Brown-Holley Funeral Homes

05/22/2026

A Celebration of Life for Bishop Claude S. Maddox, 68, of Delhi, LA will be held at 4:00 PM, Sunday, May 24, 2026 at Dunn Church of God, Dunn, LA with Bishop Mark Leonhardt officiating under the direction of Brown-Holley Funeral Home, Rayville, LA.

Bishop Claude was born February 5, 1958 in Ada, OK and passed away Thursday, May 21, 2026 in Jackson, MS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Dollie Maddox; sister, Mary Jean Taylor; brother, William Jasper Maddox.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Catherine Maddox; 3-children, Stephanie Hupf (Randy) of Neola, IA, Stephen Maddox (Katrina) of Bellevue, NE, Jacquelyn Jefferis (Dillan) of Forest, LA; 13-grandchildren; 3-brothers, Drexal Maddox (Karyn), Sam Maddox (Sheila), Phillip Maddox (Kitty); numerous nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be left at brownholleyfuneralhomes.com.

05/20/2026

Graveside services for Violet “Dolly” Ashley, 76, of Rayville, LA will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, May 22, 2026 at Gwin Cemetery, Mangham, LA with Bro. Dwayne Achord officiating under the direction of Brown-Holley Funeral Home, Rayville, LA.

Violet was born January 26, 1950 in Little Rock, AR and passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2026 in Rayville, LA.

She was preceded in death by her children, Greg Burgess, Carmen Baker; parents, John Swain and Christine Howard; brother, Bernise Howard.

Survivors include her husband of 40 years, Tommy Burgess; children, Rachelle Powell (Brad), Jeff Burgess (Candy); 9-grandchildren, Todd Burgess (Karley), Tori Burgess, Thomas Burgess (Pearl), Allen Baker, Ryan Powell, Shane Burgess, Sydney Burgess, David Baker, Skyler Burgess; 2-great grandchildren, Karsyn Burgess, Kollyn Burgess; siblings, Elizabeth Goodson (Charles), Beadah Turner (Ray Grasshoff), Jake Swain (Dottie), Jack Garner (Pam), Bernice Hebert, Marshall Howard, Larry Howard, Jerry Howard, Chris Howard, Naomi Freeman; numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Todd Burgess, Thomas Burgess, Allen Baker, Ryan Powell, Shane Burgess, David Baker, Skyler Burgess, Bradon McNeese.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association at

Support the American Heart Association in fighting heart disease. Your donation helps fund medical research, CPR training, and nutrition programs that create healthier communities and save lives.

05/17/2026

Joseph Michael Patrick

Funeral services for Joseph Michael Patrick, 69, of Rayville, LA will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at Red Hill Cowboy Church, Delhi, LA with Bro. Ronnie Garret officiating under the direction of Brown-Holley Funeral Home, Rayville, LA.

Joseph was born November 7, 1956 in Delhi, LA and passed away Saturday, May 16, 2026 in Rayville, LA.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, J.T. and Alma Patrick; and son, Michael Wayne Patrick.

Survivors include his children, Joey Patrick (Elizabeth) and Michelle Burke (Terrence); grandchildren, Sara Carroll (Jessie), Logan Chowns (Breanna), Blake Chowns (Gracyn), Justin Patrick, Marissa Hamilton; great grandchildren, Brynleigh, Waylon, Adeline, Owen, and Raelynn; grand dog, Nola; siblings, Sandra Pettit (Larry), Ronnie Patrick (Rita), and Angie Whiddon (Troy).

Visitation will be 9:00 AM till 10:00 AM, Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at Red Hill Cowboy Church, Delhi, LA.

Condolences may be left at brownholleyfuneralhomes.com.

05/16/2026

Joe Ann Shows

Joe Ann Shows, 73, of Rayville, LA was born October 8, 1952 in Sondheimer, LA and passed away Friday, May 15, 2026 at her residence in Rayville, LA with her family. A memorial service will be held at a 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Rayville, LA.

Mrs. Joe Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Doyle shows; parents, Sedgie Hot Shot” Holmes and Shirley Lowery; and stepfather, Marvin Lowery.

