Local Obituaries
for Families in Lake Charles, Louisiana
JoAnn Becnel
Jun 6, 2026
JoAnn Becnel, 72, of Iowa, LA, passed away on June 6, 2026, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by family.
Born on January 3, 1954, in Church Point, LA, JoAnn was the child of Terlin and Viola Higginbotham. She grew up in Iowa, LA, and graduated from Iowa High School. She worked as a dental assistant for over 40 years.
JoAnn's...
Neil Warner Duhon
Jun 6, 2026
Neil Warner Duhon, 87, of Lake Charles passed away at 3:20 AM on Saturday, June 6, 2026 in his residence.
Born in Lake Charles on October 3, 1938, he was a proud graduate of LaGrange Senior High School, where he excelled as a star student. After graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army and served for two and a...
Collins Elizabeth Cooper
Jun 4, 2026
Collins Elizabeth Cooper passed away on June 4, 2026.
Collins was wild and free, full of life, and completely fearless. It only took a few seconds to fall in love with her. She was a daredevil little girl with a big personality and an even bigger heart.
She knew her people and never met a stranger. Outgoing and full of confidence, Collins...
Brad James Mallett
Jun 3, 2026
Today, we say goodbye to our son, Brad.
It is hard to put into words what Brad meant to us and to so many others. Like all families, we shared good times and difficult times, victories and struggles. But through it all, one thing never changed Brad had a big heart and cared deeply about the people and animals he loved.
From...
Jerry Michael Davis
Jun 2, 2026
Jerry Michael Davis, of Westlake, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2026. He was 86 years old.Jerry was born in Olla, Louisiana on November 17, 1939, to Inez and Buddy Davis. He was raised in LaSalle Parish and remained proud of his North Louisiana roots throughout his life.After graduating from LaSalle High School, Jerry joined the United States Navy...
Billy Joe Smith
Jun 2, 2026
Billy Jo Smith of Lake Charles passed away on June 2, 2026.
He loved cooking, fishing, and spending time with the people he cared about most. His favorite place in the world was on the river with a fishing pole in hand.
For many years, Billy made his home at Grand Cove Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. While he was naturally a private...
Deanna Marie Daw
May 31, 2026
Deanna Daw, 76, passed away peacefully at home on May 31, 2026, surrounded by those who loved her most.
Deanna spent many years as a childcare provider in DeQuincy, Louisiana, where she touched the lives of countless children and families. She was especially known for helping single mothers by providing loving and affordable childcare. Her caring heart, generous spirit, and...
Clara Maurice Murrell "Maurice"
May 31, 2026
Clara Maurice Woolfolk Murrell passed away at her home in Lake Charles on May 31,2026 at the age of 98.
She was a talented and creative woman who loved sewing, knitting, crocheting, and just about any craft that involved a needle and thread. If there was something that could be made by hand, she could do it. She spent countless...
Wilson Joseph Guidry
May 31, 2026
Wilson Joseph “Chee Wee” Guidry passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He was born on May 15, 1947, in Sulphur, Louisiana, to Arthur and Elodie Castille Guidry.
Chee Wee was a simple man with a generous heart. He lived life in his own steady way and found joy in the things he loved most. In...
Guy Rich "Richie" Plauche
May 30, 2026
Guy Rich "Richie" Plauché, 76, passed away on May 30, 2026, in the peace of his home.
Richie grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and was often described as a bit of a menace on Helen Street and the surrounding neighborhoods. He never tired of telling stories from those early years, and over time they became family lore that will be...
Linda Ducote Bouzigard
May 30, 2026
Linda Ducote Bouzigard passed away on May 30, 2026 in the late afternoon at Sage Oak memory care facility in Lake Charles.
Linda was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, caregiver, and friend. A graduate of Hotel Dieu School of Nursing in New Orleans, Louisiana, Class of 1961, she dedicated more than 30 years of her life to caring for others....
Janlyn Arleen Hoffpauir
May 30, 2026
Janlyn Arleen “Jan” Bowdoin Hoffpauir, 87, of Sulphur, passed away Saturday May 30, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 22, 1938, to Artie and Nan Bowdoin and lived her entire life in Sulphur.
She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She worked at Calcasieu Marine Bank for many years and later opened a local monogram...
Pamela Fay Broach Cloar
May 30, 2026
Pamela Fay Broach Cloar, 69, of Topsy passed away at 3:15 AM on Saturday, May 30, 2026 in a local hospice facility.
Mrs. Cloar was born on November 30, 1956, in Mayfield, Kentucky, where she was raised and graduated from Mayfield High School. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Bethel University in McKenzie, TN, obtained a master's degree...
D. J. East
May 29, 2026
D. J. East, 81, of Hackberry, Louisiana, passed away on Friday, May 29, 2026, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. D. J. was born on January 20, 1945, in Hackberry, Louisiana, to Mann and Cecile Labove East.
A true son of Hackberry, he spent much of his life on the water as a commercial fisherman and was known as the first to bring...
Ellery Atwood Speight
May 28, 2026
"Life is good, and I'm happy."
Ellery Atwood Speight, 97, passed away peacefully on Thursday May 28, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on December 31, 1928, to Joseph Walker and Leola Burke Speight. Ellery grew up on a farm and cattle ranch in Pine Flat, Louisiana, alongside his two brothers. After graduating from Negreet High School, he attended...
Eldridge "Sonny" Theriot
May 27, 2026
"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
Eldridge Paul Theriot, Jr. (Sonny) was called Home to our Lord on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 8:40PM.
Sonny was born on April 19, 1948 and raised in New Iberia, Louisiana. He graduated from Catholic High in 1966, then went on to...
Austin Joe Hayes Borders
May 27, 2026
Austin Joe Hayes Borders, 30, of Ragley passed away at 12:29 PM on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 in an Alexandria hospital.
Born on March 25, 1996, in Vandalia, Illinois, he spent much of his childhood moving from place to place as part of a military family while his father served in the armed forces. Twenty years ago, his family settled in DeRidder, where...
Candace Vincent
May 27, 2026
Candace Montgomery Vincent passed away on May 27, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
Born and raised in Sulphur, Louisiana, Candace was born to Harry Montgomery and the late Dorothy “Dot” Montgomery.
Candace was the beloved spouse of the late Bradley Vincent and the parent of one child, Heidi Vincent. Candace was also the Nanny “Brown Nanny” of Bradlei Farnum, Sailor Rose, Georgi’ Mais’,...
Helen Marie Oliver Fusilier
May 27, 2026
Helen Marie Oliver Fusilier, 80, of Lake Charles passed away at 6:15 AM on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 in a local care facility.
Born on January 8, 1946, in Crowley, Ms. Fusilier was raised there and attended Crowley High School. As an adult, she moved to Lake Charles, where she made her home for her family. She had a love for dancing and cooking...
James Davis Balfa
May 27, 2026
James was born and raised in Mamou, La. He was a 1959 graduate of Mamou High School, where he excelled in basketball and volleyball. During high school, he met Jackie Manuel, the love of his life. After a year of study at Southwestern Louisiana Institute, he married Jackie and they moved to Westlake, La.
James first trained to be a butcher...
