PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FINAL CAR ARRANGEMENTS FOR VETERAN SHIELDS HAVE BEEN UPDATED AS SHOWN BELOW:

Life Celebration services will go forth at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 318 North Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457 FRIDAY, DECEMBER  1, 2023 at 10:00 a. m. preceded by a public visitation beginning at 8:00 a. m. until service time. Burial will follow with military honors in the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Leesville, LA.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, THE FAMILY HAS PROVIDED A MANNER IN WHICH YOU MAY BLESS THEM--YOU MAY BRING CONDOLENCE CARDS AND/OR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUNERAL HOME ADDRESSED TO ARNOLD SHIELDS PRIOR TO THE SERVICE OR GIVE THEM TO THE USHERS UPON SIGNING THE REGISTER BOOK ON THE DAY OF THE SERVICE.

A journey to beauty, awe and wonder began early morning, Wednesday, November 22, 2023, Lonnie Joe "YaYa" Shields was ushered into the Lord's house.  Lonnie Joe, son of Columbus Shields, Sr. and Joella Shields Hart was born, July 16, 1946.

Lonnie Joe accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church.  Upon completion of his high school education at Central High, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served until his honorable discharge.  He then decided to continue his education by trade where he found his love for upholstery and auto mechanics, including love for music which led to him playing the drums in a Blues Band.  Throughout the next stage of life, he began a career as a Deputy Sheriff with Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Department. In his latter years, his love for auto mechanics continued until his death.

Lonnie Joe was well-known and loved for his kindness and helpfulness to all those he met.  He never met a stranger…many would say that after a conversation with him, you walked away with a smile.

Lonnie Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Columbus Shields, Sr., and Joella Shields Hart; two sisters, Mary Shields, and Emma Edwards; four brothers, Waymon Shields, Grant Shields, Ocie Shields, and Columbus Shields, Jr.  He leaves to cherish his precious memories: five children, Arnold Shields, Sr. (Tammy) of Grand Prairie, Texas, LaSheba DeShields (Thomas) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Douglas Shields, Lonnie Shields, Jr., Dale Johnson, and Marcus Bernstine, Sr. (Takisha) of Natchitoches, Louisiana; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; three sisters, Nora Fowler, Shirley Young, and Rosa Hamilton (Joseph) of Natchitoches, Louisiana; one step-sister and two step-brothers, Wanda Hart, Calvin Hart and Alfred Mitchell and a host of relatives and friends.