Lola C. Kendrick

Lola C. Kendrick, age 88, died on Monday January 1, 2024. A memorial service will be held at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home on Mansfield Road at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 10. Rev. John Korlaske will officiate, and Rev. Kaylan Walker will co-officiate the service. Visitation hour will be held at 10:00 am at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home.

Lola was born in Nashville, Arkansas and moved with her family to Springhill, Louisiana at age three. She graduated from Springhill High School where she was a cheerleader, played basketball, and served on the Student Council.

Lola married her childhood sweetheart, Bob Kendrick, right after high school. Following his four-year stint in the Air Force, they worked their way through college at Northwestern State University, where she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1961 and a master’s degree plus 30 hours in education.

Lola worked for Caddo Parish Schools for 30 years as a teacher, assistant principal, public relations director, and researcher. She helped Caddo leaders initiate early childhood classes for 4-year-olds and magnet schools, and she advocated for career development programs. Following retirement from Caddo Schools, she worked as a consultant. Lola served on Governor Foster’s Workforce Commission as meeting recorder and was co-author of Louisiana’s $25 million School-to-Work grant. Throughout her life Lola was an advocate for life-long learning and career development, and she served as a mentor to several generations of women.

Her family enjoyed traveling, snow skiing, cruises, fishing and boating. She and Bob were members of Ellerbe Road Methodist Church.

Lola volunteered in the community through the League of Women Voters of Caddo-Bossier, Alliance for Education, Mayor’s Women’s Commission, Women’s Philanthropy Network, Community Renewal, Altrusa International of Bossier City, Southern Hills Homeowners Association, and Southern Hills Business Association. She personally mentored youth at risk. Lola was a nominee and finalist for Shreveport’s Athena Award. She served as a member of the NSU College of Education Advisory Council and was inducted into the NSU Hall of Distinguished Educators in 2006.

Lola is survived by her husband of 70 years, Bob, and three sons and their spouses: Michael and wife Jana of Benton, Dave and wife Penny of Shreveport, and Don and wife Robin Everhart of Decatur, Georgia. She was a proud Grandma of seven grandchildren: Baron Kendrick and wife Tracy of Holly Springs, North Carolina, Erika and husband Derek Phillips of Wiley, Texas, Lori and husband Nick Slagle of Raleigh, North Carolina, Stephanie and husband James Schramm of Keithville, Louisiana, Heather Kendrick of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Grace and Joy Kendrick of Decatur, Georgia; and ten great grandchildren: Gabe, Jude and Rowan Phillips, Nolan and Camille Kendrick, Ethan and Aubrey Schramm, and Carson, Declan, and Stetson Slagle.

Lola is also survived by her sister, Joycelyn Coleman of Rancho Santa Margarita, California and one brother W. Joe Corbell and wife Dottie of Corvallis, Oregon.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Joe P. and Gladys Walker Corbell of Springhill and her two brothers Raymond Corbell of Cupertino, California and Charles Corbell of Huntsville, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, friends may wish to consider a donation to Ellerbe Road Methodist Church, Community Renewal or the Renesting Project.