Carol Lynn Downs Montgomery passed away on Sunday, May 21st, at her home in DeRidder, surrounded

by her family.  Carol was born on Christmas Day, 1939, to her parents, Clyde Prentice and Elma Flanagan

Downs.  She was a lifelong resident of DeRidder, and a faithful member of the First Baptist Church.  Carol

was loved by all who knew her, and leaves a legacy of devotion to family, friends, her church, her Sunday

School class, and to her Lord Jesus Christ.

Carol graduated from DeRidder High School in 1958, where she was a cheerleader.  In 1963, Carol met

and married the love of her life, Charles Montgomery, who was then stationed at Fort Polk.  Little did she

know that she would be attending high school football games for most of her adult life, first in Prescott,

Arkansas, and then in DeRidder, cheering on the teams where Charles served as a teacher and as head

football coach.  You can imagine the smile on Carol’s face when Charles came home in Prescott with the

news that he had been offered the position of head football coach at DeRidder High School!

Carol was employed by the Beauregard Parish School Board for several years, and then worked for the

Beauregard Parish Clerk of Court’s Office until her retirement in 2002.  She was a member of WMU and of

the Joy Singers’ Adult Choir at First Baptist Church, and was a church volunteer whenever needed.  Carol

also served as a member of Beauregard Memorial Hospital/Beauregard Health Systems Ladies Auxiliary

for 19 years, where she greeted visitors at the front desk with a smile, and later served in the hospital gift

shop.

Carol’s family wish to express special thanks to Heart of Hospice, Anna Carrero, Holly Wisby, Ashley

Schecher and Companion Care for the loving compassion shown to Carol in her time of need.

Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Chuck Montgomery and Courtney of DeRidder, LA; daughters, Tammy Hanchey and David of DeRidder, LA, Susan Day and Ricky of DeRidder, LA, Charli Hebert and David of DeRidder, LA; brother, Jimmy Downs of DeRidder, LA; sisters, Sue Downs of DeRidder, LA, Penny Falke and Larry of Denham Springs, LA; grandchildren, Audrey, Patton, Cassle, Kaplynn, Austin(Samantha), Kelli(William), Justin, Abigail(Klint), Courtney, Lindsey, Coy; great grandchildren, Colynns, Kadi, Rawlins, Brexley, Lennox, Walker, Matthew and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Montgomery; grandson, Salem Lynn Montgomery; parents, Clyde and Elma Downs; brothers, Prentice Downs, Mickey Downs; sisters, Betty Baird, Barbara Perry.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at First Baptist Church in DeRidder, LA. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, May 24, 2023 also at First Baptist Church. Pastor Steve Graves will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be Justin Day, Austin Moore, Coy Miller, Patton Montgomery, Cassle Montgomery, Marshall Sauls. Honorary Pallbearers will be Klint White and William Smith. Burial will follow at Beauregard Cemetery in DeRidder, LA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The First Baptist Church of DeRidder, 2030 U.S. Hwy. 171,

DeRidder, LA 70634.