Judith Whitten

Judith Elaine Sims Whitten was born in Detroit, Michigan, on December 8, 1943, to Alma Wall Sims and Laverte M. Sims.

As a child growing up in Gibsland, Louisiana, Judi was a spirited girl who loved adventure. She often found herself in trouble for her antics and didn’t like to be told she couldn’t do something. She would even hide in the woods to avoid things she did not want to do.

As a student at Northwestern State University, Judi met her future husband, James “Jim” Whitten. On one of their first dates, Judi raced her car and scared the heck out of Jim — and he knew that he had met his match. After a short courtship, they were married on June 12, 1963.

During the first 12 years of their 56-year marriage, Jim and Judi lived in various places across Louisiana and traveled the southern states where they both raced motorcycle Enduros. Together, they loved to travel, camp, and ride through the woods. They eventually returned to Natchitoches, where they spent much of their free time in Kisatchie National Forest. The “Kisatchie Camp” became a gathering place for family and friends. The laughter of Judi and friends playing cards or telling stories by the fire could often be heard before anyone even reached the camp.

Judi also had a distinguished career as one of the first female police officers with the Natchitoches Police Department. She served with dedication and integrity, retiring after 28 years of service.

After retirement, Judi and Jim spent their summers traveling across North America and Europe — often joined by their children or grandchildren. They loved teaching their grandchildren to hike, camp, ride four-wheelers, and appreciate the outdoors.

Judi’s proudest accomplishment was her family. Her daughters Terri Buckley (husband Eddy), Debra Byles (husband Philip), Brandi Walker (husband Josh), and niece Christy Leonard (husband Kevin). Grandchildren: Kyle Buckley, Victoria Buckley, Austin Whitten, Parker Byles, Mason Pitts, Tanner Walker, Briley Pitts, great nieces Brianna Carrigan, Kylie Woods and 8 great-grandchildren.

Judi is preceded in death by her parents, Alma Wall Sims Shannon and Laverte Sims; husband, James Whitten; and her grandson Kyle Buckley.

Pallbearers will be her nephews Zack Kidd, Mark Kidd, and Evan McCommon, along with her grandsons, Austin Whitten, Mason Pitts, Tanner Walker, and future grandson-in-law Wesley Stewart.

The family would like to extend a special thank-you to her devoted caregivers, Ellen Jordan, Tammy Raphiel, and the Raphiel family. Deep appreciation is also extended to Lagniappe Home Health and Hospice of Natchitoches for their compassionate care. To celebrate her life, the family will receive friends at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home, 848 Keyser Avenue, on November 14 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held the following day, November 15, at 10:00 a.m., with Reverend Vaughn officiating. A procession for her interment will follow at Adams Cemetery near Olla, Louisiana.