With her children at her side, on Dec. 22, 2016, Bennie Ruth Foster Spikes went peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Bennie was born on Jan. 11, 1945, and was a lifelong resident of Varnado. She attended Jones Creek Elementary and later graduated from Wesley Ray High School. Bennie’s first church home was Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Varnado, under the leadership of the late Rev. B.B. Moses. She later became a member of Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Pastor Lenard Hill. Holy Temple is presently under the leadership of Supt. Leslie Fields Jr. Until death, Bennie continued her duties and services at the church, serving as Church Mother, president of the Mission Board, member of the usher board, and server in the kitchen.

In 1967, Bennie met the love of her life, L.C. Spikes. Bennie and L.C. were united in holy matrimony on August 5, 1967. To this union, four children were born, Benderick (Emma) Spikes of Hammond, Effie (Eddie) Duncan of Angie, and Miracle Pernell Spikes (deceased) and Iris Spikes (deceased). She also had three stepsons, Amos (Loris) Spikes, Charles Spikes, and Tommy Spikes, all of Baton Rouge; seven godchildren, Erica Martin of Covington, David Woods of the U.S. Army, Timothy Burnett of California, Cedric Gibson and Benita Jefferson, both of Bogalusa, Greaselda Bickham of New Orleans, and Gerome Matthews of Hammond. Bennie was a very loving, caring, and spiritual woman who loved spending time with her family and loved ones.

On Dec. 22, 2016, Sister Bennie departed this world and leaves her beautiful memories behind with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; her six sisters, Dorothy Burnett of Carson, Calif., Inez Woods of Conroe, Texas, Delaine Foster of Shreveport, Eddia L. Foster and Gail Foster, both of Columbia, Miss., and Claudia Johnson of Bogalusa. She also leaves memories with a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, L.C. Spikes; two children, Miracle Pernell Spikes and Iris Spikes; her parents, Eddie and Effie Foster; three sisters, Margie Jackson, Betty Spikes, and Andrea Bratton; and one brother, Felton Foster.

Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 30, at Cook-Richmond Funeral Home of Bogalusa from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., with a family hour from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral service will be Saturday, Dec. 31, at 1 p.m. at Holy Temple Church of God in Christ. Interment will be in Foster Cemetery.