SARAH E. SORRELLS (FORCE)
Saying goodbye to someone we love is never easy, regardless of their age. On Tuesday, February 23, 2023, Sarah E. Sorrells (Force) 92, of Slidell, Louisiana (formerly of Picayune, MS and Melbourne, FL), transitioned peacefully from her home to heaven.
Sarah was born September 28, 1930, in Marks, Mississippi. She married Thomas Sorrells in 1948, had five children and became his widow in 1986. She retired from Stennis Space Center as a Logistics Specialist and was a member of Goodyear Baptist Church. Sarah was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and daughter, who loved her family unconditionally.
Her faith in God was a source of comfort and strength to her and her family. Sarah’s love, affection, support and loyalty for her family was unwavering through all of their celebrations and challenges. She was her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s greatest fan and saw every event she attended as a gift. Her show of support from the sidelines was something that could be seen and heard from near or far because she could NOT contain her passion while cheering for her people.
Sarah’s smile was captivating, her personality magnetic and her positive energy would light up the darkest room. She had a deep desire to experience new things which led her to swimming lessons at the age of 65, selling her home, buying a sailboat and living a piece of her life in the Bahama Islands. She was fearless, courageous and would do anything for those she loved. Sarah was an inspiration to everyone who knew and loved her. She will be greatly missed by all the lives she touched, but the brightness of her smile, the warmth of her hugs, and the power of her love, will never be forgotten and remain forever in our hearts.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James G. Hill and Mary McMann Hill; her son Michael W. Sorrells; her daughter, Sandra D. Oglesbee; two brothers, James and William Hill; six sisters, Juanita Regan, Thelma Wilson, Elise Adams, Evelyn Howell, Bessie Gooch, and Jessie Monroe.
She is survived by three children, Brenda Sorrells, Donald Sorrells (Penny), Thomas Sorrells Jr.; her son-in-law Nolan (Sandy) Oglesbee, eight grandchildren, Glenn (Katy) Penton, Amanda (Rich) Clementi; Lindsey Oglesbee, Kristie Sorrells Hayes (Hoyt), Dusty (Katie) Sorrells, Melissa Sorrells (Ryan), Ashley Sorrells, Kellie (Justin) Holland; fifteen great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Her family is encouraging all those who knew Sarah in any capacity to attend her memorial service on Saturday March 4 at Goodyear Baptist Church (2710 Ms-43 Picayune, MS). Visitation is from 12 noon to 2 p.m. followed by her funeral.
SUZANNE COCRAN MABIE
Suzanne Marie Cocran Leake Mabie, age 73, formally of Slidell, Louisiana, now of Austin, Texas, passed away on February 6, 2023, with her family around her. Suzanne was born to parents, Viola Suzanne Schmidt Cocran and Dr. Marvin Cocran. She graduated from Slidell High School in 1968 with many honors and went onto obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Louisiana in Monroe.
Suzanne was involved in many service organizations such as Past Worthy Advisor of Slidell Assembly #4 and Past Grand Recorder of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. She also volunteered at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center as a docent. She worked for the YMCA of the United States for 39 years and one of her proudest achievements was being placed in the Southeast YMCA’s Hall of Fame Class of 2022.
Suzanne is survived by her husband of 33 years, Edward L. Mabie, Jr. of Austin, Texas; sisters, Deborah Cocran-Hock (Ray) of Metairie, Louisiana, Marlene Cocran Luparello (Lester) of Picayune, Mississippi; sons; Charles Austin Leake (Kayla), Lucas Bernard Leake (Lexy), grandson Carter Austin Robert Leake of Austin, Texas; and step-son, Timothy Ivan Mabie of Houston, Texas; nieces Misty Garrett Fingar (Aaron), Angela Suzanne Cocran Sella (Eric), great niece Elly Fingar, great nephews, Max Fingar and George Sella.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenforestoaks.com for the Mabie family. A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2023, Circle C Ranch Community Center, 7817 LaCrosse Ave., Austin, Texas, 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the https://www.betterunite.com/suzannemabiememorialpage or https://www.als.org/.
Honaker Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For more information on services, contact Honaker at 985-641-1900 or online at: honakerforestlawn.com)
Leslie Ann Toups Bouvier, age 65, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023.
Born in New Orleans, she was a registered nurse for 12 years before becoming a full-time stay-at-home mother, soccer mom, Girl Scout leader, Catechism teacher and room mother.
Dawn Ethel Nelson, age 59, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2023.
She was a human resource director in the healthcare field and loved music, books, baking and the beach.
She was also an avid supporter of animals.
Audubon Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For information on services, contact Audubon at 985-645-0600 or online at: audubonfuneralhome.com)
Michael Alan Watkins, age 79, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2023.
A native of New Orleans, he graduated from St. Aloysius High School in 1961 and attended Tulane and Delgado.
He served in the U.S. Navy and later had a career as an accountant, employed with Wm. F. Surgi Equipment Co., Cabildo Construction and the Slidell Sentry Newspaper.
He enjoyed gardening, traveling, U.S. history and fishing.
Michael Floyd Talley, age 76, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
Born in New Orleans, he graduated from Slidell High School and attended Southeastern, serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict.
He was a carpenter and handyman by trade and served as a firefighter in Slidell.
He enjoyed working on his old 1940 and 1951 Chevys.
Grant Clark, Jr., age 59, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
A native of New Orleans, he was a master plumber who enjoyed drag racing, motorcycles and working on classic cars.
Sandra Ann Rodi Chauppetta, age 71, of Pearl River, LA, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2023.
Born in New Orleans, she spent many years as a homemaker and enjoyed trips to the casino, playing cards, Bingo and dancing, as well as her great love for Pepsi.