Eugonda Hogue

Eugonda Hogue, age 82 of Searcy, Arkansas, and longtime resident of Dowagiac Michigan, left this earth Friday, June 5, 2026 at The Crossing at Riverside.

She was born in Caruthersville, Missouri to the late Robert and Claira Gatties.

Left to cherish her memory is a sister, Gale Medlock of Bradford; one brother, Rob Gatties of Dowagiac, Michigan; four grandkids and seven great grandchildren.

Eugonda is preceded in death by her two daughters, Teresa Gale Hogue of Michigan, and Brenda Sue Rogers of Michigan; parents, Robert & Claira Gatties of Bradford Arkansas; two sisters, Betty McDaniel of Searcy, Arkansas, and Sharon Gatties of Missouri.

Eugonda became a residence of The Crossing at Riverside Health and Rehabilitation on December 13, 2022. Where she was loved by so many of the residences and the staff. There are just too many to name, but they know who they are.

Eugonda loved old country music; however, Conway Twitty was her favorite. Lay Me Down, and Rainy Nights in Georgia were her two favorite songs. When she lived next door to Pam and Bruce with her sister, Betty, they would try and dance as though they were 20 again. It was always fun watching them. I (Pam) was always afraid one was going to let the other one go and she would go spinning across the deck. We all laughed. Then Bruce had to get in the mix, he and Aunt Eugonda would slow dance every weekend. It was fun watching her enjoying life.

She loved her Diet Coke, that’s the one thing she better not run out of or you would pay the price.

In 2024, she ran for The Crossing beauty pageant and was second runner-up and, then in 2025, she became The Crossing’s Queen. She had never done anything like that in her life. She truly was blossoming in her later years. Before the pageant she was asked to give her life story at the banquet, there she shined. We were all very proud of her.

When we put her in her new home at The Crossing, she said, I am not going to participate with anyone or eat with anyone. Well, we can all witness that, that didn’t last long. She was running the show before long.

She enjoyed all the activities, but bingo was one of her favorite, and I think she even won a time or two.

Since she came to Arkansas, she really started to enjoy life and experience people loving her. She would not have believed the love that people (residents & staff) truly felt for her. People coming and telling us (Pam & Bruce) she just left a big hole in our facility. Amanda no longer has to worry about what she will come around the corner and say to her to turn her all shades of red.

There are many residents and staff (Brittany) who can share so many stories that they had over the last few years with her.

Eugonda truly would have been touched by all the love and support that came in these last few weeks of her life. Wheelchairs were lined up down the hall on both sides of the hall. Just giving the family time with her but also showing their support and respect.