May Nell Miles Machen
November 27, 1934 – April 28, 2025
May Nell Miles Machen, who was born November 27, 1934, passed peacefully from this life to the next on April 28, 2025, at the beautifully-lived age of ninety in her beloved city of San Antonio, TX. May Nell was born and raised in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, the third child of Floyd Pierce Miles and Sybil Barnhill Miles. As a child, she was lovingly dubbed by her parents as the “sickly” child after having survived, not one, but two very serious bouts of rheumatic fever in elementary school. May Nell thrived though, and excelled in school, ultimately graduating in under three years from Louisiana Tech University, earning her bachelor’s degree in secondary education. She was a popular and much-respected teacher in Louisiana for more than twenty years.
May Nell and her husband, Glenn Machen, were childhood sweethearts from the moment Glenn appeared out of nowhere to hold the water fountain for a pretty and shy May Nell Miles in the eighth grade. They were just 19 and 20 when they married in 1953. Glenn died at the age of 63 in December of 1996, but previously, they suffered the tragic loss of their firstborn son, William Glenn “Shane” Machen, in July of 1970 in a terrible accident. It was a devastating loss to them both and one from which neither of them ever fully recovered, but it was a complicated and inextricable bond they shared deeply and lovingly through many difficult times, and ultimately to the very end of their unique love story.
More than ten years after the passing of Glenn, May Nell met a tall Texan in Sunday school by the name of Dean Neugent. They were married in 2007 and had ten important years together before he passed in 2017. Dean is buried in San Antonio next to his wife of 43 years, Floydell, as May Nell will be laid next to her beloved Glenn. Dean and May Nell were good for each other, loving companions, treasuring each other, traveling, and sharing many fun experiences in their golden years of love anew.
As a devout Christian woman, she devoted her life to the teachings of Jesus Christ, always trying to be and do better in every way she could. She never stopped learning and improving. Never did May Nell need to hold a hymnal at church, knowing every single lyric and line of every song by heart. A reader and a writer, her bible was always near and certainly her most favored book, not to mention the fundamental thread throughout of all her written work and journaling. She was exceedingly slow to anger, certainly, and famously gave a lot of leeway to those she loved, but she had what we call a “Miles temper,” when justified, and was definitely someone whose patience and support you would not want to take for granted, or misuse.
Mimi, as she was known by her family and close friends, is survived by hers and Glenn’s two other children: Kevin Miles Machen and spouse Brenda of San Antonio, TX and Tara Marie Machen along with her fiancé Joe Raucci of Tavares, FL. She loved to muse about all of her much-beloved grandchildren, of which she had four: Shane and Jessica, (children of Kevin and Theresa Johnston), and Louis Glenn and Sybil, (children of Tara and Steven Staglik). All together, her grandchildren include: Shane Machen and his lovely wife of 21 years, Mandy Machen of Hondo, TX; their two adult sons, great grandsons, Glenn Machen and Austin Miles Machen along with Austin’s beautiful partner, Trinity and their darling baby boy, great great grandson Atlas, all of Hondo; Jessica Machen Hubbell and her wonderful husband Chance Hubbell of College Station, TX along with their sweet little ones, great granddaughters, Cora and Emily; and grandchildren, Louis Glenn Staglik of Baton Rouge, LA, and Sybil Staglik of Nashville, TN.
It was Mimi’s great joy to get to meet and hold baby Atlas, her first and only great-great-great-grandson, at her 90th birthday party late last year, and she beamed each time he joyfully visited her so many times in the final two weeks. She much adored her three surviving siblings: Peggy deGeneres, to whom Mimi spoke at least daily for decades, and her loving husband, Johnny deGeneres of Baton Rouge; younger brother, Floyd “Bubba” Miles of Quitman, LA; and youngest brother, Thomas A “Tommy” Wilson and his most beloved wife Patsy of Bossier City, LA. Preceding her in death were her older sisters: Dorothy Marie Brown and Louise Baxley Tankersly.
