Mary Louise Batiste

Charenton, LA

Our beloved mother and matriarch of the family, Mary Louise Batiste, was born on March 6, 1935, to Clarence Flemmons Batiste, Sr. and Erina Randle Batiste in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Her paternal grandparents were Joe and Lucy Collins Batiste, and her maternal grandparents were Elijah and Florence LaFleur Randle.

Affectionately known as Mommie, Teeda, Lou-Lou.

She peacefully transitioned from this life on January 28, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith, service, and song.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Sr. and Erina Batiste; seven brothers, Joseph, John, Frederick Sr., Edward, Clarence Jr., Albert (Peter), and James (Jimmy); five sisters, Ersalie, Clara, Agnes, Almatine, and Florence; one infant daughter, one granddaughter, Ladonna Cravin; and her devoted friends.

She leaves to celebrate and cherish her living legacy her brother, Ronald Batiste; children, Gregory Sr., Kim, Jim Victor, Dawne Stephanie, and Sonya, Toni, and Joey; 12 grandchildren, Tia, Shayna, Latara, Marrick, Taneika, Gregory Jr., Kirby, Sherman, Shatondra, Joey, Antoinette, and Saidah; 22 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren.

In her early years, Mary Louise attended St. John Baptist Church and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Charenton, Louisiana. Later in life, she worshipped faithfully at First Jerusalem Baptist Church in Jeanerette, Louisiana. Throughout her life, she blessed the world with the gift of song. When she wasn't singing, she could often be heard softly humming beautiful, old spiritual hymns. This gifted songstress especially cherished sharing the microphone with another "songbird," her baby sister Florence. Together, this dynamic duo brought joy to church services and family gatherings alike.

Mary Louise was educated in the public schools of St. Mary Parish and was a proud graduate of Willow Street High School. In the early 1970s, she furthered her education at Teche Area Vocational Technical School, earning her license as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). She faithfully served her community through her work in Louisiana hospitals, nursing homes, and private-duty health care. In addition to her nursing career, she worked at Orion Engineered Carbons and volunteered as an election worker, always eager to give back.

Mommie found joy in spending time with family, caring for others, playing bingo with her grandchildren, playing cards with her siblings, volunteering as a casino greeter, enjoying blue crabs, dancing, and-above all-singing.

Her deep empathy and compassion for humanity were evident in all she did and were undoubtedly the reasons she chose nursing as her life's work. In addition, she took under her wings and care for innumerable kids and at times hesitated to return them to their parents, because of her undying love for them.

Mommie's legacy of love, strength, wisdom, compassion, endurance, resilience, and elegance stands as a testament to her faith in God, her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and unwavering devotion to others. She will be remembered for her loving heart, beautiful voice, and the countless lives she touched and will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

MK Dixon Funeral Home, 337-940-9253, 211 Main Street, Baldwin, LA 70514.