Survivors include her son Tommy Williams (Lisa) of Rayville, LA and Tim Williams (Jodi) of Archibald, LA; grandchildren, Seth Wyatt of West Monroe, LA, Jacob Williams of New Orleans, LA, Johnny Williams of Ruston, LA, Elizabeth Pearl Williams of Calhoun, LA, Rylian Wright of Rayville, LA, Madylin Wright of Epps, LA, and Carly D***s of Dothan, AL; 4-great grandchildren; siblings, Doyle Holmes (Cathy) of Start, LA, Janice Garner (Jimmy) of Bastrop, LA, Francis Garner (Billy) of Bastrop, LA, and Johnny Holmes (Sheila) of Rayville, LA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be left at brownholleyfuneralhomes.com.

05/12/2026

William Houston "W.H." Lee was born August 31, 1938, at home in Baskin, LA to Walter and Maud Lee. He grew into a quiet stoic man who fell in love at 16 with Peggy Middleton. Marrying just after her high school graduation they made their home on Little Rd. in Bee Bayou. Over the years they had six children who grew up in a home full of love and made lots of memories. In addition to being a husband and father he worked as construction supervisor for Traxler Construction. As it often does, his hobby of bee keeping became a job. With the help of Peggy and their children they started Lee’s Bees and sold hundreds of 55-gallon drums of honey to Sue Bee Honey Company over the years.

After retiring from construction and beekeeping, he spent the years gardening and enjoying the large family he helped to build and just being Pop. He passed down his love of family, attention to detail, and sometimes quick temper to his hard-headed Lees.

After a long full life, W. H. passed away at his home on Monday, May 11, 2026. He was preceded by his parents, Walter and Maud Lee; and son, William James Lee.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Peggy Lee; children, Jeanine Lee, Andy Lee (Cherie), Randy Lee, Juandine Lee Templeton (friend Walter Hillman), and Darline Lee Goyne (Matt); grandchildren, Dale Lee, Callee Gwin Blanchard (Andrew), Danni Lee McDevitt (Shawn), Kelsey Gwin, Casie Lee Pate (Chris), Stephanie Lee Edwards (Mel), Dustin Templeton (Kayla), and Maggie Lee; 18-great grandchildren; 1-great-great grandchild on the way; and brother, Donnie Lee (Virginia).

Funeral services for William Houston (W.H.) Lee, 87, will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Brown-Holley Funeral Chapel, Rayville, LA. Interment will be in the Greer Cemetery, Rayville, LA under the direction of Brown-Holley Funeral Home, Rayville, LA.

Pallbearers will be Dale Lee, Dustin Templeton, Chris Pate, Shawn McDevitt, Sean Lang, Mel Edwards, and Andrew Blanchard.

Visitation will be 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Brown-Holley Funeral Chapel, Rayville, LA.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to Greer Cemetery.
Greer Cemetery
P.O. Box 13
Rayville, La. 71269.

Condolences may be left at brownholleyfuneralhomes.com.

05/11/2026

Funeral services for Randy D. Davidson, Sr., 73, of Start, LA will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, May 12, 20026 at Abundant Life Full Gospel Fellowship, Start, LA with Sis. Shirley Davidson and Bro. Joey Davidson officiating. Interment will be in the Rhymes Cemetery, Rayville, LA under the direction of Brown-Holley Funeral Home, Rayville, LA.

Randy was born January 2, 1953 in Monroe, LA and passed away at his home in Start, LA on Friday, May 8, 2026. He was preceded by his wife of 46 years, Linda Davidson; parents, Elton C. “Slim” and Donnie Davidson; brothers, Danny A. Davidson, Max Davidson, Reggie Davidson, and Billy W. Davidson.

Survivors include his children, Randy Davidson, Jr. (Patricia), Angela Davidson, Elton Davidson; grandchildren, Georgie Davidson, Ashley Pardue, Dylan Pardue, Rylan Doerr; brothers, Ted Davidson (Kay); Rickey Davidson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Dylan Pardue, Chris Smith, Randy Davidson, Jr., Danny Davidson, Brian Davidson, and Shane Grubbs.

