In Loving Memory. October-December 2024

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IN LOVING

emory

October-December, 2023

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AMERICAN PRESS FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024

IN LOVING

emory

OBITUARY & REMEMBRANCE TRIBUTE FEATURE

During a family's time of sorrow, we want to reflect on the lives of those who have recently passed.

The American Press offers a special quarterly feature to commemorate and honor those we have lost in our community.

Brought to you by

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024 AMERICAN PRESS

James Abercrombie 85 12/09/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Betty Augustine 94 10/1/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Kimberly Benoit 53 09/02/2023

Marilyn Bourque 81 10/01/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

David Abshire 92 12/09/2023 Johnson & Brown Funeral Home

Louanna Aymond 83 12/24/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Eula Benoit 97 10/22/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Dorothy Bowes 83 12/11/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Donald Ackel 90 11/28/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Charlene Baham 71 11/09/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Paula Benoit Thibodeaux 70 12/08/2023 Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home

Mitchell Breaux 63 10/28/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Robert Adams Jr.

Edward Ball 81 12/16/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Lawrence Bordelon 61 11/01/2023

Herlene Broussard 93 10/10/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Sandra Anderson 78 12/03/2023

Carlton Barker Sr. 77 11/28/2023 Semien Lewis Mortuary

Evangeline Boullion 77 11/2/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Michael Broussard 75 11/19/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Edward Aucoin 96 11/01/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Edwina Bell 90 11/28/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Helen Bourque 99 09/30/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Monica Broussard

Stevens’ Funeral Home

Stevens’ Funeral Home

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AMERICAN PRESS FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024

Andrew Bushnell 30 12/09/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Margaret Catalon 72 11/13/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Elizabeth Clark 89 11/24/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

John Daigle Jr. 75 12/13/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Anita Byrd 84 11/21/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Roy Champagne 92 11/20/2023 Riley Smith Funeral Home

Darrell Colman 55 10/23/2023

Gladie Darbonne 87 10/21/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Margaret Campbell 74 10/04/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

John Chavis Jr. 73 10/21/2023 Kings Funeral Home

Carolyn Conner

Wanda Darbonne 77 10/24/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Donald Campbell 84 11/16/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Andrew Cherhoniak 69 09/11/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Leonard Conner 73 12/19/2023

Joy David 59 11/28/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Betty Canfield 96 12/14/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Ann Cherp 74 11/16/2023 Riley Smith Funeral Home

Theodore Cormier 83 12/18/2023

Charlotte David 67 11/29/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Carl Cascio 76 12/16/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

John Chiasson 82 11/19/2023

Natalie Cryer 88 04/15/2023 Caruth-Hale Funeral Home

Hilda Davis 91 11/23/2023 Johnson & Robison Funeral Home

12/16/2023 Memoriams Obits

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024 AMERICAN PRESS

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AMERICAN PRESS FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024

Johnson J hnson Family Jo F mily Fa l of o Funeral Funeral Homes H mes Ho e

Locally Owned & Proudly Serving SWLA For Over 40 Years Johnson Funeral Home

Miguez Funeral Home

Lake Charles, LA | (337) 478-8687 Moss Bluff, LA | (337) 426-8006

Jennings, LA | (337) 824-1862 Lake Arthur, LA | (337) 824-1862

Simple Traditions

by Johnson Funeral Home

Johnson & Robison Funeral Home

Lake Charles, LA | (337) 429-5512 www.SimpleTraditionsByJohnson.com

Sulphur, LA | (337) 528-0240 01095086

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024 AMERICAN PRESS

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Kevin Davis 60 12/21/2023 Lakeside Funeral Home

Garland Derouen 71 12/16/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Geraldine Fitz-Gerald 88 10/1/2023 Hixson-Snider Funeral Home

Greg Foreman 69 05/08/1954 Johnson & Robison Funeral Home

Joseph Davis 96 12/24/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

William Desselle 66 10/08/2023

Marilyn Flavin 94 09/28/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

John Fruge Jr. 42 8/7/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Katherine DeBernardi 86 11/27/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Claude Doran 68 11/22/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Patsy Fletcher 72 12/19/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Burchman Fruge’ 96 12/9/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Adam DeBoest 87 11/13/2023

