Russell Atherton

Rev. Carroll Bushnell

Joseph Howard Racca Jr.

Sandra Gail Romain 
Sanders

Earline Joyce Stogsdill

Eddie Fitzgerald Thibodeaux

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Russell Atherton

Russell “Craig” Atherton, 65, passed from this Earth on Oct. 28, 2020. Craig, as he was known by his friends, was a lifelong resident of Sulphur, La.

Craig was born on Aug. 1, 1955 to parents Mildred Howell Atherton and Charles Eugene Atherton. He was a graduate of Sulphur High School and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from McNeese State University. Craig went on to become a successful millwright in local industries in the southwest Louisiana area until his retirement.

Craig loved welding, machining, and working with his hands, constructing his elaborate shop mostly by himself. He continued these passions long after retirement. Craig also loved classic rock and enjoyed spending his time listening to Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd while he worked on one of his many projects. He also enjoyed spending time with friends and was a loving and kind soul who lent a hand to anyone who needed it.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are brothers, Charles Howell Atherton of Sulphur, La and Jimmy Atherton and wife, Deanna of Natchez, La, his sister, Mildred Atherton Davis and husband, Rick of Dallas, Texas and many nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his dear friends, Ricky Rogers and partner Charlotte Weaver of Lake Charles. Craig will also be sorely missed at all of the Johnson’s family holiday events where he was always a constant fixture.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Eugene Atherton and his mother, Mildred Howell Atherton.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 at 6 p.m. in Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Chapel in Sulphur, La. Celebrant, Jody Barrilleaux will lead services. A Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. in the funeral home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonsulphurmemorial.com for the Atherton family.

Rev. Carroll Bushnell

Services for Rev. Carroll Bushnell, 85, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Indian Village United Pentecostal Church. Burial will follow at Indian Village Cemetery under the direction of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.

Joseph Howard “Butch” Racca Jr.

Joseph Howard “Butch” Racca Jr., 75, of Iowa, La., died early on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020 in his sleep. Mr. Racca was born Aug. 4, 1945 in Jennings, La. He lived in Jennings, graduating from Jennings High School. He attended The University of Southwestern Louisiana where he also served in the Louisiana National Guard. After graduating with a degree in Agriculture Education, he moved to Iowa where he became the first Vocational Agriculture teacher and started the Iowa FFA chapter at Iowa High School. In 1979, he accepted an Operator position at PPG industries in Westlake where he worked until his retirement in 2005. Mr. Racca was a long-time supporter and highly active in the Louisiana Agriculture and Livestock industry. He served as President of the Louisiana Pork Producers Association and was a member of the Louisiana State Animal Health Board.

Mr. Racca is survived by his wife, Joyce Morgan Racca; his daughter, Jennifer Racca Kershaw and her husband Tim; his sons, Chad Racca, Brad Racca and his wife Devin; his mother, Rita Broussard Racca; sisters, Judy Andrepont and her husband, Dennis and Jane Sneed; five grandsons, David, Zachary, Jacob, Grant, and Cougar; and granddaughter, Brianna.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Howard Racca; and his brother, Steven Earl Racca.

His funeral service will be held at Johnson & Brown Funeral of Iowa Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020 at 11 a.m. Dr. David DeWitt will officiate. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation is Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 8 a.m. until the time of service at 11.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Louisiana FFA Foundation Student Teacher Scholarship Fund, 224 John M. Parker Coliseum, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 or www.laffa.org.

Words of comfort may be shared at www.johnsonandbrownfuneralhome.com or Facebook: Johnson & Brown Funeral Home.

Sandra Gail Romain 
Sanders

Sandra Gail Romain Sanders, 68, a resident of Lake Charles, passed peacefully from this life on Nov. 7, 2020, in a care facility.

Sandra was a loving mother, grandmother, and a loyal friend. She was tenacious and a woman of strong and unwavering faith. Sandra worked hard and put herself through nursing school. She studied at SOWELA and was a Licensed Practical Nurse until her retirement. Her grandchildren were the apple of her eye, and she was continuously present at her grandchildren’s events.

Sandra is preceded in death by her parents, James Joseph and Winnie Mae Doucet Romain; and brother, Stevens Romain.

She leaves to cherish her memory her former husband and lifelong friend, Gregory Sanders; children, Michelle Renee Sanders, James Wesley Sanders, and wife Amanda, Kimberly Dawn Smith and husband Derrell, and Monica Denise Abshire and husband Joshua Abshire; grandchildren, Tyler Sanders, Derrell Smith Jr., Abby Sanders, Shelby Browne, Kayla Smith, Kylie Browne, Carson Sanders, and Isabella Abshire; three great-grandchildren, Conner Sanders, Carter Sanders, and Scarlett Sanders.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. in the chapel of Johnson and Brown Funeral Home in Iowa. A rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, from 8 a.m. until time of service. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel of Johnson and Brown Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Prien Memorial Park under the direction of Johnson and Brown Funeral Home of Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Hobo Hotel in Mrs. Sander’s memory.

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

Earline Joyce Stogsdill

Earline Joyce Stogsdill, 88, passed away Friday, Nov. 6, in a local care center.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Johnson Funeral Home of Moss Bluff. Interment will be at Old Ritchie Cemetery.

Eddie Fitzgerald Thibodeaux

Eddie Fitzgerald Thibodeaux, 56, of Katy, Texas, departed this life peacefully on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, at 7:20 p.m. His loving children surrounded him as he was called home. His son, Jalen, was his caretaker for the last few months of his life.

Eddie was born on Feb. 17, 1964, to Sylvia Darbonne-Thibodeaux and the late John Thibodeaux. God blessed him with four children: one daughter and three sons.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Thibodeaux.

He leaves to cherish his memories four children: Courtney Washington of Dallas, Texas, Ra’mone Thibodeaux of Dallas, Texas, Jalen Thibodeaux of Houston, Texas, and Joshua Thibodeaux of Katy, Texas. He will also be missed by his grandchildren, Caleb Lindsey and Karlyn Holloway; mother, Sylvia Darbonne-Thibodeaux; siblings, Mary Pittman, Patrick Thibodeaux, Virginia Horn-Thibodeaux, John Thibodeaux, Gregory (Tabitha) Thibodeaux, Maury (Yolanda) Thibodeaux, and Dalton Thibodeaux.

Visitation will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church at noon. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery.