Russell Bourque

Juanita Mae Celestine

Melissa Leann White Coram

Milda Harmon Gordon Fontenot

Mitzi Michelle Fontenot

James Thomas 
Goodwin Sr.

Horace Joseph Gradney Jr.

Cathy Sue Haga 
Humphrey

Steven Jude Jean

Rachel Louise LaBorde

Michael Joseph LeBert

Carrie M. LeBlanc

Ray Leroy Perkins

Dorothy Pearl LeBleu 
Williams

Larry Jean Williams

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Russell Bourque

Russell Dewane Bourque, 77, of Lake Charles, La., died at 6:25 a.m. on Monday, March 22, 2021, in a local care facility.

Russell was born Sept. 18, 1943, in Lake Charles, La., where he was a lifelong resident. He previously worked for Café Margo and for the City of Lake Charles as a parking lot attendant. Russell had a great love for horses and rodeos and was an honorary member of the Rodeo Committee. He enjoyed riding along in the parades and could always be found talking on the phone. He also enjoyed the Easter season and loved to pock eggs.

Russell is survived by his sister, Debbie Bourque Mullis and husband Terry of Lake Charles; sister-in-law, Rowena Bourque; seven nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilton and Marjorie Bourque; and brothers, Billy Bourque Jr., Charlie Bourque, Ronnie Bourque, and Clay Bourque.

His funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at University Baptist Church. Father Samuel Bond will officiate. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens, under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. A gathering of family members and friends will be at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the start of the service, with a rosary at noon.

The family would like to express a special word of thanks to Russell’s favorite caregiver, “Candy Jo”, ResCare, and Harbor Hospice for the excellent care given.

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

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Juanita Mae 
”Sister” Celestine

Visitation for Juanita Mae “Sister” Celestine, 83, will be from 9 a.m. with her funeral following at 11 a.m. at New Faith Baptist Church. Burial will be in St. John Catholic Cemetery In Lacassine.

Melissa “Missy” Leann White Coram

Melissa “Missy” Leann White Coram, 47, of DeRidder, died Thursday, March 18. Memorial service will be 3 p.m. Sunday, March 28, at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder.

Milda Harmon 
Gordon Fontenot

Milda Harmon Gordon Fontenot, 81, of Lake Charles, was called home on March 18, 2021.

She was born on March 21, 1939, to Leo and Agnes Harmon in Eunice, LA.

She was preceded in death by both parents; 15 brothers and sisters; and a grandson, Shawn K. Gordon.

She leaves to treasure many memories her daughter, Mary Johnson (Michael); son, Alvin Mayon; grandchildren, Sherita Mose (Michael) and Adonis Johnson; great grandchildren, Khalil Senegal and KeyShawn Engrum; special cousin, Louise Guillory; special friends, Dalphine Citizen and Brian Ned; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, 2021, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Fr. James Lueckenhoff will officiate. Burial will follow in Combre Memorial Park under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin in the church hall at 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service.

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

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Mitzi Michelle Fontenot

Mitzi Michelle Fontenot, 52, departed this life on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital in Lake Charles, LA. She was born July 18, 1968, to Nelson Louviere and Ruby Louviere in Colorado Springs, CO. She worked as a sales clerk until her retirement. She loved animals, singing and crocheting.

She leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Otis Fontenot of Lake Charles, LA; four children, Dalene Louviere, Kami Cormier and Tabitha Fontenot all of Lake Charles, LA and Chris Fontenot of Houston, TX; one sister, Tina Melancon of New Iberia, LA; four grandchildren, Dylan Fontenot, Kennedy Fontenot, Charlie Franklin and AJ Fontenot; her furry friends, 11 dogs, five cats and four guinea pigs and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nelson and Ruby Louviere. Her cremation was entrusted to King’s Funeral Home.

For words of comfort, please visit www.kingsfuneralhomela.com

James Thomas 
Goodwin Sr.

James Thomas Goodwin Sr., 71, died Tuesday, March 9, at his daughter’s home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 27, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.

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Horace Joseph 
”Shang” Gradney Jr.