Jonna Doucet 57 10/3/2023

Kevin Fonerat 67 10/7/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Russell Fuselier 64 11/07/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Roger B. Dennen 86 12/19/2023 Memoriams Obits

Rawlond Dupre 89 11/07/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Selma Fontenot 82 10/6/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Shannon Fuselier Sr. 82 12/08/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Dolores DeRouen 85 10/14/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Durphy Esthay 87 12/17/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

John Fontenot 75 11/04/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Joseph Gilbert Sr. 64 11/19/2023 Lakeside Funeral Home

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AMERICAN PRESS FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024

Melda Gillard 93 10/28/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Elcie Guillory 89 09/26/2023

Geneva Haymark 100 10/18/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Oswald James Sr. 80 11/10/2023 Kings Funeral Home

Millard Golemon 82 10/24/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Zula Hanagriff 93 12/11/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Billie Hicks 75 12/03/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Marie Jenkins 90 11/04/2023 James Funeral Home

Robert Grady Jr. 76 10/02/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Kirby Hardy 81 09/29/2023

Louis Hoffpauir 89 11/18/2023 Johnson & Robison Funeral Home

Herbert Johnson 81 11/8/2023 Combre Funeral Home

James Gray 87 10/16/2023 Myers Colonial Funeral Home

Kamryn Harmon 16 10/15/2023 Kings Funeral Home

Glyn Howell 84 12/25/2023 Johnson & Robison Funeral Home

Ned Johnson Jr. 81 10/22/2023 Professional Funeral Services

Anna Green

Arthur Harper 80 12/22/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Sherry Hudson 76 10/31/2023 Heritage Funeral Home

James Joseph 97 11/17/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Cecelia Guidry 91 12/13/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Rita Harvey 87 10/27/2023 Johnson & Robison Funeral Home

Annemarie James 94 12/23/2023 Myers Colonial Funeral Home

Annie Joseph Wiliams 10/29/2023 James Funeral Home

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024 AMERICAN PRESS

REMEMBER ME Don't remember me with sadness, Don't remember me with tears, Remember all the laughter, We've shared throughout the years.

Now I am contented That my life is was worthwhile, Knowing that I passed along the way I made somebody smile.

When you are walking down the street And you've got me on your mind, I'm walking in your footsteps Only half a step behind.

So please don't be unhappy Just because I'm out of sight, Remember that I'm with you Each morning, noon, and night.

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AMERICANPRESS PRESSFRIDAY, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2024 1010AMERICAN JANUARY 26,26, 2024

Curating Community & Comfort on the opportunity. She went in for an interview on a lunch break, and never looked back.

“I walked into that funeral home, and I felt like that was the place that I needed to be.”

Johnson and Brown Funeral Home is the first funeral home in Iowa.

The Johnson’s chose the location because it is an ideal central location that connects it to many of the surrounding areas - Lake Charles, Welsh, Bell City, Kinder, Fenton, Hayes, Woodlawn, to name a few. They even have Kelli Brown people from Cameron Almost 14 years ago, Parish come to Iowa for funeral Funeral Director and Owner Kelli services. Johnson said that they Brown Johnson and her husband, attribute their wide clientele reach Joe, founded Johnson and Brown to not only their location, but also Funeral Home in Iowa. Today, their personalized and hands-on they have nurtured not only an service. “It’s the way we interact integral community institution, with our families, the way we but a family. interact with them on visitations.

She originally was in the It’s a continual flow of meeting banking and insurance business, with the family at arrangement but found herself wanting to find time to the final goodbye at the new avenues to provide for people. cemetery. We stay involved and “I felt like there was more that we stay connected with the family could be done, that I could serve throughout the entire process.” better in some other capacity.”

The formality of a funeral When she found out that the service can be daunting, so the funeral home in DeRidder that her Johnson and Brown team takes brother worked at had an opening a personal approach to put those for an office manager, she jumped that walk through the funeral

home’s doors at ease. “We want them to feel like they’re coming into our own personal home.”

