Obituaries

Anderson Jr., Eugene O’Neil

Eugene O’Neil Anderson passed away at home on Monday, May 11, 2015. He was 60, disabled and died of natural causes. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene O’Neil Anderson Sr. and Elodie D. Anderson. He survived by a brother, Joseph G. Anderson; sister in-law. Robbin Anderson; nieces, Abigal René Anderson (his Doodlebug), and Adrienne Clements, great-nieces, Heidi Gomez and Raven Williams; nephews, Jamie Clement Sr., and Tony Gomez Sr.; great-nephews, Jamie Clements Jr., Tony Gomez Jr. and Joseph G. Gomez, along with many cousins.

Allen, Grayland

He passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2015. He was 55. He was a native of Plaquemine and resident of Prairieville. He was a real estate broker and investor. A celebration of his life was held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Prairieville on Tuesday, May 19, followed by a memorial Mass.

Ballard, Spencer "Byron"

He passed in his home on Sunday, May 10, 2015. He was a lifelong member of Local 198. Interment in Hope Haven Garden of Memories in Gonzales.

Bourgeois, Seimone

Graduated from East Ascension High School, where she played in the school band. She graduated as a medical transcriptionist, a certified medical assistant, and as a licensed practical nurse. She attended LSU taking courses to further her nursing career. While attending nursing school, She worked as a student on the USS Kidd in Baton Rouge. She worked for Ascension General Hospital as a posting clerk, the Louisiana Department of Civil Service as a typist clerk Ochsner Hospital as a medical transcriptionist, Baton Rouge General Hospital, Dr. James Kidd, Eye Ear Nose & Throat Surgery Center, Flannery Oaks Nursing Home and Promise Hospital as a nurse. She had many illnesses attack her body and she had to retire on disability. After seeing many doctors and biopsies sent to Duke University Medical, no specific diagnosis was determined as to the cause for the breakdown of her body. Seimone was 53, born October 24, 1961, in Baton Rouge. She passed away due to cardiac arrest on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Visitation will be held at Christ Healing Community Church, 404 W. Pine St., Gonzales, from 9 a.m. until memorial service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 21.

Brown, Jr., John “Pal” Louis

John “Pal” Louis Brown, Jr., age 87, who was a resident of Prairieville, passed away peacefully at home with his family on May 14, 2015. John was a 3rd Degree Knight of KC #4030. He was also an Extraordinary Minister at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. He retired from Kleinpeter Dairy after 35 years. John is survived by his wife of 67 years, Charlena Havis Brown; three sons, David, Daniel and Joseph Corrie; five daughters, Brenda Brown, Barbara Picou, Frances Tripp, Deborah DeArmond and Mary Brown; seventeen grandchildren, Angela, Melissa, Monica, Brady Jr., Michael, Curtis, Bridgett, Jeremy, David Jr., Dana, Rebecca, Diana, Brandan, Corrie, Jerry Jr., Joshua and Alyssa; numerous great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Shirley and Melba; and one brother Donald “Tookie.” He is preceded in death by his parents, John Louis Brown Sr. and Claylia Frances Bourgoyne; one brother, Joseph Carl; one sister, Annabelle; and one son, John Louis Brown III. The visiting hours were observed Monday, May 18, at Most Blessed  Sacrament Catholic Church, 15615 Jefferson Highway from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Funeral Services followed on Monday, May 18, at a 11:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, officiant was Fr. Gerald Burns. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory Cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thanks to all of John’s caregivers. Family and friends may sign the online guest book or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com. Resthaven Gardens of Memory Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Ficklin, Margaret Broussard

She passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2015. She was 72 and a resident of Prairieville.  A gathering was held at her residence on Saturday, May 16.

Guitreau, Ron A.

He born Sept. 3, 1950, grew up in Baton Rouge and was an LSU alumni. He passed away Tuesday May 11, 2015 in Fairbanks, Alaska at the age 64. He found his way up to Alaska in the late 1970s and worked the Prudhoe Bay North Slope oil fields mostly in the engineering and design area. For the past 20+ years he worked on the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline as a roving field engineer specializing in the fire protection systems up and down all the pipeline facilities and pump stations.  Burial in Carpenters Chapel Cemetery in Prairieville.

Hankton, Walter C.  

A resident and native of Gonzales, he passed away at Port Allen Care Center on Sunday, May 10, 2015, at 10:00 am. He was 51. Interment in Pilgrim Baptist Church Cemetery, Convent.

Jacob, Albertha

A lifelong resident of Donaldsonville, she passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at St. Elizabeth Hospital. She was 77.  Interment in First Baptist Church cemetery.

Johnson, Curtis Joseph

On May 9th, 2015, Lt. Col. Curtis Joseph Johnson passed away at his home  following a brief illness. He was 83. He was in Donaldsonville. He was a 1950 graduate of Lowery High School and a graduate of Southern University. After being commissioned as a second lieutenant, he distinguished himself as a transportation officer in the Korean and Vietnam theatres. He wrote two family histories, How We Will Know It's Us (1985) and Glimpses of Black Life Along Bayou Lafourche (2012). He was devoted to the church, youth development, civic and civil rights, and environmental concerns. He was active in the community and served on numerous boards of directors. A funeral Mass was held on May 14 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Yorktown, VA.

Leader, David Paul

He passed away Thursday, May 14, 2015. He was a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University and retired from BASF. In his spare time, he volunteered at many organizations including The Jambalaya Association, RCIA of St. John's, COEA, Dreams Come True Foundation and the Mary Bird Perkins Foundation where he won the Volunteer of the Year Award. Visitation was held on Tuesday, May 19, at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church, followed by a memorial Mass.

 Lunkin, Willie "Bill"

A retired U.S. Postal Worker, a native of Donaldsonville and a resident of Oakland, CA, he passed away on Wednesday, May 6. 2015, at his home. He was a U.S. Army and U.S. Navy Veteran. He was 71.  Interment in the Louisiana National Cemetery, Zachary. He was a 1961 graduate of Lowery High School.

Piper, Sr., Ralph Raynald

A resident of Gonzales, he passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2015 at 10:30 a.m.  He was 89. He was a native of Baton Rouge, was retired from Ormet Corp, and was a veteran of the US Navy. Burial  in Prairieville Cemetery. Baton Rouge.  He was a member of American Legion Post #81, Baton Rouge and the VFW Post #3693.

Porche, Valmond Joseph "Butch"

A native and resident of French Settlement, he passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2015 in French Settlement. He was 70. He was a former pipefitter with the pipefitter/steamfitter Local Union #198 located in Baton Rouge. Burial in French Settlement Community Cemetery. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #6753 Blessed Eugene of French Settlement where he served as Financial Secretary. School.

Savario, Jeromy Scott

Her was born on Feb. 3, 1977 and he passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2015. A memorial service was held at Community Bible Fellowship, Gonzales, on Friday, May 15.

The Gonzales Weekly Citizen publishes funeral and memorial service information free of charge as a public service. Complete obituaries cost $45 and are included on weeklycitizen.com and legacy.com. A photo may be included with obituaries for $55. E-mail obituaries to cbabin@weeklycitizen.com