On Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the afternoon light, Barbara Martin Dowden, entered into eternal rest. She was born in Mora, La., on July 15, 1935, the daughter of Osa and Velma Martin. Barbara, at 89 years young, made her final transition to God’s Glory!

 A beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, grandma and Big Maw-Maw.

 Barbara was dedicated and devoted all the days of her life being faithful, humble, loving, and gracious. She embodied grace and had a spirit of strength. She leaned on the Lord in all her trials, for life had given her its fair share. She never complained and only leaned harder on the Lord, and her devoted husband Jr. They got through everything.

 Barbara met her true love, Junior., at Kisatchie High School in the ninth grade, one look from Junior, and the rest was history! He was so smitten he would walk seven miles one way through Devil’s Swamp to see his gal, hunting along the way. They were married on June 3, 1955, and shared 62 years together.

 Upon graduation from Northwestern State University with a degree in Secretarial Science, Barbara embarked on a lifetime career with Bell South for 33 years. She actively volunteered as a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. For 25 plus years, Barbara also committed her service as the secretary/treasurer of the Kisatchie Cemetery Association along with her husband.

 Barbara greatly enjoyed playing the piano, at church in her youth, and throughout her life. She was a phenomenal cook, who kept not only her husband happy and full, but her whole family and strangers too. If you ask Barbara, more than anything, baking was her favorite thing to do, but if you ask any of us, her BLTs of many things, were simply what made dreams come true. She loved a good game of Bingo in her later years. But most of all and always, her pride and joy were being a grandma and a great-grandma.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, Velma and Osa Martin; children, Russell and Christine Dowden, and husband, Amon Dowden Jr.

 Barbara is survived by her loving daughter, Janet L’Hoste and husband, Stephen; along with her grandchildren, Jessica Williamson and husband, Brian, Michael L’Hoste and wife, Sarah, and Amy L’Hoste; three great-grandchildren, Natalie, Parker and Gabriel L’Hoste; her brother, Dorman Martin, along with nieces and nephews.

 The family of Barbara Dowden would like to express their deepest appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to Grand Cove and Brighton Bridge Hospice for her care, comfort, and love.

 Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Gillis, La., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, from 9 a.m. until time of service. Her service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Gillis at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. EJ McCann will officiate the service. Burial will follow at the New Kisatchie Cemetery after the service at 2 p.m.

 In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Kisatchie Cemetery Association, 343 Bill Gilbert Rd., Ragley, LA 70657 in honor of Barbara Dowden.

 Services are under the direction of Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder.

 Words of comfort may be expressed at www.my ers-colonialfuneralhome.com