Carolyn "Collie" Rouyer

Carolyn "Collie" Rouyer died in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family on October 6, 2026.

She was born at Lake Charles Air Force Base on October 30, 1944 to Ann Hodges and James Rouyer. She delighted in telling stories of growing up in Lake Charles in a close knit neighborhood on Cleveland Street. If you wanted to hear stories of old Lake Charles, Collie had quite a few to tell. She knew the "fight songs" of Central School and Lake Charles High, a proud graduate of both. If you want to picture her growing up, please picture her on Cleveland Street selling lemonade and later expanding into funny books (she was an entrepreneur even then). Or you might imagine her in rural Mississippi plowing cotton fields with her maternal grandfather "Papa Hodges" and his horse Fred. Another image could be of her with the Kiltie bass drum that was almost bigger than she was and calling "guide right" in a big voice that came from a very petite body. Collie traveled widely as an adult and yet was always happy to return to Lake Charles.

Colie attended McNeese State University and fully participated in Chi Omega sorority serving as Rush Chairman and after graduation she became a chapter advisor. Her first job was working for La. State Child Welfare Department; later she went into radio sales and became a successful sales manager, one of the first women in Lake Charles to have that position. But eventually the old entrepreneurial lemonade stand spirit caught up with her and she started two businesses, Rouyer Land Services and Corporate Housing, Inc. During these busy working years she found the time to be a co-founder of Hobo Hotel for Cats in 1999. One of the joys of her life was to see the community embrace and support this no kill cat rescue and adoption center that is going strong in 2026.

Collie is survived by her sister, Jane Alcock (Jim); nephew, Chris Alcock; niece, Jennifer Sarvaunt (Rico); and great nephew, Houston Sarvaunt.

Her memory will be cherished by Bette Talbot, her companion in many life adventures, travels, businesses, cat rescues, and most importantly a rich life of mutual support and love. Bette's extended family embraced Collie and delighted in her humor and her ability to find a costume for every occasion. Those left to cherish her memory are Bette's sisters, Maureen Miller (CA), Suzy Wilson (Bill), Tina Talbot, and deceased sister, Denise Arnold (Chick); nieces and nephews, Melissa Greenwell (Scott), John Miller (Rebecca), Mark Miller (Jennifer), Matt Ruse, Mick Burchfield (Marianna), Raven Talbot (Jen), Robbie Talbot (Kellie), Sarah Roberts (Ryan), Lauren Smith (Dylan), Christine Azcona (Jeff), and numerous great nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to St. Patrick's Hospital, Amedysis Home Health, and Heart of Hospice for their care in the last months of Collie's life.

Johnson Funeral Home will handle cremation and private graveside services for immediate family.

If you are so led a donation can be made to Hobo Hotel for Cats, PO Box 810, Lake Charles, LA 70602 or maybe even better-adopt a pet from a shelter.