ALLISON, SUSIE MARTIN "SUE"
A employee of Ascension Parish School Board as a custodian for 23 years and a resident of Gonzales, she died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002, at her home. She was 67 and a native of Woodville, Miss. Survived by four daughters, Ritta Faye West, Oakland, Calif., Vanessa Parms and husband Curtis, Gonzales, Mona Brown and husband Alvin, Houston, and Laurie A. Hendricks, Gonzales; nine grandchildren including one she reared, Tarrell West; two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Evangeline Martin, Liz Williams and husband Atwood, and Odell Scott, all of Gonzales; a brother, James Martin, Baton Rouge; four aunts, an uncle, four godchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by a daughter, mother, father, an aunt and son-in-law.BABIN, LORITA ANN LAMBERT A loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother, she died Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002, at her residence in Gonzales. She was 67 and a native of Galvez. Survived by her loving husband, Kevelyn Babin; five daughters and four sons-in-law, Loretta and Ruckle Gautreaux Jr., Linda and Kenneth Martin, Lisa and Brent Laurent, Laurie Miller, and Lola and Keith Dunaway; two sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth and Geri Babin and Karl and Linda Babin; a sister, Juanita Little; a brother, Daniel Lambert; 15 grandchildren, Corey, Scott and Tiffany Gautreaux, Matthew, Amanda and Rebecca Martin, Travis and Shane Laurent, Taylor Miller, Jace and Kaily Dunaway, Klayton and Andrea Babin, and Eric and Brooke Babin; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, Etienne John and Clemitine Duplessis Lambert; and four brothers, Leonce, Leon, Etienne Jr. and Edwin Lambert. She was a devoted member of St. Mark Catholic Church. BEACH, DENISE RAY STOREY A devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was greatly loved by all the neighborhood children, and a retired licensed practical nurse and medical advisor for Schrudder Performance Group, she died at 6:05 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, in Donaldsonville. She was 62, a resident of Donaldsonville and a native of Hochatown, Okla. Survived by four daughters and three sons-in-law, Kathy Lynn Beach and fiancŽ David Rodrigue, Donaldsonville, Charla K. and Wayne Fultz, Sawyer, Okla., Maria M. and Mitch Schrudder, Westchester, Ohio, and Kelly D. and Jimmy Babin, St. Amant; three sons, Shelby G. Beach, Donaldsonville, Michael J. Beach, Bakersfield, Calif., and Russell M. Varnell, Treasure Island, Fla.; three sisters, Kay Brown, Hawaii, Nema Jones, Purcell, Okla., and Katherine Peltiet, Broken Bow, Okla.; a brother, Joe Bob Kidd, Broken Bow; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Michael James Beach; parents, Shelby Ray and Patricia Morgan Beach; a great-grandchild, Khristen Renee Gream; a daughter-in-law, Lisa Ann Dupuis; and a great-aunt who raised her, Alta May Storey Dodd. She was an avid gardener and loved to travel. BRAUD, SR. BARRY JOE Barry Joe Braud Sr. died Monday, September 30, 2002, at his parent's home in Gonzales. Barry was born in Lake Charles and reared in Warner Robins, Ga. He graduated from Northside High School in 1976. He moved to Gonzales in 1979. Memorial donations may be made to the LSU Medical Research Center or the American Cancer Society. Barry was a dedicated father to his surviving children, Kendi Johnson, 23, of Walker, and Kay Lynn, 16, and Barry Jr., 13, both of Gonzales. They will be most deprived of his strong spirit and his kind and loving heart. His driving spirit will be remembered by other surviving family members: parents, Elva and Julius Braud, Gonzales; sister and brother-in-law, Sheila and Keith Zeringue, Prairieville; brother, Perry Braud, Arkansas; two nephews, Benjamin and Christopher Zeringue, both of Prairieville; and many cousins, aunts and uncles. His family wishes to extend a heartfelt message of gratitude to the staff of Ascension Care Center, the staff of Dr. Christopher McCanless, and Todd and Candy Sheets of Sno's Seafood & Steakhouse. Barry was a dedicated, loyal employee of Gonzales Music Wholesale and The Athletic Center for the past 23 years. Barry foremost enjoyed his work, followed by bowling, fishing and playing cards. His most avid vice in life was his coffee. B - Burdened and weak, A - Always with a smile, R - Ready to go R - Rest in peace Y - Yes, we understand.

