Obituary of Georgia P. Pinkston former resident of Richland Parish Louisiana as published in the Monroe News Star, October 27, 2004 Submitted by for the USGenWeb Archives by Dot Golliher, 10/28/2004 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** * Georgia Payne Durham Pinkston A retired school teacher and parish school supervisor, Georgia Payne Pinkston died on Monday, October 25, 2004 at Landmark of Baton Rouge Nursing Home. A current resident of Baton Rouge and a former resident of Rayville and Lake Providence, she was born December 13, 1908 in Mt. Lebanon, Louisiana. Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church, in Rayville on Thursday, October 28, 2004 at 1:00 PM until religious services at 2:00 PM conducted by Rev. Ernest Winburn. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law: Ann Durham Pinkston Russell and Oren W. Russell, Springfield, LA, and a son and daughter-in-law: Edwin Stewart Pinkston and Dawn Briggs Pinkston, Ruston; five grandchildren: Francine Russell, Los Angeles, Scott Durham Russell, Baton Rouge, Wynn Stewart Pinkston and wife Lori, Arlington, Virginia, Amy Pinkston Odom and husband Darren Odom, Colorado Springs, and Joshua Reid Pinkston, Baton Rouge, and one great-granddaughter, Georgia Payne Pinkston, Arlingtron, Virginia. She is also survived by six nieces and two nephews, all of whom were very dear to her. She was preceded in death by husband, Jesse Orville Pinkston, her parents, Dr. & Mrs. George W. Durham, two sisters, Ruby Durham Diamond and Gladys Durham Robinson and three brothers, Clyde G. Durham, George W. Durham, Jr. and Edwin Wade Durham. She graduated from Louisiana Tech University, where she was voted best girl athlete, and later earned a Master's Degree from LSU. She was a high school teacher, then a parish school supervisor in East Carroll Parish, and at the time of her retirement was assistant superintendent. She was a writer for the weekly newspaper in Rayville and Lake Providence and her published books included a history of East Carroll Parish, an autobiography and several collections of poetry. She was active in the Baptist Church throughout her life and served as Sunday School teacher, superintendent and sang in the choir. After retirement in 1971, she was a worker for the Louisiana Baptist Association, teaching adult class teachers throughout the state. In later years after moving to Baton Rouge she was a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church. Other memberships included Delta Zeta Sorority, Daughters of the American Revolution, Eastern Star and the American Legion Auxiliary. While a resident of Southside Gardens Retirement Community in Baton Rouge, she assisted in building up and organizing a library, started a Bible Study group, a Book Club and taught a life writing group. Pallbearers will be Scott Russell, Wynn Pinkston, Joshua Pinkston, Dan Lane, Lamar Lane, Jr. and John Beach. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.