Charlene Duhon Baham was surrounded by her loving and devoted family when she returned to her Creator on the evening of Nov. 9, 2023, at the age of 71. 

She was born in Lake Charles to Corine Stutes Duhon and Otis Duhon, and later graduated from Lake Charles High.  She was married to Dana Baham for 49 blessed years, with whom she raised two loving daughters.

Throughout her life, Charlene was best known for her warm and loving personality and her unique ability to make everyone she encountered immediately feel like family.  Anyone who entered her home was welcomed with open arms and a delicious meal, no matter if you were her daughter, a neighbor, a new member of the family, or even a stranger on a cross-country motorcycle ride passing through town.  She lived her life as God intended, as a humble and faithful servant to others.  She was a person who genuinely cherished the life she was given and loved the people who surrounded her.

No matter what the circumstances, Charlene maintained an unwavering faith.  She had a unique gift for making any sort of plant grow and flourish.  She was creative, could fix or mend nearly anything, and she cooked food that instantly made you feel like you were “loved and at home”.  Charlene was the core of her family, maintaining countless family traditions through the years.  Many will cherish memories of laughing together with her on the beach, swimming in the pool during her annual Fourth of July parties, eating her gumbo or Granny’s fudge on Christmas Eve, or simply getting together at her house to tell old stories and share time together. 

Early in their marriage, Charlene and Dana lived in Montana before returning to Lake Charles to start a family.  They later moved to Memphis, Tenn. for 11 years, then again returned to Lake Charles to retire.  Charlene was devoted to her daughters and their families.  Her five grandchildren brought her the greatest pride and joy, and she would go to the ends of the earth to share time with them and do anything necessary to keep them happy and healthy.  And in her spare time later in life, she enjoyed travelling across Europe with her sister-in-law.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Dana; daughters, Sarah Wrobel (Mike Wrobel) of Lake Charles and Amy Ward (Wes Ward) of Baton Rouge; her mother-in-law, Lois Baham; five grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.  

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, and her three siblings, Rudy Duhon, Shirley Savario and Judy Fontenot.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the nursing and support staff at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Lake Charles, and especially to the doctors, nurses and staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for the genuine compassion and care they showed to Charlene during her time there.

Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home on Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a rosary service beginning at 6 p.m..  The funeral will be held at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, with prior visitation at Johson Funeral Home from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery.  

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