Obituaries

Mar 2, 2026

Feb 27, 2026

Reverend Brenda Joy Bankston Kraemer, born on December 15, 1944, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the age of 81.

Reverend Brenda was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Through her education, she achieved earning her Associates degree. After graduating, she spent time as a florist, as well as becoming an ordained minister. Reverend Brenda was a member of the...

Feb 26, 2026

James “Henry” Grace, Sr., a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026, at the age of 83.

Born on November 28, 1942, Henry lived a life defined by service, leadership, faith, and deep love for his family and community. He attended Catholic High School and graduated from Baton Rouge High School in 1960. He went on...

Feb 26, 2026

James Robert Calvin, MD, aka “PaPa E”, born into humble means of Earl and Mary Calvin, on April 16, 1930, in Illinois and raised in Peru, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the age of 95. He made his home and medical practice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was compassionate and decisive.

James exemplified the “American Dream” of...

Feb 25, 2026

Steven Gerard Oufnac, age 66, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Steve was born on November 17, 1959, in Baton Rouge to Angelina and Herman Oufnac.

He graduated from Central High School in 1978 and later attended Louisiana State University. Steve was a loving husband, devoted son and brother, and a cherished friend to many.

Steve embraced life fully and...

Feb 25, 2026

John Wayne Bercegeay, 74, passed away peacefully at his home on February 25, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, after a long and courageous battle with dementia. A proud native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, John was born on August 10, 1951, son of the late Evelyn Hymel and Alfred Bercegeay. He graduated from Istrouma High School in 1970 and went...

Feb 25, 2026

Althea “Gwen” Waller, resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2025, at the age of 72. She was born May 16, 1953, in Independence, Louisiana to Douglas Pourciau and Nina Guzzardo. She worked as a Medical Office Manager at The Medical Clinic of Baton Rouge and Medical Billing for nearly 25 years, overseeing daily operations while...

Feb 24, 2026

Loyce Mae Martin Morrow was born to William Elias Martin and Virginia Whatley Martin in Mora, Louisiana on December 15, 1924, and she passed away on February 24, 2026, in Baton Rouge. She graduated from Simpson High School and soon began her career at Fort Polk. After World War II, she married Carl Francis Morrow on November 30, 1946. She...

Feb 24, 2026

Theresa Maranto Foster, age 76, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, surrounded by her family, after bravely fighting Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s for many years.

Theresa was cherished for her gentle, loving, and compassionate nature throughout her life. She graduated from Baton Rouge High School and devoted herself to serving others, both through her work and...

Feb 23, 2026

Cynthia Doerr, born on July 1, 1946, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026, at the age of 79.

Cynthia was born in Charleston, West Virginia. After she graduated high school, she went on to become a homemaker for her family. She was a member of the Welcome Wagon, as well as the Episcopal Church in Ohio and Michigan. Cynthia always...

Feb 22, 2026

Myrna Loy Ray Taylor, 92, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026. She was born on November 3, 1933, in Midland, Texas to Burnice Elmer Ray and Sallie Belle Willson Ray. Myrna Loy, aka mom and not the famous movie star, was proud of her Texas heritage.

After graduating high school in San Angelo, she married her...

Feb 21, 2026

Dr. Leonard Charles “Lenny” Kappel passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the age of 80. He was born November 3, 1945, in New Orleans, Louisiana to Archibald Charles “AC” Kappel and Lillian Nell Boggs Kappel. After attending Jesuit High School, Lenny furthered his education at LSU and went on to receive his PhD in Animal Science from the...

Feb 19, 2026

Thomas "Hal" Perez, a native of Baton Rouge, LA and a resident of Prairieville, LA, passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the age of 54.

Visitation will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Hwy. Baton Rouge, LA 70816, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until Celebration of Life at 2:30 p.m.

An extended obituary is pending.

Feb 19, 2026

Catherine Ann Hardaway passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born in East Rochester, New York on December 17, 1935, to Charles Kearns and Dora Sexton Kearns. After her mother died, Catherine moved to Shreveport, Louisiana to live with her sister, Alice. It was at a local bunny hop dance in Bossier City,...

Feb 19, 2026

Donald “Donnie” M. Barcelona, age 91, passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Jackson, Louisiana. Donnie was born on October 29, 1934, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Louis and Effie Barcelona.

After graduating from High School, he then went on to enlist in the military where he spent 20 years dedicating his service to the United States Navy. He was...

Feb 19, 2026

Christopher D. Cockrell, a native of Lafayette, LA, and a resident of Baton Rouge, LA, completed his life journey on February 19, 2026, at the age of 56.

Christopher Cockrell was a family man. He loved his wife of 35 years, Rebecca, his kids, Kristen and Canon, and his grandchildren, Cruz and Gage, more than words can express. He valued time...

Feb 19, 2026

Mark Leto passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the age of 67. He was born April 25, 1958, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Art and Rosalie Leto. He was raised in his younger years in Virginia Beach and Miami with his family returning to Louisiana just six months prior to the end of his senior year. He graduated...

Feb 19, 2026

Maurice “Poochie” Oubre, born October 1, 1940, in St. Martinville, LA, passed away peacefully and entered into the Kingdom of God on February 19, 2026. Visitation will be held at St. George Catholic Church, 7808 St George Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will...

Feb 18, 2026

Freddie James Matthews, Jr. passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the age of 64. Freddie was born on February 15, 1962, in Franklin, Louisiana, to loving parents, Lillie Maude Johnson Matthews and Freddie Matthews Sr.

After graduating from Franklin High School, Freddie enjoyed a successful career as an entrepreneur and an offshore technician. Freddie was known and loved by...

Feb 18, 2026

Mike, age 82, a resident of Daphne, Alabama, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026, after a sudden illness. Born on December 23, 1943, in New Orleans, Louisiana, while his father proudly served in the United States Navy, Mike was truly a "war baby," entering the world during a time of great national sacrifice. 

Growing up first in Birmingham and later...