Billie Rose Coker Brack

Melvin Braneff

David Fredrick Crockett

Dorothy “Dottie” Eileen Gayle Eisenman

Susan Kathleen Ferris

Donald Benjamin Fontenot

Timothy Joseph Granger Sr.

Morgan S. Hebert Jr.

Ethelene F. Johnston

Cleophus Jones Jr.

Samuel Ray Sheppard

William “Bill” Thornley

Emilie Scott Wallace

Betty Lou Bolding Whiteley

Randy Owen Wilfer Sr.

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Billie Rose Coker Brack

Billie Rose Coker Brack, 63, of Oakdale, died Thursday, Aug. 15, at home. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, in White Oaks Funeral Home, Oakdale. Committal service will be in Willis Flat Cemetery.

Melvin Braneff

Melvin Braneff, 93, died Aug, 16. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19, at Riley Smith Funeral Home in DeQuincy. Interment will follow at Clark Cemetery, Starks.

David Fredrick Crockett

David Fredrick Crockett, 85, a resident of Lake Charles, passed from this life on Aug. 13, 2019, in the comfort of his home.

A lifelong resident of Lake Charles, David loved fishing, hunting, woodworking and spending time with his family. He was a skilled carpenter and master craftsman all his life and used the labor of hands to provide for his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Joseph and Mary Guillory Crockett; wife, Shirley Bushnell; three sons, Fredrick, David and Timothy Crockett; and siblings, Paul and Daniel Crockett and Caroline Perry.

He is survived by his three daughters, Stephanie Conklin, Katherine Daniels and Janet Jones; sister, Janie Clark; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The Rev. Rommel Tolentino is to officiate. Mr. Crockett’s cremation has been entrusted to Lakeside Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Immediately following the Mass, the family will receive friends in the Ave Maria Hall for food and fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Mr. Crockett’s memory.

Memories and words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.lakesidefh.com.

Dorothy “Dottie” Eileen Gayle Eisenman

Dorothy “Dottie” Eileen Gayle Eisenman, 74, of Austin, Texas, died Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House after a long illness with head and neck cancer.

Dottie was born in 1945 to Joseph Leo Gayle and Merle Blevins Gayle of Lake Charles, La. She graduated from Lake Charles High School and attended Louisiana State University. She graduated with a nursing degree from the University of Texas at Austin with Honors. Dottie was married to Tim Eisenman and they lived together in Austin, Texas.

Dottie practiced as a Registered Nurse for a short time and held several other administrative positions while she was in the workforce. In addition to work, Dottie was very altruistic and her many friends and family members were the recipients of her love and support throughout the years, especially in times of need.

Dottie was generous and compassionate and lent her time and financial support to many charitable organizations including Meals on Wheels, World Wildlife Fund, St. Joseph’s Indian School and National Public Radio. She was an avid reader and spent her free time traveling, at the beach and loving her pets. She had a wealth of friends and family and was loved by everyone.

Dottie is survived by her husband, Tim Eisenman; nieces, Leslie and Therresa; and nephew, Clint; her sister, Julia Gayle Tyler, her husband Jan Tyler and their children Barrie and Susan; her brother, Joseph Leo Gayle Jr., his wife Mary Stoker Gayle and their children Jessica, Emily and Matthew; her sister, Mary Gayle Bell, her husband Stephen Bell, and their children Laura, Stephen and Dorothy; her grandnieces and nephews, and members of the Gayle, Blevins and Lowry families.

Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Merle Gayle; her grandparents, William J. and Bernice Gayle; her grandparents, Ed and Grace Blevins; her niece, Sally Tyler; and other members of the Gayle, Blevins and Lowry families.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held with date, time and place to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to Hospice Austin, Austin Animal Shelters, the American Cancer Society, or to a charity of your choice.

Susan Kathleen Ferris

Susan Kathleen Ferris, 77, of Sulphur, passed away Thursday Aug. 15, 2019, in the comfort of her home. Cremation has been entrusted to Simple Traditions by Johnson Funeral Home.

Donald Benjamin 
Fontenot, Ph.D.

Oct. 2, 1941-Aug. 6, 2019

Memorial service for Donald Benjamin Fontenot will be held Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, during a noon Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Baldwin, with Father Christopher Cambre celebrating the Mass. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Consolata Cemetery in Lake Charles.

