Sondra Cothern
Published 1:59 pm Thursday, November 16, 2017
Trinity Sondra Tourné Cothern passed away peacefully at her home on Nov. 16, 2017.
Born as first child to Bernice and Jess Tourné on Jan. 4, 1940, Sondra lived in Bogalusa all of her life and graduated from Bogalusa High School with the class of 1957. Sondra was a majorette and member of the Torch social club. Later in life, after raising four beautiful daughters, Sondra worked at and thoroughly enjoyed her 25 years at Bogalusa High School, first as an aide in special education and later as secretary to the principal.
While holding her positions at BHS, she also worked part-time for Gary Cothern Insurance Agency, for over 16 years. Upon retirement from BHS, Sondra spent time with her family and friends, enjoyed scrapbooking, cooking, crocheting, listening to music, and being with her life partner of 32 years, Butch Goings, and their cat, Gracie.
Sondra is survived by her children, Lisa Maddox (Terry) of Slidell, Ann Scott Barnes of Bogalusa, Robyn Kennedy of Covington, and Blaine Williams (Don) of Lafayette; four siblings, Suzanne Davison (Joe) of Des Moines, Iowa, Jess Tourné (Judy) of Lafayette, Mike Tourné (Fred) of Lafayette and Mignhon Tourné (Karen Aupied) of Metairie; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Sondra’s greatest passion was her love for the people and animals in her life and passing as much time as possible talking daily, often multiple times daily, with her close circle of family and friends. She was incredibly funny and loved nothing more than a good laugh she could share with those she loved and who loved her.
Sondra’s Christian faith from her childhood forward had a special place in her heart, and she will be remembered as a spiritual woman. She was a member of First Baptist Church.
Everyone who remembers Sondra is asked to celebrate her life in their own way. In lieu of flowers, Sondra would prefer that donations be made to either the Magnolia Chapter of the Humane Society of Louisiana or Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
The family would like to thank St. Tammany Parish Hospital Hospice and many others for the incredible and supportive care given to Sondra.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Nov. 19, at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home in Bogalusa. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., with the service beginning at 3 p.m. The burial will follow at Hillview Memorial Gardens on Spring Valley Road.