Three DeRidder women honored with Keys to the City

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Three very special women were honored this weekend with the Keys to the City of DeRidder for their dedication and service.

“The key to the City of DeRidder symbolizes the profound impact you have had on your city, unlocking doors of inspiration and becoming an indelible mark on those who have had the privilege of knowing you,” Rep. Charles Owen said.

Among those honored, Lue T. Smith, Jonnie Mango, and Estella Scott.

“It feels wonderful, it feels wonderful. I love DeRidder. I love people, and God left me 86 years here and he didn’t want me to sit down, that’s what I do every day, I do something for somebody,” Scott said.

Estella Scott worked as a Sunday school teacher for 15 years, served as the director of Happy Day Head Start for 25 years, and worked for the DeRidder City Hall for 10 years.

She said she has dedicated her life to the service of God and others.

“And that’s why my motto is ‘I’m hoppin’ but I’m not stoppin’ because when you stop you drop and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Scott said.

She remembers her childhood fondly, saying she learned her kind ways from her grandmother.

“Makes me kind of choke up, all of those guys would come down, they would be hobos on the train, I lived in that area. My grandmother always served them something and gave them something always. That’s why I do what I do,” Scott said.

Scott is the first Black woman to serve on the Sabine River Authority of Louisiana, appointed in 2004. She also has received countless awards over the years, including the Outstanding Community Service award from the National Council of Negro Women in 1995.

“I’m 103 years old, and God has been good to me, and he loves us all,” Smith said.

Smith grew up during the Great Depression but still has many memories of fellowship with her neighbors and family. She worked as a custodian at DeRidder High for 13 years then at East Side Upper Elementary until she retired.

Dr. Cheryl Mango accepted the key and recognition on behalf of her mother, Jonnie Mango.

Mango is known as a longtime educator and civic leader within the DeRidder community. She served on DeRidder’s City Council for around 20 years and was employed by the Beauregard Parish School System for over 25 years.

Ms. Scott leaves the next generation with some words of wisdom:

“Well, the main thing is you’ve got to put Jesus in your life. You got to put Christ in your life. And you’ve got to think about the future. They don’t think about the future and don’t do it because your fellow man is doing it, you do it because you know it’s right,” Scott said.

After the presentation, each of the honorees received a gift basket from Louisiana Cajun Culture in DeRidder.