Doris Elaine Dowden

Celebration of Life services for Mrs. Dowden will be held Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 10:00 AM at Mount Bethel Baptist Church in Leesville, LA. Bro. Wayne Chance and Bro. Mark Christian will be officiating. Services are under the direction of Hixson Funeral Home of Leesville. The family will be receiving visitors on Friday, July 27, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM at Mount Bethel Baptist Church in Leesville, LA.

Pallbearers will be: Dicky Fetting, Tyler Scott, Larry Pridgen, Anthony Lawrence, Anthony Williams and Lowell Brown. Honorary pallbearers are Carl Brooks, J.P. Monk, Coydell Jackson, Freddie Boswell and Adam Willis.

Doris was a lifelong resident of Vernon Parish and graduated from Leesville High School in 1964. She was employed by the New Llano Town Hall as the water clerk leaving behind a special group of friends who loved her so much: Freddie, Tamara, Donna and Sherrie who took such great care of her. She leaves behind two special friends, Carl and Nita Brooks, whom she loved like a brother and a sister and Patrick, RaNell, Seth and Lauren Wellman who she cared for and loved as her own. Doris was of the Baptist faith and attended Old Anacoco Baptist Church, and oh how she loved the Lord! She never lost her faith through some very difficult times and encouraged those around her to do the same. Doris was an avid fan of dirt track racing. She rarely missed any of these events to watch her favorite drivers, Adam Willis and Austen Dowden. Baseball was her second love where she cheered loudly for her grandchildren. She will be missed by all.

Mrs. Dowden is preceded in death by her father, Noah Haymon of Leesville, brother, JC Haymon of Leesville, sister-in-law, Patricia Haymon of Leesville, father-in-law, Loyce Dowden of Leesville, mother-in-law, Evie Dowden of Leesville.

Mrs. Dowden is survived by her husband, Thomas Reid Dowden of Leesville, two sons, Tommy Dowden and wife, Jennifer, of Leesville, Jesse Jackson and wife, Hillary, of Anacoco; three precious grandchildren, Austen Dowden, Austin Branch Jackson and Hanna Jackson; her mother, Odessa Cryer Haymon of Leesville, three brothers, Melvin Haymon and wife, Barbara, of Leesville, JE Haymon and wife Evelyn of Anacoco, Elvin Haymon and wife, Nancy, of Anacoco; two sisters, Merelene Monk and husband, J.P., of Leesville, Jeanette Jackson and husband, Coydell, of Anacoco. Doris was a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews who adored her.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfh.com