Paulette Drake Travis, 79, of Gainsville, FL, passed away on January 10. She is survived by her husband, Douglas Travis; sons, Renard Sessions and Austin Sessions; brothers, Dr. Paul Drake Jr. and Reid Hagg; and several grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Drake Sr.; mother, Annette Drake Hagg; and brother, Wes Hagg. A celebration of life will be at a later date at the Ponchatoula Cemetery.
Evelyn J. Calmes, 84, passed away on January 24 in Hammond, Louisiana. She was a resident of Hammond. Evelyn is survived by her sons, Terry Calmes (Christina) and Tim Calmes (Anne); grandchildren, Anthony, Andrew, and Grayson Calmes, Holly Rubalcaba (Alex), and Robert Storey; and her great-grandchildren, Savannah, Luscian, Gabriel, and Roman Rubalcaba.
Inez Kelly, 77, passed away on January 24 in Baton Rouge. She was a resident of Hammond, Louisiana, where she was a nurse and a nursing instructor for 40 years. Inez is survived by her sons, Wes and Bryan Kelly, and siblings, Beth Lay, Sharon Littig, and Joseph Jones.
Leroy Jenkins, 79, peacefully joined his wife in heaven on January 27. He served in the fire service for over twenty years. He is survived by his sons, Bruce (Chee), Gary (Kelly), and Kevin Jenkins (Michelle); daughters, Brenda Jenkins and Eva Ridgdell (Julius); eighteen grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; sister, Josie Husser (Clifton); and brother, Dean Jenkins (Karen).
Donald Joseph “Black” Haydel Jr., 76, passed away on January 27 in Hammond, Louisiana. He leaves behind his loving wife of 53 years, Patricia Cleveland Haydel; son, Donald (Tre’) Joseph Haydel III (Catherine Clesi Haydel); two grandchildren; and siblings, Brenda H. Lacoste (Larry), Keith J. Haydel, Connie Cardella (Joseph), Vernall H. Louque, and Jamie H. Mancuso (Larry).
Gary Powers, 66, passed away on January 27, 2024. He was a resident of Hammond, LA. He is survived by his daughter, Amber Green (John); stepdaughters, Melisha Trahan and Tabatha Rogers (Todd); mother, Bobbie Fournier; sisters, Toni Perantie, Rhonda Dedman, and Phyllis Riley; and granddaughter, Destinee Green.
Nettie Ann Wheat, 84, joined the Lord on Saturday, January 27. She was a native of Albany, LA. She is survived by her daughters, Linda Nickens, Betty Smith (Gregg), Glenda Saucier (Will), Lesa Brocato (Bobby), and Latitia Wainwright (Jeff); son, Joe Wheat (Janice); sisters, Geneva Caulking and Cynthia McMorris; thirteen grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Lesley James Brumfield Sr., 72, a lifelong resident of Hammond, Louisiana, died unexpectedly on January 28. He leaves behind his wife, Mary Carter; daughters, Jennifer Johnson, Karen Jackson (Casey), Leslie “ReRe” Hegwood-Brumfield, and Cheisa Shaquita Brumfield; son, Lesley James Brumfield Jr.; ten grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sisters, Evangelist Robietine (Willie) Graves, Elaine Brumfield-Jackson, and Gwendolyn (Kenneth) Burton; brother, Samuel Ray Brumfield; and a host of nieces, nephews, special relatives, and many friends.
Caleb Paul Addison received his healing from the torture of mental illness on January 28, 2024. Caleb is survived by his mama, Kathy Addison; his father, Byron Addison; his maternal grandfather, James Oliphant; his nephews, Trenton and Caden Perez; and niece, Hannah Perez, whom he loved immensely.
Joyce Alene Green Waites Sharp, 84, of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, passed away on January 28. Joyce is survived by her son, Garland Waites Jr. (Yvette); four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; brother, James Alvie Gilbert (Evelyn); sister-inlaw, Anne Gilbert; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Wavie Jean Lee Berne, 87, of Hammond, Louisiana, passed away in Hammond on January 29. Jean is survived by her children, Galen Berne (Barbara), Florence Thurman, Terri Hinshaw (Rickey), and Annette Bauers (Gary); thirteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Marie Lee; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dorothy Dunaway Wiggins, 60, peacefully passed away at her Ponchatoula residence on January 29. She is survived by her son, Jeremy Michael Wiggins (Jessica); daughter, Kristin Danielle Mounce (Kendal); sister, Debbie Cutrer (Bubba); many nieces and nephews; numerous great-nieces and nephews; and her puppy, Stormy Wiggins.
Reggie Lynn Bennett, 71, met his heavenly Father on Monday, January 29, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was born in Independence, LA. Reggie was married to Rose Langlois Bennett, the love of his life, for over 51 years. Reggie leaves behind many family members and friends, and he loved them all dearly.