At Johnson and Brown Funeral Home, there is a team of five that takes care of its patrons: Johnsons, Wendy Ducat LeDoux, Troy Courville and Howard Harper.

Combined, they have over 130 years of experience in the funeral service field. They all agree, the work is rewarding, humbling and satisfying. From early mornings to late nights to sensitive situations, the unique experiences that they share have created a family within a family that is housed in Johnson and Brown, she said.

“It’s a lot of missed holidays with our own personal families, a lot of missed birthdays, a lot of missed weddings. … As with any relationship, it ebbs and flows.

When one is feeling weak, the other is strong. We can just look at each other and know what needs to be done without even speaking.”

Johnson said that working in funeral services is a “path that chooses you.” This inherent desire to help people during a difficult and sensitive moment in their lives unties the Johnson and Brown team. Together, they are able to support those that use their services. “We’ve all experienced loss in our lives, and so when we meet with families, we can bring our personal experience to the tables and put ourselves in

their shoes. … They’re at their most vulnerable, and we are very sensitive to that.” The job is demanding, but the sacrifice is rewarding.

Through their efforts to curate a community-driven and comforting feeling of home during funeral services, Johnson and Brown has become more than a funeral home. It is a community touchstone for many locals.

“We see families at their lowest, and yet we get invited to their birthday celebrations, weddings, community gatherings. There is just this sense of family. That’s why we do what we do, we love serving others. It’s more of a ministry for us.” They provide more than just funeral services.

They help sponsor local sports teams, support community events and provide for the local senior center.

Being deeply integrated into a small town’s community makes a significant difference.

Ninety-five percent of the people that walk through that door know at least one of the Johnson & Brown team members.

Sometimes, people even stop by in the morning for just a cup of coffee.

“Our doors and hearts are always open.”

Interviewed and Writen By: Emily Burleigh

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024 AMERICAN PRESS 11

Mary Judice Finney 73 12/13/2023

Scot Keasler 09/12/2023

Kenneth Lamb 92 11/3/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf, So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day, Nothing gold can stay.

Rita Legnion 82 12/8/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Sheila MacKay 85 11/30/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Nebert LeJeune Jr. 80 11/12/2023 Riley Smith Funeral Home

Joseph Mansueto Jr. 93 12/26/2023 Martin & Castille Funeral Home

-Robert Frost

Loni Kemp 84 12/9/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Raymond Lastrapes 33 12/03/2023 Kings Funeral Home

James Liggett 77 11/13/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Shon Manuel 57 12/23/2023 Lakeside Funeral Home

Helen Kennedy 75 12/10/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

James Laughlin 94 11/14/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Gary Littleton 61 10/10/2023 Johnson & Robison Funeral Home

Margaret Mason 71

Hazel LaBorde 85 11/27/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

James LeBlanc 84 09/26/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Muirel Littleton 96 11/11/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Catherine Mattingly 89 11/30/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Patsy LaBove 81 12/24/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Dorothy LeBleu 95 11/4/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Lawrence Longenbaugh Jr. 76 10/11/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Zachary Mayo 57 11/28/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

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Eva McBride 67 11/03/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Peggy Michel 92 12/26/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Andrew Moore 41 09/27/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Michael O’Quinn 76 10/24/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Betty McCall 93 11/10/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Joyce Miller 78 10/14/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Jordan Moore 33 10/22/2023 Miguez Funeral Home

Harold O’Quinn 71 11/7/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Keith McFarland 59 10/12/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Maudry Miller 90 11/16/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Lena Mosca 100 12/18/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Pamela Oliver 68 10/28/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Harry McMillin 82 11/28/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Lynn Miller 88 12/05/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Alex Mott 20 11/16/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Jodey Olsen 71 12/22/2023 Johnson & Robison Funeral Home

Lenny Meche 62 10/24/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Patricia Monfore 75 12/18/2023 Humphrey Funeral Service

Billie Nelson 94 10/04/2023

Kristen Orndoff 46 10/12/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Nellwyn Metcalf 83 10/20/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Julia Montague 64 12/24/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

William & Carolyn Newlin 86 & 85 10/21/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Larry D. Petersen 79 10/17/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024 AMERICAN PRESS 13

Why Place An Obituary?

