William Robert Baker

Roy Victor Broussard

Kristeen Denise Caswell

Roy Cleveland Elliott Sr.

Meshinla Fairman

Corliss Faye Herrington

Alice Clara Jones

Ada Lavergne

Conner Mier

Mary Gilpin Miller Parker

Robert J. Schwark Jr.

Melvyn Smith

Dr. Jeffrey Wayne Totten

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William Robert 
(Bill) Baker

It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of William Robert (Bill) Baker on Jan. 13, 2020. He was 96 years old. Bill was a devoted husband, much loved father and grandfather, and good friend, who left a legacy of love, service, and devotion. Bill’s journey in life began on Oct. 14, 1923, when he was born in a log house near the small town of Hollidaysburg, Pa., to Roy Bostwick Baker and Freda Wohlbruck Baker. He had one sister, Mickey, and four brothers, Jim, Max, Richard and David. Bill attended a one room schoolhouse through 8th grade and graduated from high school in June 1942; two days later he enlisted in the Army. Bill never traveled more than a few miles from home his first 18 years, but the U.S. Army and World War II changed that. After completing his basic training in New Jersey, he went to Camp Crowder in Missouri for communications school. He left the United States on a troop ship through the San Francisco Harbor, going under the Golden Gate Bridge and for the next three and a half years of his life, Bill, like the other young men on the ship, could not have imagined what was ahead of him. From stops in New Zealand, Australia, India, Egypt, across North Africa, Scotland, Wales, and England, Bill and his fellow soldiers had already experienced war before they ever landed on Utah Beach in Normandy, France, in June 1944. Bill had been assigned to the U.S. Army Signal Corps where his job was to maintain communications with the front lines. After German resistance in western France subsided, Bill’s battalion was stationed in Rennes, France, where the post office was commandeered as headquarters. It was in Rennes where he met the beautiful, young, French girl, Louise (Lili). After many clandestine meetings, they realized that life together was inevitable. They married on Dec. 26, 1945; and soon after, Bill was reassigned to Rouen, France, where they lived until he was honorably discharged. They traveled to the United States – she on a converted cruise liner with other war brides, and he on a troop ship to New York City which ended an army stint that had taken him around the world. After his return back to the United States, an Army buddy convinced Bill to head south where there was plenty of work and so he and Lili eventually came to live in DeQuincy, La., for the past 73 years. Bill worked as a telephone lineman, an operator at an oil refinery, and eventually became owner of Baker’s Feed and Hardware in 1964 that he operated until the store was sold in 1997. Bill loved the outdoors and spent a big part of his life chasing his passion of farming, cattle ranching, gardening, fishing, and hunting. It was not unusual for him to still ride his four-wheeler or tractor to survey his farm into his early 90s. Bill served as Commander of his local American Legion Hall, and he held officer positions at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3802. During World War II, he received the Bronze Star, and in 2016, Bill received the French National Order of the Legion of Honor from the French Consul in Houston for his participation in the liberation of France.

Bill is survived by his beautiful wife Lili of 74 years; two daughters, Maryvonne Cooper and Danielle Baker; three sons, Patrick Baker and wife Bonnie, Bobby Baker and wife Susan, and Joe Baker and wife DeeDee; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons-in-law, Kerry Cooper and Todd Bennett; and one grandson, Christopher Cooper.

He was grateful to have lived such a full life. Bill was a true American in every sense. He loved his country and everything it stood for. He was a wonderful brother, and cherished his many friends. He liked to have fun, had a great sense of humor, and was always ready with a quip or tease. But more than anything he loved his family and will be missed as husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Bill was an example of a life well lived.

The family will receive friends from 1 – 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, with the funeral service to begin at 3 p.m. The visitation and service will be held at Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 1810 West Fourth St., DeQuincy, La. Interment will follow at Riley Smith Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dequincy VFW Post 3802, 5416 La. Hwy 27, DeQuincy, LA 70633.

Arrangements are being handled by Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 1810 West Fourth Street, DeQuincy, La.

Roy Victor Broussard

Roy Victor Broussard, 97, of Lake Charles, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, at his residence. He was born to his late parents, Ernest and Azelie Broussard on May 4, 1922, in Abbeville, La. He served during World War II in the South Pacific with the U.S. Army. He was with the 1906 Engineer Aviation Battalion. He enjoyed duck hunting and fishing very much.

He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Eva “Faye” Broussard; two daughters, Janice Broussard of Lake Charles, Myra Wright and husband Gerald of LeBlanc; one sister, Lillie Mae Thibeaux of Abbeville; three grandchildren, Joseph “Joey” Anderson and wife Cari, Chad Wright and wife Danielle, Brandon Wright and wife Piper; six great-grandchildren, Dalton, Tatum, Tucker, Annalyce, Charli and Amelia Wright; along with two great-great grandsons, William and Owen Wright.

Roy was preceded in death by one brother, Otis Broussard; and four sisters, Lilly B. Choate, Lillian B. Prejean, Marie Bernice B. Erikson and Delta B. Goos.

Service will be held at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles on Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Samuel Orsot officiating. Visitation will be at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a rosary at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume at the funeral home on Friday from 8 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens.

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

Kristeen Denise Caswell

Kristeen Denise Caswell, 55, of Moss Bluff, died Jan. 13, at home. Her Life Celebration Service will be 6 p.m. today, Jan. 16, at First Baptist Church of Moss Bluff, under the direction of Hixson Funeral Home of Moss Bluff.

