FAIRVIEW ALPHA, LA
Aug. 18, 1938-Dec. 29, 2020
Funeral services for Ruth Ethylene Carney McLaren, 82, of Fairview Alpha will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 at Davis Springs Southern Methodist Church Activity Building with her husband, Bro. Olan McLaren, officiating and Bro. Robert Frederick assisting. Interment to follow in Davis Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30 at the church activity building.
Ethylene was born Aug. 18, 1938, in Coushatta and passed away peacefully at her home Dec. 29, 2020.
Ethylene, known as “Mamaw” or “Aunt Nene” to most everyone, married her high school sweetheart Dec. 27, 1955, during their senior year. They graduated in May of 1956.
She was a homemaker until 1969 when she went to work at Fairview Alpha High School as secretary. She retired after serving 36 years. She was a member of Davis Springs Southern Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and kept the nursery for over 50 years. There was a mutual love between her and her “children” even though she disciplined them when necessary.
She was a devoted mother and Mamaw to the Fairview Alpha Community. She loved to cook and was known for her fried fish, tomato gravy, purple hull peas and blueberry crunch. She always had an open door to everyone and no one ever left hungry.
She loved country music and made many trips to Branson, always seeing her favorite entertainer, Mickey Gilley.
She served her family, her church and her community. She made over 300 tied blankets and gave away each one. She was a hard worker and had the heart of a servant. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Nettie Carney; in-laws, Olan N. “Mac” and Buena McLaren; brother, Roy Lynn “Pistol” Carney; and son-in-law, Mark Riggs.
Ethylene is survived by her husband of 65 years, the Rev. Olan D. McLaren; children, Barbara Holland and husband Terry, Phillip McLaren and wife Cindy, Ken McLaren and wife Theresa, and Melissa Frye and husband Henry; grandchildren, Jennifer Morrow and husband Rick, Jeremy Riggs and wife Joni, Torri Tonahill and husband Jesse, Cassie Tena and husband Edward, Erin McLaren, Emily Wiggins and husband Mitch, Tyler McLaren, Joshua McKerley and wife Katie, Madison McLaren and Jace Miley; great-grandchildren, Jaylee Wyatt and husband Colby, Jackson Riggs, Jammeson McIntyre, Julia Grace Riggs, Kipten Tonahill, Jack Tena, Beau Tena, Keeli Tonahill, Amari Moore, Keegan Tonahill, Benjamin Wiggins, Levi McKerley and Kendall McLaren; great-great grandson, Elijah Wyatt; great-great granddaughter on the way, Marlee Kate Wyatt; brother, George “Cogger” Carney; sisters, Laura Ables, JoAnn Vaughan and husband Skip and Nelda Corley; and sister-in-law, Betty Carney.
Pallbearers are Jeremy Riggs, Tyler McLaren, Joshua McKerley, Jace Miley, Jackson Riggs and Jammeson McIntyre.
The family wishes to express a special thanks to Hospice of Natchitoches, especially Haley Roberts and Dorcas Bernstein.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the charity of your choice.
“Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30
Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home
Coushatta, LA