I Have Only Just A Minute...

I have only just a minute, only sixty-seconds in it.

Forced upon me, can't refuse it.

Didn't seek it, didn't choose it.

But it's up to me to use it.

I must suffer if I lose it.

Give account if I abuse it.

Just a tiny little minute,

But eternity is in it...

Friends and Family who knew Mrs . Roy Anna Durgan knew just how much she really loved this poem!

So, let's talk about her minute that begun on a Monday, November 6, 1939, in the small town of Elton, Louisiana.  A family celebration of life was held to honor the arrival of a new beautiful bundle of joy, Roy Anna Johnson, to the proud parents Mrs. Rosa Belle Carey and Mr. Roy Johnson.

Little Roy Anna was reared in a spiritual realm all her life.  At the age of five she was baptized at Golden Chain Baptist Church.  Under the watchful eye and stern hands of her mother, along with a little incentive known as the rod of correction, sweet Roy  Anna was raised to be quite an outstanding little lady. She and her sister often reminisced of their good olde days at Golden Chain. They recalled how Sunday worship went as an all-day occurrence that included Sunday School, Morning Worship, Baptist Training Union, followed by nightly services.

Roy Anna was a very manner able, polite, well-educated, and dainty young lady, slow to anger and slow to speak. Roy Anna was the second oldest of six kids, often being the backbone and confidant to her younger siblings. Her younger brother, Charles   recalls that she was not a controversial person but one who expressed her thoughts and concerns out of love.

For grades first thru seventh, Roy Anna attended Elton Colored School and grades eight thru twelfth she continued her  education at Carver High School in Kinder, Louisiana.  She went on to further her scholastic education at Southern University which she completed in 1961. Where she received her degree to teach and did so for 30+ years.

She was a long-time member of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church, under the leadership of, Pastor T. J. Jemison, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she diligently worked as a member on the Deaconess Board, Sunday School/VBS teacher and other various departments of the ministry.

Roy Anna was married to Nathaniel Smith, and to this union they were blessed with three healthy and beautiful babies Byron K. Smith, Roxy R. Smith and Chadd E. Smith.  After thirty-three years of marriage the Smith's decided to part ways.

After the cessation of her marriage, Roy Anna, shared how she was lonely and prayed to God for a mate, but not just any companion. She was very specific with details. He had to first love God and himself so he could love her and her children. He  didn't have to be rich in money and possessions but he had to be filled with lots of love, kindness, respect, patience and trustworthy attributes. Roy Anna was blessed to find her knight in shining armor in Mr. Dandrew Durgan. On April 7th 1996, the two love birds were bound in Holy Matrimony and the family not only celebrated their marriage but the resurrection of Jesus for it was  Easter Sunday!  This love story would continue for 25 years!

Roy Anna moved her membership to Lake Charles, Louisiana where she helped to initiate the birth of New Jerusalem Baptist Church Ministries under the leadership of the Pastor Donald J. Durgan, Sr. until May 2002, and the Late Pastor Donald J.    Durgan, Jr. until his death September 2021. She served faithfully as a Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Mid-week Service teacher. She also was a dedicated Choir member, President of the Deaconess Board, Front Door Greeter, Usher and Mother of the Church. Roy Anna loved her church family, and they loved her too, especially the youth, for she had great patience with them!

Now don't get it twisted! With the flow of all this love and admiration that didn't stop her from voicing her opinion and knack for telling it like it was.  She always told you the truth even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear or brought it to your attention staring off while stating "correct me if I'm wrong but darling……"

She was a sweetheart with words of encouragement, wisdom, and comfort that kept us in line, and cheered us up when saddened.

Roy Anna loved her three kids dearly with personal moments she shared with each of them. They knew that her greatest concern was their relationship with God! She was very grateful to them for all their acts of kindness along with their spouses and significant others.

Let's not forget her beautiful grandchildren and great-grands who she adored and loved. She often stated the joy she experienced during their visits.

Roy Anna has overcome many challenges, setbacks, trials, and hardship.  She has endured many bitter moments like the loss of her one and only sister that she loved dearly, the loss of her three brothers, and foremost the loss of her true love of 25 years,  Mr. Dandrew Durgan. Ironically, he passed away on their 25th year anniversary with a true heart stopping moment they shared hours before his unexpected death. She shared with us how he gave her a piece of candy and a kiss good night until tomorrow when he planned to present her with his anniversary gift. Unfortunately, time was not on his side, but every day she admitted he showered her with love and several acts of kindness!  He was her friend, her cook, her driver, her king, and she was his queen!

She's preceded in death by her Knight in Shining Armor Mr. Dandrew Durgan; both parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raleigh (Rosa Bell) Thompson, Mr. Roy Johnson; Sister and Brother-in-Law, Lillie V. (Pastor Durgan, Sr.); Nephew, Pastor Donald Durgan, Jr.; Brothers, Raleigh Thompson II (Gertie), Pastor John Thompson and Barry Baszile; Former Husband, Mr. Nathaniel Smith; Sister-in-law, Mrs. Mary E. Baszile; Brother-in-laws, Reverend Lynell Durgan and Ronald G. Durgan.

She leaves to cherish her memory, Daughter, Ms. Roxy R. Smith (Allen Hawkins ); Sons, Mr. Byron K. (Rosalind) Smith, Sr.  all of Houston, TX., Mr. Chadd E. (Yolanda) Smith, Sr. of Lake Charles, LA; Brother, Mr. Charles Baszile, Sr. of Baton Rouge, LA; Sister-in-laws. Mrs. Lee Anna Thompson of Houston, TX, Mrs. Janet Baszile of California, Mrs. JoAnne (Robert) Evans, and Mrs. Terri Durgan all of Lake Charles, LA, Mrs. Carol Durgan of Mt. Hermon, LA, Gaynelle (Larry) Young of Bay City, TX; Brother-in-laws, Mr. Lee Morris (Rita) Durgan, Mr. Ivory Durgan all of Lake Charles, LA and Mr. Bryan Durgan (TX).

Grand Children: Ms. LaSonja Prince (Linzy Howard) of Morgan City, LA, Mr. Travis Rice and Byron Smith, Jr. both of    Houston, TX,  Mr. Chadd E, Jr., Mr. Nathaniel J. and Ms. BraiLani J. Smith all of Lake Charles, LA.

Great-Grand: Mr. Carter Howard and Ms. Reagan Howard of Morgan City, LA.

New Jerusalem Baptist Church Ministries Family and the Calcasieu Council on Aging Staff and Members.

Mrs. Roy Anna Durgan has left behind a beautiful legacy for her family and friends!  She has also left behind a hell of a lot of stuff for her daughter and sons who have no idea what to do with it, but nevertheless our dear sweet "Mother Roy" take your well-deserved rest until we meet again!