Mavis Cade Raggio

Mavis Cade Raggio passed away on October 6, 2017. She was born on June 3, 1923 in Sulphur, LA. She graduated from Sulphur High School and Northwestern State University where she was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority and the honorary Purple Jackets organization. She was listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. After graduation, she taught Home Economics for two years at Vinton High School.

After her marriage to Dr. F. Warren Raggio, Jr. on December 5, 1946, she was active in the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd where she was a member of the Altar Guild. She made and embroidered linens for use at the Altar. Later she served as a member of the church Vestry and chaired the committee which was instrumental in having the Church listed on the National

Register of Historic Places.

Mavis was an active member of the Junior League of Lake Charles, serving on the committee which researched and founded the Lake Charles Symphony in 1956. She was President of the Junior League from 1960-61 and also chaired the committee which established the Imperial Calcasieu Historical Museum. In 1977 she was named “Junior League Sustainer of the Year.”

In 1979 she Co-Chaired the Lake Charles Symphony Antique Show Fundraiser. In 1981 she served on the Advisory Board of St. Patrick’s Hospital and chaired its fundraiser.

One of Mavis’ passions was historical preservation. She was a Past-President of the Southwest Louisiana Historical Association. As a Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society Board member, Mavis instigated and implemented the CHPS “Historical Landmarks Designation Program” and the “Calca-Commendation Award”. In 1988, Mavis served as board member of both the Louisiana Preservation Alliance and the Downtown Development Authority. She also served as an historic preservation consultant during the restoration of the Calcasieu Parish Court House (Court Room A), the 1911 Lake Charles City Hall and Central School.

In 1963 she was featured in the Lake Charles American Press as one of the “Distinguished Women of the Area.” In 1988, she was the recipient of the Chamber/Southwest Civic Service Award and the following year she was presented with a Louisiana Preservation Alliance Preservation Award. In 2005, Mavis received the National Society of the Daughter of the American Revolution “Excellence in Community Service” award and the “Women in American History Project” award.

Mrs. Raggio cherished her family and friends. She enjoyed traveling, reading, doing handwork, gardening and playing cards. She was past Queen of the Krewe of Mystique. She was a member of Colonial Dames of XVII Century, Daughters of the American Revolution, National Society of Magna Charta Dames and Sovereign Colonial Society of Americans of Royal Descent.

Mavis was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Joseph Cade, Sr. and Lelia Ducournau Cade, husband Francis Warren Raggio, Jr., M.D., sister Camille Cade Raggio and brother Walter Joseph Cade, Jr.

She is survived by her children John Francis Raggio, M.D. (Sherry) and Janet Cade Raggio Eaddy (Winston). Four grandchildren, John Warren Raggio (Sarah), Dr. Thomas Cade Raggio, Suzanne Eaddy Pickett (Jeffrey) and Dr. Daniel Britton Eaddy. Four great-grandchild Allison Ames Raggio, Ryan Thomas Raggio, Elaine Hutson Pickett and Daniel Thomas Pickett. Nieces Sally Raggio Downs (James), Annette Raggio Lorio (Dennis), Camille Raggio Wilging, Adele Raggio Fletcher (Al) and her nephew Leighton Joseph Cade.

Her Memorial service will be at The Church of the Good Shepherd Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 11:00 AM under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be held in the Parish Hall beginning at 9:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the organ restoration fund at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, the Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School, 715 Kirkman St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 or the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society, P. O. Box 1214 Lake Charles, LA 70602.