Local Obituaries
for Families in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Logan Tyler Chiasson
Aug 2, 2023
Logan Tyler Chiasson, born in Lafayette, Louisiana on May 18, 1997, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2023 in a local hospital, at the age of 26. Logan was a graduate of Iowa High School, where he excelled in football and baseball. He was employed by Colorado Shed Company as a carpenter. Prior to moving back to Colorado in May, Logan...
Melinda Smith Helton
Aug 2, 2023
Melinda Jean Smith passed from this life on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at her home in Moss Bluff, LA.
Melinda was born on August, 16, 1965 in Slidell, LA. She was the fourth child of William Delous Smith and Nelda Seal Smith. She was a graduate of Salmen High School, class of 1983, and continued her education at McNeese...
Dr. Michael Leo Kudla
Aug 2, 2023
Dr. Michael Leo Kudla, 76, passed away on August 2, 2023. He was born in Austin, Texas on June 24, 1947 to Elizabeth “Betty” and Norman Kudla. Michael lived throughout Southern Louisiana as a child and graduated from Buras High School where he had fond memories of playing football and being on the debate team. He attended Michigan State University...
Brett Layne Bares
Aug 1, 2023
Brett Layne Bares, 68, of Carlyss, passed away on August 1, 2023. Brett was raised in Carlyss and was a graduate of Sulphur High School. He was known by many as the “cable guy” for his 47 years of service at Cameron Communications. He was an avid fisherman who loved everyone he met. Brett had a true gift for hospitality...
Leitha Belle Fisher
Aug 1, 2023
Leitha Belle Fisher, died peacefully at 2:11 AM on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 in a Dequincy care center after a lengthy illness.
She was born in Crowley, Louisiana, on February 20, 1942, and moved as a young child with her family to DeQuincy, Maplewood and then Lake Charles. She graduated from LaGrange High School, where she was known for...
Jacklyn Renee Russell
Jul 31, 2023
Jacklyn Renee Guillory was born December 17, 1992 in Lake Charles, LA.
In the words of Janice Trachtman “Everything is within your power, and your power is within you.
Her small stature was no indication of the abundance of strength, tenacity, and love she possessed. In the thirty years she lived on this Earth, she overcame numerous obstacles;...
Norma Jean Glendenning
Jul 31, 2023
Norma Jean Glendenning, 87, passed away on July 31, 2023. She was born on September 17, 1935 in Litchfield, Nebraska to Henry and Rena (Cornford) Eichelberger, the youngest of five children.
At the age of 3, she moved to near Sabetha, Kansas and attended country grade schools through the eighth grade. She completed her high school education through American Schools...
Jarvis Devere Williamson
Jul 31, 2023
Jarvis DeVere Williamson, 71, of Lake Charles, LA., died Monday, July 31, 2023 at his residence. Jarvis was born on September 25, 1951 in DeRidder, LA. to J.B. and Betty Williamson. He spent his childhood years in DeRidder and moved to Lake Charles when he was a teenager.
He served his country as a member of the National Guard. ...
Zachariah Grant Donahue
Jul 30, 2023
Our beautiful Zach, you have leveled up in this game we call life. There are not enough words to describe the void we already feel, but knowing you are victorious with Jesus gives us peace beyond all understanding. The world measures strength by the physical, but your spirit was immeasurable. You are the strongest man we know. The way you...
Theresa Ann Ravia Mcdaniel
Jul 30, 2023
Theresa Ann Ravia McDaniel, born in Lake Charles on October 22, 1958, daughter of Edwin Lloyd and Weida Clara (Welch) Ravia, passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at the age of 64. A graduate of Hackberry High, Theresa attended Sowela Technical College for 2 years. Occupational & Medical Clinic of Lake Charles employed her, where she was loved...
Frances Marie Bertrand
Jul 29, 2023
Frances Marie Bertrand, 94, of Lake Charles, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family. A native and lifelong resident of Lake Charles, Frances was born on April 21, 1929 to Harry and Minnie Hinton and spent her career as a hairdresser.
She was preceded in death by her husband; Warner Bertrand,...
Jimmy L. Gwatney Sr.
Jul 29, 2023
Chief Jimmy L. Gwatney, 85, of Lake Charles passed away at 10:35 PM on Saturday, July 29, 2023 in his residence.
Chief Gwatney was born in Bakersfield, California. He came to Lake Charles in 1943. He was a graduate of LaGrange High School and attended McNeese State University where he studied Criminology. Chief Gwatney served with the United States Army...
Benny Ray Stracener
Jul 28, 2023
Benny Ray Stracener was the youngest of five children born to Beaver Ray and Dorothy Fay Shirley Stracener. He was born in DeRidder, LA on March 6, 1962, and passed away July 28, 2023.He was a country boy at heart, growing up in the woods of Dry Creek, he loved to hunt and fish. He lived life by his own...
Jean Goforth Braswell
Jul 28, 2023
Jean Elizabeth Goforth Braswell, 98, of Richmond, Texas, formerly of Lake Charles, passed away peacefully on Friday July 28, 2023.
Jean was a native and longtime resident of the Lake Charles area. She graduated from Lake Charles High School in 1942 and retired as a secretary from the McGraw-Hill company. Jean enjoyed bowling and was a member of the “200”...
Marshall Wayne Nolen, Sr.
Jul 28, 2023
Marshall Wayne Nolen, Sr. 75, of Lake Charles, passed away July 28, 2023 at his residence. A native of Elizabeth, LA., Marshall was born on March 19, 1948 to Marshall and Lucinda Martin Nolen.
Marshall was a longtime resident of the Lake Charles area, he was an avid hunter, loved fishing and was always happy when he was riding his...
Roy Joseph "Rj" Dugas Jr.
Jul 27, 2023
Roy Joseph Dugas, Jr., 83, died peacefully at home on July 27, 2023, surrounded by his three loving daughters. Visitation will be held at Johnson and Brown Funeral Home of Iowa on Saturday, July 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Iowa. Cremation is under...
Debra Sue Walter
Jul 27, 2023
Debra Sue Walter 61, of Sulphur, La., passed away on July 27, 2023. She was born on July 13, 1962, in Sulphur, La., to Wallace and Margie Berry. Debra was a fun-loving person that knew how to enjoy life. She loved fishing, camping, kayaking, painting, growing plants, some quiet time while reading, and cooking. She worked as a custodian with...
Todd Ryan Ashworth
Jul 26, 2023
Todd Ryan Ashworth, 34, of DeQuincy Louisiana, passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport.
Todd was born on June 2, 1989 in Lake Charles, Louisiana to Roger Ashworth and Monica Gearen Bruno. He was a graduate of Barbe High School, class of 2007. He received many outstanding athletic achievements during his early high school...
Keegan Samuel Jeane
Jul 26, 2023
Keegan Samuel Jeane passed away July 26, 2023 at the age of 19. He was born October 6, 2003 in Atlanta, GA. He was the son of James B. (Jessica) Jeane Sr. and Sunshine H. Gay.
Keegan had a passion for many active hobbies including lifeguarding, jujitsu, cross country running, tumbling and wrestling. He loved to make people laugh...
Carol Ann Watson
Jul 26, 2023
Carol Ann Watson, 88, passed away on July 26, 2023 while residing at Sage Oak in Lake Charles, LA.
Carol was born on Christmas Day in 1934, in Lafayette, LA to Hilda Martin and Willis P. LeBlanc, Sr. She was a graduate of Sulphur High School who served as a rodeo queen. She participated in many social activities such as...