Horace Joseph “Shang” Gradney Jr., 77, was born November 12, 1943 in Lake Charles, Louisiana to the late Horace Joseph, Sr and Edna Mae Richard Gradney. A resident of Lake Charles, a graduate of Washington High School, a United States Army Veteran, and a retired employee of Energy (formerly known as Gulf States Utilities). He was the first black Foreman Supervisor in the Line Dept. at Gulf States Utilities. He also attended school and received his training in Architectural Drafting. Shang was definitely an all-around person with many hobbies and talents. To name a few, he shot pool, he was on several sponsored bowling teams, played the harmonica, and played on the softball team Magic Stix. He was an avid Dallas Cowboy fan. Mr. Gradney departed this life Saturday March 20, 2021 at 1:50PM in a local hospital.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of fifty three years, Elaine King Gradney; six sons, Donnie Paul (Candy) Gradney, Derrick Shane (Karen) Gradney, LeMonn Jermaine (Kesha) Gradney, Byron Keith (Tamiera) Gradney, Micah Pherron (Adrianne) Gradney, and Sean (Tyrolyn) Redmond; one sister, Carrie Ann Penagraph; brother, Harvey (Theresa) Gradney; twenty grandchildren, Candace, Bryant, Kyren, Lorien, Kirsten, Kaden, Dylon, Shannon, Sa’Mya, Sa’Leah, Sa’Riah, Alaya, Alex, Akia, Andrae, Nicholas, Mylah, Malia, Imani, and Cheyenne; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Edna Gradney Sr.; and two sisters, Ruby Pierce and Florence Joseph.

His visitation will be from 11AM Saturday, March 27, 2021 with his funeral following at 12:15PM at New Covenant Faith Baptist Church. Burial will be in Combre Memorial Park.

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Cathy Sue 
Haga Humphrey

Cathy Sue Haga Humphrey was born February 28, 1950 in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to Paul and Waneta Haga. She entered her heavenly home on March 21, 2021. She was reunited with her son Jeremy and daughter Amber, as well as her parents and brother Chris and other family that had gone on before her. Cathy was the second-born of six children. She graduated from Stillwater High School in May of 1968. During her high school years, she worked at Tiger Drugstore in Stillwater. She married the love of her life John Rickstrew ‘Rick’ Humphrey in December 1968, and they just celebrated 52 years of marriage together. During their first years of marriage, Cathy was busy raising two active toddlers and was involved in supporting her husband through the Oklahoma State University Engineerettes as he earned his degree at Oklahoma State University. Rick and Cathy moved to Sulphur, Louisiana in 1973 where they have made their home and reared their three children since then. She was the secretary at Central Baptist Church in Sulphur when her children began attending school and resigned from there as Dawn and Jeremy began High School.

As a child she learned to play the piano and that helped foster a love for music that she passed along to her children and grandchildren. Her daughters were in choir and orchestra and her grandson was in the school band. She continued her love for music over the years by participating on many levels. In the early 1980’s, she and Rick were members of a Southern Gospel quartet, ‘The Praise Singers’. They travelled hundreds of miles and sang in many small churches in south central Louisiana. She sang solos at church as well as in the church choir and sang in the Sulphur Community Christmas Choir with her two daughters.

She was her children and grandchildren’s greatest cheerleader. She was at all of their events and games. She could carry on a full conversation during the entire game, but she would still be able to tell you the exact score and what inning and how many outs there were at any time that you asked. She went to numerous ball games and choir, orchestra, and band concerts over the years. She enjoyed cheering on her college teams as well – McNeese Cowboys (where her daughters graduated), Oklahoma State University Cowboys (her and Rick’s alma mater and hometown college), and West Virginia University Mountaineers (her parents’ home state team). You could find her on Saturday nights cheering on the blue and gold in Cowboy Stadium. She would watch and cheer for her OSU Cowboys and Mountaineers any chance she got and would text her family back home during the games. One game she really enjoyed was when the McNeese State Cowboys and OSU Cowboys played each other in football. She wore the special family t-shirts designed by her daughters for the game – ‘No matter the distance, once a Cowboy, always a Cowboy!’ She was proud to sit in the stands and cheer for the Cowboys, and her team won!

