Ouachita County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....CALHOUN, GUSSIE REBECCA October 2, 2016 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: GINA BROWN rootsgirl36@gmail.com December 19, 2016, 5:50 am News Star World - October 12, 2016 GUSSIE REBECCA CALHOUN Gussie Rebecca Calhoun (85) died on October 2, 2016, at her home in Loachapoka, Alabama. She was born on June 15, 1931, in Monroe, Louisiana, to Ida Harris Calhoun and John Davis Calhoun, Sr. After her graduation from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (now Louisiana Tech University), she joined the Women's Marine Corps. After boot camp at Parris Island, she rose in the ranks to Captain Calhoun. Following the beginning of the Korean War, Captain Calhoun was appointed to Paris to be in command of all US women military personnel in Europe during the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. During this critical period in our country's history, among her duties was greeting and escorting world leaders to various NATO functions in the city. After Captain Calhoun's return to the US, she was stationed in Kansas City until her retirement from military service. She returned to Louisiana Tech as a Graduated Assistant in Physical Education, where, as an undergraduate, she was recognized for her talent in sports. Ms. Calhoun pursued graduate work in Colorado and at Tech, receiving a Master's degree in Counseling in 1964. Following her graduation, she became Assistant Dean of Women at Auburn University. When that position became outdated, she served as Director of Housing until her 1988 retirement from Auburn University after 25 years of service. In 1969, she moved from the city of Auburn to nearby Loachapoka to her present home, gradually restoring the Victorian house and its surrounding acres. In Loachapoka. Ms Calhoun participated fully in the church and in the town's festivals, eventually serving twice as Mayor. Ms. Calhoun volunteered as a docent at Calloway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA, for many years. She was involved in the planning of the Auburn Veterans' Memorial and raised the Colors for its dedication on November 11, 2000. Ms. Calhoun was predeceased by her parents, her brother Professor John D. Calhoun, Jr., of Ruston, LA; and her sister Mrs. L.H. Padgett, Jr., of Bossier City, LA. She is survived by her sister-in-law Ruth Read Calhoun of Ruston. Other survivors are four nephews and their families: Gehlen Padgett of Benton, LA; John Read Calhoun of Windsor, Ontario Canada; L.H. Padgett, III, of Bossier City; and Dr. Andrew D. Calhoun of Baton Rouge. Ms Calhoun is survived by five nieces and their families: Kay Padgett Byrd of Bossier City; Rebecca Padgett Barker of Tenaha, TX; Julia Calhoun Harris of Raleigh, NC; Frances Padgett Wood, of Bullard, TX; Amy Nell Padgett Saylors, South Allen, TX; and by cousins Malcolm Mason and family of Rayville; by Cindy Calhoun Rebouche of Lafayette, LA; and Larry Calhoun of Rayville. She is also survived by many other cousins from the Shreveport/Bossier City area, as well as by many friends. Ms. Calhoun will be interred at the Masonic Cemetery in Rayville, LA, on October, 15, 2016, at 1:00, officiated by Rev. John Kavanaugh of the Rayville United Methodist Church. Visitation of friends and family will follow. For the past 6 years, Home Instead has been helping Ms. Calhoun through these last stages of her life. We wish particularly to thank Julie Dowdy- Cotton, who was the primary administrative person and JoAnn Blackmon, who has been Ms Calhoun's constant companion and caregiver. These ladies have become family to us. Ms. Calhoun's wish to remain at home happened because of the love and attention of all those who worked with her and for her at Home Instead. We also wish to thank Anne May, Carolyn Williams, the ladies of Friday Breakfast Club, and so many others whose lives enriched hers. Gussie requests that memorial gifts be given to the Loachapoka United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 157, Loachapoka, Alabama, 36865. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/ouachita/obits/c/calhoun5539nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/lafiles/ File size: 4.4 Kb