Elizabeth"Betty Mae"Hatfield Stuart

Elizabeth "Betty Mae" Hatfield Stuart passed away on August 7, 2013, surrounded by her loving family at the age of 87. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky on June 23, 1926 to Stanley Naul and Elizabeth Chenault Hatfield. Betty was raised in Baton Rouge and graduated from Baton Rouge High School, Baton Rouge Business College, and worked as a secretary before her marriage to John Albert Stuart, Sr. on February 22, 1946. Betty's lifelong dream was to marry and raise children with the only man she ever loved, John. Together they had seven children, who in turn gave her eighteen grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren. She believed her legacy to the world was her family, of whom she was very proud. She once said, "My grandchildren are my heart walking outside of my body". She had a special love for each of them. She will be missed by all who knew her, but is now at peace with John in the hands of God. She is survived by five sons and two daughters and their families. Son John Albert Stuart, Jr. and wife Winifred Lemoine and their children Natalie Stuart Cooper and husband Paul, Jeanne Stuart and fiancé Matt Hunt, John "Trey" A. Stuart, III, Michael Porter and fiancée Melissa Droddy, Stephen Porter and wife Jordan Spears; daughter Elizabeth Stuart Ritter and her sons Scott Ritter and wife Melissa Morgan, Robert Ritter and wife Britton Bergeron; son Christopher Naul Stuart, Sr. and wife Stacey Eubanks and their children Kelly Stuart Connolly and husband Brian, Erin Stuart Vollmer and husband Thomas, Christopher "Joe" N. Stuart, Jr., Anna Stuart Mizell and husband Duane; son Harry Edward Stuart and wife Karen Dougherty and their daughters Gina Mae and Reese Stuart; son Justin Chenault Stuart; daughter Lydia Stuart Mangelli and husband Louis and their children Louis and Margaret; son Stanley Hatfield Stuart and wife Tanya Mekdessie and their children Anthony, Nicholas, and Benjamin Stuart. Betty's "eighth child" Mary Alice Banta Denny, with whom she worked at Roselawn Monument Company for 40 years; Great grandchildren Kellen, Madeline, and Elizabeth Cooper, Jonathon Benoit, Jameson Porter, Margaret, Emmaline, John Morgan, and Lucy Pierce Ritter, Harrison and Clippen Connolly, Phoebe and Thomas "Tommy" Vollmer, Jr. Sisters-in-law Clara Stuart Andersen and husband Paul, Marguerite "Peggy" Stuart; Brothers in law Walter B. Stuart, III and wife Rita Kleinpeter, Robert M. "Bob" Stuart; Her sister's children Lucille Henagan Manela and husband Johnny, David Henagan and wife Mona, Cline Henagan and wife Melanie; and numerous nieces and nephews on the Stuart side of the family. Proceeded in death by her husband John Albert Stuart, Sr.; parents Elizabeth and Stanley Hatfield; sister LaVerne Hatfield Henagan and husband Rivers; son-in-law John D. Ritter; sisters and brothers-in- law, Winifred Stuart Williamson and husband William "Bill", James "Jeb" Stuart and wife Ruth Sullivan, Dorothy " Dottie" Phillips Stuart. Pallbearers are her grandsons Scott, Trey, Rob, Joe, Stephen, Michael, Lou, and Anthony. Services will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church, 9150 Highland Road, on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 10:00 AM with Father Jeff Bayhi officiating. Visitation on Friday, August 9, 2013 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Government Street will be after 5:30 PM until 8:30 PM and Saturday, August 10, 2013 At St. Jude Catholic Church after 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM. Interment to follow in Roselawn Memorial Park under the direction of Rabenhorst Funeral Home. Many thanks go to all friends and family who visited and kept her in their prayers. A special thank you to Doctor John Godke, his nurse Brooke, Doctor Mike Stuart, and Ms. Gloria Ben for the compassion and care you gave her. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Special Olympics, St. Joseph Academy or Catholic High School.