Shirley Burwell Leblanc

Shirley Burwell LeBlanc, 80, of Lake Charles died at 6:35 AM on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 in her residence. Mrs. LeBlanc was born on November 3, 1933 in Lake Arthur, LA and as a small child moved to Lake Charles where she lived for 78 years. She was a graduate of LaGrange High School and received a degree in education at Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, OK. Mrs. LeBlanc retired from the Calcasieu Parish Library where she managed the Southwest Louisiana Genealogy Library. She belonged to the Antique Car Club and was also a member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church where she sung in the choir. Mrs. LeBlanc enjoyed sewing and was known for her handmade quilts. She also had a passion for studying genealogy and enjoyed family time. Those left to cherish her memory are a husband, John LeBlanc; a daughter, Leah Landry of Lake Charles; a son, Troy Burwell of Houston; two sisters, Midge DeBarge of Lake Charles and Mary Francis Toler of Denham Springs, LA; a brother, Larry Verret and wife Gene of Lake Charles; four grandchildren, Erin Madeiros and husband Mike, Katie Niles and husband Chris, Stephaine Lee, and Robert Leger; and eleven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Demcy Burwell; two sisters, Genevia Jennings and Rose Fontenot; three brothers, Allen, Carol, and Leroy Verret; and a great granddaughter, Karen Stoute. A funeral mass will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church. The Rev. Keith Pellerin will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin on Friday from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being recited at 6:30 PM and will continue on Saturday from 8:00 AM until 12:30 PM in the funeral home.