Glenda Kay Reeves Menard
Published 5:00 am Saturday, December 16, 2023
“Yesterday, Today, and Forever”
Glenda Kay Reeves Menard passed away the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023 in a local hospital in the arms of her husband.
Mrs. Menard was born in Lake Charles, La. to Royce Jackson Reeves and Dorothy Thornton Reeves. A lifelong resident of Lake Charles, she was a graduate of Marion High School where she met her sweetheart, Herman, was a feature twirler and was awarded a band scholarship as a feature twirler to McNeese State University. While studying at McNeese, she began teaching twirling for the Lake Charles Recreational Department. And so it began… It was soon thereafter, early 70s, that she began to fulfill her dream as she started Dance Arts Studio with her friend, Janet. A few years later, Janet’s husband was transferred out of state and Glenda, now affectionately known to her students as “Miss Glenda” continued to teach and mentor little girls and few young boys, not only from Lake Charles, but the surrounding areas. As Dance Arts grew, she recruited some of the older students she mentored through the years to help teach and mentor her younger students. The studio environment was that of a family, “her girls” shared her spirit, her joy and her love of acrobats, twirling, tap and dance. Most importantly she instilled confidence and ladylike behavior; Miss Glenda wouldn’t have it any other way! She was always very humble and far from the spotlight but took great pride in costumes, competition and production for dance recitals. In the fall of 1976, she was offered a position with the Music Department at McNeese to oversee their Color Guard and Baton Twirlers. She was later approached by the basketball coach to start a danceline for the games. And so it began, again… In 1980, The Cowgirl Kickers Dance Team was founded! She passionately advocated for the young ladies of her team to have the opportunity to perform at women’s basketball and football games which was achieved by her third year. She again led and mentored “her girls”, with Herman by her side, involved them in social and community events and organized Kicker Kutie Camps, Kicker Experience Camps and performances throughout Southwest Louisiana, beach getaways to Florida and the most memorable of trips to Europe for their performance at the invitation of the French government at Carnavale De Nice, France. In 2001, Miss Glenda retired with Herman, selling the studio and resigning from the Kickers, leaving her dance shoes in the very capable feet of two young women who were under her influence throughout her ownership of Dance Arts and 20 years as a Kicker. She leaves a legacy and a special place in the hearts of countless young ladies and men who are all the better for having known her and her expectations in representing themselves in a manner both she and they would be proud. In 2004, Miss Glenda’s life was forever changed, “her girls”, twin granddaughters, were born and she became “Goldilocks” affectionately known as “Goldi” and they became by far the most special of young ladies in her life. Miss Glenda enjoyed downtime with quiet instrumental background music and scrapbooking. Through it all, Miss Glenda was blessed with the love and support of Herman, Michael, Emma and Ella, who loved nothing more than her joyful encouraging spirit and love she shared and created in all she encountered.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her sweetheart of 58 years, Herman James Menard of Lake Charles; beloved son, Michael Barry Menard (Jolene) of Lafayette and her precious twin angels, granddaughters, Emma Clarie Menard and Ella Nicole Menard, both of Lafayette. She also leaves sisters-in-law, Cheryl Reeves of Bell City and Patricia Gorman (Charles) of Lake Charles; brothers-in-law, Dale Menard (Cindy) of Sulphur and Byron Menard (Joe) of Houston, Texas; lifelong friends, Barbara Dowies (Greg) of Lake Charles and Janet Hayes (Jack) of Orlando, Fla., as well as, a multitude of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert L. “Bobby” Reeves; nieces, Stacie Lynn Reeves, and great-niece, Traci Lane Reeves.
A remembrance service will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles. Family and friends will gather Sunday from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. in the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to mds-foun dation.org or the Cowgirl Kickers Dance Team.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneral home.net.
