Obituary of Beatrice Hines LeDuff

For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight.  I have finished my course.  I have kept the faith; Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give me at that day:  and not to me only, but unto all them also that  love  his appearing.                                                                            II Timothy 4:6-8

Beatrice "Madea" Hines LeDuff was  born on August 5, 1936 to Thomas Brady Sr. and Helen Briggs Hines.  She gained her wings August 15, 2018 at St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana  surrounded  by her family and friends. 

She accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of the First New Light Baptist  Church, where she served as an Usher until her health failed.  Beatrice attended school in Rapides Parish and was a member of the  Peabody High School Class of  1956.

Beatrice loved people most of all. To have known her well is to enjoy her company, eat her delicious soul food, and leave her home with smiles on our faces. Our Madea was a lively, spirited, playful, and was always in the kitchen with Undre and Freddie cooking something delicious.  She worked at Fleur de Lis Restaurant, VA Canteen, Louisiana Special Education Center, Heritage Manor #2 Nursing Home, she worked and retired from Julius Patrick Elementary Food Service, and Pinecrest State School as a Grandparent.    

Beatrice was preceded in death by her parents,  Thomas Brady Hines Sr. and Helen Briggs-Hines; husband, Jerome Edward “Jerry” LeDuff; daughter,  Avery Lee Woods-Armstrong; brothers: James Edward Hines, Thomas Brady Hines Jr.; and son-in-law John Bernard Drummer.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda H. Drummer; sisters, Eloise H. Ball, Dorothy H. Dearbone, Vickie H. Carter;  grandchildren, Medrick Bernard (Cathy) Drummer, Mickilon Edward Woods, Freddie Armstrong Jr., Undre Armstrong, Lakeshaw (Vernial Sr.) Drummer-Berry, Caronda Drummer, Z’zuntrial Drummer; (20) great-grandchildren, (7) nephews, (3) nieces.

Our beloved Madea, you incarnated the epitome of the House by the Side of the Road.