OBITUARIES

Carol E. Ruggles, age 58, passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023. She has entered a new life, resting in the arms of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and is now reunited with her beloved husband, Keith. Carol was born December 24, 1964, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mrs. Ruggles is survived by her children; son, Lyle Joseph Ruggles and...

Jane Elizabeth “Libby” Follette, age 75, passed away peacefully July 23rd, 2023 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Silas Adam and Matilda Jane Stephenson, as well as her two brothers, Sonny Stephenson and John Chris Stephenson. Libby was born December 13, 1947 in Ruston, Louisiana. She graduated from Ruston High School...

Rodgie “Rod” Reeves was born in Hammond, LA on September 26, 1936, and departed from this life on Monday July 24, 2023, at his home in Kenner at the age of 86 years. He was a faithful & loved member of New Life Tabernacle Church in Metairie, La. He was truly blessed to have his church family & neighbors who...

Rhonda Phipps Madere passed away peacefully on July 18th at the age of 65.  Wife of 43 years to Randy “Stinky” Madere.  Rhonda is survived by her sister Jane LeBlanc (David) and her brother Steven Phipps as well as her nieces and nephews: Joey and Britt LeBlanc, Seth and Kacie LeBlanc, Garrett, Cameron, and Brooke Phipps (her Godchild). Great nieces...

Cecil Uvell Wood Sr., 68, of Slaughter, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at home on July 21, 2023, surrounded by family and friends after a quick battle with cancer. Cecil was born on March 26, 1955, to parents George and Rada Wood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and raised by his mother and stepfather Donald Beard. After high school Cecil became a...

JoAnn Rheams Decoteau, a native of Galvez, LA passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at the age of 82. She was a retired bus driver for Ascension Parish School Board for over 30 years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She leaves behind, to cherish her memory, a daughter, Suzette Decoteau Haik (Mac); a son,...

Janet Tackett was 73, born on April 15, 1950, of Louisville, Kentucky. She passed away on July 21, 2023 at North Oaks Hospital, Hammond, Louisiana. Janet was the daughter of Jesse Clifton and Alda Hayes Pullen. She was proceeded in death by her husband, of 52 years, Michael Walter Tackett. Janet is survived by her 2 sons Christopher, wife Shannon...

Barbara Jo Lipari, 62, born in Independece, LA on 3/7/1961, passed away on 07/04/23 at her residence in Walker.Barbara is survived by her daughter Tara Wilkinson (Benji) of Hammond, LA, sister Antoinette Toney-Greer of South Carolina, brother Anthony Lipari of Gonzales, LA, niece Dedrie Bingham (Ray), nephew Jarrett Lipari and niece Malory Lipari.She is preceded in death by father Tony...

James Edward “Jimmy” Oxner, Jr. transitioned from this life on July 10, 2023. Born in Mobile, AL on October 30th, 1960. He was a resident of Maurepas, LA. He attended Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge and followed along in his father’s footsteps at a young age. He was an excellent heavy crane operator for forty three years until he...

Lawrence Berry, age 59, went to his heavenly home unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.  He was born in Poplarville, MS and raised in Arabi, LA with his late father and mother, Betty S. Berry.  It was nothing for him and the love of his life to get in the truck and just start driving, going nowhere in particular, letting...

Kenneth J. Raye Sr., age 76, passed away July 19th 2023. Kenneth, better known to most as Kenny, was married to his wife Kathryn for 52 years. He was a devoted father, grandfather, and cowboy through and through. Kenny was born in Baton Rouge, La. As a child, he received his first pair of cowboy boots and his dreams of...

Grady Wyatt Jones, aged 79 and a resident of Pine Grove, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2023 at North Oaks hospital in Hammond, Louisiana after a long battle with emphysema. Grady was born on a small rural farm outside of Shuqualak, Mississippi on September 21, 1943 – the sixth of eight children. As a young man, he loved...

Helen Grace Hebert departed this world after faithfully finishing her race on Sunday, July 16, 2023. Helen was born Helen “Grace” Rogers on September 1st, 1940, the youngest of six children to Parents Thomas and Maline Rogers in New Orleans, Louisiana. She graduated from St. Amant High School in 1960. She married Willie Hebert on December 21, 1962 and began...

Curtis Louis Melancon, a resident of St. Amant, passed away on July 14, 2023, at age 69. Curtis was a Master Plumber and Deisel Mechanic by trade.  He was a member of Local Union 198.  Curtis enjoyed helping and spending time with his family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter D. Melancon and Anna Mae...

Born 10/24/1956, Washington, DC Sherrie Smallwood passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the age of 67. She passed from complications from her courageous lifelong battle with Type 1 diabetes. Sherrie was the beloved sister of Judy Smallwood-Cowsert and Michael Smallwood. She was an animal lover who enjoyed caring for her pets, including dogs, cats, horses, a tortoise, and...

Amari Mae Wade, a resident of LaPlace, LA, died July 11, 2023 at the age of 3 ½ months.   She is the beloved daughter of Anastasia Wade and Dominick Roubique; granddaughter of Brandy Wade, Billy Pitre, Susan Roubique Gray and Timothy Gray; great-grandparents, Amy Roubique, Carl Roubique and Kathy Roubique, and Lonnie and Cathy Wade; niece of Katie Wade, Alan...

Alyssa Brooke Hollingsworth, 30, went to live forever with Jesus, after a brief illness, on July 16th, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. We are certain that she is praising, singing, and dancing before the Lord. Our comfort comes from knowing that she is in His presence. Alyssa was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on October 2nd, 1992. She was...

Denise Van Schoyck passed away from this life at home in Baton Rouge, on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the age of 72.  Denise was born in Elmhurst, Il and graduated from Glenbard East High School in Lombard.  During high school she was active in Job’s Daughters and served as an Honor Queen.  She graduated with Honors from Southern Methodist...

George Alexander “Al” Stuart, III, has finally found peace on June 30, 2023 after 44 years of hard living. Starting January 13, 1979, when he was born at Earl K. Long Hospital in Baton Rouge, LA, the beloved son of George A Stuart, Jr and Carol Cox Stuart, and brother to Suzanne Stuart Merrill and brother-in-law to Arthur Merrill. He...

Marvin Glen Atchley was born in Mark Tree Ar.  He was 73 years old. He was born on December 22,1949. He passed away at Baton Rouge General on Bluebonnet in Baton Rouge, LA due to health conditions on July 12,2023. he is survived by two daughters Felena Merritt of Denham Springs, LA and a son in law Tommy Merritt of...