Madeline Courville Churchman, age 79, of Lake Charles, La., passed away on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. She was born in Eunice, La., and lived in Richard, La., until the age of 5. Her parents moved to Lake Charles in 1948. At the age of 6 she was in the first ever, First Grade class for St. Margaret Catholic School with 52 students and 1 teacher. She learned English quickly and made many lifelong friends. She graduated from LaGrange High School in 1962. After graduation, Madeline worked for Commercial Securities, a loan company, where she was afforded wonderful growth opportunities. At about that same time she met the love of her life, Dr. Carl Churchman. The two fell in love, married in October 1963, and had 4 children. Madeline became the office manager for her husband and spent several decades in his office. When he retired, his son took over and Madeline continued being his office manager for several more years.
Madeline was involved as an office manager, helping her children through school and was even PTO president at LaGrange when her daughters attended high school there. She enjoyed trips all over this beautiful earth. Her favorite journey was one that she and her husband took to Germany, Switzerland, and France with the Dental Society. Madeline enjoyed short trips to the Churchman Ranch and even the long trips going to Mexico when her daughters were scuba diving there.
She is loved and missed by her four children, Dr. Carl Churchman Jr. and spouse Dr. Mary Seale of Lake Charles, Debra Churchman Savoie and spouse Dr. Lance Savoie of Erath, Dr. Lisa Bailey of Prairieville, and Carla Babin of Gonzales, along with 11 grandchildren, Christopher Duplechin, LeeAnn Farokhkish, Madeline Bailey, Gray Bailey Jr., Alexis Scarborough, Malory Savoie, Philip Savoie, Nathan Savoie, Kyle Churchman, Luke Churchman, and Morgan Churchman; and 4 great-grandchildren, Elijah, Blair, Blythe, and Bucky.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Carl Churchman Sr.; and her parents, Adius and Inez Courville, all of whom she missed every day since their passing.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Hixson Funeral Home in Lake Charles, on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a Rosary will be led by very close family friend, Josette Guillory Thompson at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday from 8 a.m. until time of service. Funeral Services will be on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Hixson Funeral Home with Father Levi Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Consolata Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be her 6 grandsons, Christopher Duplechin, Gray Bailey, Jr, Kyle Churchman, Philip Savoie, Nathan Savoie, and Luke Churchman. Readers for her service are Dr. Lance Savoie, son in law, and Layton Caruthers, whom she cherished as a grandson.
The family would like to give thanks to the many doctors and nurses and staff at Cornerstone Hospital that helped, and especially to Dr. Konda with St. Patrick’s Hospital. Their passion for service to patients is appreciated.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.JEHixson.com for the Churchman family.