Joyce Mae Leger Brown

Joyce Mae Leger Brown, 69, of Lake Charles went home Friday, March 11, 2011 in a local hospital.

Mrs. Brown was born in Crowley, LA, raised in Opelousas and has lived nearly fifty years in Lake Charles. She worked twenty years for local area cleaners before opening and operating Sunshine Cleaners in Lake Charles for thirty years. In 1997 and 2001, she was a recipient of awards from the State of Louisiana for Outstanding Women in Business. In addition, Mrs. Brown also owned and operated Sunshine Reception Hall where she hosted and catered events, and was considered an outstanding chef. Mrs. Brown enjoyed league bowling with her team throughout the years. Her hobbies were playing cards, going to casinos and leisure traveling.

Mrs. Brown was a faithful member of St. Henry Catholic Church where she was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary and Catholic Daughter's. Also, she completed Cursillo Retreat, where she found great peace.

Mrs. Brown will be most remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother, as her greatest times were shared with her family, friends and especially her grandchildren.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband of forty-eight years, Oscar Paul Allen Brown, Sr. of Lake Charles; six sons, Paul Allen (Mary Matilda) of Lake Charles, Samuel (Yvonne) of Houston, TX, Leonard Wayne (Tammy) of Lake Charles, Ronald Azier of Houston, TX, Michael Jac (Deidra) of Lake Charles and John Kevin Brown of Houston, TX; one daughter, Rhonda Faye Brown-Fontenot (Richard) of Lake Charles; fourteen grandchildren; two great- grandchildren; three brothers, John Leger of Opelousas, Joseph Leger of Seattle, WA and Ferrell Glen Leger of Opelousas; eight sisters, Audrey Leger of Houston, TX, Maudrey Simien of Opelousas, Louida Fuselier of Lafayette, Phyllis Savoy of Lake Charles, Elizabeth Leger of Seattle, WA, Elvia Jones of Lake Charles, Shirley Massey of Moss Point, MS and Carol Berry of Opelousas and many nephews, nieces and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Elvie Veazie Leger, Sr. and one brother, Jack Lionel Leger and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM Monday, March 21, 2011 in St. Henry Catholic Church. Monsignor Danny Torres will officiate. Interment will follow in Combre Memorial Park under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation Sunday will be from 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM with a scripture service and rosary beginning at 6:30 PM. Visitation Monday will be from 8:00 AM until 12:15 PM in the funeral home.

Pallbearers for service will be her sons.