Sarah Lorena Ezell

Sarah Lorena Roberts Ezell, died October 31, 2002, at the age of 93, in San Antonio, TX where she had recently moved to be near her daughter. Born in Jena, LA, August 25, 1908, to John Wallace Roberts and Mary Vena Powers, she was a teacher like her father and many other members of the family. She was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings: James Dudley Roberts, Zula Mary Roberts Love, Roberta Mary Roberts Jones, Hilma Rae Roberts, William Woodrow Roberts and Margaret Elizabeth Roberts Kay. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Roy Willie Ezell, her daughter, Hilma Ezell Nelson, son-in-law, Robert Nelson of Montgomery, AL, her daughter, Patricia Ezell and Ernest Gerlach of San Antonio. Lorena graduated from Jena High School in 1926 and entered LA Polytechnic Institute in Ruston, LA, where she obtained a 2-year teaching certificate. Teaching for six years, she stopped work when she married Roy W. Ezell in 1934 in Chicago, IL, who was surveying the border between the U.S. and Canada. Married women were not allowed to continue teaching. After World War II the family lived in Ruston, La for 54 years. Mrs. Ezell was a substitute teacher in the public schools, a member of Trinity Methodist Church, the Arts Club, the Eastern Star, President of WSCS/United Methodist Women, and an active member of the Ruston Chrysanthemum Society. She was a Sunday School teacher, a Scout leader, and in her later years a volunteer at the Louisiana Methodist Children's Home. With a deep love of growing flowers, she frequently exhibited prize-winning chrysanthemums, and became a judge at local and regional shows. She and her husband loved travel and upon his retirement from Chevron Oil Company, traveled throughout the United States as well as several European countries. A very loving, and devoted wife and mother, she brought joy to the lives of those she touched. The memories of her will be treasured by all who knew her.