RANDALL LANE WATTS
Randall Lane Watts was 46 years old when he left this life and moved on to the next after a lifelong battle with a rare form of muscular dystrophy.
Randall Lane Watts was born on March 31, 1977, to Avis Crawford Burnette and John Lane Watts. He was preceded in death by his father, John Lane Watts; stepfather, Marvin Burnette; grandparents Alfred and Alice Crawford and Reuben and Etha Mae Watts.
He leaves behind his loving mother Avis Crawford Burnette; brother James C Watts (Laura); sisters Ann Parilla (Ralph); Lee Mizell (Kevin); Betsy Napolitano; Deanna Burch (Bill); and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.
Randall was a graduate of Slidell High School. Attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. A graduate of the Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology.
Randall departed this life to the everlasting arms of our Savior on June 17, 2023. Funeral arrangements can be found on the DT Williams Funeral Home website.
Randall was a master hair stylist, a Gemini, and a lover of animals (with the exception of his mom’s dog Gracie, who drove him bananas). Years ago, he gave his heart to a high-maintenance chihuahua with an exceptional wardrobe. At the end of his life, he was adored by a giant pit bull named Bison.
Randall was devoted to his family and friends, especially his adoring mother, whose hair he refused to perm no matter how often she asked.
Randall loved people of all kinds and made friends wherever he went, like at the Racetrac where he bought his daily fountain Dr. Pepper. He was curious about others and enjoyed hearing a good story almost as much as telling one. This served him well during his long career doing hair. His clients adored him and shared their lives with him, and he loved them right back, often acting as amateur therapist while working behind the chair. Randall was compassionate and empathetic, he listened without judgment, and he gave a fantastic neck massage while shampooing during a hair service.
Randall found joy in helping people, and if something needed fixing, he likely had just the thing in his car trunk to make the repair. He had everything in his car trunk. He collected flashlights of all kinds, because you never know when you might need a flashlight, and he was generous in giving them away. He was the guy who jumped ahead to open the door for you. He insisted on carrying the heavy bags. He talked to children with respect and never condescended.
Randall loved music and singalongs. He had a fantastic singing voice–big and booming–and often broke into song while leaving voicemails. He enjoyed porch sitting and long talks with friends (always with a Dr. Pepper). He thrived on creating beautiful spaces and gardening. He had a weakness for Dollar Tree Christmas florals, and he was a genius at decorating a themed Christmas tree. He loved driving with the windows down and the radio up on a beautiful day.
Even as his muscle disease progressed, and he felt weak and tired, Randall was still exuberant and joyful and full of sass. He had his bad days, but he loved life, he loved the people in his life, and he was grateful for the life he had. If you were lucky enough to know him, no doubt you, too, are grateful for Randall’s life. The world is a little bit darker without him in it.
MICHAEL JOSEPH PENEGUY
Michael Joseph Peneguy, age 81, of Slidell, LA, passed on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
Michael was born in Chattanooga, TN. He grew up in New Orleans, LA and Pass Christian, MS., attended Cor Jesu (Brother Martin) and graduated from St. Stanislaus. Michael graduated from LSU with a BS in Petroleum Engineering.
After graduation he married Sherry Meade Peneguy, shortly thereafter he was called to serve his country as a Captain in the US Army. After his service he returned to work for Getty, Texaco, and Chevron oil companies, in West Texas, Oklahoma, Kuwait, and South Louisiana. He worked tirelessly for the Wisner Trust as a board member and family representative.
He was preceded in death by his wife Sherry Meade Peneguy, his parents Edward W. Peneguy and Louise Northrop Peneguy, and his brothers John D. Peneguy and Robert O. Peneguy, Sr.
He is survived by his four sons, Dr. Michael John Peneguy of Thibodaux, LA, Matthew N.(Stephanie) Peneguy of Plaquemine, LA; Craig A. Peneguy of New Orleans, LA; and Daniel W. (Terri) Peneguy of League City, TX; his grandchildren, Gabriel E. Peneguy, Elise N. Peneguy, and Aubrey A. Peneguy; his brothers, Edward W. Peneguy, Jr. of Baton Rouge LA, William A. Peneguy of Pass Christian, MS, and James N. Peneguy of Baton Rouge, LA; and his sisters Ann L. Blount of Pass Christian, MS and Jane H. Casey of Bonner Springs, KS.
Funeral Service will be held at Honaker Funeral Home, 1751 Gause Blvd. West, Slidell, Louisiana on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., followed by a Catholic Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Please visit www.honakerforestlawn.com to sign guestbook. Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA.
Audubon Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For information on services, contact Audubon at 985-645-0600 or online at: audubonfuneralhome.com)
Bruce Abney, Sr., age 68, of Pearl River, LA, passed away on Friday, June 9, 2023.
A native of Slidell, LA, he was a graduate of Salmen High and Pearl River Community College. He retired from Lockheed Martin after many years as an electrician.
In his spare time, he enjoyed camping and traveling.
Eugene Daniel “Dan” Kelley, Jr., age 79, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
Born in Clewiston, FL, he served in the U.S. Navy as an ETR on the Destroyer USS Damato, then worked with the Navy as a civilian for the Supervisor of Ships.
He graduated from Loyola with a degree in Commerce and had a 40-year career at Avondale, then QA at DCAS for the U.S. Navy.
He later worked at Stennis on the Saturn II Program and Space Shuttle program, finally ending his career with the Department of Energy.
He was a parishioner with St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church and was a part of the RCIA team, and the men’s prayer group known as “The Boyz.”
Honaker Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For more information on services, contact Honaker at 985-641-1900 or online at: honakerforestlawn.com)
Waltere Maurice “WAWA” Mayer, Sr., age 89, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2023.
Born in New Orleans, he was raised in Chalmette and served in the Army National Guard from 1953 to 1961. He later worked for 46 years at Equitable, Halter, and Trinity Yacht yards.
He enjoyed doing upholstery work in his spare time.
Darla Marie Martin, age 54, of Lacombe, LA, passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, after a brave battle with cancer.
Born in Collins, MS, she was an employee with the city of Slidell in the City Council department.
She loved being in the country, especially taking care of her flowers, and was an exceptional seamstress who enjoyed photography as a hobby.
Lorraine Nicholson, age 89, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2023.
A native of Indianola, MS, and a resident of Slidell for the past 55 years, she enjoyed reading, bowling and playing games with friends.
Stephenie Dawn Yarbrough Sternfels, age 58, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Sunday, June 18, 2023, after an 11-month battle with glioblastoma.
Born in Moulton, AL, she grew up in Decatur, AL, and graduated from Decatur High School in 1982. She attended the University of North Alabama where she was a majorette, a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and a Pike little sister.
She moved to Slidell in 2018 and enjoyed decorating, gardening, road trips, Mardi Gras and playing the slots.