throughout the state and gain a better understanding of snake behavior and habitat.
Library staff say the event is designed to combine education and entertainment while encouraging curiosity about the natural world.
“Get ready for a wild adventure with Louisiana Snake ID,” the library announced. “Discover the important role snakes play in our environment, learn how to identify Louisiana snakes, and see these amazing reptiles up close.”
The program is part of the library’s annual Summer Reading Program, which offers a variety of educational activities and family-friendly events throughout the summer months aimed at promoting literacy, learning, and community engagement.
Officials emphasize that the snake presentation is free and open to the public, making it an ideal activity for families, students, nature enthusiasts, and anyone interested in learning more about Louisiana wildlife.
Library representatives encourage attendees to bring their curiosity and questions as Louisiana Snake ID shares expert knowledge, live demonstrations, and hands-on learning experiences.
The event is expected to be one of the highlights of this year’s Summer Reading Program and offers a unique opportunity for residents to connect with nature while enjoying an educational experience close to home.
For more information about the Summer Reading Program and upcoming events, contact the Winn Parish Library or visit the library’s social media pages.
Ethel Lucille McDavid February 15, 1926 – May 27, 2026
Mrs. Ethel Lucille McDavid, age 100, of Winnfield, Louisiana, entered into rest on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Winnfield, Louisiana. Born on Monday, February 15, 1926, in Winnfield, she lived a long and meaningful life devoted to her family, her home, and the simple joys that brought her happiness.
Mrs. McDavid was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend whose life was marked by hard work, kindness, and devotion to those she loved. She enjoyed cooking for family and friends and found great pleasure in gathering loved ones around her table. She also loved working in her vegetable garden and caring for her yard, taking pride in the beauty and bounty they provided. An outdoorswoman at heart, she especially enjoyed squirrel hunting and fishing for bream, pursuits that brought her peace and many cherished memories over the years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil W. McDavid; her son, Gary McDavid; her daughter, Barbara Johns; her brothers, Vernon A. Fletcher and Clyde Fletcher; her sisters, Vivian Fletcher Bass and infant sister Mary Fletcher; her father, Arthur Cleveland Fletcher; and her mother, Altha Allen Fletcher.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Gloria McDavid Folden; daughter-in-law, Mary McDavid; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Fletcher; seven grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and twenty great-great-grandchildren, along with a host of extended family members and friends.
Pallbearers were Lynn McDavid, Chris McDavid, Jerry Johns, Jeremy Johns, Brandon Florence, and Chris Cooke.
Honorary pallbearers were Dylan Johns, Bodene Alford, Hunter Simons, and Colton Coker.
The family received friends at Southern Funeral Home on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, and again on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM.
Funeral services were held at Southern Funeral Home on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM, with Rev. Author Robinson and Rev. Norris Curry officiating. Interment followed at Jones-Allen Cemetery.
The City of Winnfield is notifying residents and property owners about significant upcoming changes to Louisiana’s tax sale system that will take effect at the beginning of 2026.
According to city officials, Louisiana tax sales will officially transition from the traditional sale of tax sale titles to a new system based on tax lien certificate auctions effective January 1, 2026.
Before the new process begins, the City of Winnfield will conduct its final tax sale under the current system on May 30, 2026.
City officials said the transition marks a major procedural change in how delinquent property taxes will be handled moving forward across the state.
Under the current system, purchasers at tax sales can obtain tax sale titles on delinquent properties. Beginning in 2026, however, future auctions will involve tax lien certificates instead, changing the rights and procedures associated with tax sale purchases.
The city is encouraging property owners and prospective bidders to become familiar with the upcoming changes and future tax lien auction procedures.
Officials also announced that the delinquent tax listing for 2025 is now available for public review. Property owners wishing to make payments on delinquent taxes can do so through the City of Winnfield’s official website.
City leaders emphasized the importance of staying informed as Louisiana transitions to the updated tax lien certificate system, which will impact future tax sale processes statewide.
Residents across Winn Parish should prepare for several days of wet and unsettled weather as showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the remainder of the week and into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters say rain chances will begin increasing Wednesday, with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible during the morning before more widespread rain develops during the afternoon hours. High temperatures are expected to reach near 85 degrees with light southerly winds developing later in the day. The chance of precipitation is forecast at 80 percent.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue Wednesday night under cloudy skies, with overnight lows falling to around 69 degrees.
