JUDY TAYLOR POLAND
Judy Taylor Poland, a lifelong resident of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on May 2, 2023, at the age of 79. Born on June 17, 1943, in Columbus, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Jessie Jack Taylor and Ruth Wright.
Judy leaves behind, to cherish her memory, her children, Cindy Ajan, Leland Cox, and Kellie Colt and a host of extended family members and friends. Judy’s love for her family was evident in the countless memories they shared and the unbreakable bonds they formed.
Throughout her life, Judy was a dedicated worker, spending her career as a finance manager in the money lending industry. Her passion for helping others achieve their dreams and aspirations was evident in her work as a test grader for her church of 27 years.
Judy’s steadfast love and support will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but her memory will live on through the countless lives she touched.
Relatives and friends attended a memorial service for Judy on Monday, May 8 at Ridge Memorial Baptist Church located at 55115 Apple Pie Ridge Road in Slidell. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com
CAROL MAE FIELDS
Carol Mae Fields, of Slidell, Louisiana, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Harry and Esta Flugan on May 25, 1930, and gained her angel wings on May 11, 2023, at the age of 92.
Carol graduated from Ohio University where she met William “Bill” Fields, the love of her life, to whom she was married for 60 years. They quickly began their adventurous life together in the military. After moving numerous times, they eventually settled near Eglin Air Force Base in Shalimar, Florida. They enjoyed their life on the Gulf Coast for 29 years before moving to their farm in Texas. Carol moved to Slidell, LA in 2013, shortly after Bill’s passing.
Carol was the devoted wife of an Air Force Pilot/fisherman/farmer and loving mother of three daughters. She was a beautiful role model to everyone who knew her. She loved fishing, boating, cooking, and playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her kindness, heartwarming smile, and sweet nature made this world a better place.
Carol is survived by her three daughters, Cheryl Loeffelholz, Linda Jahnke, and Cindy Hillard and their spouses (Steve, Jeff and Michael, respectively), seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and her two sisters-in-law, Mary and Sugar.
A private service for the family will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, where Carol will be interred with her beloved husband, Bill. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Carol’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The family would like to thank the staff of Summerfield Senior Living for their kindness for the past ten years. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com
BLAKE HUNTER COSTELLO
Blake Hunter Costello, a lifelong resident of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on May 4, 2023 at the age of 22. Born on July 20, 2000, he is the beloved son of Amanda Lynn Costello and Steven Herrmann Costello and treasured brother of Madelyn Sue Costello and Cooper Steven Costello. Blake also leaves behind, to cherish his memory, his maternal grandparents, Mickey Farley and Sue Ellen Farley; paternal grandmother, Karen Costello; one aunt, Jenny Tolis; three uncles, Joey Tolis, Eric Costello, and Lee Farley; five cousins, Kadin Tolis, Kalyssa Tolis, Allison Brassette, Angelina Brassette, and McKenzie Costello; his girlfriend, Isabella Elise Keeley; and a host of extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Eric George Herrmann Costello.
Blake graduated from Pearl River High School with the Class of 2019. His talent for basketball and outstanding record of being the leading scorer on his team earned Blake a full athletic scholarship to Grayson Community College. He had a passion for music, art, and fashion, which inspired him to pursue a career creating his own graphic t-shirts. Blake was in the process of enlisting in the United States Navy to bravely serve his country. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Audubon Funeral Home in Slidell. A funeral service will begin at 1:30 p.m. Blake will be laid to rest in Forest Lawn Cemetery following services. A celebration of life reception will begin at 3 p.m. at Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Slidell.
Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com
CLAUDE W. JOHNSON
Claude W. Johnson, a lifelong resident of St. Joe, Louisiana, passed away on May 3, 2023, at the age of 87. He was born on July 24, 1935, to Frank Johnson and Idele Johnson.
