Rhoda Edna Durden

Rhoda Edna Durden, 88, of Port Arthur, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, August 1, 2023. She was born on October 3, 1934, in Louisiana, to Eva Gertrude McRee Roark and Homer Houston Roark.

Rhoda married the love of her life, Yancy Durden, and together they began to build a life together.   Rhoda was the mother of three children, and she loved being a mom.  She ran a beauty shop from her home, and she welcomed neighbors and friends as they gathered at the shop for a cup of coffee and a good conversation.  She also had a great love for crossword puzzles, and you would find her working crossword puzzles for hours.

Family meant everything to Rhoda, commonly known around town as “Mama D”.  She was a number one fan of her children, grandchildren, and even her great-grandchildren, and you would see her at sporting events, twirling recitals, and many other extra-curricular activities, cheering each one on.

Travel was another pastime that Rhoda enjoyed.   She looked forward to family reunions where she got to see many generations, or just returning to West Monroe to visit family.   She also enjoyed traveling with family, and she looked forward to trips with them each year.

First and foremost, however, Rhoda loved the Lord.   It was evident in every aspect of her life.  She attended church faithfully each week, and she was an active member of the Silvertones choir at FBC, Nederland, until her health no longer allowed her to do so.  Her neighbors would see her every morning sitting on her porch reading her Bible with a good cup of coffee in hand.  Everyone in the family knew that she prayed for each of them daily.

Rhoda was a loving, caring, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Survivors include her sister, Doris Glen Miller of West Monroe; brother, DeWayne Roark and wife, Kitty,  of Shreveport; son, Ken Durden and his wife, Pam, of North Carolina: son, Carl Durden and his wife, Cindy, of Port Neches; six grandchildren, Michelle Durden; Kara Durden; Aaron Durden and his wife, Heather; Candace Field and her husband, Freeman; Naomi Dvoretsky and her spouse, Rachel; and Michael Lofton of Monroe; twelve great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Yancy Harvey Durden, Jr. and daughter, Debbie Black.

A gathering of Ms. Durden’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with her celebration service starting at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 12, 2023, at Crossroads Fellowship Church, 2005 North Peterson Street, Nederland.