The family requests visiting hours be observed Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service.

Don, or Doc as he was known to some, was born on Thursday, Oct. 2, 1941, in Opelousas, and passed away at the age of 77, on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, at his home in Franklin.

A graduate of Sulphur High, Don went on to graduate from McNeese, receiving a B.S. degree in Agronomy. He taught basic botany and biology courses at LSU at Baton Rouge until 1971, when he received his Master of Science degree in Botany. In 1975 he reentered LSU at Baton Rouge working as a researcher for the Agriculture Experimental Station while pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Plant Pathology, with a minor in Agronomy, and in December of 1981 received his Doctor of Philosophy degree. He became the Sugarcane Specialist for the State of Louisiana.

On May 4, 1983, he wed Gail Sumrall and eventually settled in Franklin where he worked as the County Agent for St. Mary and Iberia Parishes. Don was also the Master Gardener Instructor for LSU in St. Mary Parish.

Don was a Rotarian and served as President of the Franklin Rotary Club from 1995-1996, a Board Member for four years of the St. Mary Parish Chamber of Commerce, a Board Member of Workforce Investment Act, and President of the Commissioners of the Industrial Development Board.

Some of his favorite hobbies were gardening, fishing and camping out West. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those he leaves to cherish his memory include his wife of 36 years, Gail Sumrall Drozda Fontenot; five children, Micah Wade Fontenot and his companion Rachel Blanco, Kyra Lynn Fontenot, Enoch C. Drozda, Colleen Drozda Desselle and husband Jack, and Kimberly Drozda Salvador and husband Chris; eight grandchildren, Wyatt and West Fontenot, Kourtney and Brody Drozda, Madeleine and Michael Desselle, and Kristian and Connor Salvador; and one sister, Vicky Fontenot McGee.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Fontenot Pacheco; and his parents, Benjamin Fontenot and Mini Elizabeth Perry Fontenot.

Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, LA 70538, (337) 828-5426.

Timothy Joseph Granger Sr.

Funeral Service for Timothy Joseph Granger, Sr. 65, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, at The Family Place Church. Burial will follow at Creel Memorial Gardens under the direction of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.

Morgan S. Hebert Jr.

Morgan S. Hebert Jr., 59, of Evangeline, passed away Friday, Aug. 16, in Lafayette General Medical Center. Following visitation Monday, the family is honoring his wishes of cremation under the direction of Miguez Funeral Home of Jennings.

Ethelene F. Johnston

Ethelene F. Johnston, 86, of Oakdale, died Wednesday, Aug. 14. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. today, Aug. 18, in White Oaks Funeral Home, Oakdale. Committal service will be in Tee-Mamou Cemetery.

Cleophus Jones Jr.

Cleophus Jones Jr., 74, of Oakdale, died Aug. 3, at home. Funeral service was 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, in Rising Star Baptist Church. Committal service will be in Oakdale Community Cemetery under the guidance of White Oaks Funeral Home, Oakdale.

Samuel Ray Sheppard

Samuel Ray Sheppard, 67, of Alexandria, died Wednesday, Aug. 14, at home. Memorial service will be 3 p.m. today, Aug. 18, in White Oaks Funeral Home, Alexandria.

William “Bill” Thornley

William “Bill” Thornley, 79, of Sulphur, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, in a local hospital with his family at his side.

Bill, a Pennsylvania native, moved to the Sulphur area in 1979 to work in Accounting for PPG; he would continue to work for PPG, and retire after 25 plus years. Bill served our country for 6 years in the U.S. Air Force. He was a long time member of First Baptist Church of Sulphur. Bill loved to cook, play golf and chess. He was a very gifted artist, his favorite being charcoal portraits. He enjoyed being on his back porch, and was very passionate about his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchild.

Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Jerri Hidalgo Thornley; two daughters, Kim Dubard (Chris) of Moss Bluff; Michelle Hoff (Mike) of Camden, N.C.; and one son, Dan Thornley (Melissa) of San Antonio, Texas; two stepsons, Ray Parker and Bret Dommert, both of Sulphur; eight grandchildren, Kayla Mason (Hunter), Alex Dubard, Josh Dubard, Alizabeth Parker, Kevin Thornley, Shawn Hoff, Harper Dommert and Michael Parker; one great-grandchild, Haven Mason; siblings, David Thornley and Alice Valdiserri, both of Pa.