1) To pay tribute to your loved one. Everyone has a unique life story that should be told and preserved. Your loved one’s obituary should include what made their life special -- hobbies, favorite foods, sports, work history, or any other accomplishment that made them stand out.

2) Sharing your loss with the community. The community should know that one of your loved ones has passed away. They might have known them and would like to share in your grief, reach out with condolences, prayers, offers of help, or tell you a story about your loved one that you didn’t know.

3) Help with the grieving process. Remembrance is an important part of grieving. Recounting that person’s history and remembering why that person was important to you and others will help you to get through a difficult time.

4) History. Your loved one is a part of history. Future generations may want to know more about that person and their history. The American Press has been in the SWLA community for more than 125 years and is the local resource for learning about individuals residing in this area.

Need help writing an obituary?

We are here to help!

Scan the QR code or visit https://www.americanpress.com/obituary-writer/ and fill out the form.

We will take it from there and send you a proof along with pricing.

14 AMERICAN PRESS FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024

Our Family Helping Yours

337-786-2999

337-738-3336 1435955

C R E M AT O R Y

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C E M E TA R I E S

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MONUMENTS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024 AMERICAN PRESS 15

John Poerio 90 10/26/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Valerie Reeves 82 10/04/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Laura Robbins 12/03/2023 Memoriams Obits

Pansy Skipper 91 11/29/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Kenneth Potts 76 10/27/2023 Riley Smith Funeral Home

Glenda Reeves Menard

James Shearman 26 10/18/2023

George Slan III 42 12/14/2023

Mildred Prejean 98 11/21/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

Robert Regan 72 09/24/2023

Rose Shidla 97 10/03/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Marshall Smith 72 07/19/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

George Rachal 80 09/27/2023 Kings Funeral Home

Joseph Richard 77 10/25/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Donald Sigur 88 12/26/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Sylvia Smith

Douglas Rahbany 63 11/15/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Geraldine Richard 85 12/12/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Patsy Simien 64 11/26/2023 Hixson-Snider Funeral Home

Sherry Smith 51 12/12/2023 Lakeside Funeral Home

Susan Reed 78 11/10/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Shirley Rigmaiden Gillis 87 11/04/2023 Riley Smith Funeral Home

Ivory Simon 61 12/17/2023 Semien Lewis Mortuary

Barbara Sonnier 80 12/27/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

12/13/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Stevens’ Funeral Home

16 AMERICAN PRESS FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024

John Spees Sr. 87 12/01/2023

Mary Thomas 88 10/18/2023

Matilda Stream 99 10/14/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Collie Thomas Sr. 90 10/27/2023

Charles Taylor Sr. 78 10/08/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Troyce Thompson 70 10/26/2023 Hixson Funeral Home

Allen THarp 55 10/05/2023

Sherry Thornton 79 11/05/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Louise Thibodeaux 89 10/03/2023 Johnson & Robison Funeral Home

Floyd Trahan 93 10/24/2023 Johnson & Robison Funeral Home

Rufus Thigpen 89 11/28/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Georgia Trahan 104 12/13/2023 Kings Funeral Home

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024 AMERICAN PRESS 17

Death is nothing at all, I have only slipped into the next room I am I and you are you Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by my old familiar name, Speak to me in the easy way which you always used Put no difference in your tone, Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was, Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.

It is the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, Just around the corner.

All is well.

-Henry Scott Holland

18 AMERICAN PRESS FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024

An Tr√¢n 62 12/09/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Juanita Vincent 90 11/16/2023 Johnson & Robison Funeral Home

Gwendolyn Wilson 82 11/12/2023 Kings Funeral Home

Elliott Tullier Jr. 96 10/29/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Rebecca Vorick 83 12/12/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Geneva Window 77 12/06/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

James Tyler 74 12/04/2023 Semien Lewis Mortuary

William Walker 83 12/12/2023 Johnson & Brown Funeral Home

Alvyn Woods 64 11/05/2023 Rose Lynn Funeral Home

Johnise Vest 56 11/30/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Douglas Walsworth 73 10/12/2023

John Veuleman 77 11/30/2023 Miguez Funeral Home

Elizabeth West 64 10/08/2023 Hixson Sulphur Memorial

James Vickers 71 10/03/2023 Johnson Funeral Home

Fannie Williams 12/16/2023 James Funeral Home

She’s in the Sun, the Wind, the Rain

She’s in the sun, the wind, the rain, she’s in the air you breathe with every breath you take.

