Relma Havens Hargus

And underneath are the everlasting arms cradling her sweet soul ever so gently into the blessed great beyond.  Relma Havens Hargus passed away peacefully at home on Friday, July 28, 2023 amidst the tender embrace of her beloved family.

“She never met a stranger” accurately describes Relma’s relentless outreach to others.  Her buoyant, bountiful laugh reverberated to and fro, frolicking like a child at play.  Her ever-present motto: “Always leave a place better than you found it.” And indeed she did!  Yet, words are such pale imitators regarding the sweep of a person’s life, certainly one as rich as Relma’s. 

Having nurtured a keen and creative intellect from her earliest beginnings in Alexandria, LA, she went on to graduate from Louisiana College in Pineville notably serving as student body president her senior year.  After teaching elementary school students in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, she completed her master’s degree in journalism at LSU.  Subsequently, for many years, her work as a journalist with The State-Times/Advocate newspaper brought her much vocational satisfaction especially while completing her assignments as Teen Page editor telling the stories of, and interacting with, so many talented young people.  During a fleeting segue into the political realm, she served as Dodie Treen’s (wife of former governor Dave Treen) press secretary.  She assisted her husband with work on the short-term medical mission field in Eku, Nigeria.  Over the years she was a fervent supporter of, and actively involved with: The Alliance of Baptists, Women in Ministry, The Interfaith Federation, and Broadmoor Baptist Church (as deacon, Sunday school teacher, and advocate for programs to enhance spirituality practices in daily life).

She is survived by her husband of 50+ years, Dr. Louis “Chip” Hargus; daughter, Dr. Jodie Hargus; son, Luke Hargus (Maria); and a cherished granddaughter, Mia Hargus; Zelda, her fiercely devoted white german shepherd – Protector Par Excellence; Lucy, her cuddly kitty who still thinks she’s the Princess of the Hargus household; brothers, Allen Havens (Rhonda) and James Havens (Jan); sister, Virginia Doherty (Stan). 

Previously deceased: mother, Cordia Havens, father, OD Havens, and sister Kathy Havens.

Special thanks to: our loyal, steadfast, dear friends Joe and Stella Rice, Pat Parish, Marsha and Ralph Beadle (we couldn’t have made it without you); Clarity Hospice (so responsive to our every need including the compassionate service of Cassandra [especially], Lachonda, and Kenya; our dedicated, superb PCP Dr. Adrian Landy; Drs. Richard, Taylor, Cook and Oubre who helped us navigate an extremely challenging recent hospitalization, and Dr. Jared Braud – his skillful repair of a displaced hip fracture in February 2023 provided Relma with additional months of independent ambulation.

A Memorial Service will be held at Broadmoor Baptist Church, 9755 Goodwood Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70815, on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. conducted by Rev. Bobby Rayburn.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.