Linda Lorine Outlaw

Linda Standiford Outlaw, 71, of St. Joseph, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2021, at Ruston Rehab and Nursing. Her life will be celebrated with a Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, where she was a lifetime member. Father Taylor Reynolds will officiate. Visitation with the family and friends will be after the service at the Outlaw’s home at 306 Martha Street, St. Joseph.

Linda was born to Earle and Madge Rusk Standiford in Florence, Oregon, on October 19, 1949, joining brothers William “Bill” and Glen to make a family of five. Exactly one month later to the day, the Standifords moved to St. Joseph, where Linda lived the remainder of her 71 years as a vital part of the community.

Linda is preceded in death by her parents, niece Leigh Ann Alonzo, and her high school sweetheart and forever love, Jerry Outlaw, to whom she was married for over 49 years. Survivors include her daughters, Stacy Noble and Jennifer Grigson (Larry Parks); her grandchildren, Caroline Grigson, Nicholas Noble, Piper Noble, and Halo Hammond; her brothers, William “Bill” Standiford (Beverly) and Glen Standiford; and her sisters-in-law, Peggy Alonzo (Warren, deceased) and Cynthia Sloane (Doug Sr.).

Linda attended Davidson High School, where she met the love of her life, Jerry Outlaw. Linda was voted Most Beautiful and served as Homecoming Maid and Maid of Honor, Co-Editor of the year book, cheerleader (three years), and President of Future Homemakers of America (local and parish). Linda was also Freshman Princess of the Coronation Ball, while she and Jerry became King and Queen of the Ball as seniors.

A 1967 graduate of Davidson, Linda attended Louisiana Tech University before beginning a lifelong career with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. She retired after 43 years of exemplary service as Office Coordinator, serving Tensas and Madison Parishes. To celebrate her 2016 retirement, she and Glen visited her Oregon birthplace, even looking into what was once the hospital nursery’s window through which her proud father saw her for the first time.

Linda’s sweet, kind nature and influence will be felt for generations to come, as will her generosity and selflessness. She spent no money or time on herself, instead giving everything she had to others. Her greatest gift to herself was getting a fountain Diet Coke at Ken's Corner and enjoying a leisurely drive around the inside of Lake Bruin.

Caroline will always remember the birthday weekends celebrated in hotels with her Nana and Gran (Jerry), as well as the many Pink Pies Nana made especially for her through the years. Nicholas, Piper, and Halo loved playing board games with Nana, who loved every board game ever created. Give her a good game of “Aggravation” and a bowl of Blue Bunny’s “Bunny Tracks” ice cream, and she was in heaven. And when she  treated us to her awesome brownie sundaes or wiggled her nose like a rabbit for us, we were mesmerized by her magic!

Survivors also include nieces and nephews who will cherish wonderful memories of her: Kay Dispensire (Frank), Billy Standiford (Tinker), John Standiford, Ashlea Valentine (Brad), Allyson Blanchard (Cody), Ed Alonzo (Katie), Ben Alonzo (Kate), Doug Sloane Jr. (Sara), and Bradley Sloane (Kristin).

Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Standiford, John Standiford, Frank Dispensire, Brad Valentine, Cody Blanchard, Ed Alonzo, Ben Alonzo, Doug Sloane Sr., Doug Sloane Jr., Bradley Sloane, Nicholas Noble, Larry Parks, Dr. Jack Noble, Jack Henry Noble, and Wayne Garner.

Guests are encouraged to wear masks.

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