Edna Ruth Whitman Douglas

Funeral services celebrating the life of Mrs. Edna Ruth Whitman Douglas, 98, of West Monroe, LA will be held at 12:00 P.M., Friday, December 27, 2024, at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in West Monroe, LA with Rev. Steve Sallis officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home West Monroe, LA. 

Edna Ruth was born on September 6, 1926, in West Monroe, LA and passed away at her residence on December 21, 2024, after a lengthy illness. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of almost 37 years, Jack Douglas; grandson, Kyle Douglas; great granddaughter, Jamie Faith Douglas; parents, Emmett Leslie and Frances Whitman; brother, Jimmy Whitman; and sister, Ruby Weaver.

Edna Ruth is survived by her three children, Johnny Douglas and wife, Linda of League City, TX, Roger Douglas and wife, Gari of Navasota, TX and Beverly Stone and husband, Mike of West Monroe, LA; grandchildren, six grandsons, Jay Stone and wife, Anna, Dr. Andy Stone and wife, Maggie, Matt Stone and wife, Catherine, Chris Douglas and wife, Tara, Ross Douglas and wife, Lindsey, and Reid Douglas and wife, Rachael; one granddaughter-in-law, Jamie Lawrence and husband, Matt; twenty great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ellen Whitman; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other cherished family and friends.

Edna graduated in 1943 from Ouachita Parish High School, completing her education at Monroe Commercial Business School. In 1946, Edna married John Roger “Jack” Douglas and later moved to West Ouachita Parish, where they raised three children. She was a homemaker while they were young. Edna later worked as an administrative assistant, until she retired from the LSU Extension Office. Edna loved Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, where she was a member for 67 years. She had a heart for missions and served in the Women’s Missionary Union in many capacities and projects. Edna also had a heart for families and children. She taught preschool Sunday School for about 20 years, worked annually in Vacation Bible School, mentored young women in home groups called Apples of Gold and Heartfelt Friends, and served with her dear friends in “the club” called Volunteers for Family and Community Education. Edna, known as “Grandmama”, and adored her seven grandsons and spent many hours in the heat, rain, or cold watching sports events. She was extremely proud of them and so blessed by twenty-one great grandchildren, who brought her much love and joy. Edna Ruth trusted God and spent time every day reading and studying His Word up to the age of 97.

Pallbearers will be Jay Stone, Dr. Andy Stone, Matt Stone, Chris Douglas, Ross Douglas, Reid Douglas and Logan Douglas.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until service time on Friday, December 27, 2024 at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Samaritan’s Purse, or to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.

Many thanks for the love, prayers, cards, and visits from family and friends during her long illness. We greatly appreciate the care of sitters through the last years and to her special caregivers: Linda DeVille, Geraldine Lenard, Ashley Meadows, Betty Elmore, Rhonda Tarver, Tori Telano, Selena Nunn, Always Best Care Senior Services, Alpha Care Home Health and nurse, David Turner, Elara Hospice Care and special nurses, Katie Johnson and Destiny Bradford.