Lou Anna Colbert

Lou Anna Colbert, nee Duplechin, 82, of Lake Charles died on Sunday, December 16, 2012 in Columbia, MD.

Mrs. Lou Colbert was born on March 5, 1930 in Elton, LA and lived in Lake Charles for 72 years until moving to Columbia, MD last July to be with her son. She graduated from St. Charles Academy. Shortly after World War II, she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Colbert, Sr., of McKeesport, PA whose ship was decommissioned in Lake Charles. They were married for 59 years until his death in 2006.

Growing up on a farm near Elton, LA, Mrs. Colbert developed a deep love of family and for the land. She was a dental assistant to Dr. Louis Bonnin for eleven years, and then began a twenty eight year career with the Calcasieu Parish School Board as the school lunch program warehouse supervisor, retiring in 1996. As a dedicated parishioner at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, she was a member of the Ladies Altar Society, active with the Rosary Team, participated in numerous Adult Formation activities and served as a Greeter at the 4:00 pm Saturday liturgies. She also volunteered at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Lake Charles.

She remained very active until recently; she loved the outdoors, attending to her flowers and rose garden. She enjoyed people and was always ready to lend a helping hand to friends and neighbors, particularly those who could no longer drive. Miss Lou, as she was often called, drew much strength and hope from her faith community at Our Lady Queen of Heaven. She was very devoted to and proud of her son, Robert, her four grandchildren, and two great granddaughters.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Robert Ivan Colbert, Sr.; her parents, Charlie Duplechin and Ethel Marie Duplechin Thompson; and, a devoted stepfather, Tommy Thompson.

Those left to cherish her memory are a son, Robert Bobby Colbert, Jr. of Columbia, MD; four grandchildren: Benjamin Colbert of College Park, MD, Catherine Muzzatti and husband Nick of Columbia, MD, Martin Colbert of Columbia, MD, and Sarah Colbert of Columbia, MD; and two great grandchildren, Olivia and Lea Muzzatti.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, December 20, 2012 in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Monsignor James Gaddy will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin on Wednesday from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a scripture service and rosary being held at 6:30 PM. Visitation will continue on Thursday in the funeral home from 8:00 AM until 9:45 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Lake Charles, 1225 2nd St., Lake Charles, LA 70601.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.