Cathy came to know her Lord and Savior at a very young age and her faith was evident in her everyday life. She was a prayer warrior, mentor, Sunday School teacher, member of the church choir, and leader of the Speeders (55 and over) group at Sales Street Baptist Church. She was tested and tried over the last five years through the loss of her two children, Jeremy and Amber. She remained a pillar of strength and grace and was an example of faith as she walked through the trials of grief after losing her children.

She was a member of the church bowling league at Trinity Baptist in Lake Charles where she made lifelong friends, many of whom she was still very close to. She enjoyed the fellowship and ‘competition’ and bowling with her daughter Dawn by her side. She never made a claim of being a great bowler but was consistent and received a pin for a 500 series of games.

Cathy enjoyed singing, sewing, doing puzzles with her Grandson Ryan, attending Grandson Johnathan’s sporting events, crossword puzzles, sudoku, scrabble, traveling and Gospel Music. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed cooking for her grandsons. She enjoyed her oysters and oyster soup, which she passed along to her grandson Ryan who would often request her soup and then eat all of the broth and leave the oysters for her. You could find her at night with her Sudoku book in hand completing the puzzles and keeping her mind sharp or sitting at her dining room table helping Ryan put together puzzles. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and family. She and Rick travelled to many places together including Hawaii, Washington DC, Miami, Savannah, Boston, San Francisco, San Diego, New York City, Charleston, NC and many more. They enjoyed family trips to Branson, Yellowstone National Park, Mesa Verde, Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, Roswell, New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns, The Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Disneyworld, and Washington DC. There were many adventures that were had in the motorhome.

Her big smile, kindness for all, and warm and caring heart will be missed by all who knew and loved her. To know her was to love her and you knew where her hope and foundation lay – in the hope and love of her father, Jesus Christ.

Survivors include her husband of 52 years, John ‘Rick’ Humphrey, daughter Dawn Humphrey Cole, grandsons Ryan and Johnathan Cole, all of Sulphur, sisters Joyce McCroskey (Larry) and Sherry Cochran (Ken) all of Stillwater, Oklahoma, brothers Randy Haga (Molly) of Plano, Texas, and Gary Haga (Jan) of Edmond, Oklahoma, and sisters-in-law Delayne Haga of McKinney, Texas and Becki White of Moore, Oklahoma and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Waneta Haga, son Jeremy Humphrey, daughter Amber Humphrey, brother Chris Haga, brother-in-law Ronnie White, and sister-in-law Margie Bradley.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday March 26, 2021 at Sale Street Baptist Church with the Rev. Pat Deshotel officiating. Visitation will be on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Sale Street Baptist Church and will continue at the Church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the hour of service. Graveside committal services will be at Mimosa Pines South in Carlyss at 2:00 PM Saturday. The family respectfully requests that COVID 19 precautions be observed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Nicholas Center for Autism in Lake Charles or Gideons International.

Pallbearers will be Brian Beverly, Bryan Myers, Leo Blackmer, Ken Gardner, Bob Green, and Clark Yelverton. Honorary Pallbearer will be Kent Shepherd.

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Steven Jude Jean

Steven Jean, 70, husband of Prancella “Guillory” Jean of Lake Charles, La., died on March 17, 2021. Steven was born Nov. 16, 1950, to the late Lee Jean and Anna “Durosseau” Jean.

Steven worked for Henderson Implement for more than 30 years. He was a kind, gentle and giving man, and a loving husband to his wife of 48 years.