Additional rounds of rain and thunderstorms are likely Thursday, with storm activity expected to intensify during the morning and continue through much of the day. High temperatures are forecast near 84 degrees, and rain chances remain elevated at 80 percent.
Conditions may begin to improve slightly Thursday night, though isolated thunderstorms and scattered showers will still remain possible before tapering overnight.
Another active weather day is forecast Friday, with additional showers and thunderstorms likely developing during the afternoon and evening hours. High temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-80s under mostly cloudy skies.
Rain chances continue into the weekend, though coverage is expected to become more scattered. Saturday carries a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms with highs near 87 degrees, while Sunday will bring partly sunny skies and another opportunity for isolated afternoon storms with highs near 86 degrees.
The National Weather Service encourages residents to remain weather aware throughout the week, particularly during thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall, dangerous lightning, and gusty winds.
Drivers are urged to slow down during heavy rain events and avoid traveling through flooded roadways or areas with standing water.
Students representing Winn 4-H are being recognized after strong performances during a recent Food Challenge competition where participants were tasked with creating dishes featuring a surprise ingredient.
According to Winn 4-H officials, this year’s mystery ingredient was cauliflower, challenging teams to quickly develop creative recipes and demonstrate teamwork, cooking skills, and nutritional knowledge under competition conditions.
One Winn Parish team — made up of Emma, Ella, Emily Grace, and Catherine — earned third place honors in Division 3 following their presentation and prepared dish.
Organizers praised both Winn Parish teams for their hard work and performance throughout the competition.
Food Challenge events are designed to help students develop important life skills including meal planning, food preparation, communication, and teamwork while encouraging confidence in the kitchen and healthy food choices.
Winn 4-H leaders said they are proud of all the students who represented the parish during the event and congratulated the teams on a successful day of competition.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced that applications are now available for the 2026 commercial alligator lottery harvest season, which will begin Aug. 26 across designated wildlife management areas, public lakes, and federal property locations throughout the state.
According to LDWF, the commercial alligator lottery harvests will take place on 23 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), 28 public lakes, and one U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property.
Officials say applications must be submitted by June 15, 2026.
LDWF emphasized that this program is the state’s longstanding commercial alligator lottery harvest and is separate from the recently adopted recreational alligator lottery program, which will feature a different application process expected to open later this year.
Eligible applicants must be Louisiana residents who are at least 16 years old. Participants may submit one application per customer and may rank up to three preferred hunting areas on their application.
The application fee is $5, along with a $3.50 transaction fee. Hunters selected through the lottery process will also be required to purchase a $25 alligator hunter license and pay $40 for each alligator tag allocated.
To assist applicants in selecting hunting locations, LDWF has made additional resources available online, including area maps, contact information for WMAs and public lakes, and statistics showing 2025 first-choice selection percentages for each location.
The department encourages interested applicants to review the available information carefully before applying.
For additional information regarding commercial lottery alligator harvests on WMAs and public lakes, residents may contact their local LDWF Field Office or email LAalligatorprogram@wlf.la.gov.
Applications and additional program information are available through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website.
Kermit Mixon Simmons October 7, 1935 – May 21, 2026
KERMIT’S OBITUARY
Kermit Mixon Simmons, age 90, of Winnfield, died Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Winn Parish Medical Center. Visitation was held at Southern Funeral Home Tuesday, May 26, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Southern Funeral Home, Wednesday, May 27, at 11:00 a.m., with Dr. Allen Jackson officiating. Interment will follow at Siloam Cemetery in Gansville.
Kermit, or “Mickey” as he was known, was born October 7, 1935, at the Fittz-Faith Clinic in Winnfield to Kermit Carson Simmons and Mamie Rose Mixon Simmons, both members of pioneering Winn Parish families. He was nicknamed Mickey after his father’s favorite baseball player Mickey Cochran. Cochran managed the Detroit Tigers to the 1935 World Series, with the clinching game of the series coinciding with Mickey’s birthdate.
Mickey’s parents taught in the Winn Parish school system and were teaching at Calvin at the time of his birth. Mickey’s first years were spent in Calvin in the small apartment attached to the school. Later the family moved to a house near the Calvin store-the house had one light bulb.
Mickey entered school in first grade at Gaar’s Mill and later attended Calvin and then Dodson through graduation in 1953. While in school, he was very active in sports, choir, Boy Scouts, 4-H, FFA, and was selected to attend Boys’ State.