FABRE, LLOYD J.
A resident of Metairie, he died at 10 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30, 2002, at his home. He was 60 and a native of Donaldsonville. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survived by four sisters, Lois Gwin, Doris F. Milano, Lorraine Fabre and Loretta Fabre; and a brother, Harold Fabre. Preceded in death by his parents, Nemoure Fabre and Melanie deBautte Fabre. He graduated from LSU and attended officer candidate school.

HARRIS, VIRGINIA LANELL
A loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she died at her daughter's home on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002. She was 74, a native of Vimy Ridge, Ark., and a resident of Gonzales. Survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Gay Lynn and Robert Young; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Charles Armour Harris and Scott and Jaci Harris; two grandchildren and spouses, Randy and Becky Young and Virginia and Philip Morgan; four great-grandchildren and five sisters. Preceded in death by her husband, A.G. "Hap" Harris; and her mother, father, and three brothers. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Gonzales.

JOHNSON, L. C.
A cement finisher and resident of Prairieville, he died at 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, 2002, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge. He was 76 and a native of Hope Villa. Survived by his wife, Willie Mae Johnson; two daughters-in-law, Earlene Lomas and Rosemary Johnson; seven sons and spouses, Clarence and Joyce Anthony, William Lomas, Dwight and Virginia Johnson, Gerald and Monique Johnson, Eric and Viola Johnson, L.C. Cedric Johnson and Eddie "Jack" Williams; three sisters and a spouse, Nellie and Joseph Taylor, Hettie Viola Johnson and Cherrie Mae Nixon; a brother and spouse, Eddie and Janice Johnson; three sisters-in-law and spouses, Edna and Leroy Mason, Nellie and Audry Varnado and Betty and Oscar Boutte; two brothers-in-law and spouses, Sye and Jeanette Dukes and Lloyd and Theresa Dukes; an aunt, Emma Washington; 13 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his father and mother, Alfred Johnson and Beatrice Johnson Stewart; two sons, Ray Lester Johnson and Ronnie Lomas; mother-in-law, Lillie Vallery Williams; two sisters, Clara Thompson and Willie B. Johnson; two brothers, Ira Joe Johnson and Mike Johnson; a grandchild, Ronnie Lomas Jr.; two sisters-in-law, Ethel Mae Ealey and Geraldine Dukes; and a brother-in-law, Lenis Dukes Sr. His hobby was fishing.

MEISCHKE, CHRYSTINE MOORE "MIKE"
Chrystine was born on Nov. 1, 1924, and departed this life on Monday, Sept. 30, 2002. Chrystine retired from Woman's Hospital as a certified operating room technician. She was instrumental in the formation of a local chapter of Association of Operating Room Technicians and was a pioneer in the effort to achieve national certification. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Darryl and Alene Bourgeois, Prairieville, Nancy and Terry Walters, Colorado, and Theresa and Tommy Martinez, St. Amant; a son, Michael Phillip "Butch" Meischke; sisters, Alene May, DeRidder, and Irene Hosemann, Hattiesburg, Miss.; grandchildren, Wayne and Nicki Bourgeois, Jim and Renee Bourgeois, Robin Hilbun, Rhonda and Corey Babin, Keely and Damon Babin, Brad Martinez, Megan Martinez, James and Mickie Walters, Matthew Walters, Tiffany and Jade St. Pierre, Ashleigh Meischke, and Erin Walters of Texas; great-grandchildren, Reece, Colin, Brock and Logan Bourgeois, Haleigh, Ethan, Zane, Shanlin and Kharis Babin, Jay and Kayla Walters, Brittanie and Allie St. Pierre and Landon Hilbun; and two special caretakers, Beverly Cook and Beth Crawford, who made her last few months carefree. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 39 years, William Glenn "Mike" Meischke; two brothers, Anse and Grayson Moore; a sister, Oretus Hampson; and parents, Edna and Amos Moore. She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Special thanks go to Dr. Michael Rolfsen, who was also there for her and treated her as a friend as well as a patient. Her family will never forget his professionalism and compassion. Chrystine was a loving mother, grandmother, friend and neighbor. She will be greatly missed by those whose lives she so tenderly touched. Memorial donations may be made to Ascension Chapter of the American Cancer Society or to Hospice of Baton Rouge.

