Life-long Richland Parish resident James Lonnie Walters passed away on July 19, 2026, at age 81. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 5, 1945, and was a retired businessman and farmer. Predeceasing Lonnie were his parents, Ruben and Effie Lou Walters, and his brother-in-law, Mike Gibbens. Survivors include his sister, Dianne Walters Gibbens; niece, Karen Gibbens; cousins and special cousin, Sarah Aycock.

Lonnie was a graduate of Rayville High School and Louisiana State University. He earned a Business degree from LSU with an emphasis on Journalism which he used to develop a successful multi-decade career in print publishing. In 1981 Lonnie launched “The Richland Journal” newspaper which grew to a 5-parish distribution while he served as publisher. Through the years, Lonnie also launched a second newspaper (“The Delta Gazette” in Greenville, Mississippi, for the Black community there) together with several magazines promoting building and construction interests.

Lonnie lived life to the fullest and had many friends and interests. He enjoyed Louisiana politics, but he loved LSU (especially football) with a passion second only to his love for the Arts (both the Performing Arts and the Fine Arts). He was an active volunteer throughout his life, counting ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at Christmas one of his favorites. He served on the Friends of the Monroe Civic Center Board of Directors, and was a member of the Kiwanis Club. Lonnie loved music with opera, symphony, and Gospel among his favorites. He supported the New Orleans Opera Association and enjoyed attending the New Orleans Jazz Festival often. Among several hobbies, he especially enjoyed collecting Jazz Festival prints and framing them. Later in life he enjoyed traveling abroad and exploring Egypt, India, Italy, and Germany.

Lonnie loved people, and had a diverse collection of close friends. He was equally comfortable among those with no education and those with earned PhD’s. He especially enjoyed small lunches with close friends during which they enjoyed good food, good wine, and sharing stories. Whether at the Lotus Club or in a private home, those were special times for everyone.

Services for Lonnie will be held Wednesday morning, July 22, 2026, at the Rayville Methodist Church where Lonnie was a member. Reverend Aaron Carpenter, Rayville Methodist Church pastor, will conduct the funeral beginning at 11:00 a.m. Longtime friend Keith Bond will deliver the eulogy. There will be a visitation hour for friends and family beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park on Highway 80 in Monroe, Louisiana.

Serving as pallbearers will be Carson Bond, Keith Bond, Earl Baker, Chipper Gibbes, Jim Lopez, and Bobby Rayburn. Honorary pallbearers will be Coleman Bond, Clint Shepard, Jim Potts, Terry Sledge, Willie Watkins, Robert Eleam, and John Elliot.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rayville Methodist Church.