Obituary for Dona Hext Dowden
Funeral services for Dona Hext Dowden will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Hornbeck with Reverend Wayne Chance, Reverend John Lewing II, and Kelly Stewart officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Forest Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Pallbearers will be Judah Meyer, Daniel Parker, Luke Arnold, Mikey Leblanc, Anthony Watkins, and Jake Lewing. A visitation will be held at the church Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Dona was born August 29, 1942, in Leesville, Louisiana to Joe and Dovie Hext and passed away June 28, 2022, at the age of 79. She was one of twelve children and the mother of three girls from her first marriage and a son and daughter from her second marriage. During her first marriage she was a devoted housewife and mother for eleven years. In 1984, she remarried to Ed Dowden and began working for the Vernon Parish School Board. She began in Finance then transferred to Receptionist before working in the Personnel Office and eventually became the Secretary to the Superintendent and to the School Board at the same time. She retired after 30 years of service. Dona was instrumental in bringing National Day of Prayer to Vernon Parish at Pleasant View Baptist Church
It was during her working life that her family began to expand rapidly. After all the children were grown and married, her true pride and joy were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nothing, and I mean nothing, meant more to her than ALL of her babies. Being a true matriarch of a large family, Dona truly set a great example for ALL of her babies to follow as best they could. MawMaw was just that – MawMaw.
Dona was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Joe Hext and Dovie Ettie Hext; daughter, Darla Semons Parker; granddaughter, Dana Cheyenne Parker; son-in-law, Donnie Ray Parker; brothers, W.D. Smith and Joe Hext; and sisters, Evon Lee, Dovie Curtis, Dorothy Browning, Aubrey West, Audrey Bourque, Thelma Joe Semons, and Linda Faye Hext.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 39 years, Ed Dowden;
son, Sean Dowden;
daughters, Talitha Semons Lewing and husband Johnny, Jamye Semons, and Sarah Dowden Lewing;
sisters, Deloris Rogers and husband Bill and Faxon Lea Ross;
twelve grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
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Dona was born August 29, 1942, in Leesville, Louisiana to Joe and Dovie Hext and passed away June 28, 2022, at the age of 79. She was one of twelve children and the mother of three girls from her first marriage and a son and daughter from her second marriage. During her first marriage she was a devoted housewife and mother for eleven years. In 1984, she remarried to Ed Dowden and began working for the Vernon Parish School Board. She began in Finance then transferred to Receptionist before working in the Personnel Office and eventually became the Secretary to the Superintendent and to the School Board at the same time. She retired after 30 years of service. Dona was instrumental in bringing National Day of Prayer to Vernon Parish at Pleasant View Baptist Church
It was during her working life that her family began to expand rapidly. After all the children were grown and married, her true pride and joy were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nothing, and I mean nothing, meant more to her than ALL of her babies. Being a true matriarch of a large family, Dona truly set a great example for ALL of her babies to follow as best they could. MawMaw was just that – MawMaw.
Dona was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Joe Hext and Dovie Ettie Hext; daughter, Darla Semons Parker; granddaughter, Dana Cheyenne Parker; son-in-law, Donnie Ray Parker; brothers, W.D. Smith and Joe Hext; and sisters, Evon Lee, Dovie Curtis, Dorothy Browning, Aubrey West, Audrey Bourque, Thelma Joe Semons, and Linda Faye Hext.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 39 years, Ed Dowden;
son, Sean Dowden;
daughters, Talitha Semons Lewing and husband Johnny, Jamye Semons, and Sarah Dowden Lewing;
sisters, Deloris Rogers and husband Bill and Faxon Lea Ross;
twelve grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
To plant a tree in memory of Dona Hext Dowden, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
2
Jul
10:00 AM
- 2:00 PM
Pleasant View Baptist Church
200 Hwy. 473
Hornbeck, LA 71439
Funeral
Saturday
2
Jul
2:00 PM
Pleasant View Baptist Church
200 Hwy. 473
Hornbeck, LA 71439
Cemetery Details
Location
Oak Forest Cemetery
Hwy 117 N.
Leesville, LA 71446
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