She sings a song of hope and cheer, there’s no more pain, no more fear.

You’ll see her in the clouds above, hear her whisper words of love, you’ll be together before long, until then, listen for her song.

-Christy Ann Martine

In Memoriam For a second you were flying Like you always wanted to Now you’ll fly forever In skies of azure blue We’ll see your smile in every ray Of sunshine after rain And hear the echo of your laughter Over all the pain The world’s a little quieter now The colours have lost their hue The birds are singing softly And our hearts are missing you Each time we see a little cloud Or a rainbow soaring high We’ll think of you and gently Wipe a tear from our eye.

William Morecomb

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024 AMERICAN PRESS 19

To create a special commemorative keepsake on Birthdays, Passing Anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or Grandparent’s Day to share with friends & family

Call us Today.

6th Year in

Judy Smith 2/12/64 ~ 6/17/19

Your First Birthday in Heaven We’re sending a dove to heaven, with a parcel on its wings. Be careful when you open it, it’s full of special things. Inside are a million kisses, wrapped up in a million hugs, to say how much we miss you and to send you birthday love!

A piece of us left with you, the day you went away! We miss and love you more than you could ever know Mom! Love, Sammy, Crystal, and Mitch

Heaven

Glen, Sr (Strings)

March 5 , 1943

~ Apri

l 20, 201 We thoug 3 ht of you with love today, bu t new. We that is nothing thought a yesterday bout you that too. , and days before N memorie ow all we have a s, and yo re ur a frame.

Your mem picture in ory is ou keepsake r s, never pa with which we’ll rt. God h as you in his keepin g, you in ou we have Kiera, G r hearts. len Jr, Greg, Debra an d Kelly

337-494-4000

We would like to thank and recognize our funeral home partners ARDOIN FUNERAL HOME • 337-738-2526 CHADDICK FUNERAL HOME • 337-460-5945 COMBRE FUNERAL HOME • 337-436-3341 FONDEL FUNERAL HOME • 337-433-1707 HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME • 337-214-4443 HIXSON FUNERAL HOME (LAKE CHARLES) • 337-439-2446 HIXSON FUNERAL HOME (MOSS BLUFF) • 337-855-2929 HIXSON FUNERAL HOME (SULPHUR) • 337-625-9171 HIXSON FUNERAL HOME (WELSH) • 337-734-2111 HIXSON FUNERAL HOME (WESTLAKE) • 337-436-5507 HIXSON-SNIDER FUNERAL HOME (DEQUINCY) • 337-786-6000 JAMES FUNERAL HOME • 337-439-4173 JOHNSON FUNERAL HOME • 337-478-8687 JOHNSON FUNERAL HOME OF MOSS BLUFF • 337-426-8006 JOHNSON & BROWN FUNERAL HOME • 337-582-2291 JOHNSON & ROBISON FUNERAL HOME • 337-528-0240 KINGS FUNERAL HOME • 337-439-7729 MIGUEZ FUNERAL HOME • 337-824-1862 LABBY MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME • 337-463-7428 LAKESIDE FUNERAL HOME • 337-656-2628 MATTHEWS & SON FUNERAL HOME • 337-824-4420 REED FUNERAL HOME • 337-738-3336 RILEY SMITH FUNERAL HOME • 337-786-2999 RUSH FUNERAL HOME • 318-335-1180 SEMIEN-LEWIS MORTUARY, LLC • 337-824-0521 SIMPLE TRADITIONS • 337-429-5512 STEVENS' FUNERAL HOME • 337-433-3712 WHITE OAKS FUNERAL HOME • 318-335-5000