In spite of all of the exciting things she did or her own impressive accomplishments, she was most proud of her children and grandchildren. Their successes have meant far more to her than her own many wins. The greatest cheerleader and advocate of the family has left the building. Mimi was a matriarch among matriarchs and her enthusiasm, support, encouragement, and her overwhelming sense of grace, altruism, and unwavering pride for those she loved the most will leave a gaping void in so many of us. No one could champion a cause or defend a stance like Mimi. She used to say she would “fight a circle saw to defend one of my kids,” and boy, did she mean it. That passion, that sharp wit and quick-thinking when someone needed defending was perhaps a missed career as a defense attorney. She used to advise her kids to use big or multi-syllabic words that their adversaries would have to go look up in the dictionary later. She kept active stacks of spiral notebooks with vocabulary exercises up until just a year ago. She was the absolute Queen of cutting out articles from the newspaper and if she gave you one, you knew you had better heed its message. She had Southern sass, laidback class, only a splash of flash, talked just enough trash to still be a respectable Southern lady of good quality, pink was her signature color, and she ended every conversation with “I love you more.” Mimi highly recommends that all the women she knows and loves find one very important thing for themselves: the audacity.
Shane, Mandy, Jessica, and Tara would like to especially thank Lily, Linda, Roberta, Rosie, and Joann from Persona Personal Care Home and Three Oaks Hospice for their dedicated and consistent care, ensuring comfort, kindness, and dignity to Mimi in every single moment of the last two weeks.
A small ceremony will be held at Fellowship Baptist Church, Quitman, LA on May 17, at 3:00 PM, presided over by Pastor Craig Stephens. In lieu of flowers, Mimi wishes donations to be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s home, a cause she has consistently supported since the death of her dearest Shane in 1970. If you’re attending, please wear something PINK.
You’re the puzzle piece behind the couch that makes the sky complete. Godspeed, Mimi. We love you more.
Harriett Michaud Dowies
January 25, 1934 – April 24, 2025
Harriett Michaud Dowies, 91, was born January 25, 1934, in Ruston, La, to Nelson and Ruth Robison Michaud, and passed away Thursday, April 24, 2025.
Mother grew up in Hodge, Louisiana, and graduated from Jonesboro-Hodge High School in 1951. Mother was so proud of her family’s part in developing Hodge and building the Paper Mill. She graduated from Louisiana Tech in 1955, where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. In 1960, she received her Masters degree in Education.
Mother met the love of her life, Carrell G. Dowies, Jr., while he was coaching and teaching at Jonesboro-Hodge High School. After their wedding, they lived and raised their 2 sons in Lake Charles, Ruston, and Homer.
Our mother was the definition of a “Southern Lady”. She supported Dad, fixed supper every night, and was always well dressed for every occasion. Our family was always amazed that she kept a diary of what she wore to every party or event she attended, so she wouldn’t wear the same thing. Mother loved to play bridge. She and her bridge ladies played as often as they could and wherever they could. Mother and Dad also belonged to a Happy Hour group, which they loved attending and hosting. Her bridge ladies and their Happy Hour group were cherished friends and had memories for a lifetime.
Her life was fulfilled by following her two grandchildren, Maggie and Stephen, and following all Tech events. The Bulldog football, basketball, baseball and Lady Techster games at home and away were events she and Dad always enjoyed attending. She and Dad continued with many college and football friendships through the NAAGQ Club, which they were a big part of.
Mother(Gran) was devoted to her family, her church, and every community she lived in. She will be missed by her sons, Gil Dowies and wife, Melinda of Homer, Louisiana and Mike Dowies of Franklin, Tennessee; two grandchildren, Maggie Voorhees and husband Matt of Ruston, Louisiana and Stephen Dowies and wife Alex of Athens, Louisiana; 4 great-grandchildren that she adored, Collier and Nena Voorhees and Warren and Cannon Dowies; her sister, Suzanne Michaud Malone of Diana, Texas, sister in laws, Vern Dowies Lancaster of Choudrant and Joyce Zey Dowies of Homer, as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mother was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sister in law Dorothy Dowies, and brother-in-laws Andy Malone and Jim Dowies.
Following visitation, services were held at Cornerstone Church of Homer (formerly First United Methodist Church) on Monday, April 28, 2025, with Dr. Steve Fowler officiating.
Our family cannot thank Dr. Mark Haynes, the Staff, and residents of Presbyterian Village of Homer enough for the care and love they gave to Mother. Since October of 2024, they became her extended family. We want to thank Passage Hospice for their loving care of Mother. We also want to thank her sitters who became part of our family. They were with her at home and at Presbyterian Village – Brenda, Debbie, Ethel, Maxine, Yulonda, Audrey, Tenesha, Sherri, Annalee.
