Jessie “Irene” Umbach
Jessie “Irene” Umbach, a longtime resident of Hammond, departed to her heavenly home on July 1, 2024, at 8:14pm surrounded by her family. She was 89 years young. Irene proudly worked at Locascio’s Hardware store for over 30 years where she found countless community friendships. Irene was a loving sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to all who knew her.
Irene leaves behind a daughter, Debbie Henagan, and husband, Ricky, a son, Rickey Umbach, and wife, Tará. She also leaves behind four grandchildren, Ryan Umbach and wife, Chelsea, Brittany Mickan and husband Mark, Michelle Von Blon and husband Ashton, and Seth Umbach and wife Natalie, as well as seven great-grandchildren (and another on the way due in August): Reece Umbach, Reed Umbach, Jenson Mickan, Madeleine Mickan, Louella Umbach, Peyton Von Blon and Ridge Umbach.
Preceding Irene in death were her loving husband of 59-1/2 years, Royce Edward Umbach; her parents, Joseph Ebert and Esther Watts; stepmother, Jennie Watts; brothers, Bob Watts and Wayne Watts; and sister, Evelyn Cleveland.
Relatives and friends will be invited to attend a celebration of life at the First Christian Church in Hammond, 305 E. Charles St., on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 12:00pm until the service begins at 2:00pm.
Interment will follow at Sandhill Cemetery in Ponchatoula, Louisiana.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church in Hammond.
To order memorial trees in memory of Jessie Irene Umbach, please visit our tree store.
Allen Butler Pierson Jr.
On Friday, August 2, 2024, God called home His faithful servant, Allen Butler Pierson, Jr. Born October 13, 1936, at Touro Hospital in New Orleans to the late Judge Allen Butler Pierson, Sr. and Marguerite Elizabeth Powell Pierson, he was a lifetime resident of Ponchatoula.
Allen was a graduate of Ponchatoula High School, Southeastern Louisiana University, Louisiana State University Law School, the US Army Judge Advocate General School, as well as the US Army War College. He was an Attorney at Law, practicing in civil and criminal disciplines as well as serving as the Ponchatoula City Attorney.
A 32-year veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in active, guard, and reserve status; he earned the rank of Colonel. While serving as a JAG officer, he was commander of the 2nd JAG Detachment in New Orleans and served as a judge on America’s highest military court adjudicating cases under the Uniform Code of Military Justice in the U.S Army Court of Military Review.
His spiritual and civic service included membership and leadership as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula, the Gideons International, and the Ponchatoula Chapter of Kiwanis International. He served on the Board of Directors of the Ponchatoula Homestead Association and as its attorney.
Allen was a selfless, patient, nurturing patriarch who inspired his family and friends. He pursued and contagiously shared his love of traveling, reading, canoeing, hunting, flying, amateur radio, photography, and boating.
Studious in his biblical education, his witness was grounded in the example of his daily life. He found special joy while distributing Gideon bibles to share Christ’s message. He was happy listening to a classical symphony, and ecstatic savoring a filet at Keith Young’s Steak House.
He is survived by his wife, Juanita Estelle Snell Pierson; sons, Allen Butler Pierson III (Jeannemarie), and James Powell Pierson (Colleen); sister, Elizabeth Pierson Riggs (Paul); grandchildren, Bradley Allen Pierson, Chase Edward Pierson (Caroline) and Rachel Marie Pierson Gill (Matthew); great grandchildren, Mallory Marie Gill, Lara Marie Gill, Simon Matthew Gill, Joseph Fletcher Pierson, Owen Bradley Gill, and Abigail Rose Marie Pierson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Allen is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Rueben Allen Pierson and Hattie Lou Butler Pierson; maternal grandparents, Joseph John Powell and Laura Elizabeth McDaniel Powell; sisters, Mary Lou Pierson Burris Scott (Dick Burris and Milton Scott), Georgia Pierson Russell (Walter), and Nan Pierson Simmons (Ronald).
His family gathered in celebration of life in a small private ceremony on Wednesday. He is remembered as an exemplary Christian gentleman, a devoted and loving husband and dad, and an altruistic patriot. If desired, memorial gifts may be directed to the First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula, https://giving.ncsservices.org/app/giving/fbcp, or the Gideons International, https://www.gideons. org/donate#.
United with his Lord, Romans 8:38-39.
Christopher Hegwood; 29; Ponchatoula; July 23; visitation was at Richardson’s Funeral Home of Louisiana on Saturday August 3, 2024, from 12:00-2:00. The funeral followed at 2:00.
Joel McKenzie Jr.; 47; Ponchatoula; July 27; survived by his loving wife, Stephanie McKenzie; son, Joel Andrew “Drew” McKenzie; fur babies, Duke and Bonnie; close relatives, Diane Mathews “Meme”, Raymond Mattix, Travis Mattix, Amber Pounds (Dusty), and Amanda Williams (Andrew); Aunt, Ann Nevers (Ben), and many nieces and nephews.
Thuy Linh Gustin; 31; Springfield; July 28; survived by her husband, Christopher Gustin; daughter, Grace Sollie; son, Henri Gustin; sisters, Xena Aguirre and Brenda Aguirre (David May); mother, Jeannie Aguirre (Gene Long); father, Cong Le; brothers, Thomas Aguirre, Thanh Le, and Quang Anh Magrette; and countless friends.
