Obituary of Ethel McClanahan

Funeral services for Mrs. Ethel Bamburg McClanahan, age 79 of Columbia, LA, will be held at 2 PM Thursday, August 4, 2011 from the sanctuary of Bethany Baptist Church, 1740 HWY 133, Columbia, LA 71418, with Rev. Ed Smith, Rev. Billy Lane McClanahan and grandson, Rev. Marty Earnest officiating. Interment will follow at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Riser Funeral Home of Columbia, LA. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 from 3 PM to 8 PM at Bethany Baptist Church. Mrs. McClanahan passed onto her Heavenly Home on August 2, 2011, while at Caldwell Memorial Hospital in Columbia, LA after a lengthy illness. She was born February 15, 1932 in Pineville, MS, Smith County, to the union of Ivy Nathaniel Bamburg and Zula Huff Bamburg. She was preceded in death by her parents: Ivy N. and Zula Bamburg and her Moma, Minnie H. Bamburg of Columbia, LA; a sister, Berdie Tarver of Columbia, LA; and a brother, Hurston Lott of Brandon, MS. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, R.B. "Berlon" McClanahan; two daughters, Janie Earnest and Cindy Brown and her husband, Jim; three grandchildren, Rev. Marty Earnest and his wife, Claudia, Cree Webb and her husband, Shane, Chad Gregory and his wife, Teresa; six great-grandchildren, Matthew Holloway, Cody Earnest, Destiny Ramsey, Jessi Shipp, Emma Gregory and Jacie Webb all of Columbia, LA; two sisters, Faye Johnson of Forrest, MS and Sue Meredith of Columbia, LA; two brothers, Hershel Lott of Woodville, TX and Herbert Lott of Jackson, MS; and a special friend/"son," Jack Warren and his wife, Gayla of Jena, LA. Ethel was a homemaker of 63 years. She was the world's most precious wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She had two special loves in her life- her family was her precious jewel (especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren); and her other being her church and church family, Bethany Baptist Church at Columbia, LA, Hebert community. She served as a beacon and leader to the Hebert community and Caldwell Parish. She served as President of the Caldwell Parish Ladies Demonstration Club, President of Columbia Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization, an active member of Louisiana Farm Bureau where she served on numerous committees, past Sunday School teacher, church Training Union teacher, Bible School teacher and worker, and "Mother to Many" through the years. Mrs. Ethel enjoyed the great outdoors and had various hobbies, interests and talents. She was a seamstress, quilt-maker, chrocheted, a gourmet cook (where she hosted many events), and a ceramatic-maker. She enjoyed fishing (especially with her grand-daughter-in-law, Claudia) and hauling cotton to the gin where she had coffee-time with the "cotton ladies." She was an avid gardener and enjoyed growing flowers and vegetables. She took great joy in delivering vegetables to those in need especially the elderly. She often provided free housing to those in need. She chaired numerous fund-raisers and community projects for the sick and needy. (She will be remembered for her kind heart and loving spirit.) Pallbearers will be Dave Cobb, Randy Duchesne, Dennis Hillman, Nathan Kelly, Mark Kelly, Ryan McClanahan, Clint Oliveaux and Rev. Rod Shipp. Honorary pallbearers will be Willie Duchesne, Billy Ray Jones, Sr., Wiley Kelly, Allen Maxwell, Doug Maxwell, Joe Eddie Maxwell, Roger Murphy, Billy Joe Poole, Truman Poole, Brad Tullos, Bennie Washam and Robert Washam. Any planned memorials may be made in Mrs. Ethel McClanahan's name to Bethany Baptist Church, 1740 HWY 133, Columbia, LA 71418.