He was preceded in death by first wife, Sharyn Thornley; and an infant son, Kevin Ewing Thornley.

Visitation will be at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home 5 – 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, and resume 9 a.m. -10 a.m. Tuesday. His funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. Dr. David Holder will officiate. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens of Lake Charles.

Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.

Emilie Scott Wallace

Though not in a time frame imagined by those who loved her dearly, Emilie Scott Wallace achieved her highest goal on August 14, 2019, when she drew her final breath on earth, and moved with love and wonder into the arms of her Heavenly Father, the One she sought to understand and know more fully, all the days of her life.

Emilie Claire was born on November 12, 1985 in Houston, Texas. She was the first child of Stephen Douglas and Sheri Smith Scott. These two facts were apparent throughout her 33 years. She was indeed a cherished first-born, a ferociously protective and nurturing older sister to Travis and Ellie, and always, a true Texan at heart. Emilie spent her childhood days between her home in Houston, the shores of Galveston Bay, and the mesquite country of South Texas, where countless precious memories were made with extended family and friends through every season of life.

After graduating with honors from Episcopal High School in Houston, she began her life-time status as an L.S.U. Tiger. It was in Baton Rouge as an early childhood education major that Emilie met and fell in love with the man of her dreams, her husband, David Richard Wallace, Jr. The relationship was sealed further when they were counselors at Camp Ozark and met quietly for sunrise devotionals at the mountain cross overlooking the Camp, before beginning their busy days. Following their beautiful wedding, the couple embarked on David’s journey of medical training and residency as a steadfast team, navigating their way together with a devotion and mutual respect that was unwavering and obvious to anyone who knew them.

Along with David, Emilie was soon blessed with three children who were the lights of her life: Mary Amelia Wallace (Mae Mae) 7, David Richard Wallace III (Davy) 5, and Eloise Claire Wallace (Ouisie) 3. Her skills as a teacher shined as she reveled in the vocation of motherhood, which was clearly her greatest joy. Emilie parented similarly to the way she approached friendship, with unconditional love and loyalty, a generosity of spirit, and great attention to detail. In an age of perfectionism, she possessed a keen ability to decipher what is truly important, while letting the rest go. Highly creative, her passion for laughter and all things fun were pervasive in her life and fueled her amazing sense of humor. Never one to shy away from some good “shock value”, Emi loved to laugh and was 100% ‘comfortable in her own skin’. Her self-deprecating attitude and authentic humor were a source of joy and entertainment for all – particularly herself!

Faith was the core guiding principle of Emi’s life. Her devotion to being a ‘servant of Christ’ could be seen in her choices and priorities. She was a voracious reader, particularly on the subject of faith, and a consistent participant in Bible study. A parishioner of St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church, Emilie was actively engaged in the children’s ministry and instrumental in the church’s Vacation Bible School, recently chairing the summer program. She recruited family, friends, and parishioners, to minister to the youth in the community as well as to the congregation. As a room mother for her children’s classes and a member of the OLQH school P.T.C., Emilie was present in every aspect of her children’s lives. She was also a member of Tri-Delta sorority, The Junior League, the Calcasieu Parish Medical Alliance, and the Mardi Gras Krewe of Mystique, among other community involvements.

Though the void left in Emilie’s absence is immense, in her short life Emi touched countless lives for good with her unbridled passion, authentic joy, and sincere love of God and the life she was given. To know the true power of prayer is to understand the extent to which her family has felt the presence and certainty of God over the past week, even in the face of such painful loss. There is no way for the Wallace and Scott families to extend enough gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayer received from so many, as well as to the amazing physicians and medical team at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.

Emilie is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Clair S. Smith and Louise Hughes Smith, and paternal grandfather Gene Douglas Scott, all previously of Shreveport, LA. In addition to her husband, children, and parents, Emilie is survived by her brother Stephen Travis Scott of Houston, TX, sister Eloise Scott Cohen and her husband Cody James Cohen of San Diego, CA, niece, McKinley Claire Cohen of San Diego, CA, and grandmother Susan Bland Scott of Clearwater, FL. Emilie is also survived by her father-in-law, and mother-in-law, David Richard Wallace, Sr. and Darleen Frances Wallace, sister-in law Lindsey Wallace Caraway and her husband Steven Caraway, and nephews Andrew Christopher Svarney and Mathew David Caraway, brother-in-law John Michael Wallace and his wife Katherine, all of Lake Charles, LA.

