Donna Vise Addison

Donna Vise Addison, 84, died at 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 surrounded by family, after a brief illness. She took her last breath while peacefully listening to gospel music.

She was the oldest of four children born to George and Elise Vise and she spent her growing up years in Alabama, later moving to Sulphur and then raising her five children mostly in Lake Charles.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Perry Addison and Jon Addison; and her sister, Elise Veal. She is survived by three daughters, Lisa Addison of Lake Charles; Donna Nevils (Doug), Carlyss; and Nadine Dickerson (James), Carlyss; grandchildren, Michael Henry (Josie), Crystal Addison, Kaitlyn Nevils, Ryan Henry, Jonathan Addison, Jacob Addison, John Dickerson (Hannah), Meghin Dickerson, Lauren Dickerson, Hadley Addison, and Lexi Addison; two great-grandchildren, Aiden Addison and Emberlynn Galvan; two brothers, George Vise and Gene Vise; and other loved ones and dear friends.

Donna was known for always having a beautiful smile, rising above adversity, cooking delicious meals, a fondness for cardinals, and her love of family, especially her grandchildren, who brought her so much joy. She loved supporting them at their sporting events or school activities, always wearing their team or school colors. She was a trailblazer and was among some of the first women in this area to work in traveling sales as she traveled all over Louisiana and east Texas as a manufacturers representative for furniture companies.

She also worked as a substitute teacher and an election commissioner. Donna was a long-time active member of Trinity Baptist Church where she was involved in the JOY (Just Older Youth) group, seniors Sunday School class, and many other activities. She would volunteer wherever she was needed and could make a difference. She had previously been a member of University Baptist Church where she taught girls’ Sunday School classes and was involved in many other activities over the years as well as singing in the church choir.

Services, with Greg Bath officiating, will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday December 10, 2022 at Johnson Funeral Home on Lake Street. Visitation Saturday will begin at 10:30 a.m. until time of services. Providing special music will be longtime family friend Mark Lanier.  Interment services will follow in Consolata Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Doug Nevils, James Dickerson, Ryan Henry, John Dickerson, Hadley Addison, Rick Veal, and Lindsey Campbell. Michael Henry, who is out of the country serving in the United States Air Force, will be honorary pallbearer. 

Feel free to wear bright colors or fun accessories as Donna always enjoyed a splash of color and usually matched perfectly from head to toe. 

Our mother/me-maw will be dearly missed but we know that the lessons, memories, experiences, advice, love, and laughter will be with us for the rest of our lives and all we have to do is think of her and she will be right there with us.