Angie Ann Ragusa Cates

It is with great sadness that the family of Angie Ann Ragusa Cates announces her unexpected passing on Monday, February 21, 2022, at 82 years of age.   

Angie is survived by her devoted husband, L. R. Cates, to whom she was married on June 17, 1957; a daughter and son-in-law, Tammy Jo Turner and Bruce Gibson Turner, Brookeland, TX; a daughter and son-in-law, Donna Marie Sphar and Asa Rogers Sphar III, Austin, TX; a daughter, Rhonda Jean Brown, Houston, TX; a daughter and son-in-law, Sherri Ann Alexander and Craig Alexander, Houston, TX; a son and daughter-in-law, Roy James Cates and Jennifer Borel Cates, Lake Charles, LA; fourteen grandchildren, Mason Spain Turner, Anna Christina Sphar Vander Hook, Bethany Grace Sphar, Lauren Ashley Brown, Clinton Walker Brown, Dillon Cates Brown, Griffin Hunt Brown, Adrianna Cates Alexander, Analise Cates Alexander, Holden James Cates, Gabriel Ned Michael Cates, Lansen Graves Castle, Timothy Stone Castle, Larkin Conner Castle; eight great grandchildren, Eli Turner-Nunez, Eva Turner-Nunez, Avi Turner-Nunez, Ana May Vander Hook, Alaina Jane Brown, Mia Brown, Laramie Sky Brown, and Travers Conway Brown; a brother and sister-in-law, Phillip Manuel Ragusa and Peachie Ragusa, a sister, Jeannie Ragusa David, a brother and sister-in-law, Ben P. Ragusa, Jr., and Patti Ragusa; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Cates; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Ragusa; nine nieces and their families; six nephews and their families; and many loving relatives and dear friends. 

She was predeceased by a brother, Peter Anthony Ragusa, and a brother-in-law, James Newton David.

Born Angie Ann Ragusa to Ben P. Ragusa, Sr. and Mary Ann Grasso Ragusa in Baton Rouge, LA, on September 17, 1939, Angie was educated in Baton Rouge, LA, at Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Joseph’s Academy, and Louisiana State University and worked briefly for the State of Louisiana.  She chose to dedicate herself fully into the highest of callings - that of being a mother, and that’s what she was through and through … a very good wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Additionally, Angie cared deeply for her siblings and their families, her friends and their families, and untold strangers along her life’s journey.  Angie was also a seamstress, a gardener, a geranium healer, a list of chores creator, a potter, a florist, an aspiring author, an avid reader, a devotee of Woman’s World magazine, a pianist, and quite the chef.  Known for her seafood gumbo, red sauce, and unique birthday cakes, she also made an Italian Cream Cake that was beyond spectacular. A life-long, active, and faithful member of the Roman Catholic Church, Angie was involved in the Alter Society and other leadership aspects of her congregation and was a prayer warrior.  Welcoming her parish priests into her home, warming their hearts with Southern hospitality, and sharing her family’s life with them was a particular joy on earth for Angie.

A Funeral Service in memory of Angie Ann Ragusa Cates will be held at 11am, Friday, February 25, 2022, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 4822 Carlyss Dr., Sulphur, LA 70665, with Father Luke Krzanowski, M.S. officiating.  Interment will follow at the Consolata Cemetery, 2300 Country Club Road, Lake Charles, LA.

Visitation will be held 3 – 8pm, Thursday, February 24, 2022, with a recitation of the Rosary at 6pm and will resume Friday, 8:30am – 10:30am in Johnson Robison Funeral Home, 107 W. Napoleon Street, Sulphur, LA, 70663

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Theresa Catholic Church, 4822 Carlyss Dr., Sulphur, LA 70665.