Mrs. Louise West

OBITUARY

 It was on November 1, 1933, in Homer, Louisiana, God allowed a precious baby girl to be born to the late James and Joe Willie Heard. They named this dear little one, Louise Heard.  Louise attended school in Homer, Louisiana and graduated from Homer High School.  She often talked about her basketball skills and her love for the game during her time in school. 

Louise began her walk with the Lord at an early age.  She attended Bethany Baptist Church in Homer, Louisiana.  

Not soon after graduation, Louise moved from Homer, Louisiana to Houston, Texas where she married Harmon West on November 30, 1952.  To this union, three children were born.  She was a Proverbs 31 woman, for her worth was and is far above rubies.

Shortly after moving to Houston, Louise, along with her husband, united with Trinity Rest Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Leaverett.  In 1959, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, (currently known as Southeast Community Church) was organized and Louise became a founding member.  She served in several ministries the Choir, Mission, Deaconess and the Assistant Secretary to the Church.

On January 17, 1969, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the First John Missionary Baptist Church was organized under the leadership of her beloved husband, the late Pastor Harmon West.  There she served by his side as the First Lady of First John M.B.C.  She faithfully worked in several capacities there, but her love was teaching the word of God.  She so much enjoyed her Sunday School class.  Louise served diligently in the capacity of the First Lady of First John until the Lord called her beloved husband home in February 1990.   Although her title changed, her desire to serve the Lord never wavered and she faithfully continued to work in the Lord’s vineyard for many years under the leadership of Pastor Arthur Davidson. 

Louise was a strong, hard-working wife and mother. She loved her family and worked hard to ensure that they were taken care of.  She was a domestic worker for years until she was hired by Woolco, a retail store here in Houston, where she years later retired. 

In April of 2014, Sister Louise West, after much prayer and thought, returned to her home church, Southeast Community Church (formally Antioch Missionary Baptist Church).  Soon after, her health began to fail, but her love for her Master remained strong.  Her illness robbed her of a lot of things, most of her memory and her functional mobility, but not her love for the Lord Jesus.  In the midst of it all, she never stopped sharing her faith and praising God.  His praise was continually on her lips as she lifted her voice in song and her hands to the Most High God.   She was indeed a true prayer warrior and an amazing woman.  She kept the faith and even in her own suffering and always found a way to encourage others to stay with the Lord.

On Tuesday, August 20, 2019, at 9:06 p.m., God called her from labor to rest. To God be the glory! She is preceded in death by mother and father, James and Joe Willie Heard; two brothers, James “Son” Heard,  and Elmer “Brother” Heard and one sister, Lucille “Sister” Andrews; daughter, Patricia Ann Harper; son, Harmon Charles West and one great-grandson, Corlin Harris. 

Surviving to forever cherish her beautiful legacy and life: one devoted daughter, Linda K. Hudson and her husband and devoted son-in-law, Joe Willis Hudson; three granddaughters, Shalaundra Jackson,  Rashaunda Whitaker (Reggie) and Aisha Hatten; two grandsons, Harmon G. West, and Stephen D. Hudson.  She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, Amber, Chrystane, Chris, Kaelon, Chancellor, Jaedyn, Hannah, Haeli and Harmony, one great-great-grandchild, best friends, Sealie R. Flood, and Evelyn Brown and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, friends, and family. 

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