Elaina Snow

Elaina Claibourn Basone Snow passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 2, 2020 at the age of 67.

Elaina was born in Tulsa, OK on March 25, 1952 and grew up in Lake Charles. She was a 1970 graduate of LaGrange High School, and a 1975 graduate of McNeese State University where she earned a B.A. in Speech Education. While at McNeese, Elaina was active in theatre arts and was named Best Actress for her role in “Picnic” as well as achieving the Outstanding in Technical Theatre award the same year. After graduation, she went to work for Olin Corporation as a Buyer in the Purchasing Department. She worked for over 43 years in Purchasing and Contracts Management for various other companies such as CITGO, Pennzoil, Jacobs Engineering, Fluor Daniel, and finally as Senior Manager of Procurement and Contracts for Major Projects with Valero Energy.   Elaina was an avid baseball fan and spent many years devoted to her son John’s baseball teams. She formerly served on the Board of Directors for South Lake Charles Little League, and was very proud that she was one of the original founding members of Barbe Baseball Boosters in the late 80’s, and served as President for two years. She was passionate about LSU Baseball and spent many happy afternoons at Alex Box Stadium with her husband, Austin cheering on the Tigers.   She and her husband were also happy campers and enjoyed many trips in their RV celebrating nature and God’s majesties.   Elaina dearly loved to get together in her home with her family and friends to cook a wonderful meal and enjoy a good bottle of wine. She loved music and was always ready to go to a good rock concert or Jazz Fest in New Orleans.   Her work took her to live in Texas for many years and finally back home to Louisiana, she and Austin lived in Lake Charles, LA. If you could name one passion, it was clothes! Elaina always looked like she just stepped out of a catalogue. She loved to dress up and look her best.

Elaina was the daughter of her two wonderful parents, Jack and Jean Claibourn, deceased.

She is survived by her soul mate and husband, Austin Snow, Jr. Her life with him was perfection and love. She was the proud mother of her only child, John Basone (wife Missy). Being John’s Mom was her greatest achievement and considered it such an honor to have him for her son. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Cheri and Dick Whitfield who were her Cancer Champions and got her through many dark days, her brother Terry Claibourn, her niece Cathy Hunt (Tom), nephew Michael Whitfield (Katie), grand-niece Jessica LeBlanc (Corey) and grand-nephews Colton Hunt, Aaron Whitfield and Blaine Whitfield. She is also survived by her step-son, Ryan Snow and step-grandchildren, Judson, Jackson, and Callie. Elaina had dozens of wonderful, faithful friends that did so much for her during her illness and the family thanks them immeasurably.

A service of remembrance and celebration will be held on 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles, LA. A gathering of family members and friends will begin at 9:00 AM until the start of the service.