Chase Douglas Sharkey; 36; July 28; survived by his wife, Shelly; children, Brynlee, Brady, Beau, and Baylor; parents, Harrell Sr. and Susie Sharkey; brother, Harrell Jr. (Julie) Sharkey; sisters, Larissa (Jason) Dean and Season (Trinity) Mince.
Alice Ridgedell Currier; 93; Amite; July 28; survived by her sons, Ricky Currier (Trudy) and Jeff Currier; grandson, Jacob Currier (Kathryn); great-grandson, Gabriel Joseph Currier; and niece, Christy Benton. A second great-grandchild is due at Christmas.
Eddie ‘Shed’ Davidson; 82; Tickfaw; July 29; survived by his wife, Edith ‘Dee’ Davidson; daughters, Donna and Jennifer Davidson and Darleen Weber; grandchildren, Shanley and Sonny Kilburn, Richard Weber Jr., Nina Millet, Brennen Turner, and Ashton Brunet; six great-grandchildren; five stepchildren; brother, Paul Davidson; and sisters, Neva-Joyce and Catherine Davidson.
Sherry Lynn Smith Fortenberry; 70; Chesbrough; July 29; survived by her husband, Bruce Fortenberry; daughter, Renae Laird; son, Jason Fortenberry (Lee Ann); grandchildren, Mattie, Wil, Presley, Hayden, MaKenna, and Leightyn; brother, John Wesley Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Suzanne Elaine Clark; 72; Ponchatoula; July 29; survived by her nieces, Michele (Michael) Trosclair and Shannan (Vincent) Latino; nephew, Ryan (Vanessa) Clark; several great nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats.
Ronald Joseph “Okie” Basso; 62; Hammond; July 31; survived by his wife of 44 years, Evelyn Powell Basso; children, David Powell and Bridgette Basso; grandchildren, Jacob and Kaitlynn Powell; sister, Melissa DuBroc; brother, Bryan Basso; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ruth Lipscomb Naquin; 88; Hammond; July 31; survived by her husband of almost 67 years, Raymond Anthony Naquin; son, Marcus Christopher Naquin (Michelle); daughter, Michelle Naquin Cartier (Jim); six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister, Connie Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jessie Joseph Page Matherne; 43; Kentwood; July 31; survived by his mother, Sandy Tyrney Pittman (Paul); brothers, Justin Matherne, Curtis Matherne (Hannah), and Joe Matherne; and nieces and nephew, Olivia Matherne, Sofia Matherne, and Maddox Matherne.
Marjorie Catherine McCrocklin Guillie; 91; Ponchatoula, July 31; survived by children, Gregory (Robin), Suzanne (Charles), Annette (Ronald), Nancy (Brian), and Douglas (Marisa); eighteen grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and her devoted niece, Kathy Oren Mc-Crocklin.
Agnes Ferris Tedder; 63; Ponchatoula; August 1; survived by her loving partner, Jerry Hill; her cherished children, Johnathon, Jennifer, Emma, and Stephanie; and her grandchildren, Abigayle, Kincaid, Hope, Emilie, Richie, Lazereck, Collin, Abigail, Carrington, Charli, and Caydence.
Margaret Ann Daughtry; 81; Independence; August 1; survived by her daughters, Deborah Schaerer (David) and Patricia Simmons; son, Michael Harper (Beth); brothers, Emile Cardinale Jr. (Sherry) and Anthony Cardinale; sisters, Rosalie Eleser and Mary
Jones; grandchildren, Samantha Canella (Bryan), Christopher Straughan, Erica Straughan, and Kayla Harper; and three great-grandchildren.
Curtis Rodriguez; 71; Ponchatoula; August 1; survived by his fiance, Lynne Hurst; siblings, Mildred “Patsy” Lenze, Maudine Griggs (George), Sheryl Achord (Earl), Connie Depew (Bobby), and Pam Rieken (Tree); and his furbaby, Taz.
Virgil Edward Williams; 75; Ponchatoula; August 1; survived by his wife, Millie Joiner Williams; children, Brett Allen Williams, Starlet Williams, Melissa Jarrell, and Kevin Jarrell; siblings, Marie Rodriguez, Ivy Williams, and Tracey Williams Cassell; twelve grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and other family members and friends.
James Lynvell “Lynn” Roberts Jr.; 55; Ponchatoula; August 2; survived by his wife, Debbie Roberts; daughter, Tiffani Roberts; sons, Kyle and Austin Roberts; sisters, Annette Griffith and Beverly Payne; grandson, Sawyer Roberts; and numerous nieces and nephews.
June Breeland Hutchinson; 90; Springfield; August 3; survived by her two children, Dwight Hutchinson (Susie); daughter, Angela Varnado (Bill); grandchildren, Clint Winburn (Lacy), Nadine Robin (Paul), Nicole Wall (Luke), and Jessica Puissegur (Nick Archer); and twelve great-grandchildren.
Laura Frances Dykes Brown; 83; Hammond; August 3; survived by her daughters, Marie C. Perry and Jeanette L. LeBlanc; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; family members; and friends.