Claude was predeceased by his parents; two children, Guy Johnson and Anita Johnson; four siblings, Joseph Johnson, Alice Johnson, Freddy Johnson, and Beula Johnson; son-in-law, Lester Vaultz Sr.; one grandchild, Jennifer Johnson, and one great-grandson, Luca Johnson.
Claude is survived by his wife, Yvonne Amos Johnson; their four children, Grayling Johnson (Faith), Sherry Johnson, Van Johnson (MaryAnn), and Brandon Johnson (Jade); two Godchildren, Deidra Johnson and Edward Tillison (Junior); grandchildren, Demetria Johnson, Ashley Narcisse (Randell), Jarrett Narcisse, Sasha Johnson, Constance Johnson (Conkie), Blake Waller, Grayling Johnson Jr., Lester Vaultz Jr. (Alesha), Inika Vaultz; great-grandchildren, Preston Dajon, DeAndre Donaldson, Davin Donaldson, Alyssa Narcisse, Cameron Johnson, Blair Vaultz, Mosiah Vaultz, Jarrett Narcisse Jr.,Maverick Narcisse, Jaxxon Narcisse, and Lester Vaultz III. Additionally, he is survived by his two brothers, Tommy Johnson and Julius Johnson, along with a host of extended family members, friends, nieces, and nephews. All of whom will miss him dearly.
Growing up in Pearl River, Claude developed a strong work ethic and a love for the outdoors. He enjoyed sports such as hunting, fishing, baseball, and football. Claude often shared his catches with family and friends. His love for nature extended to his passion for growing crops, where he found solace and satisfaction in nurturing life from the earth.
Most of Claude’s professional life was spent at New Orleans Cement Company, which he retired from after 45 years of dedicated service. He came out of his retirement to work for Leo Lowe and son of Pearl River Trucking for another 10 years, a career that allowed him to see the beauty of the country while providing for his family. His dedication to his job and his commitment to safety earned him the respect of his colleagues and employers.
In addition to his work and family life, Claude was an active member of his community, participating in various organizations and associations. One of his most cherished involvements was as a Masonic Mason. Claude’s commitment to the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth guided him throughout his life and helped shape the man he became.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Audubon Funeral Home in Slidell. A funeral service will begin in the chapel at 10 a.m. and conclude at noon. A horse drawn carriage will lead a procession to Salvation Church Cemetery at noon where Claude will be laid to rest. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com
Audubon Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For information on services, contact Audubon at 985-645-0600 or online at: audubonfuneralhome.com)
Mindy Elizabeth McGee, age 40, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
A native of New Orleans, she earned her nursing degree at William Carey University and a Master’s in nursing at the University of South Alabama, going on to become a nurse practitioner.
Mark David Anderson, age 64, of Lacombe, LA, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
A native of New Orleans, he had a career as a truck driver.
Jean Gisevius Price, age 87, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Monday, May 8, 2023.
Born in New Orleans, she graduated from John McDonogh High School in 1953 and went on to have a career as an executive assistant with Security Homestead.
She was a parishioner at St. James Major Catholic Church in New Orleans, and most recently, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Slidell.
She enjoyed gardening, cooking and sewing in her spare time.
Mary Lynn Murphy Pendarvis, age 88, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Monday, April 17, 2023.
A New Orleans native, she was a music education graduate of Loyola University, a member of the entertainment troupe Campus Capers and a singer on WWL radio.
She was a big band singer and Glee Club director at Mount Carmel, and then a volunteer at Metairie’s St. Angela Merici Parish school, also helping as band director at Behrman and Walker schools in Algiers.
Along with many other musical related activities, she loved cooking, camping, fishing and tubing parties.
Honaker Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For more information on services, contact Honaker at 985-641-1900 or online at: honakerforestlawn.com)
Susan Blanchard Collins, age 57, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Thursday, May 11, 2023.
She was raised in Metairie before moving to Slidell and was very active as a volunteer at no-kill shelters with a lifelong passion for taking in rescue animals.