Chambers, Barbara Sue
A homemaker and a resident of Gonzales, she died at 11:28 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2008, in Gonzales. She was 76 and a native of West Monroe. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Ourso Funeral Home of Gonzales is in charge of arrangements.
Duplessis, Thelma P. (“Shoepock” Mrs. Tiggy)
A beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she died at 4:10 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at her home in Duplessis. She was 96 and a native of Prairieville. Visiting at Ourso Funeral Home, Duplessis, on Sunday, June 22, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting continues at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Prairieville, on Monday, June 23, from 9:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., concelebrated by the Rev. Joel LaBauve and the Rev. Michael Alello. Entombment will immediately follow in Hope Haven Mausoleum. Thelma was a graduate of Dutchtown High School, attended LSU as a music major and was a member of St. John's, the Dutchtown Booster Club and the Louisiana Cattlemen Association of Cow Bells and a charter member for 75 years of the Daughters of the Americas Court of St. Rose de Lima 1194. She also was a member of the local, state and national Home Demonstration Association, where she won awards for her sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, crafts, wool hooked rugs, cane furniture, canned fruits, vegetables and "home cooking." She enjoyed taking care of her flower beds and landscaping. Thelma loved to travel and helped to organize trips through Universal Tours. During these tours she traveled every state, parts of Canada and Mexico, Europe, the Holy Land, and Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Later in life she became a student of art, learning the skills of oil painting and sharing these paintings with family, friends and church fairs. As a musician, she was a member of the Delta Omicron Music Sorority and the National Federation of Music Clubs for 65 years. She was a church organist for 65 years, accompanied LSU music students, dancing lessons and recitals, and taught private piano for 50 years after having taught her own children. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Sister Helen D. Duplessis, Paul and Glenda Duplessis, Jackie and Ronnie Sandefer, Karin Duplessis, and Shelly and Pat Bell; grandchildren, Jeff and Nelly Duplessis, David and Torrie Duplessis, Rochelle and Paul Bourque, Tina Boudreaux, Dale and Daralyn Boudreaux, Jill and Jim Rabalais, Patrick and Angle Bell, and Brady and Ashley Bell; 15 great-grandchildren; a devoted caregiver, Jo Jo Swindle; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, W.P. Tiggy Duplessis; daughter, Joan Ann Duplessis; parents, William Wallace Phillips and Alice Sabin Phillips; brothers, Claude, Roy, William "Bill" Jr. and Dr. Carey Phillips; and sisters, Cecile Phillips LaBorde and Helen Phillips Lacomb. Pallbearers will be Jeff and David Duplessis, Patrick and Brady Bell, Paul Bourque and Dale Boudreaux.
Ford, Ashton Morgan
A native and resident of Gonzales, she died Saturday, June 21, 2008, in an automobile accident. She was 17 and a student at East Ascension High School. Arrangements are pending with Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales.
Gauthier, Brian Joseph “B.J.”
A student at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond and a resident of Sorrento, he died Tuesday, June 17, 2008, in Baton Rouge. He was 25 and a native of Fort Worth, Texas. Interment in Hope Haven Cemetery, Gonzales.
Joseph, Melissa Schwanda
A homemaker and a lifelong resident of Modeste, she died Saturday, June 14, 2008, in an automobile accident at Hohen Solms. She was 44. Interment in the St. Mary Baptist Church Cemetery, White Castle.
LeBlanc, Isabella “T-Bella” (Wiggins)
A retired schoolteacher with more than 40 years of service with the Terrebonne Parish school system, she died Thursday, June 12, 2008, at Hospice of Baton Rouge in Baton Rouge. She was 81, a native of Belle Alliance and a resident of Donaldsonville. Burial in the First Israel Baptist Church Mausoleum.
Kling, Joann Gautreau (Elliott)
A retired medical secretary, she died at 3:15 a.m. Thursday, June 19, 2008, at her home in Gonzales. She was 78 and a native of Fort Worth, Texas. Interment in Hope Haven Cemetery, Gonzales.
Kirby, Harold B.
A resident of Gonzales, he died Sunday, June 22, 2008. He was 69. Arrangements are pending with Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales.
