The Rev. Joe Nathan Fairley Sr., 69, of Bogalusa, went to be with his heavenly Father on June 25, 2018, after a brief battle with cancer.

Rev. Fairley was born in Bogalusa to the late Cella Fairley. He graduated from Central Memorial High School and worked for the Bogalusa Paper Mill for 43 years before retiring. He was well known in the community as he attended many churches preaching the gospel. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and going to football games to support his favorite player, #50 Daniel “Bull” Fairley.

Rev. Fairley was blessed with a large and loving family. He leaves to cherish he memories his loving wife of 50 years, Martha Burkhalter Fairley; his only son, Joe Jr. (Monica) Fairley of Bogalusa; three daughters, Ravion Fairley (Jefferson) Kennedy and Caramel Fairley of Bogalusa, and Crystal (Tyrone) Joseph of New Orleans; 10 grandchildren, Candace Fairley, Xavier Carpenter, Daniel Fairley, Joshua Fairley, Imani Joseph, Isaiah Joseph, Cataleya Joseph, Bomani Fairley, Yameenah Fairley and Shari Fairley; two brothers, Terry (Betty) Dillon of Champaign, Ill., and Michael Dillon of Champaign; five sisters, Catherlean (Jack) Brister of Bogalusa, Carolyn Burks of Savannah, Ga., Edna (Will) Haynes of Champaign, Wanda Dillon (Gary) Johnson of Champaign and Patricia Robinson of Springfield, Ill.; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Cella Fairley; three brothers, Leonard Fairley, Roland Johnson and Larry Fairley; his mother-in-law, Cindy Burkhalter; father-in-law, Ellis Burkhalter; and grandson, Nathaniel Fairley.

A viewing will be held Friday, July 6, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Cook-Richmond Funeral Home, located at 638 N. Columbia St. in Bogalusa. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 7, at Church of United Faith, located at 1100 Marshall Richardson Road in Bogalusa, with Pastor Brandon Willis officiating. Interment will follow in Bogalusa Cemetery.

He will be greatly missed by family and friends.