Local Obituaries
for Families in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Edward Frederick Runte
Jan 11, 2026
A faithful servant and devoted father, Freddie was called home to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Freddie was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and proudly played on the 1958 Lake Charles High School State Championship Football Team. His passion and talent for the game continued into his collegiate years, earning him All-American honors and induction into...
Christina Taylor
Jan 9, 2026
Christina "Tina" Vincent Taylor, 79, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 9, 2026. Tina was born to Marida Ida Cain and Christopher Vincent on February 23, 1946, in Sulphur, Louisiana.
Christina (Tina) was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt who loved everyone unconditionally. She let her love for the Lord shine through her with a kind and loving...
Michael Julius Daigle
Jan 8, 2026
Michael Julius Daigle, 75, of Iowa, LA passed away Thursday, January 8, 2026 in a local hospital.
Mr. Daigle was born July 9,1950 in Jennings, LA to George Raphael Daigle and Frances Payne Daigle. He was a graduate of Lacassine High School and studied Business Agriculture at McNeese State University. He worked thirty years farming Rice and Soybeans on his family...
Eldon R. Bailey
Jan 8, 2026
Eldon Robert Bailey, age 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in The Woodlands, Texas. A native and lifelong resident of Lake Charles, Eldon was born on August 23, 1935, to Eldridge “Bo” Bailey and Willis “Bill” Fisher Bailey.
Eldon’s life was marked by faith, dedication, and a deep love for learning. A 1953 graduate of Lake Charles High...
Gene McClenith Augustine
Jan 8, 2026
We are sad to share that Gene McClenith Augustine, a beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026, at the age of 88. Born on September 20, 1937, in Oberlin, LA, Gene was the son of Jessie James and Mary Usta Carrier Augustine.
Gene lived a full life, having grown up in Fenton where he developed a...
Deborah Kaye Baronet
Jan 6, 2026
Deborah Kaye White Baronet, 73, of Lake Charles, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. She was born on December 12, 1952 to Shelton E. and Cora Pourteau White in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Debbie was a lifelong resident of Southwest Louisiana and a proud graduate of East Beauregard High School. She later attended McNeese State...
Floella "Flo" Marie Thibodeaux Ellender
Jan 6, 2026
Floella Marie Thibodeaux Ellender, age 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Flo was born on October 18, 1942, to Lula Richard Thibodeaux and Charley Thibodeaux. She was a devoted woman of faith who loved the Lord and her church dearly. Flo cherished time spent with her family and found joy in sewing, crocheting,...
Charles "Buddy" Larkin Bean
Jan 5, 2026
Charles "Buddy" Larkin Bean, 89, passed away Monday, January 5, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 12, 1936, to Katherine Tate Bean and Vernon Hudson Bean Sr.
Buddy proudly served in the Navy. He worked as a welder at PPG, where he retired. He was an avid gun collector and loved the outdoors, especially deer hunting and...
Myrtis Kay
Jan 4, 2026
Myrtis Mary Kay passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and caregiver whose life was centered around love, family, and service to others.
Myrtis was a full-time mom, a cherished "Granny," and a caregiver in every sense of the word. She met the love of...
Bufford Henry LeJeune
Jan 3, 2026
Bufford Henry LeJeune, 86, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 3, 2026. He was born on June 19, 1939, in Mowata, Louisiana, to Elie and Ursula Cormier LeJeune, and was raised on a rice farm where he learned the value of hard work, self-reliance, and faith.
A skilled carpenter by trade, Bufford was known for working with...
Mary Jane Smith Forestier
Jan 2, 2026
MARY JANE SMITH FORESTIER
JULY 25, 1935 – JANUARY 2, 2026
Mary Jane Smith Forestier, a woman of Catholic faith was born on July 25, 1935 to Paul Smith, Sr. and Mary Smith in Eunice, Louisiana. She was a graduate of Hathaway High School. Mary passed peacefully at Harbor Hospice of Lake Charles on January 2, 2026. She was a member of...
Acelynn Annette Moss
Jan 1, 2026
Acelynn Annette Moss, 1 ½, passed away on January 1, 2026. She was a loving little sister to Averi. They were best friends. Acelynn loved everyone.
Acelynn is survived by her loving parents, Bradley Moss and Kristin Bass; her sister, Averi; grandparents, Connie Moss and Benjamin Bass; great grandmother, Sherry Bass; and extended family.
Services for Acelynn will be held on Monday,...
Lisa Marie Solari Baggett
Jan 1, 2026
Lisa Solari Baggett
October 14, 1968- January 1, 2026
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lisa Solari Baggett, age 57, of Lake Charles, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026 in a local hospital. She was born on October 14, 1968 to James P. Solari, Sr. and Phyllis Crawford Solari in Lake Charles, LA. She graduated from St. Louis Catholic High School where she played...
Janice Marie Maggio
Jan 1, 2026
Janice Marie Tillman Maggio was born on March 18, 1951, in Orange, TX. A resident of Vinton, she passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026.
She is survived by her children Kim Maggio (Kevin Augustine), Carlo Maggio (Kalli), her brother Clem Tillman (Kathy), sisters Gwen Romero and Tricia Bacon, her grandchildren Johnny Trahan, III, Samantha Ardoin (Christian), Honor, Charlee, Myles, Manny...
Roy Lee McCollough
Jan 1, 2026
Roy Lee McCollough, the second son of Bryce and Bertha McCollough of the Peason Community, was born May 29, 1949, and passed into the Arms of the Lord on January 1, 2026. Roy was raised in the Peason Community and attended school at Mount Carmel High School and at Florien High School where he graduated in the Class of 1968....
Roy Benoit Jr.
Dec 31, 2025
Roy "RJ" Benoit Jr. Obituary
Roy Joseph Benoit Jr. was born January 12, 1945 and left his earthly life December 31, 2025. Roy was raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana and was a graduate of Landry Memorial High School where he lettered in football, basketball and track. He was a resident of Moss Bluff, Louisiana for over 40 years and a parishioner...
Darbina Hanks
Dec 31, 2025
Darbina Kay Hanks, 61, went to be with the lord on Dec 31, 2025. Darbina, beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, was born on Aug 3, 1964, in Bremerhaven, Germany. where her dad served with the US Air Force, and later moved to Frankfurt, Germany. She later traveled with her family while her dad served in the Air...
Donald Eugene Vital
Dec 30, 2025
Donald "Duck" Eugene Vital was born on September 23, 1953, to Lee Sr. and Carrie Vital. He departed this life on December 30, 2025. Donald was baptized at ZTBC under Rev. Herman Weston, where he faithfully served as an usher and doorkeeper for the Lord.
Donald found joy in the open road. He began his career as a cross-country driver for...
Brian Kelly Townsend
Dec 29, 2025
Brian Kelly Townsend, age 51, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025. Brian was born on March 29, 1974, in Lake Charles to the late Cornelius Carroll Townsend and Patricia Salsbury Townsend.
Kelly grew up in Southwest Louisiana, but lived a good part of his life in Kansas City, Missouri, and then in Ruston, Louisiana before...
Mary Jean Miller
Dec 29, 2025
Mary Jean Miller was a woman of unwavering faith, deep compassion, and unconditional love.
Born on October 3, 1942, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Melvin and Olevia Lubin, Mary’s life was firmly rooted in her devotion to God and her commitment to family. On December 29, 2025, she passed away peacefully at her home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, surrounded by loved...
