God healed her broken heart on October 4, 2022, when Henri Lee Kelley Rust was reunited in Heaven with her husband, Philip Rowe Rust, of nearly 64 years. She was born in 1939 to Rubye West Kelley and William Leamon Kelley in the town of Bunkie, Louisiana.
After completing high school at Bunkie High she went on to Northwestern State University to major in Education and was fortunate to meet and marry the love of her life, Rowe. They lived in Natchitoches until graduation and then moved to Maplewood upon Rowe’s acceptance of his first teaching position at Maplewood Junior High. She taught 4th grade at Our Lady’s School, Kindergarten at Immaculate Conception and Kindergarten at Maplewood FBC until her transition to the Calcasieu Parish School System. She retired in 1997 after over 25 years in the public schools but couldn’t resist going back to teach for the ISI programs in several schools until her resignation in 2011. Kindergarten was her love. She did not consider teaching a job but a pleasure and a calling. She always felt there was no air to breathe outside of the classroom.
Henri enjoyed playing in a ukulele band and loved reading. Her book club was something she looked forward to every month.
Her greatest achievement was her marriage to Rowe and her two children, Debra Kay Rust Guidry (Marshal) and Robert Rowe Rust (Cindi). Her grandchildren, Erin Leigh Guidry and Rachel Elizabeth Rust, were nothing short of grand and much loved along with Chelsea Nicole and Brennan Alexander Ardoin completing their home.
She is survived by her brother, James Leamon Kelley and his wife Bonnie along with nieces Lydia Kelley Granger (Raymond) and Lori Kelley Davidson (Dennis), great nieces and nephews and a host of friends. She never met a stranger.
Henri attended Maplewood First Baptist Church and was faithful to her Heavenly Father until she was called home. She was best known for her laugh and brilliant smile, feeding the multitudes and being a constant prayer warrior. Her generosity knew no bounds because she loved unconditionally.
God is gracious and merciful and good.
"For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness." Psalm 84:10
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Maplewood First Baptist Church Building Fund in Henri’s memory.
Family will receive friends beginning at noon on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Maplewood First Baptist Church in Sulphur. Funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Jeremy Blocker officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her husband on Monday in Pelican Cemetery, Pelican, Louisiana under the direction of Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonsulphurmemorial.com for the Rust family.
