Nola Mae Ross

A native of Lake Charles, Nola Mae McFillen Ross was born April 23, 1926 to Louis and Esther Wittler, pioneer rice farmer and cattleman of this area. A graduate of LaGrange High School, she operated McFillen Air Park with her husband, Doug McFillen from the early 1950's until 1986. She earned her Commercial Pilot's License at the age of 22, and continued to operate the airport after McFillen's death in 1966.

When her second husband, L.C. Ross was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she closed the airport and started her writing career. She wrote features for the American Press, Lagniappe and other area newspapers. A historian and author of 28 books about Louisiana, her books Hurricane Audrey and Hurricane Rita became classics. She won several historical awards and was named Artist of the Month by the Louisiana Arts and Humanity Council.

Mrs. Ross was a Charter member of University United Methodist Church and has been very active in the Church on different Committees, was a contributing writer for the Methodist Publication. She has also been active in the Circle Up group, which caters to people who have mental illnesses. She was awarded The Good Samaritan Award in 2008.

A former Board Member of Habitat for Humanity, Ross was Chairman of the House of Faith, and was on the Boards of the Samaritan Counseling Center as well as the Children's Museum, she also was active in Civic Affairs, serving in the Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, Girl and Boy Scouts, Cattlemen's Association, Farmer's Market, Historical and Genealogy Societies, and Aviation Associations. She was an active speaker for school groups, civic clubs, and has taught several Writing Courses.

Ms. Ross was the mother of three children. Two sons, Dennis and Marshall McFillen, preceded her in death, as did husbands, Douglas McFillen, L. C. Ross and William T. Adams; her sister, Athalie Wittler (Mrs. E.G. McFillen); brother, Gene Wittler; her step-son, Johnny Ross; and step-daughter, Louine Ross Hebert.

Survivors are daughters, Susan McFillen Castleberry and Lisa Ross; step-son, Richard Ross; brother, Lee Wittler of Casper, WY and numerous nieces and nephews.

Grandchildren and step-grandchildren are Tish McFillen Freeman, Elly McFillen Langley, Amanda Goodson Ceasar, Lyndsay and Laci Comeaux, Chad, David, Troy and Jennabeth Ross, Sabrina, Samantha, Shane, and Spencer Hebert. She has twenty-six great-grandchildren.

Her funeral service will be at 2:00 PM on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at University United Methodist Church. Reverend Charlie Langford will officiate. Burial of her ashes will be at Highland Memory Gardens at a later time. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and continue at the funeral home on Thursday from 10:00 AM to 1:40 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to help with expenses.