Alice Bye Fanara, 93, a 37-year resident of Hammond, LA, passed away on January 29. She is survived by her loving son, Randy Fanara Sr. (Paula Clement Fanara); two grandchildren, Randy Fanara Jr. and Rachel Fanara; several great-grandchildren; and her sister, Sylvia Bye Czop.
Rene Francis Roques Jr., 67, passed peacefully at his home on January 29. Rene’ is survived by his wife, Nona Moritz Roques; three daughters, Adrianne Roques Stafford (Joshua), Allison Roques Portier (Steve), and Ashley Simpson; three grandsons; sister, Mary Roques Rholdon (Mike); and many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Lawrence Frank “Penny” Koerin, 75, passed away peacefully at his home in Hammond/Pumpkin Center on January 29. Penny is survived by his wife, Valinda Starkey Koerin; children, Kirt Koerin (AnneMarie), Leticia “Tish” McAllister (Russ), and Kellese “Kellie” Hebert (Kerry); ten grandchildren; three great-granddaughters; sister, Irma Smith (Laton); sister-in-law, Vernice M. Koerin; friend, Gary Blackledge; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Michelle Roberts, 52, went to her Heavenly Home on January 30, 2024. She was a resident of Ponchatoula, LA. She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Brad Roberts; children, Grace Roberts, Collin Roberts (Erin), Connor Roberts; parents, Cathy and Larry Hollie; sister, Heather Hollie; and nephew, Jaxson Hollie.
William John Miller III, 77, passed away on January 30 in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Bill is survived by his two daughters, Laura Miller Aguillard (Stephen) and Kourtnie Amelia Ramirez (Rengie); son, William John “Billy” Miller IV.; sister, Patricia Miller Rogers (Sammy); nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; uncle, Paul Edward Tyson Jensen; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Thomas “Tom” Floyd Shaw, 64, of Robert, LA, passed away on January 30 at Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington, LA. He is survived by his spouse, Kim Skipper; father, Elton “Coach” Shaw; two brothers, Ronald Elton Shaw (Donna) and Mark Clay Shaw; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Glenda Lynn Holden Cox, 58, of Amite, LA, passed away on January 30. She is survived by her loving husband, Ronald Troy Cox; Tammy Landers (Steve), Theresa Roberts, Tonya Phillips (Rev. Brandon), Tabitha Roberts and Zachary Netherland; Christina, Victoria, and Ashley; Ronnie Polezcek Jr. (Kailye); David Lambert Jr.; Linda Smith, Brenda Arnone, Sabrina Polezcek, Cindy Callais, Viola Callais, Mary Theoux, Lea Holden, Carolyn Holden, Margaret Thompson; Billy Brabham; sixteen grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Ronald Leroy Sykes, 77, of Albany, Louisiana, passed away at North Oaks Medical Center on January 30. Ronald is survived by his wife, Brenda Cunningham Sykes; children, Kevin Sykes, Kasey Sykes, and Kori Sykes Lester (Brandon); two granddaughters; brothers, Jesse Sykes (Beverly), Vernon Sykes (Lynn), and Leland Sykes (Lana); and nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great-nephews.
Joseph Michael ‘Mike’ Puma, 81, went to his heavenly home on January 31, 2024. He was a native and lifelong resident of Hammond, LA. Mike is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Dona Jane Kent-Puma; sons, Skye Kent Puma (Emily) and Michael Wayne Puma (Gina); grandson, Haden Michael Puma.
James “Jimmy” Frederick Gomilla, 91, passed away on February 1. James is survived by his wife, Betty Jane Gillespie Gomilla; daughter, Rebecca “Becky” Gomilla Beck (Randy); son, Darrell Wayne Pierson (Marie); stepsons, Anthony Wayne Lindsey and Mike Lindsey (Barbara); five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; siblings, Sammy Gomilla (Rose Mary), Vita Haupers, Lorraine Gomilla, and Mary Copeland; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Velma June Flynn, 82, of Loranger, peacefully passed away on February 2. She leaves behind her children, Dean Flynn (Cheryl), Anita Sharrock (John), Charlene Bryant (Ronnie), Brenda Short (Thomas), Delores Perez, and Reba Tycer (James); twelve grandchildren; nine greatgrandchildren; sister, Wilma Crouse (Doug); brother, Michael Ray Vice (Becky); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family.
Arlon L. “Buddy” Cox Jr., 71, of Hammond, Louisiana, passed away on February 2. Buddy was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army during Vietnam. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Susie Misita Cox; daughter, Krystal Cox; granddaughter, Alea Cox; brother, Kevin Cox (Sherrie); and numerous nieces and nephews.