BICKHAM

D’Shonda Chantelia Bickham, 40, departed this life Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at Baton Rouge General Hospital.

She was born in Bogalusa on Feb. 16, 1973, to Deborah A. Bickham-Martin and John Magee of Bogalusa. She attended Bogalusa High School, then moved to Dallas where she joined the Job Corps and earned her GED. She furthered her education when she graduated as a patient care technician.

As a child she attended Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, under the leadership of Dr. Tom Bailey. She later moved her membership to True Light Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, under the leadership of the Rev. Dennis R. Hebert, where she gave her life over to God.

D’Shonda fought a courageous battle against kidney and heart disease. She was a true soldier who fought a great fight.

During her lifetime, Shon touched the lives of everyone she met in a special way.

She is survived by three sons, Aaron (Omika) Bickham, Felton Bickham and Dereon Bickham; her father, John (Trish) Magee; her grandmother, Emma Lee Bickham; six sisters, Kion Tonya (Terrance) Bickham, Keavina (John) Robinson, Tamara Youngblood, Brittany Rayford, Sheila Spatley and Mable Gilmore; three stepbrothers, Brandon Alexander, Michael Alexander and Ryan Alexander; two grandchildren, Jace Bickham and Jiri Bickham; a very special friend, Felton Magee; two godsisters, Keely Mingo and Charlotte Thomas; three special cousins, Tony Bickham, Brandi Bickham and Bridgette Bickham; a special aunt, Patrice Belton, who helped to rear her; a special uncle, Norman Brock; two aunts; seven uncles; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Deborah A. Bickham-Martin; her great-grandmother, Lillie Mae Lewis; her grandfathers, Fessie Westbrook Sr. and L.E. Magee; uncles Bobby Westbrook and Louis Magee; and her aunt, Linda Levi.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Aug. 31 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church from 12 p.m. until time for the funeral service 2 p.m., with the Rev. Dr. Tom Bailey Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Bogalusa Cemetery.

Cook-Richmond Funeral Home in Bogalusa is in charge of arrangements. Sign the guestbook at www.cookrichmondfuneralhome.com.