Pallbearers for Mother were Trent Anders, Reed Anders, Trent Verdin, Ian Starks, Tony Sanders, and Jimmy Hand.
Memorials may be made to Cornerstone Church of Homer, P.O. Box 357, Homer, LA 71040, or donor’s choice.
Teresa Kaye Johnson
September 25, 1961 – April 27, 2025
A memorial service for Mrs. Teresa Kaye Johnson, age 64 of Farmerville, La, was held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Farrar Funeral Home with Bro. Adam Holloway and Bro. Danny Hall officiating.
Teresa was a graduate of Jonesboro High School and received her nursing degree from Louisiana Tech University. She worked at Jackson Parish Hospital, Ruston Rehab, and Bernice Hospital, and although she was small, she was mighty to her coworkers. Teresa loved her grandchildren and was known as MeMe and Aunt to her nieces and nephews. She was a loving and giving wife and mother.
Teresa was preceded in death by her parents: John Harvey and Florence Awilda Drake Brown; sister: Gail Herndon; and her brother-in-law: Jake Herndon.
She is survived by her husband of 42 years: Terry Johnson; children: Joshua Johnson and Jessica Johnson; stepchildren: Randy Johnson (Hannah) and Angie Vallery (Joel); grandchildren: Wade Johnson, Shanna Lee (Cody), Alyssa Vallery, Aiden Johnson, Haley Johnson, Kinsley Johnson, Brooklyn Nyegaard, Katelyn Young (Nathan), Abigail Pippen (John), and Brylei Borden; numerous great grandchildren; sister: Vicky Pierce (Randy); brother: John Kenneth Brown; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Theresa “Terri” Anne Johnson
January 30, 1955 – April 29, 2025
Theresa Anne “Terri” (Taylor) Johnson, age 70 of Emerson, Arkansas, ascended to her Heavenly home on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Terri was very talented and enjoyed participating in activities such as arts and crafts. She adored animals and loved to tease and joke with those she loved and could give the best hugs. Terri liked to cook meals to take to the homeless shelter. She loved to eat crawfish when they came into season. Terri was a woman of faith. She loved her Lord and Savior and her family above all else. She enjoyed showing her family just how much she loved them by making super large greeting cards for her loved ones and she packed as much love as she could into the 3-4 foot tall cards.
Those left to cherish her memory is her husband, Keith Johnson; daughter, Danyelle Johnson; son, Eric Johnson and Chantell; brothers, Chuck Taylor and Susan, Chuck Jackson (Jacky Boy) Taylor and Laura; grandson, John Spikes; nephews, Kelsey Taylor and Catherine, Chuck “Little Chuck” Taylor and Karley; niece, Melanie Massey and Reese; and 5 beautiful great nieces and nephews; mother in law, Linda Johnson; sisters in law, Brenda Wells and Chris, and Janet Johnson.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025 at 10:00 AM in Briarwood Baptist Church Cemetery with Bro. Eric Gobel officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
Bobby S. Murphy
August 16, 1941 – May 2, 2025
Mr. Bobby S. Murphy, age 83, of Jonesboro, Louisiana, passed away on May 2, 2025. Born on August 16, 1941, Bobby was a man who valued family, faith, and the outdoors. He found great joy in hunting, fishing, and spending time with those he loved most. He worked as a paper machine superintendent on 4 & 5 paper machine at the Paper Mill in Hodge for 30 + years until his retirement in 1988.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Melba Murphy; his parents, James and Maggie Murphy; his son, Mark Murphy; four brothers; and three sisters.
Bobby was a devoted father to: Jeff Murphy (Sandra), Angie Murphy Fair (Tim), Amy Murphy, Brooke Murphy (Franklin). He was a proud grandfather to: Brandon Fair (Megan), Nathan Fair, Casey Fair (Nina), Josh Murphy, Justin Murphy, Kason Smith
He also leaves behind a legacy in his great-grandchildren: Logenn Blewer, Addison Fair, Noah Fair, Bray Corley, Baylor Kelly and Blayne Kelly, Brynlee Carpenter, Greyson Murphy, Cooper Murphy and Anslee Murphy.
Bobby’s life was one of quiet strength, gentle humor, and unwavering love for his family. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Friends and family may pay their respects by visiting from 5:00 – 8:00 pm on Monday, May 5th, at the Jonesboro Assembly of God Church. The Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 6 at Jonesboro Assembly of God with Internment following at the Garden of Memories Cemetary under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home.