Donald Ray "Don" Waits, age 85 of Quitman, Louisiana passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2024 in Ruston. He was a deacon at Hodge Baptist Church and a devoted husband and father.  Don enjoyed woodworking, clock making & repair, gardening and fishing.  He was an avid supporter of NASCAR, the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers.

Born Friday, June 10, 1938 in DeRidder Louisiana, Don was preceded in death by his mother, Rosa McCollough Waits and his father, Q.B. Waits.

Those left to cherish his memory include: Wife of 63 years- Jo Ann Waits; Daughters- Tanya Spears & Stan, Karen Porter & Roger; Grandchildren- Teri Burgin & Bo, Jessica Faulconer & Andrew, Sarah Groff, Emily Groff; Great Grandchildren- Kayla Burgin, Kenzie Burgin, Paisley Groff, Theodore Faulconer, Calvin Faulconer; Sister- Hazel Marie Thibodeaux; Brother- Raynold "Sunny" Clyde Waits; Sister- Gladys "Jeanette" Winfrey' and Brother- David Lee Waits, Sr.,

The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at Hodge Baptist Church, from 9:15 AM until 10:45 AM.  The funeral service will begin at 10:45 AM with Bro. Keith Thomas and Bro. Norris Curry officiating. Interment will follow in Fellowship Cemetery, near Quitman.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be Harry Shows, Mike Brown, Michael Carlton, Bruce Whitman, Dennis Otwell and Bo Burgin.

The family is grateful for the community and family support in Don's last months, especially for sister-in-law, Barbara Otwell and husband, Dennis Otwell of Quitman.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hodge Baptist Church in Don's name.