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On Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, Barbara “Bobby” Boyd Cantrell, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, made her final ascent home to the Lord at the age of 85. She died peacefully in her sleep, at home with her loving husband of 69 years.

Barbara was born on Dec. 3, 1934 to Dwight and Elizabeth Boyd. She passionately served her community for many years as an LPN with the Bogalusa Heart Study, from where she retired. On Nov. 5, 1951, she married Marvin “Pot” Cantrell. They raised two children, Barbara Gayle, and Paul Douglas Cantrell.

Barbara was a talented artist, phenomenal cook, and skilled seamstress. She was known for her kind and compassionate spirit and greeted everyone with a loving smile. She was a devout Christian woman and long-time member of First Baptist Church of Bogalusa. She enjoyed serving her church family in many ways, but one of her fondest memories was serving alongside her husband as leader of the Royal Ambassadors for several years.

Barbara was preceded in death by her father and mother, Dwight and Elizabeth Boyd; her sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Rawls; and her daughter, Barbara Gayle Cantrell.

She is survived by her husband, Marvin “Pot” Cantrell; her son, Paul Cantrell, and wife Jenny; her grandchildren, James Pierce, and wife Melissa, Richard Pierce, Ashley Boudreaux, and husband Brad, Megan Tykol, and husband Justin, Amanda, Julianne and Dante Cantrell; and her great-grandchildren, Arielle, Grace and Paul Pierce, Jax and Wyatt Boudreaux, and Reid and Austin Tykol. She loved each and everyone “whole big ol’ bunches.”

A viewing and funeral service will be held on Thursday, Nov. 12, at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home. The viewing will be held from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., with funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. Barbara will be buried at Ponemah Cemetery, immediately following services.