Dorothy Jean Stroud

Dorothy Veillon Stroud entered into eternal rest on the morning of Monday, November 6, 2017 with her husband and daughter at her side. She courageously battled pancreatic cancer for nine months. Dorothy was born in Ville Platte, Louisiana on October 12, 1940 to Wilson and Fabiola Veillon. She was a member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church.

Dorothy's parents moved to Lake Charles when she was 4 years old settling in the Cooley Elementary School District. She spoke fondly of the principal, Miss Webb, and her first grade teacher. Dorothy's parents spoke only Cajun French and thus she could speak no English when she started school. Miss Webb and her teachers along with classmates taught her to speak and read English and helped set the stage for her to become a high achiever when she went on to junior high, graduated LaGrange High School class of 1958, and later college. Getting her college education was a challenge for this single mom with 2 kids but she had financial assistance as well as moral support from her parents and friends at the Lake Charles American Press where she worked full time. After graduating from McNeese with a bachelor's degree in education, she remained at the Press for almost 30 years. She started the library there and at the time of her retirement she was responsible for the lay out of the Living section.

Debra Suzann, Dorothy and Herman Edward Campbell's eldest daughter, was born in 1958 with special needs. This motivated Dorothy to lead the fight both in state and nationally for appropriate programs to address their needs. At first she sought the creation of day care programs, then education and work programs designed to maximize the potential of every client. Later, she and other mothers moved to develop residential settings. This effort first produced state sponsored schools and later community integrated settings such as community homes and various supervised independent living arrangements. She and dozens of interested people, working together, formed corporations known as the Lake Charles Association for Retarded Citizens and the West Calcasieu Association for Retarded Citizens.These two associations later merged and formed CARC where today one can find any program a family might need for their special needs child. Dorothy served on the CARC Board for almost 40 years and several times as President. Dorothy was, in fact, a dedicated person working tirelessly for those that just needed a little extra help.

She was always busy doing something to help others but when time permitted she enjoyed being outdoors and tending to her flower beds. She and Howard enjoyed RV travelling. They visited 47 states and toured outside of the United States several times. They walked many miles through flea markets searching for depression glass, napkin ladies and pearls. Dorothy also enjoyed square dancing for a time. Her love of Star Trek started with the original series and continued her entire life. Many memories were made with family and friends at Toledo Lake where she and Howard warmly welcomed them all. Family was important to her and she was greatly loved by them. Although she had no biological grandchildren, she was affectionately called Granny Dot by several she considered family. She proudly watched them grow up and loved them whole-heartedly. She will be missed by those that knew her.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Wilson and Fabiola Veillon, her infant brother, Lydrus and daughter, Debra. Those left to treasure her memory are her husband, Howard Jr. and daughter, Sherry Ann Campbell, along with a host of cousins, nieces,nephews and friends.

Visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 18 in the chapel at Johnson's Funeral Home in Lake Charles. A Crusillo rosary will begin at 11:30 a.m. Father Keith Pellerin will officiate the memorial service immediately following the rosary at 12:00 pm. Interment of ashes will follow at Consolata Cemetary.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to CARC. Donations can be sent to 4100 J Bennett Johnston Avenue, Lake Charles, LA 70601.