There will be a visitation at St. Michael’s (123 W. Sale Road ) on Monday, August 19th, from 9:00 until 12:00, with a service following at noon. After the service there will be a private burial. Pall Bearers for the service are Ben Dampf, Stephen Jones, Phillip O’Quin, Josh Fontenot, Michael Baker, Reid Springmeyer, Marshall Haynie, and Blake LeBlanc. Precious friends are too numerous to list but are held in our hearts with love and gratitude.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Pine Cove Ministries at pinecove.com.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.

Betty Lou Bolding Whiteley

Betty Lou Bolding Whiteley, 94, passed away at her daughter’s home in Midlothian, Va., on Aug. 4, 2019.

Betty was born in Warren, Texas, on Feb. 8, 1925, to LeeRoy Bolding and Dora Cordelia Justice. She lived in Merryville, La., for 62 years with her husband, James R. Whiteley before his passing.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Dora Bolding; her husband, James Raynie (Mutt) Whiteley; an infant son, James Raynie Whiteley Jr.; son-in-law, Ronald Stailey; grandson by marriage, Fred Hartzell III; and a great-granddaughter, Lila Claire Murr.

Betty is survived by two daughters, Janie Whiteley Williams and son-in-law, Jesse Williams, Doralyn Whiteley Hall; and son-in-law, COL. (Ret) Ronald Hall of Midlothian, Va.; three granddaughters, Brittney Hall Gill, Bridget Hall Smith (Bryan), Cherie Spicer Murr (Joshua); seven great-grandsons, Grant Edward Gill, Landon Whiteley Gill, Gray Matthew Gill, Baylor Hall Gill, Ridgeley Herman Gill, Mason Ashby Smith, Jackson Aaron Smith; two great-granddaughters, Elizabeth Ronica Hartzell, Jolie Collette Murr; and step-grandson, Mark Williams.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, at 11 a.m. until time of funeral service at 1 p.m. at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, La. Service will be officiated by the Rev. Wayne Squyres. Burial to follow in the Merryville Cemetery in Merryville, La.

Friends and family are invited to a reception at the First Baptist Church in Merryville, La., immediately following burial.

Randy Owen Wilfer Sr.

Randy Owen Wilfer Sr., 67, of Lake Charles, La., died at 3:27 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in a Lafayette hospital.

Born March 6, 1952 in Orange, Texas, Mr. Wilfer was raised in Vinton, La., where he was a 1970 graduate of Vinton High School. He has been a resident of Lake Charles for the past 50 years and worked as a network administrator for the District Attorney’s Office for the past 15 years. Randy enjoyed hunting and fishing, as well as, spending time outdoors and working on anything high-tech. He will be remembered as an avid New Orleans Saints fan who never met a stranger.

Mr. Wilfer is survived by his wife of 29 years, the love of his life, Debrah “Debbie” Wilfer; children, Randy “Bubba” Wilfer Jr. and wife Tracie of Lake Charles, Dena Chesson and husband Beau of Vinton, Alicia Fontenot and husband Troy of Lake Charles, Duke Wilfer and wife Shawn of Westlake, and Stephanie Squillace and husband Joe of Church Point, La.; siblings, Roxana Shell and husband Doug of Lake Charles, Wanda Vincent and husband Calvin of Vinton, Kelly Joe Courmier and wife Susan of Sulphur, La., and Mollie Broussard and husband Clarence McCraw of Lake Charles; and grandchildren, Hannah, Katie, Kyle, Jace, Macie, Page, McKenzie, Adley, Joseph, R.J. and Isabella.

He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Wilfer; mother and step-father, Louise and Emery D. “Cowboy” Courmier; and brother, Duke Courmier.

His funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Father Jace Eskind will officiate. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., with a rosary led by Stephen Laughlin at 6 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9 a.m. until the start of the service Monday.

Pallbearers will be Jake White, Stephen Laughlin, Michael Talbot, James Planchard, John Dickerson and Dan Williamson.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.

DeRidder, La.

MYERS-COLONIAL

FUNERAL HOME