ROBINSON, RICHARD WALTER "LIGHTNING"
A shipfitter and resident and native of Donaldsonville, he died at 3:49 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, 2002, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans. He was 52 and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Survived by four sisters and spouses, Loise Davis, Marjorie and Leroy Caldwell, Rose Jennett Robinson and Adlene and Murphy Lee; three brothers and spouses, Edison Jr. and Dorothy Robinson, Edward Lawrence and Tara James, and Joseph Lynn and Nicole James; stepfather, Edward James Sr.; devoted friends whom he called his guardian angels, Anita Anderson, Naomi Spain, Edna Bell and Lucille Cost; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie Dorsey James; and father, Edison Robinson Sr.

SHERMAN, EUGENE W. "MIKE"
Died Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, at his residence in Donaldsonville. He was 52 and a native of Belle Rose. Survived by three daughters, Gabrellia Plummer and Trinette and Shawanda Sherman; two sons, Corey and Fabian Plummer, all of Belle Rose; five sisters and brothers-in-law, Brenda and Edward McKinney Jr. of Donaldsonville, Augustine and Burel Caine of Belle Rose, and Bertha, Josephine and Dorothy Webster, all of Baton Rouge; four brothers, Clarence Sherman and Oliver Lewis Sr., both of Belle Rose, and Arthur and Wallace Webster, both of Baton Rouge; eight grandchildren, three stepsisters, five stepbrothers, eight aunts, two uncles and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his wife, Vernice Richard Sherman; three children, Brian, Shelia and Narbert Sherman; parents, three brothers, two sisters, grandparents and stepfather.

SMALLWOOD, JR. ROBERT JAMES
Born Oct. 10, 1948, in Battle Creek, Mich., to Robert and Laurel Brudi Smallwood of Athens, Mich., he died Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002, in Prairieville following many years of fighting heart disease. He attended public school and Cleary College in Ypsilanti, Mich. He was a charter member of the Unitarian Universal Church in Holly, Mich. He is survived by his fiancee, Jeanine Castillo, Prairieville, an Oct. 13 wedding had been planned; a son, Patrick Smallwood, Phoenix; a daughter, Cynthia Warne, Pontiac, Mich.; brothers, Mark Smallwood, Ypsilanti, David Smallwood, Saline, Mich., and John Smallwood, Longview, Wash.; a sister, Sharon Peterson, Las Vegas; mother, Laurel Smallwood, Castle Rock, Wash.; and his "adopted" family of two daughters and three grandsons, all of Prairieville. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert James Smallwood Sr.; and a sister, Sylvia Moses, who was of Florida.

BALFANTZ, VERA HAYS
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isiah 40:31 A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, a resident of Maurepas and former resident of Baton Rouge, she was 80 and a native of New York. She died Sunday, Nov. 10, 2002, at 9:30 p.m. She is survived by her husband, Raymond Balfantz; two daughters and a son-in-law, Maureen Hays of Port Vincent, and Debbie and Donald Plaisance of Baton Rouge; five granddaughters and spouses, April Webb of Prairieville, Michelle and Bill Leach of Covington, Monique and Kyle Carmouche and Minette and Joey Blanchard, all of Baton Rouge, and Mignon and Doug Tate of Collierville, Tenn.; and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Clara Schmalzle of Barryville, N.Y., and Carol Swingle of Ann Arbor, Mich.; and two brothers, Cecil Vollmer of Pensacola, Fla., and Paul Vollmer of Salt Spring, Fla. She was preceded in death by her father, Matthew Vollmer; mother, Hazel Vollmer; a son, William Brian Hays; and former husbands, James R. Hays and Vernon Arnold. She received her master's degree in human ecology from LSU. Before retirement, she taught in the East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parish schools. She was a member and past worthy matron of Order of the Eastern Star.

