GRACE FRITCHIE BURKES
Grace Fritchie Burkes, a nearly lifelong resident of Slidell, Louisiana, and proud champion of her community, passed away on October 13, 2023. She was 85 years old.
Grace was born in Slidell on November 2, 1937. As the youngest daughter of Homer G. Fritchie, who served as Slidell’s mayor for 32 years, Grace developed a deep connection to her hometown that lasted throughout her life. She grew up with her four older siblings in the historic Salmen-Fritchie House on Cleveland Avenue, where she occasionally got into trouble, but always had fun. In the winter of 1954, Grace served as Queen of the Ozone Camellia Court, crowned by then-Mississippi Gov. Hugh White.
After graduating from Slidell High School in 1955, Grace attended Newcomb College in New Orleans, majoring in Elementary Education and enrolling in summer schools and programs at Southern Methodist University, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Mexico throughout her time there. While in Mexico City, she survived the catastrophic 1957 Guerrero earthquake. Upon her college graduation, Grace married her high school and college sweetheart, John Vester “JV” Burkes III, on October 3, 1959. In their early years of marriage, JV’s engineering work brought the couple to Williamsburg, Virginia; Conway, Arkansas; and Puerto Rico, but by the mid 1960s, they returned to Slidell, where their four children were raised. Grace’s professional career began with jobs at the College of William & Mary, the Arkansas School of the Mentally Handicapped, and Brock Elementary School, although she devoted 50 years of her career to real estate, working with McIntire Realty, Miramon Realty, and, finally, Latter & Blum before retiring in 2017.
Throughout her life, Grace was a supportive, gentle soul who showed kindness everywhere she went. She lived a life of service, always putting others before herself. Along with JV, Grace was a dedicated patron of Christ Episcopal Church, serving on the church altar guild and as junior choir director and assisting with church weddings for 40 years. She was also a member of the Junior Auxiliary for 15 years. She loved baking, especially sweets like Kahlua cake, plum pudding, and pralines, but she was also skilled in cooking Southern classics like grits and grillades.
Grace is survived by her husband of 64 years, JV Burkes; her four children, Rebecca Mott (Keith), Barbara Zelenka (Dan), Virginia Pumpelly (John), and Sean Burkes (Nicole); 16 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind a sister, Beth Dendinger, who doubled as her best friend. Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Homer G. and Nellie Fritchie, and her siblings, Nelouise “Suzy” Williams, Alice Barbara Fritchie Ware, and Homer G. Fritchie Jr.
A funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church located at 1534 7th Street in Slidell, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to your favorite charity. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com
MARK DEWEY BEAULIEU
Mark Dewey Beaulieu, age 45, of New Orleans, Louisiana, passed away peacefully in the arms of his girls on October 11, 2023, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Despite the pain, Mark continued to be a true hero and stayed strong until the very end.
Mark served as a firefighter/operator for the New Orleans Fire Department for the last 26 years. He was also a commercial fisherman on his off time. He enjoyed being out on the water running his crab traps, tubing with the kids, and just cruising around. He was an incredibly hard working, devoted family man who was adored by all those he knew.
Mark is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Kayla Beaulieu; three beautiful daughters, Emalynn Beaulieu, Larissa Daigle and Arielle Daigle; one grandson, Jaxson Welch; his golden doodle, Millie Rae; his parents, Sterling Beaulieu Jr. and Dianne Beaulieu; his in-laws, Charley Vogel (Brandi) and Cheri Vogel; his maternal grandmother, Thelma Conwell; one brother, Sterling Beaulieu III (Melissa); his sister-in-law, Alyssa Vogel; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and his fire family.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Sterling Beaulieu Sr., Marguerite Beaulieu, and William Conwell; his uncle, Ross Beaulieu; his niece, Hannah Sarco; along with his beloved Boudreaux.
A time of gathering for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Audubon Funeral Home in Slidell. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com
JOSHUA COLEMAN DAVIS ODOM
Joshua Coleman Davis Odom, of Pearl River, Louisiana, passed away after a brief illness on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at the age of 46. Josh was born to Michael and Victoria Odom on May 28, 1977 in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Mr. Odom is survived by his loving wife of 11 years, Jessica; three sons, Robert, George, and David; his parents, Michael and Victoria; and one brother, Bill (Melissa).
Josh was blessed with the heart of a servant, spending 17 years working at Boyet Jr. High School. He was an attentive father to his three boys and a loving husband to his wife.
Josh loved family activities, taking the boys on adventures, historical places of interest, and learning. His friends will remember him for his generous spirit and willingness to help any way he could. Everyone will remember his huge and loving heart.
A memorial service was held at Northshore Church located at 310 Kensington Blvd in Slidell, LA. 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)
John M. Bond, age 80, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2023.
Born in Bronx, NY, he attended Perkinston Junior College, where he was on the cheerleading team, and later continued his academic career at Ole Miss.
He was self-employed with Floors by Design and a member of the Ocean Springs Elks for 25 years.
He enjoyed sports, especially tennis, and spent time fishing and hunting in his spare time.
Albert Krul, age 87, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.
A native of Niagara Falls, NY, he graduated from Erie County Technical Institute with a business degree in 1956, followed by a B.S. in Computer Science from Tulane.
He worked as a financial analyst for the Department of Energy Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
He was a parishioner at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church for 48 years and loved the Buffalo Bills, the Saints and bowling.
Dorothy Elizabeth Zahn Henninger, age 88, of Lacombe, LA, passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2023.
Born in New Orleans, she was employed with the St. Bernard Parish Library as a clerk for many years before retiring.
Honaker Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For more information on services, contact Honaker at 985-641-1900 or online at: honakerforestlawn.com)
Shirley Ann Ziegler Lafitte, age 82, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023.
She was a native and lifelong resident of Slidell.
Patti Purvis Gomez, age 86, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Monday, October 9, 2023.
Born in Jones County, MS, she was a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and taught second grade at Abney Elementary in Slidell for over 40 years.