Steven is survived by his wife, Prancella Jean and one daughter, Kimberly Jean both of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and one son, Brian Jean and wife, Nikki Harrell-Jean of Brandon, Mississippi; four brothers, Stanley Jean and wife, Lollie Adame Jean, Benjamin Jean, Michael Jean and wife, Susan Jean and John Jean and wife, LaJuana Armstrong-Jean all of Houston, Texas; five sisters, Judy Walker and husband, Robert Walker of Houston, Texas, Louise Joseph of Baytown, Texas; Andrea Jean and Valerie Jean of Opelousas, Louisiana, and Janet Wheat and husband, Johnny Wheat of Pearlington, Mississippi; four grandchildren, JaVaughn Jean of Dallas, Texas, JaLayiah Jean of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Nicolas Jean and David Jean of Brandon, Mississippi; mother-in law, Ophelia Guillory of Lake Charles, Louisiana; one brother-in-law, Stanley (Catherine) Guillory of Missouri City, Texas; and one great grandson, Kari Grey Jean of Dallas, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Anna Jean; one sister, Jocelyn Bernard; and one brother, Christopher Jean; and father-in-law, William Guillory.

Visitation will be Saturday March 27, 2021 from 9:00 A.M. to 10:40 A.M. in Combre Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service will be Saturday March 27, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Henry Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery in Mallet, La under the direction of Combre Funeral Home.

Words of comfort may be shared at www.combrefuneralhome.com

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Rachel Louise LaBorde

Rachel Louise LaBorde, age 84, of Sulphur, Louisiana was reunited with her late husband, Tommy Luke LaBorde on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Rachel was born October 17, 1936 in Bordelonville, Louisiana.

Rachel worked for many years for Dr. Darby and for West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital in Sulphur, Louisiana.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy Luke LaBorde, parents, E.B. Lemoine and Mrs. Odile Lemoine, grandchildren, Jason Thomas Corbin and Byron Thomas LaBorde, great-granddaughter, Lani Morgan LaBorde, sisters, Esla “Tut” Desselle and Henrietta “Pooh” Gremillion, and a brother, Hewitt “Bud” Lemoine.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her four children, Drew LaBorde and wife, Regina, Luke LaBorde, Tommie Gayle Townsley and husband, Rex; and Jude LaBorde and wife, Nicole; a brother, Edward “Eddie” Lemoine and wife, Donna; a sister, Charlotte “Jo” Lemoine; twelve grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 28, 2021 with a Rosary held at 6:00 p.m. at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will resume at 11:00 a.m. on Monday at St. Peter Catholic Church Hall in Bordelonville, Louisiana.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 29, 2021 in St. Peter Catholic Church in Bordelonville, Louisiana. Rev. Louis Sklar will officiate. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to an Alzheimer’s Organization of your choice in Rachel’s memory.

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

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Michael Joseph LeBert

Michael Joseph LeBert (Buff), passed away in his home in Baker, La., on March 15, 2021, at age 63. He was preceded in death by his parents LeRoy and Patricia LeBert, his son Brent and granddaughter Amelia.

He is survived by his wife Jamie LeBert, sisters Debbie LeBert and Kris Theriot, his children Anthony, Amos, Sarah and Jessie, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Michael was an Iron Worker by trade for 45 years and was dearly loved by those who had the pleasure of knowing him. He devoted his life to his family and helping others. One of his favorite pastimes was being with his family and friends watching Saints Football and preparing his delicious smoked meats and boiled crawfish. Best you have ever tasted !!

We will forever carry his memory in our hearts.

‘Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky’

Carrie M. LeBlanc

Carrie M. LeBlanc, 89, died Wednesday, March 24. A Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. today, March 26, in St. Charles Borromeo of Fenton. Burial will be in Raymond Hathaway Community Cemetery under the direction of Johnson & Brown Funeral Home of Iowa.

Ray Leroy Perkins

Funeral service for Ray Leroy Perkins will be 1 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at The Family Place Church, Reeves. Interment will be in Old Ritchie Cemetery, Moss Bluff, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Oakdale.

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Dorothy Pearl LeBleu Williams

Visitation for Dorothy Pearl LeBleu Williams, 40, will be from 11 a.m. Saturday, March 27, 2021, with her funeral following at 1 p.m. at Macedonia Church if God in Christ in Sulphur. Burial will be in Perkins Cemetery.

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Larry Jean “Tyke” Williams

Visitation for Larry Jean “Tyke” Williams, 69, will be from 10:30 a.m. with his graveside service following at 11Am at Benevolent Cemetery in Vinton. He departed this life March 12, 2021 in a Dequincy hospital.

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