February 12, 1928 – February 24, 2026
Idell Haymon Hunter of Anacoco, LA made her journey to heaven on February 24, 2026, at the age of 98. She passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones.
Idell was born on February 12, 1928, to Azzie and Jeannie McKee Haymon. Her family lived on land known as The Range which later became Fort Polk during WWII. At 12 years old, Idell and her family relocated to the Canaan Community as the army base expanded. The Haymons are recognized as a Heritage Family by Fort Polk’s Heritage Days- a project that honors families who were displaced by the base. Idell was a graduate of Evans High School.
In 1953 she married A.L. Hunter, her husband of 65 years. They were blessed with three children and a lifetime of love and happiness.
Idell was a member of Good Hope Baptist Church. She loved to sew, embroider, read, and work through an endless supply of wordsearch puzzles. She found joy in the simple things in life such as watching reruns of The Waltons and feeding her donkeys, Doc and Kate. Idell loved spending time with her family and friends who will remember her for her great generosity, sharp memory, and unyielding faith. Her life was a true testament of our Lord and Savior.
Idell is preceded in death by her husband, A.L. Hunter; son, Michael Hunter; son-in-law, CJ Wilson; sisters, Dois Hagan, Ruby Thornton, Adell Wilbanks, Faye Littleton, Vivian Ray Haymon, Lois Smith, Beulah Howard, Nona Franklin, Ola Carlock; and brothers, Hester, Scott, Mitchell, Manuel, Hubert, Harold, and Jack.
She is survived by her daughters, Debra Wilson and Donna (Brian) Pemble of Carthage, TX; grandchildren, Kim (Tony) Sheffield of Carthage, TX; Jason (Alison) Wilson of West Hollywood, CA; Miranda (Jose) Garcia of Texarkana, TX; and Emily Pemble of Carthage, TX; great grandchildren, Caroline and Natalie Sheffield of Carthage, TX; and Talia and Alejandro Garcia of Texarkana, TX; sisters-in-laws, Joy Haymon, Charlene Jeane, and Pat Bennett (Gene); bonus daughter, Karen Moore; and bonus sons, Ed (Sarah) Bryant and Craig Farrell.
The family would like to give special thanks to Vera Miers for all the visits and food, Cathie Haley for keeping the bookshelf stocked, Shelly and Kaelin of Allegiance Healthcare for their care, and the people of Good Hope Baptist Church who always went out of their way to honor and cherish Idell.
Funeral services honoring the life of Idell Hunter will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Good Hope Baptist Church at 11:00 AM with Reverends Michael Goins and Tinker Hillman officiating. Burial will follow at Beech Grove Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Serving as pallbearers will be James Hagen, Rickie Littleton, Ed Bryant, Doug McNeely, Mike Thornton, and Brett Wellman.