Roy Cleveland Elliott Sr.

Funeral service for Roy Cleveland Elliott Sr., 53, will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oakdale. Burial will be at Oakdale Cemetery.

Meshinla Fairman

Meshinla Fairman, 51, departed this life on Friday, Jan. 10, 2019.

Meshinla is survived by her mother, Mary Fairman; sister, Timiki (Steven) Briggs of Philadelphia, Pa.; brother, David Fairman Jr. of Lake Charles, La.; her only son, Jasper (Pamela) Fairman of Baytown, Texas; four grandchildren; aunts; uncles; relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, David Louis Fairman Sr.

Her funeral will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, at Stevens’ Funeral Home. Visitation Friday 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at the church.

Corliss “Mit” 
Faye Herrington

Corliss “Mit” Faye Herrington, 74, of Alexandria, died Monday, Jan. 13. Funeral service will be 11 a.m., today, Jan. 16, in New Hope Baptist Church. Committal service will be in New Hope Cemetery under the direction of White Oaks Funeral Home, Alexandria.

Alice Clara Jones

Alice Clara Jones, 77, died Jan. 10. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at Union Baptist Church in Jennings. Burial will follow in Park View Cemetery under the direction of Matthews & Son Funeral Home.

Ada “Rose” Lavergne

The following was omitted from the obituary for Ada “Rose” Lavergne on Jan. 12, 2020: The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff, aides, and nurses of Stonebridge Place Assisted Living of Sulphur for showing so much care and compassion.

Conner Mier

Conner Mier, 25, died Sunday, Jan. 12. A gathering will be 5 p.m. today, Jan. 16, in Johnson Funeral Home.

Mary (Molly) Gilpin 
Miller Parker

Mary (Molly) Gilpin Miller Parker passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, at her residence.

Born Mary Martha Gilpin on May 1, 1928, in Brownwood, Texas, to Thelma Faye Evans and Virgil Arthur Gilpin.

Her father Virgil was a plant manager for Swift & CO. They transferred and lived in many cities across the nation with Swift & Co, Ft. Worth, Denver, Chicago, Atlanta, Lake Charles, and San Antonio.

While living in Atlanta, her 4th grade best friend said her name “Mary Martha” was too long and she needed a nickname. She called her Molly and she has been Molly ever since. Her parents were not real pleased.

Molly graduated from Lake Charles High and attended McNeese College for 2 years. She transferred to L.S.U. and graduated in 1949.

She married Albert (Bubby) Martin Miller on July 22, 1950, in San Antonio, Texas. Bubby passed away on Oct. 11, 1988. She remarried to Marion H. parker on Sept. 9, 1992. Marion passed away on Dec. 6, 1999.

She is survived by her three sons, Michael G. Miller Sr. and wife Joyce of Houston, Texas, William A. Miller and wife Joyce of Orange, Texas, and Jack M. Miller and wife Pam of Lake Charles, seven grandchildren, Laury M. Drennan of Richmond, Texas, Michael G. Miller Jr. of Clearlake, Texas, Ryan A. Miller of Corpus Christi, Texas, Emily Harrell of Lake Charles, Madeline Miller of Lake Charles, La., Morgan Miller Willis of Carlyss, and William (Will) Miller of Lake Charles; five great-grandchildren, Miller J. Drennan, Parker R. Drennan, Molly May Miller, Lilly Grace Miller and Robert M. Miller.

Molly was preceded in death by husbands, Albert (Bubby) M. Miller and Marion H. Parker; one brother, Jack Evans Gilpin; her parents, Thelma Evans Gilpin and Virgil A. Gilpin.

Pallbearers are Michael G. Miller Jr., Ryan A. Miller, Will Miller, Miller J. Drennan, Parker R. Drennan, Johnnie Miller, Max (Boo) McFatter and Andrew Willis.

The Family thanks care givers: Mary Nix (9 years of service) and Andrea Robinson, Heart of Hospice nurses and aids.

After her third son was born, she went to work full time as a social worker and later a supervisor until her retirement from the state. She has always been an avid reader and enjoyed bridge and mah-jongg. She was a member of the Krewe of Mystic and the Pioneer Club.

In Feb 2010, Molly was awarded the “Purple and Gold” award for her philanthropic endeavors to the Lod cook Alumini Center and the cook hotel by the LSU Alumni Association. She has also funded an endowed scholarship Geaux Tigers.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, from 10 a.m. till time of service at Hixson Funeral Home in Lake Charles. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. at Hixson Funeral home in Lake Charles on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. The Rev. Charndler M Willis of First Presbyterian Church will be officiating. Burial will follow at Consolata Cemetery.

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

Robert “Bobby” J. Schwark Jr.

Robert J. Schwark Jr., 64, died, Jan. 11. Memorial service is 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, in Johnson & Brown Funeral Home.

Melvyn Smith

Funeral service for Melvyn Smith, 73, of Mermentau Cove, will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at Matthews & Son Funeral Home, Jennings. Burial will be in Istre Cemetery.

Dr. Jeffrey Wayne Totten

Dr. Jeffrey Wayne Totten, 63, of Lake Charles, died Tuesday, Jan. 7, in a local hospital. Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at St. Luke Simpson United Methodist Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.