He played basketball throughout high school. In 1952 and 1953, the Dodson Panthers were parish champions, and Mickey was the team captain in 1953, his senior year. He broke the little finger of his left hand while playing basketball, and the finger remained crooked for his life.
After high school, Mickey attended Louisiana Tech, graduating in three years. During his time at Tech, Mickey was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After completing his Bachelor of Arts in history from Louisiana Tech, Mickey attended law school at LSU, where he was invited to be a member of Louisiana State University Law Review.
Soon after completing law school, Mickey entered the National Guard. Upon returning from basic training, Mickey and Nina Sue Underwood Simmons were married January 30, 1960, at First Baptist Church in Jonesboro. The couple met while both were in school at Dodson. They courted throughout high school, while studying at Louisiana Tech, and through Mickey’s tenure at LSU law school in Baton Rouge. They were married for sixty-four years, until Nina’s death in 2024, and Mickey never forgot the first time they met, even remembering the exact clothes she was wearing at the time.
He was admitted to the bar in Louisiana in 1959 and practiced law until a week before his death. His practice areas of law included general practice, civil practice, corporate law, probate, and banking. His professional resume includes:
Member of Phi Delta Phi law fraternity.
Law Clerk to Judge J.E. Bolen, Louisiana 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal in Shreveport from 1960 to 1962.
Assistant District Attorney for the 8th Judicial District from 1965 to 1988.
Chairman of the 8th Judicial District’s Indigent Defender Board from 1992 to 1995.
Counsel for Winn Parish School Board 1965 to 1989.
Counsel for Winn Parish Police Jury 1965 to 1989.
Counsel for Bank of Winnfield since 1963.
Member of the Winn Parish Library Board of Trustees from 1969 to 1996.
Counsel for the City of Winnfield from 1973 to 1979 and 1985 to 1990.
Member of Louisiana Supreme Court Legal Services Task Force from 1996 to 1997.
Fellow of the Louisiana Bar Foundation.
Paul Harris Fellow Rotary International.
Member of Winn Parish Bar Association (President, 1972 to 1973, 1984 to 1988, and 1990 to 2000).
Member of Louisiana State Bar Association, (Chairman 1984 to 1985; Special Committee on Malpractice Insurance; Member of the House of Delegates 1988 to 1996; and Probation Monitor).
Habitat for Humanity Winn Secretary 1999 to 2001.
Mickey was a man of many passions. Throughout his long and full life he dabbled in photography, serving as a sideline photographer for both the Winnfield and LSU Tigers. Mickey loved LSU athletics and held football season tickets for over fifty years. One Sunday in 2025, he consented to being taken to the emergency room for much needed care but would only go after the LSU Baseball Team won the final game of the College World Series that afternoon. He was an avid fisherman and duck hunter, pursuing both all over the state of Louisiana and beyond. Mickey loved dogs and spent many hours training and working with his retrievers. His current Labrador, Blue, misses him very much. Mickey was a life-long learner of all subjects but was an expert on Winn Parish history and genealogies. A conversation with Mickey almost always included at least one story from the annals of Winn Parish.
He was preceded in death by his parents, by his brother Harry D. Simmons, and by his wife, Nina Sue Underwood Simmons. His survivors include his children: Kermit Mixon “Mike” Simmons, Jr. of Winnfield, Susan Mador (Robert) of Oak Harbor, Washington, Alfred Simmons (Lesley) of Winnfield; grandchildren Megan Geter (Jay) of Madison, Mississippi, Daniel Simmons of Winnfield, David Simmons of Baton Rouge, Micah Simmons of Winnfield, and great-granddaughter Olivia Geter of Madison, Mississippi. His sister-in-law Grace Simmons of Shreveport and brother-in-law Philip Underwood (Jerri Lynn) of Ruston also survive him, as do nieces, nephews and numerous cousins. College classmates Robert Dawkins of Ruston, Charles Salley of Shreveport, and Skip Bell of Birmingham, Alabama, grieve the loss of Mickey. Brittany Johnson, a devoted friend and source of family support, also survives him.
Pallbearers will be Daniel Simmons, David Simmons, Micah Simmons, Robert Mador, Jay Geter, Clay Underwood, and Mason Garfield.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Winn Parish Dugdemona High-Twelve Scholarship Fund or a favorite charity.
