Gary D. Lomax, age 81, passed away naturally on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, surrounded by his family. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1962 until 1968.
Gary retired after years of dedicated service as an instrument engineer, traveling the world with his career. He was known as an intelligent man with a sense of humor. Gary considered himself to be a ladies’ man, even though there was very little evidence to support this. He enjoyed watching biblical documentaries, reading, and spending time with his puppy. He will be dearly missed.
Gary is survived by his daughters, Carolyn Lomax, Jeanne Lomax, and April Lomax; grandchildren, Connor Yee, Tabetha Majesty, Sean Majesty, and Lacey Lomax; as well as his brother, Wayne Lomax.
Preceding him in death were his son, David W. Lomax; and his parents, George and Nola Lomax, and his beloved dogs, Pretty Girl and Milo.
Polly Chatelain, 84, of Hammond, passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Morrow (Andy); son, Kory Chatelain (Larry Best); four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, Heidi Wascom, Manson Wascom, and Rachel Wascom; and in-laws.
Grace O’Neill, 84, of Independence, passed away on Friday, January 12, 2024. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Thomas; sons, Frank Thomas (Joyce), Donnie O’Neill, Jr. (Gina), and Joe O’Neill (Christie); seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four great-greatgrandchildren; sister, Jo Ann Galafalo (Frank); brother, Raymond J. Liotta (Jackie); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Richard James Braud, 72, of Hammond, passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024. He is survived by his brother, Michael Braud; sisters, Mary Braud, Cynthia Dehart, and June Wilson; and his nieces and nephews.
Thomas “Gerald” Brunett, Sr., 81, a resident of Loranger, LA, passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Bennett Brunett; sons, Thomas “Tommy” Gerald Brunett, Jr., Todd Victor Brunett, and Charles Troy Brunett; sister, Velma; brothers, Melvin and Paul; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Gary Wayne Dees, Sr., 74, a resident of Kentwood, LA, went to be with the Lord and his soulmate on Monday, January 15. He is survived by his sons, Gary Dees, Jr. (Sarah) and Jonathan Leo Dees (Amy); daughter, Leslie Jannell; multiple grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; siblings, Lester Dees (Judy), Nell Dees (Glenda), Reed Dees (Chris), Nell Bond, Sarah Bankston, and Sharon Lindsey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mildred “Millie” Willie Boihem, of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, passed away at her home, surrounded by her family, on Monday, January 15, 2024, at 76. Millie is survived by her children, Melissa, James (Kim), and PJ (Amanda); ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters; and six brothers.
Smiley Carl Lee Sr., 75, passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. He was born and raised in Baptist, LA, and was a longtime resident of Darrow. Smiley is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn “Queenie” Lee; son, Smiley C. Lee, Jr. (Diane); three grandsons; brothers, John W. DePhillips, Sr. (Betsy), Lloyd Bee Martin (Carolyn), and Vernon Lloyd Lee; sisters, Janette Braud, Marilyn Taylor, and Cheryl Warm; stepsons, T. H. Davidge and Sidney Davidge; stepdaughter, Tony Davidge; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Edward Charles Dugar, 60, passed away peacefully on January 16. Edward is survived by his wife of 31 years, Kimberly Ann Dugar; children, Hilton Lloyd Dunaway III (Jenny), Nicole Dunaway Brown, Blake Edward Dugar (Emily), and Eric Klein Dugar (Hilary); nine grandchildren; parents, James and Juanita Dugar; siblings, Jimmy Dugar (Michelle), Dennis Dugar, Wanda Dugar Brumfield (Don), and Darrell Dugar; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Dustin Wayne Barber, a life-long resident of Albany, Louisiana, tragically passed away in his home surrounded by his family on January 16, 2024. Dustin is survived by his father, Frank D. Barber; his fiancée, Brittany Strother Woolf; son, Riggs Colt Barber; siblings, Noah & Ella Woolf; brother, Austin Barber; “brother,” Brent Hano (Lanie); “sister,” Beth Pigott (Derek); paternal grandmother, Audrey Joiner; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Laura Lee Tiner Robertson, a resident of Pine Grove, LA, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. She is survived by her husband, Eugene Robertson; daughters, Tessa Robertson Crouch (Stefan) and Scarlett Robertson Breckwoldt (Chris); sons, Daryl Robertson (Mary Jo), Curtis Robertson, and Hilton Polk Robertson (Regina); sister, Jelaine Tiner Fitzhugh (Buddy); fifteen grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Alycia “Lisa” Joe Brumfield, 60, of Loranger, passed away on Wednesday, January 17. She is survived by her husband, Terry W. Brumfield; daughter, Roseann Arnone (James King); son, Harvey Arnone, Jr. (Elizabeth Nettles); seven grandchildren; a great-grandson; two sisters, Debbie Maxie and Debra Cross; and brother, Henry Holden.
Anita H. Keaton, 76, of Ponchatoula, LA, passed away on January 18. Anita is survived by her daughters, Katie Gueringer (Mike), Mignon Keaton (Bryan Reese), and Angele Crosby (Sam); son, Sean McLaughlin; three grandchildren; sisters, Jeanne Soignet (Donald) and Marie Hoover; and brother, Stanley Hoover.
Charlotte Bishop Russo, 78, a resident of Ponchatoula, LA, went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, January 18, 2024. She is survived by her daughter, Paulette Russo Nata (Paul); son, Brant Laurence Russo (Sandi); four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; brother, Flint Joseph Bishop (Alice); sister, Pamela Bishop Verdigets; and nieces and nephews.
Elmer Earl “Skeeter” Ballow, a resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Thursday, January 18. He is survived by his son, Jonah Ballow (Casey); two sisters, Patricia Guidry and Earline Harrington; brother, Harry Williamson; ten grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Rosie Dee Hanna Howes of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, passed away on January 18, 2024, at 87. She was born on January 18, 1937, in New Orleans. She was the daughter of the late Leon Voil Hanna and Ella Ruby Robertson Hanna. Rosie Dee is survived by her sons, John Raymond Howes and Don Howes (Julie); daughter, Linda Byers (Larry); brother, William Wade Hanna; and sister, Trilby Faye Hanna Soles.
Francis Arthur (“Artie”) Jones passed away peacefully at his home in Robert, LA, on January 19. He lived most of his life in the Hammond area. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Traylor Jones; sons, Brian Joseph “B. J” (Vicki), Paul Vincent, and Francis Arthur II “Artie II” (Manti); daughters, Tyra Ann Jones and Carrie Ann Granier (Michael); nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and his only sibling, Annette Johnson (Bryan “Butch” Johnson).