Mark & Denise Talbot

Mark Arnold Talbot was born July 7, 1960 in Kinder, LA. The son of James “Jimmy” and Dean (Benoit) Talbot, he was an athlete and graduate of both Iowa High (class of 1978) and McNeese State (class of 1983), where he played football until sustaining a knee injury. Mark worked part-time as a pre-loader at UPS while attending college. After working his way up, he later retired as a supervisor with them in 1995. Mark went on to work as owner/operator from 1994 – 1997 for Talbot Builders, a residential construction company he established. Mark was a natural born teacher who loved to help and advise others, so it was no surprise in 1998 when he began his career as a Financial Advisor. He advised and mentored new representatives for various companies. Most notably serving previously as Managing Director for Northwestern Mutual’s Lake Charles Office, and presently as Managing Associate for Guardian Life.

Sharon “Denise” Talbot was born July 16, 1961. The daughter of Wilfred “T-Boy” and Bernice (LeJeune) Ardoin, she was an athlete and graduate of Lacassine High School (class of 1979). Denise attended McNeese while working part-time at Joseph’s Shoes in Lake Charles where Mark eventually worked along side her. She went on to work for Conoco in the Lafayette office where she enjoyed many years. Denise later obtained her real estate license to work side by side with Mark for Talbot Builders, selling the homes they built. She also had a passion and eye for interior design, and enjoyed using that passion to create magazine worthy houses. Denise went on to work as a recruiter for Northwestern Mutual in Lake Charles for many years, and was also an extra in many well-known films. Nurturing her creative talent, Denise became a known and avid author of Children’s books, and she loved writing poetry and short stories as well.

Mark and Denise were truly a package deal. Through careers and traveling, they did everything together. From the streets and balconies of the French Quarter to their walks with Raine, chickens and backyard gardening in Iowa, family gatherings and field trips with their hunny bunnies, they celebrated life. They were a phone call away and would drop everything when you needed them. No questions asked. A soft place to land for all who knew them, their home always has an open door, a cold Dr. Pepper, a hot cup of coffee, or whatever you needed. There was always a blanket on the couch with your name on it and music always filled the background. If you were lucky, Denise was cooking while Mark was playing guitar and singing. If you were a stranger, you weren’t one for long. They believed in living life to the fullest and that’s exactly what they did. Their greatest gift was to love and they both loved with every fiber of their being.

Mark and Denise are survived by their children, Sarah Talbot Stanford and husband, Blake; Laura Talbot and life partner, Jeremy Lowery; Matthew Talbot, and favorite child, “Raine”; grandchildren, Skylar, Sydney, James, Cruz, Lilliana and Matteo. In addition, survivors include their siblings; Kevin Talbot and wife Lisa; Dina Matt and husband, Marvin, Billy Ardoin and wife, Robin, Wendall Ardoin, Karen Gotreaux and husband, Scott, Lisa Coots and husband, Dwayne, Anne LeBlanc and husband, Kevin.

Mark is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Duffy and Laura Mae Benoit; paternal grandparents, Joseph “Aless” and Beatrice Talbot. Denise is preceded in death by her father, Wilfred “T-Boy” Ardoin; maternal grandparents, Paul and Ethel LeJeune; paternal grandparents, Asa and Rose Ardoin; 2 angel grandbabies; nephew, William Cody Ardoin; niece, Hannah Marie Ardoin.

Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the Lacassine Community Center, 310 Community Center Road, Lacassine, LA, from 3:00 PM until. In honor of Mark and Denise and their love of New Orleans traditions, A Second Line will be held before the Celebration of Life, all are welcome to participate. Line-up is at 2:00 PM with the Second Line beginning at 2:30 PM