Brooks

Freddie “Toote” Brooks, Jr., 61, died Feb. 19, 2008. The St. Rose native is survived by mother, Myrtle Vennett; wife, Mary Collins Brooks; daughters, Rosalind Brooks and Tanya Brooks Stevens; son-in-law, Walter Steven, Jr.; sister, Freida Brooks Howard. Also survived by five grandchildren.

Homegoing celebration was Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008 at Fifth African B.C. in St. Rose. Entombment followed in St. Chalres Borromeo Musoleum in Destrehan.

Caire

Inez Songy Caire, 86, died Friday, Feb. 22, 2008. The Edgard resident is survived by husband, Etienne Joseph Carr II; sons, Stephen Joseph, Gerard Anthony and Vincent Paul Caire; daughters, Mary Elizabeth Marino, Magdalen Ann Smith, Therese Bryars and Elia Saxer. Also survived by 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by parents, Prudent G. and Elia Simon Songy; brothers, Aubin Sr., Edward Joseph and Gerard Songy; sisters, Ludevine Stakes, Elma Gendron, Euna Andrews, Elise King and Gertrude Malone.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Benilde Church, 1901 Division Street in Metairie. Funeral Mass will immediately follow visitation. In lieu of flowers donations should be sent to Children’s Hospital of New Orleans or Alton Oschner Medical Foundation in the name of Austin Betbeze. The online guestbook may be viewed and signed at www.legacy.com.  

Calcagno

Anna Lee Calcagno, 74, died Friday, Feb. 22, 2008. The LaPlace resident is survived by husband, Charles Calcagno; daughter, Catherine Haydel; son, Mark Calcagno. Also survived by four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Preceded in death by parents, Charles and Amy Ockman.

Funeral Mass was Monday, Feb. 25, 2008 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Burial followed in St. John Memorial Gardens Cemetery in LaPlace.

Champagne

Paul Durward Champagne, 85, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. The Edgard native is survived by sisters, Iris, Delaneuville, Faith Roussel and Joy Schexnayder.

Preceded in death by Paul Joseph and Aline Copponex Champagne; sisters, Doris Matherne, Rita Jane Bohn, Audrey Reynaurd and Mary Lou Schexnayder; brothers, J. Wallace and Francis X. Champagne.

Private services were held Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edgard.

DeBate

Inez Marie DeBate, 93, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008. The Paulina native is survived by son, R.J. DeBate; daughters, Laura Chenier, Linda Babin and Diane Tramonte. Also survived by 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by husband, Roosevelt P. “Roo” DeBate; parents, Adrien Bourgeois and Laura Louque DeBate; daughter, Janice D. Boudreaux; sisters, Edia Laurent, Nola LaBauve and Rena Schexnayder.

Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, Feb. 25, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Paulina. Entombment followed in the church mausoleum.

Haydel

Harold Joseph Haydel, 80, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008. The Norco resident is survived by wife, Betty LaNasa Haydel; sons, Richard and Michael James Haydel; daughters, Pamela Haydel Mistretta, Susan Haydel Elmendorf and Janet Haydel Signorelli.Also survived by 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Preceded in death by parents, Louis Joseph and Lula Becnel Haydel.

Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008 at St. Charles Borromeo Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Jackson

Alexander Jackson, Sr., 81, died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008. The Lutcher resident is survived by wife, Augusta Garrett Jackson; daughters, Theresa Washington, Catherine Morton, Joyce Washington, Paulette Washington, Bertha Joseph, Bernadette Coleman, Dianna Honor and Kathleen Gautreaux. Also survived by 51 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren.

Sons, Wilbert Diggs, Frank Diggs, James, Alexander Jr. and Lloyd Jackson.

Preceded in death by parents, Andrew Sr. and Rowenia Stewart Jackson; son, Andrew Jackson, Jr.

Religious services were Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008 at Greater King Triumph Baptist Church. Interment followed in Golden Wreath Cemetery in Lutcher.

Johnson

Augustine Velma Johnson, 75, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. The Lutcher native is survived by sons, Eugene and Brence Burden; sisters, Senoria Matthews, Cara Lee Barney and Jocelyn Gaines; brothers, Leander P. and Andrew Carr, Lonnie Ray and Durwin Gaines. Also survived by six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by parents, Irma Gaines and Dave Carr; sister, Irma Jean Gordon.

Funeral services were Monday, Feb. 25, 2008 at King David B.C. Interment followed in Golden Wreath Cemetery in Lutcher.