OBITUARIES

Evelyn Inez Blades

December 24, 1938 – August 22, 2023

Evelyn Inez Blades, age 84, was born on December 24th, 1938, at her childhood home. She left her Earthly home on August 22, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones.

The backbone of the family, Inez, affectionately known as “Maw” by many, always had a twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes. She was a hard-working woman, having helped run the dairy with her husband, Bobby Lynn, for many years. If she saw something that needed to be done, she did it or told “her boys” to do it.

She spent countless hours wearing out multiple lawnmowers by maintaining her yard and others until just recently. Her front door was always open so she could look out her glass door and check on what was happening on Hwy 38. Anytime someone stopped by, she always offered them something to eat. Most everyone would agree her dressing was the best you ever put in your mouth.

She enjoyed her daily phone conversations with family and friends and visited many by driving up and tooting the horn for them to come to the car to visit with her. She spent many years as a dedicated member of Spring Creek Baptist Church. You could always find her in the nursery tending the children of the community.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Lynn Blades; parents, Otis and Delitha Brooks Slaven; brothers, John Slaven, T.C. Slaven, Wyman Slaven, Otis Slaven Jr., Huey P. Slaven, Sam Richard Slaven; sisters, Eloise Slaven Phillips and Margaret Slaven Bethany.

She is survived by her sons, Jason (Stephanie) Blades and Tyrone (Aimee) Blades; 3 grandchildren, Hailey Milton, Ethan Blades, and Molly Blades. Also survived by her sisters in law, Marie Slaven and her backroads riding partner, Donnis Blades. Other survivors are her many nieces and nephews, and a very close friend and neighbor, Nancy Wales.

There will never be another “Maw”. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers during this time, please consider donating to the Spring Creek Baptist Church in her honor.

“I have fought the good fight, I finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timonthy 4:7-8

Visitation at Spring Creek Baptist Church from 10:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Friday, August 25, 2023. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. Interment Spring Creek Cemetery, Spring Creek, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Ruby Husbands Arehart | 1926 – 2023 | Obituary (Grandmother of Shea Williams)

Ruby Husbands Arehart passed peacefully into the loving embrace of her Savior the morning of August 23rd, 2023, within her charming home in Natchez, Mississippi, and with her daughters at her side. A month shy of her 97th birthday, Ruby was ready for the room Jesus had prepared for her, where we know she now joyfully laughs and sings with her Savior, her husband, and many other loved ones.

In little Utica, Mississippi, on September 25th, 1926, Ruby was born to her parents, Dewey and Gena Allen Husbands. She married Richard Arehart, on June 15th, 1946, after meeting him through the military letters she wrote to her uncle overseas. She received her Bachelor of Science degree at Mississippi College and her Master of Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. She worked as an elementary teacher for Natchez Public Schools until her retirement, taking every opportunity to share the love of Christ with the children she taught.

Ruby was an active member at Parkway Baptist Church where she taught an adult Sunday School class, participated in Women on Mission, and the Monday morning prayer group. Even when her health impeded her activity, Ruby was faithful to pray for her family, her friends, and her country every day. The legacy she holds as a prayer warrior lives on in her family as they are living testimonies of God’s faithfulness to answer Ruby’s humble requests. “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16, NIV).

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 55 years, her two sisters, her brother, and her son-in-law, John Griggs. She is survived by her three daughters, Judy Dungan and her husband Frank (of Natchez), Beth Griggs (of Raymond, MS), and Dean Nance and her husband Mike (of Bainbridge Island, WA), and by her three granddaughters, three grandsons, ten great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren – all of whom she prayed for so faithfully.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 26th, 2023, at Parkway Baptist Church at 2 P.M. Her great-grandson Reverend Andrew Williams, her grandson-in-law Dr. Matt Williams, and her grandson-in-law Reverend Nick Hodges will officiate. The burial will be at Greenlawn Memorial Park immediately following the funeral service.

The pallbearers will be her grandsons, and her friends Scott Nugent and Roger Davis. Honorary pallbearers will be friends Danny Goldman, Danny Parsons, and Curtis King.

76th ANNIVERSARY

August 24th – “Cete” and Ruby Dillon

It’s not too late to send a card or make a phone call.

PRAYER FOCUS TODAY

Please pray for our country and our leaders.

READ the BIBLE

Friday, August 25th
John 10: 27-30
Ephesians 3:12
“Because of my relationship with God, I . . . .”

What are you going today that will outlive you?

Anna Lee