Visitation will be 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Abundant Life Full Gospel Fellowship, Start, LA

05/08/2026

John Richard Torrance

Graveside services for John Richard Torrance, 65, of Monroe, LA will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Unity Cemetery, Pioneer, LA with Bro. Shawn Corley officiating under the direction of Brown-Holley Funeral Home, Rayville, LA.

John was born on May 14, 1960, in McKeesport, PA and passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 surrounded by his loving family at his residence in Monroe, LA.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Patricia Torrance; and father-in-law, Laverne Kemp.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Paula Torrance; son, John Cody Torrance; brother, Edward Torrance (Becky); sisters, Shelley Torrance and Robin Coddington; mother-in-law, Peggy Kemp; sister-in-law, Cindy Fowler; brother-in-law, Lee Kemp (Lisa); special nephew, Ryan Fowler; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

To leave condolences for the family go online to

05/03/2026

Lisa Rene Cheek

Lisa Rene Cheek, 59, of Rayville, LA was born February 1, 1967 in Monroe, LA and passed away Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Rayville, LA. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Lisa was preceded in death by her husband, John Cheek.

Condolences may be left at brownholleyfuneralhomes.com.

04/29/2026

Sheila Denise Morris

Sheila Denise Morris, 62, of Columbia, LA was born October 3, 1963 in Newellton, LA and passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2026 in Columbia, LA.

Survivors include her children, Sarah Hales and husband, Chris of Rayville, LA and Dustin Cole Smith and wife, Kalli of Pineville, LA; grandchildren, Tera Hales, Jordon Cooper, Gauge Hales, Myles Smith, Josie Smith, and Lillian Smith.

Condolences may be left at brownholleyfuneralhomes.com.

04/10/2026

Sunny Joyce Davis

A private graveside services for Sunny Joyce Davis will be held at a later date.

Sunny was born April 1, 2026 in El Dorodo, AR and passed away from a Congenital Heart Defect Wednesday, April 8, 2026 surrounded by her family in Little Rock, AR.

Sunny was preceded in death by her maternal great grandparents, Dorothy Manning, Louis Freeland and Marie and Francis Clack; paternal grandfather, Charles Davis; paternal great grandparents, Merrell Letlow Davis and Forrest Cole Davis and Audrey Logue and F.M. Logue; cousins, Elli Anthony and Charli Anthony.

Survivors include her parents, Frannie and Cole Davis; siblings, Dixon Davis, Banks Davis, and Minnie Davis; maternal grandparents, Donna and David Freeland; paternal grandparents, Joyce Davis Wright and Tommy Wright; maternal great grandparents, Jeanette and Ed Pickett; aunts and uncles, L.E. and Morgan Freeland, Joshua Freeland, Melissa and Nick Polk, and Ginna and Ryan Anthony; and numerous great uncles, great aunts, and cousins.

Pallbearers will be L.E. Freeland, Joshua Freeland, Nick Polk, and Ryan Anthony.

Visitation will be 11:30 AM till 1:15 PM, Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Brown-Holley Funeral Chapel, Rayville, LA. The family request that family members and friends please come dressed in beautiful colors to celebrate her life.

Condolences may be left at brownholleyfuneralhomes.com.

04/04/2026

Sharon Darlene Holbrook

Sharon Darlene Holbrook was born July 6, 1954 in Monroe, LA and passed away Saturday, April 4, 2026 surrounded by her family at her residence in Rayville, LA. A memorial service was held at 4:00 PM, Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at Faith Christian Church, Start, LA.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Delis and Blanie Kennedy; and brothers, Lonnie Raymond Kennedy and Donald Ray Kennedy.

Survivors include her children, James Brandon Kennedy, Sr., Justin Todd Holbrook, and Kristin Leanne Holbrook; stepson, Carl Dennis Holbrook, Jr.; grandchildren, James Brandon Kennedy, Jr., Brittany Rachelle Danielle Holbrook, Kirk Bartlett, and Danyl Rogers; great grandchildren, Camden Lewis, Jackson Carraway, and Eva Carraway; siblings, Sheila Hamm, Pam Nations, Sue Parker, and Jeff Kennedy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be left at brownholleyfuneralhomes.com.