BRAUD, JOSEPH NELSON "BILL"
A retired aircraft mechanic and a resident and native of Duplessis, he died at 10:40 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002, at his home. He was 86 and a former two-year resident of Azalea Estates. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, with 22 years in the military, and retired from Louisiana Air Craft Inc. after 16 years of service. Survived by his wife, Delcie LeBlanc Braud, Duplessis; three daughters, Beverly C. Braud, Duplessis, Debra A. Thompson, Baton Rouge, and Maxine B. Johnson, Palm Harbor, Fla.; six grandchildren, Kristy S. Morris, Max, Andy and Luke Johnson, Matthew Hill and Blake Thompson; and a great-grandchild, Kelsey B. Morris; three sisters, Mrs. L.P. (Ina) Gautreau Jr., Duplessis, Mayola Brown, Prairieville, and Leona Egan, Metairie; and two brothers, Alvin "Peter" Braud, Gonzales, and Harold "Lou" Braud, Prairieville. Preceded in death by his parents, Frank J. and Nezida Babin Braud; a brother, Elton "Tite" Braud; and a sister, Mrs. Robert (Elma) Babin. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Usher Society. He was a charter grand knight with the Knights of Columbus from 1983 to 1984, member of the Prairieville Council No. 8342 and past grand knight from 1990 to 1991 and 1992 to 1993. He enjoyed fishing and gardening. Special thanks and appreciation to the staff and friends at Azalea Estates and Feliciana Home Health, especially Toby Leon, Donna Howard, Elizabeth Kasulaitis and Johnnie Ezeff.

DILLE, SR. CURTIS JOSEPH
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. II Timothy 4:7. A retired hardware clerk with B. Lemann Brothers and employee of the old cigar factory in Smoke Bend, he died at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, 2002, at his residence in Smoke Bend. He was 92 and a lifelong resident of Smoke Bend. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a recipient of the Purple Heart. Survived by his wife of 63 years, Evy Simoneaux Dille, Smoke Bend; a daughter and son-in-law, Laura Lee and Rusty Rivet, Kingwood, Texas; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Curtis Dille Jr., Gonzales, Warren and Diane Dille, Plattenville, and Michael and Sue Dille, Baton Rouge; 11 grandchildren, Jeffrey, Chris, Gregg, Bret, Ryan "R.J.," Robert and Stephen Dille, John Rivet, Sonia Dille Falcon, Christy Dille Barnes and Erin Rivet Burkamp; and 11 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Corine Lanoux Dille; a brother, Ulyses Dille; and two sisters, Elsie Dille Domingue and Mildred Dille Stevens. He was an usher at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Babin-Haynes American Legion Post 98, Knights of Columbus Council 1087, Montalbona-Sentilles VFW 3766 and Disabled American Veterans Post 45.

DOMINIQUE III, EMILE JOSEPH
A resident of Gonzales and former longtime resident of Donaldsonville, he died at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002, at River West Medical Center, Plaquemine. He was 61 and a native of New Orleans. Survived by a daughter, Nathalie D. Gonzales; two sons, Emile J. Dominique IV and John M. Dominique; a sister, Jan Chieola; two brothers, Dale Dominique and Cary Dominique; and six grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, Emile J. Dominique Jr. and Elsie Dille Dominique; and a sister, Joan Phillips.

DORNIER, CLAUDE MAURICE
A security guard at Syngenta and a resident of Prairieville, he died at 8:59 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, 2002, at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Gonzales. He was 50 and a native of Convent. Survived by his mother, Elaine Joseph Dornier, Gonzales; a son, Lucien James Dornier, Prairieville; two sisters, Emily Dornier Baluch, Gonzales, and Loretta Dornier Andermann, Prairieville; and a brother, Joseph Anthony Dornier Jr., Baton Rouge. Preceded in death by his father, Joseph Anthony Dornier Sr.

