Extracted from The Caldwell Watchman-Progress (Columbia, LA)
Thursday, March 16, 1950

Oldest Resident of Parish Dead

Aunt Bendetta Brooks Is Laid To Rest

Funeral services for Mrs. Bendetta Brooks of ward 5, who passed away Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. March 11, were held at the Mt. Pleasant Baptist church on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Interment was made in the Mt. Pleasant cemetery nearby, under the direction of the Riser Funeral Home of Columbia.

She is survived by one son, J. S. Brooks of ward 2; two daughters, Miss Della Brooks and Mrs. Columbus Johnson, also of ward five; one sister, Mrs. Cynthia Cottingham of Baton Rouge.

Services were rendered by the Rev. Wright of Monroe.

Pallbearers were Riley Knighten, Johnny Morris, Andy Morris, Jessie Hargrove, Odie Gregory and Earline Knighten.

In a recent issue of the Caldwell Watchmna-Progress [sic Watchman-Progress], this newspaper was quoted as saying that a Clarks resident who died at the age of 91 years was the oldest resident of this parish at the time of her death. The editor had overlooked the fact that Mrs. Brooks was born in the year 1852 and if she had lived until her next birthday anniversary on June 20th would have been 98 years old.

Aunt Bendetta had been active up to a few years ago and had lived a full life, was well beloved by all who knew her. Her friends were many, and all regret to hear of her passing from this life, but realize that God's will must be done and that our loss is Heaven's gain.