Burnell Riley Denham, a native of Washington Parish and a resident of Bogalusa, departed this life Friday, May 24, 2013 at 11:45 p.m. She passed peacefully with her daughters by her side. She was born in Mt. Hermon on Oct. 9, 1928 and resided in Bogalusa her entire life.

She formerly worked at Lady Andrea where everyone know her as Bernie. She was an avid lover of caring for her flowers in her yard and had achieved “Garden of the Month” on several occasions.

She leaves to mourn two daughters, Carolyn (Edward) Bailey of Franklinton and Rose Denham of Bogalusa; three grandsons, Kelly R. (Angela) Amacker of Angie, Kendall L. (Michelle) Amacker of Franklinton and Kent D. (Lesley) Amacker of Abita Springs. Great-grandchildren include Justin DiCarlo, Alexandria “Alli” Amacker, Aarron Amacker, Jaxon “Jax” Amacker, Olivia “Libby” Amacker and Joshua “Josh” Amacker. Other survivors include two sisters, Junnie Painter and Glyndora (Frank) Bickham of Mt. Hermon and a brother, Donnie (Mae) Riley of Franklinton.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence E. Denham; parents, Alfred C. and Zula Miller Riley; and a brother-in-law, Norman Painter.

Each great-grandchild placed a single long-stemmed rose in a wicker basket for her remembrance.

A special poem, “There are Angels God Puts on This Earth – MOTHERS” was read by her son-in-law, Edward Bailey, to honor her love for her two daughters.

Visitation was held Monday, May 27 at Poole Ritchie Funeral Home from 5-9 p.m., and continued on Tuesday from 8 a.m. until time for the funeral service at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. David Easterling and Rev. Leon Hickman officiating. Burial was at the Ponemah Mausoleum.

Active pallbearers were Kelly R. Amacker, Kendall L. Amacker, Kent D. Amacker, Justin DiCarlo, Butch Wheat and Chuck Fleming.

We would like to express our gratitude for the kindness and care given by the staff of Interim Healthcare Hospice, Southeast Louisiana Home Health, DiVita Bogalusa Kidney Care and Drs. Kimberly Williams and Gabriel Vargas. Recognition also goes to her longtime sitter, Earnestine Hutchinson, and for the kindness of the food from the Miller families.

To view and sign online, visit pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.