Jesse Lee Darbonne

Jesse Lee Darbonne was born October 13, 1943 in Chataignier, Louisiana. He was one of twelve born to the late Oliver Sr. and Cecelia Guillory Darbonne.

Coming from a large family set the tone for his life, second to his faith was family. It was through mutual friends he would meet Wanda, and a year later they would exchange vows and enter into Holy Matrimony.

He worked in the industrial sector, taking positions at different locations between Louisiana and Texas. It was a position with PPG that brought he and his family to call Lake Charles their home. His dedication to provide his family a good life went past his employment with PPG, he also worked at the Port of Lake Charles following his shifts, and on the weekend, he had a lawn care business. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

His family expressed he will best be remembered for instilling a strong work ethic, a selfless devotion to their faith and family, and for possessing a servant’s heart who saw everyone equally.

Following retirement, he could often be found staying busy working alongside his family, working as an appliance repairman, or riding his motorized bicycle to enjoy morning coffee and conversation with the fellow gentleman at the Exxon near his home.

He was welcomed into Heaven on Friday, August 5, 2022 by a grandchild, Dynell Dise; parents, Oliver and Cecelia Darbonne; two brothers, Joe Darbonne, and John Wendell Darbonne; two sisters, Bessie Papillion and Evella Darbonne; grandparents, Arville and Mary Guillory & Paul and Mathilda Darbonne.

Those left to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of fifty-five years, Wanda Griffith Darbonne; children, Ryan (Tracy) Darbonne, beloved daughter and caregiver, Marcella Darbonne (Brian Williams), and Christopher (Adrien) Darbonne; grandchildren, Brianni Phelps, Bralyn James, Desira “BooBoo” Thomas, Desmond “Pop” Thomas, Devin “Cush” Thomas, Reneka Thomas, Davon Darbonne, Shannon Darbonne, Ramone Sonnier, Kristen Darbonne, Yolanda Darbonne, Riley Darbonne, Travin Thibodeaux; two brothers, Sherril (Joyce) Frank Darbonne of Mallett, LA and Oliver (Janelle) Darbonne Jr. of Anchorage, AK; five sisters, Isabelle Elliott, Delores LaChapelle both of Frilot Cove, LA, Joyce (Earl) Guillory of Mallet, LA, SherrilDean (Peter) Labbe and Priscilla Bellard both of Lake Charles, LA; an aunt Ophelia Guillory of Lake Charles, LA.

Family to welcome friends, Saturday August 13, 2022 at 9:00 AM in the chapel of Johnson Funeral Home, Rosary to be prayed at 9:45 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate the life of Jesse Lee Darbonne to begin at 11:00AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church led by Rev. Paul Onuegbe. Graveside services Saturday will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lake Charles.