Winston Dudley Cedars, Sr

Services to celebrate the life of Winston Dudley Cedars Sr. will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Holy Cross Catholic Church at 129 Second Street with Father Mark Noel officiating. Internment will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, LA. . Visitation will be Tuesday evening, March 22 at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Recitation of the Rosary will be from 6:00-6:30. Winston passed way March 20, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer with his loving family by his side. He left no doubt that he was prepared to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. He was at peace with himself and with God, and looked forward to seeing those loved ones who had gone before him. Winston was born August 18, 1954 to the late Wilson and Amarylis Stacy Cedars. He was a life long resident of Natchitoches and a graduate of Natchitoches Central High School. His childhood was wonderful and memorable being one of 10 very close children. He married his teenage love, Terri Steadman Cedars, in January 1976 and they were blessed with 3 wonderful children. Winston began working for Atmos Energy in February 1976 and recently retired with 40 years of service. He loved his job and the people he worked with. Winston was a family man, and enjoyed coaching and/or watching his children play school and community sports including football, softball, baseball, rodeo, and dance. He never missed a single event they participated in and was always their biggest cheerleader. He bled silver and navy, never wavering his support for his favorite NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys, despite the good-natured “ribbing” family and friends dished out about his favorite team. Also, he rarely missed a New York Yankees baseball game. In his spare time, Winston was on the committee of the local chapter (Kisatchie Strutters) of National Wild Turkey Federation, and enjoyed hunting with his wife and close friends, David & Belinda Prudhome and Ricky & Patti Salley. His greatest joy was spending time with his six grandchildren. Whether it was taking them for a ride on the 4-Wheeler, taking them hunting, wrestling on the floor, reading them a story, or simply rocking them to sleep, he valued every minute he spent with them, and they loved “Papa” dearly. Winston was known for his kind and giving heart, as he was always willing to lend a helping hand for anyone with whom he crossed paths. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Terri Steadman Cedars; son, Winston Dudley Cedars, Jr. and wife Erika of Natchitoches; daughter Tana Elisabeth Cedars Clark and husband Scott of Baton Rouge; son, Thomas Andrew Cedars and wife Kellie of Natchitoches; Six grandchildren; Winn Cedars, Holt Cedars, Beau Clark, Brooklyn Clark, Grant Cedars and Brinley Cedars; Nine Siblings: Wilson (Jiggs) Cedars (Diane), Lou Cedars, Meme Cedars McManus, Joy Cedars Knotts, Roy Cedars (Mickey), Sonia Cedars Greer (Mark), Stacy Cedars (Carolyn), Camille Cedars Lacaze, Kerry Gene Cedars (Mary); very special cousin, Donna Sue Wirt and her daughters Dana and Dina; A very special brother-in-law, Dwane Steadman; Very special friends including David and Belinda Prudhome, Vilifred Metoyer, Ricky & Patti Salley, and Barry Howard, and all of his fellow workers at Atmos Energy over the years. He also had numerous loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Those honored to serve as pallbearers include: Dwane Steadman, Ryan Steadman, David Prudhome, Ricky Salley, Vilifred Metoyer, Barry Howard, Jason McManus, Pete Jordan. Honorary pallbearers are his 4 grandsons, Winn, Beau, Grant and Holt as well as fellow employees of Atmos Energy. Charitable donations may be sent in his honor to the American Cancer Society.