Mildred Louden

Mildred “Mit” Lanada Louden, 95, died peacefully at home on August 21. Memorial services will be at 10am on Monday, Aug. 27 in Resthaven’s Abbey Chapel. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 pm, Sunday, Aug. 26, at Resthaven Funeral Home.

Mit was born July 28th, 1917, to John and Dora Payne in Haskell, Oklahoma. The family relocated to West Texas in 1936 in the middle of the Great Depression, and although life was hard, the Payne household was filled with love, laughter, and music. Mit and her siblings had a quartet that sang on the radio in the 1940s. Their theme song was “Sing and Be Happy,” and that was exactly how she lived.

Mit married a handsome young farmer, Jack Louden, on August 28, 1943. They raised three children on the family farm, a place known equally for the good food, friendship, and fellowship. After 66 joyful years together, Jack preceded Mit in death on January 14, 2009.

A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Mit was also a prize-winning singer and swimmer, an incredible oil painter, a master chef, a 30-year caregiver for her own mother, and a generous friend and mentor to countless loved ones, near and far. Her great faith in God made her a beautiful servant of His; oh, how she “loved to tell the story.”

Surviving relatives include: daughter, Jane Boylan, and son, Mike Louden, of Lubbock; son, Craig Louden, and wife, Marilyn, of Amarillo; four grandchildren, Tina Teel, Jamie Boylan, Tim Louden, and Robin Louden; great-grandchild, Sloan Louden-Robins; two brothers, Jack Payne, and wife, Jean, and John Payne, and wife, Margaret; nephew, Richard Jordan, Sr., and wife, Fran; niece, Jackie Lovell; great-nieces and nephews, Cathy Camp, and husband, Sean, Richard Jordan, Jr., and wife, Kristi, and Matthew Michaels; great-great-nieces and nephews, Alyssa Roddy, and husband, Chris, Jordan Selby, Ryan and Alex Jordan, Garrett and Rheagan Murphy, and Owen Kirschner; and great-great-great-nieces, Cheyenne Kay and Jayden Roddy.

The family would like to thank: Mom’s wonderful caregiver, Pauline Ruiz, who became part of the family in her final year; Hospice of Lubbock for their compassionate care; and her extended family at Sunset Church of Christ for visiting often and nurturing her spirit so generously.

We love you, Mother. Always have, always will.