On Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 5:30 p.m., our matriarch of the family, Elizabeth JoAnn Boothe Nugent, departed this life.  JoAnn was born on Dec. 16, 1944 in Harrisonburg, La.  She was the fourth child of Juan and Mildred Boothe of Harrisonburg, La.  She graduated from Enterprise High School in 1962.

JoAnn moved to Houston, Texas and was employed by Southwestern Bell for five years.  She attended classes at Texas Bible College.  She married Charles Nugent in 1964 and never stopped saying yes to his proposals. 

She is survived by four children, Tammy Hamernick and husband, John Hamernick of Lake Charles, Darrin Nugent of Lake Charles, Katrina Nugent of Lake Charles, Charla Elms and husband, Nathan Elms of Charlotte, N.C.; 12 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, as well as, many through the years who were considered a beloved part of the family.  She is survived by two brothers, Joel Boothe (Linda) of Alexandria, La. and Carl Boothe (Shirley) of Raleigh, Miss., and two sisters, Carolyn Craft (Eugene) of DeRidder, La. and Pamela Stockwell (Wayne) of Ovieda, Fla.  JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Mildred Boothe, and one sister, Janice Grissom of Denison, Iowa.

JoAnn and her husband travelled as Evangelists for several years before accepting the pastorate at Kings Pentecostal Church in 1969.  They founded the First Pentecostal Church of Wisner a few years later and continued to pastor in Wisner for 11 years.  In 1983, they accepted the pastorate of Livingway Pentecostal Church in Lake Charles, La. where they eventually retired.  The church celebrated 40 years recently with the Nugents in the Bishop leadership role.

Her first love was God and she devoted her life to being the hands and feet of Jesus.  She cooked, served, hugged, loved and approached life with a gentle hand and a sweet spirit.  She loved worshipping in church and was present every time she was able.  Her second love was her husband of 60 years to whom she was a devoted help meet.  One of her favorite roles in life was that of a grandmother.  The adult grandchildren frequently argued over which of them was her favorite and each claimed the title.  There was never a shortage of love when she was present and she left a vacancy that only God can fill.

The family will welcome relatives and friends at Livingway Pentecostal Church in Lake Charles on Thursday, April 25, 2024 beginning at 2 p.m. with a service to begin at 7 p.m. Pastor Brent Keating will be officiating. Burial will be held at Harrisonburg Cemetery in Harrisonburg, La. on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 12 p.m.

Please leave fond memories for the Nugent family at www.hixsonfuneral homes.com