Kenneth Lawrence Ellender

On June 3, 2020, the community of Choupique, La. lost a long-time resident.  

Kenneth L. Ellender changed his residence to the heavenly gates of pearl to join his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Alma Pruitt Ellender and 4 children, Stephen Ellender of Choupique, La., Linda Bohacek, of Houston, Tx., Anita St. Romain, of Deridder, La., and Charlotte Ardoin of Lacassine, La.   He had 14 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Lona and Murl Ellender of Choupique, la., brother, Preston Ellender, Carlyss, La., Mable Lee Manard, of Choupique, La., daughter, Melanie Etta, of Choupique, La., Brenda Roberts, of Sulphur, La.

Kenneth was a pillar in the farming community for West Calcasieu Parish, where he served on the Farm Service Agency for 22 years and a member of the American Ag Movement.   He hosted international delegates and state representatives to observe the techniques for rice planting in southwest Louisiana.  As a young man, he was a bull rider, and showed interest in following in his father’s footsteps of farming and ranching.

His commitment to honesty and integrity, mixed with his sense of humor has been known throughout the Choupique community. He was an advocate for West Calcasieu Parish and was committed to honesty, hard work, and caring for the land and livestock the Lord gave him.  That commitment continued to his family and those the Lord would place in his path. He understood the dignity that all of God’s creatures deserve as the basis of training the generations to come.

In addition to his community involvement, he was a long-time member of Southside Assembly of God Church in Sulphur, La. where he served many years as a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. 

For those who would be seeking his guidance on the chaos in the world today, his response would be, “Don’t look to the left, don’t look to the right, look up and keep your eyes on Jesus” Colossians 3: 1-2 Kenneth Ellender translation.

While our hearts will feel sorrow for a brief time, we celebrate the legacy he has left, and the reward of a life well served unto the Lord Jesus Christ.  Psalms 78:72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart and guided them with his skillful hands. 

A graveside service is scheduled at the Big Woods cemetery Tuesday June 9, at 9 am, with a reception at their home on Choupique Rd to follow.  A special thanks to Grace Hospice of Texas for support in our final days.