By Lenonard Gray-Staff Reporter

St. John the Baptist Parish

BRIGNAC

GRAMERCY – Charlene Marie Breaux Brignac, 58, a native of Houma and resident of Gramercy, died Dec. 24. She was the wife of 34 years of Winston Brignac and mother of Paula Roussel and Andy Brignac, and the late Joshua Brignac.

She was also the daughter of the late Alphonse Sr. and Lula Poincot Breaux, and sister of Florence Riviere, Mildred LeBoeuf, Ola Falgout and Alphonse Breaux Jr.

She is also survived by one grandchild.

She was a CCD teacher for second grade for many years and Eucharistic minister.

Services were Dec. 27 at Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Gramercy, with interment at St. Joseph Mausoleum, Paulina.

CHARLES

RESERVE – Joseph Charles, 71, a native of New Orleans and resident of LaPlace, died Dec. 20. He was the husband of Victoria W. Charles, father of Desiray, Sabrinna and Casandra Charles and stepfather of Carol White and James Lewis.

He was also the son of the late Lucille Kirchard and Willie Charles Sr., and brother of Harold Charles, and the late Melvina Richardson and Willie Charles Jr.

He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Services were Dec. 27 in the chapel of Robottom Mortuary, Reserve, with interment at St. John Memorial Gardens, LaPlace.

GARRIBOT

METAIRIE – Laurel Verdin Garribot, 61, a native of Bridge City and resident of Destrehan for 12 years, died Dec. 25. She was the wife of Albert Garribot and mother of Greta Reisig Cozzo and Donald Reisig Jr.

She was also the daughter of the late Marie V. Levron and Antoine Verdin, stepdaughter of Alphonse Levron, and sister of Nicol. Fedless, Wilfred, Antoine and Allen Levron.

She is also survived by three grandchildren.

Services were Dec. 29 in the chapel of Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, Metairie, with interment at Garden of Memories Cemetery.

GERTSTNER

THIBODAUX – Amelie L.P. Woods Gertstner, 68, a former resident of Scarsdale, N.Y. for 30 years and of Lutcher for 28 years, died Dec. 25. She was the wife of Merrill Gertstner and mother of Kristi Smith.

She was also the daughter of the late Rodney Jr. and Amelie Prescott Woods.

She is also survived by three grandchildren.

Services were Dec. 29 at St. John Episcopal Church, Thibodaux, with interment at the church cemetery.

KARTER

NORCO – Alvin Edward Karter Sr., 78, a native of Albanay, Ala. and resident of Destrehan, died Dec. 25. He was the husband of Thelma Weldon Karter, father of Donna Bouterie, Suellen Buckley, Renee Champagne and Alvin Karter Jr. and stepfather of Brenda Diano.

He was also the son of the late Alysis Henry and Devina McNabb Karter.

He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was a retired truck driver for Matlack Inc. and a carpenter.

Services were Dec. 29 in the chapel of H.C. Alexander Funeral Home, Norco, with interment at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, St. Rose.

MATHERNE

PAULINA – Mary Sylvester Matherne, 75, a native of Windber, Pa. and resident of Paulina for 43 years, died Dec. 24. She was the wife of the late Johnnis Matherne, and mother of Clarence Richard.

She was also the daughter of the late Nick Sylvester and Florence Sanders, sister of Richard, James and Robert Sylvester, and half-sister of Edith Abernathy, Sara, Joseph and Anthony Sylvester.

She is also survived by four grandchildren.

She was a retired tavern owner.

Services were Dec. 27 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Paulina, with interment at the church mausoleum.

STILLWELL

METAIRIE – James Perry Stillwell, 75, a native of Macon, Ga. and resident of LaPlace for 17 years, died Dec. 26. He was the husband of Nora Sammon Stillwell and father of Norma Fuller, Mary Jane Roberts, Joann Perrin, Sharon Guillory, Karen Whitlock, James, Jack, Allen and Terry Stillwell.

He was also the brother of Earl Stillwell.

He is also survived by 23 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and was a supervisor for Ryan-Walsh Stevedore.

Services were Dec. 30 in the chapel of Lake Lawn Funeral Home, Metairie, with interment at Metairie Cemetery.

Fax obituaries to

Leonard Gray

Assistant Managing Editor

(985) 652-3885