GAUTREAUX, DORIS LEOLA JAMES "DOT"
A homemaker and resident of Baton Rouge, she died at 10:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2002, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. She was 72 and a native of Ponchatoula. Survived by her five children, Mona G. Bruner, Baton Rouge, Randall M. Gautreaux, Ethel, Gail A. Gautreaux, Baton Rouge, Timothy J. Gautreaux, St. Paul, Minn., and Gary P. Gautreaux, Mandeville; two sisters, Elaine James Harelson, Baton Rouge, and Alvonia J. White, Prairieville; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Malcolm J. Gautreaux; parents, Marshall Edward and Lela Broussard James; two sisters, Agnes J. Perdue and infant Arlene James; and seven brothers, Windon James, Thurman James, Kline James, H.L. James, L.E. James, Jewel James and Douglas James.

HARALSON, SAMUEL
(HARRISON) A resident of Baton Rouge, he died Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002, at Sterling Place. He was 76 and a native of Sorrento. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survived by a daughter, Judy Haralson; and four grandchildren, Jeremy and Susan Juge and Codie and Patrick McJulien. Preceded in death by a son, Marlon Haralson; parents, brothers, sisters; and two grandsons, Patrick and James Juge.

HODGE, WILLIE D. "BILL"
Retired as manager of a steel fabrication plant in Orange County, Calif., and a resident of Donaldsonville, he died at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002, in Baton Rouge. He was 88 and a native of Arkansas. Preceded in death by his wife, Theresa Kern Hodge; parents, Emmett and Elizabeth Hodge; two sisters, Tessie Thweatt and Katie Lou Hodge; and a brother, Robert C. Hodge.

ORDELLO, RUDY JOSEPH
A retired seismic operator with Shell Oil Co. with 30 years of service, he died at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, 2002, in Donaldsonville. He was 83 and a resident and native of Donaldsonville. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Survived by his wife, Sally Stretinski Ordello, Donaldsonville; a daughter, Brenda O. Bergeron, Donaldsonville; a son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Donna Andrepont Ordello, Bellingham, Wash.; a sister, Rosalie Mire, Baton Rouge; and six grandchildren, Richard P. "Ricky" Bergeron, Baton Rouge, Brett Bergeron, Addis, Christopher Bergeron, Donaldsonville, Donovan Ordello, Bellingham, Dean Ordello, Seattle, and Darlene Ordello, Bellingham. Preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Mamie Alleman Ordello; two infant brothers, and a sister, Leah LeBlanc. He was a member of Babin-Haynes American Legion Post 98, Montalbano-Sentilles VFW Post 3766, Shell Alumini, Crusin' Cajuns, Bayou Ramblers and AARP.

VENABLE, JOHN LEROY "JAY"
A retired pipe fitter and a member of Plumbers and Steamfitters Union Local 198, he died at 5:40 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, 2002, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge. He was 66, a resident of Gonzales and a native of Morrow. Survived by his wife, Catherine Gautreaux Venable, Gonzales; a daughter and son-in-law, Timi and Darren St. Amant, Baton Rouge; four sons and daughters-in law, Todd and Lynette Venable, Gonzales, Micah and Shannon Venable, St. Amant, and Vance and Kandis Venable and Jay M. and Vanessa Venable, all of Gonzales; a brother and sister-in-law, Herman and Joyce Venable, Alexandria; godmother, Eva Thibodeaux, Morrow; 14 grandchildren, Christy Acosta, Brock, Brooklyn, Felicia, Sarah, Emily, Victoria, Kathryn and Jacob Venable, Landon Gautreau, Jared Babin and Jordan, Alexandra and Matthew St. Amant; and two great-grandchildren, Katie and Abigail Acosta. Preceded in death by his parents, Saul and Alice Thibodeaux Venable; two sisters, Elsie Marcott and Della Fermin; and a brother, Ervin Venable.