Louis Trahan

Sometimes it is so hard to understand, and even harder still to say, “Thy will be done,” when sorrow comes, and sadness fills the day. But our faith was meant to serve us for times just like these. So today, we take God’s hand with loving wisdom as He helps our hearts to understand, “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me.” John 14:1

To the union of the late and former Ivory Celestin and Albert Trahan, a boy child was born on Friday, March 13, 1942, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was their second born and these proud parents named their new jewel, Louis. Educated in the public schools of Terrebonne Parish, Louis was graduated from Southdown High School, and worked at various jobs throughout his life, landing on what he called his “jewel” … body and fender repair and restoration work. Louis attended trade school and received his certificate and license to practice body and fender repair on all types of motor vehicles. He owned and operated Trahan’s Body and Fender Shop, located in Gray Louisiana for 36 years after a career that spanned 53 years. He was an excellent provider for his family and made certain they wanted for nothing.

Preparation for death must be made in life. Louis was baptized at an early age at the Howard Third Zion Travelers Baptist Church in DuLarge, Louisiana, under the leadership of Rev. Robertson. He was in active membership at Howard for nearly 20 years, where he served faithfully and dutifully as a choir member and Sunday School teacher. Later in life, he was united in holy wedlock to one former Barbara Batiste, to whom two children were born: Dana Andre’ and Brandon Todd.

Louis realized that life is a brief thing and of little time. He knew that you could be here one moment and gone the next. Thus, it was with him on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at 8:45 P.M. Louis stepped across that mortal threshold and into eternity. But Louis knew that the body in which we live is not as important as the soul which lives in the body; and that for a Christian, death is the way out of life’s trials and uncertainties, and into the presence of our Blessed Lord and those loved ones who have gone on before. He has now reunited with his mother, father, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and other relatives who have gone before. Therefore, we are confident that he will gladly welcome each of us when we too, go that way.

His survivors include his wife, Barbara Batiste Trahan, two sons and daughters “in-love”, the Rev. Dana and Zanetta Trahan and Brandon and Kendra Trahan, one granddaughter, Elizabeth Danielle Trahan, two grandsons, Braydon Parker and Brenton Konner Trahan, one devoted maternal aunt, Yvonne Celestin; three sisters, Mary Celestin, Rosa Lee Johnson and Carrie Carter, three brothers: Alton (whose late wife was Cheryl), Carl (whose wife is Geraldine), and Clarence Celestin; three sisters-in-law, Gloria B. Daggs, Linda B. Simmons, and Ora Lagarde, three brothers-in-law, Charles (Leslie), Alvin (Linda) and Dr. Donaldo R. Batiste; one devoted Godson, James Ellis, Jr., and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivory Celestin and Albert Trahan, his siblings: Alma and Ernest Trahan, Curvin, Beverly, and Barbara Celestin, Joyce Ann Johnson and David Johnson, Jr. Also preceding him in death are maternal grandparents Clenzy and Ellen Watson Celestin, devoted in-laws: Ernest and Maydel H. Batiste, Ernest Batiste, Jr. (Juanita), Lionel Batiste, Clarence Daggs, Sr., and Ulysses Lagarde, Shirley R. Batiste, and Joyce Batiste-Streams.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 4, 2024, at the Eagle Wright Baptist Church, located at 3113 West Park Avenue in Gray, LA, at 10:00 A.M., with visitation beginning at 8:00 A.M., followed by Masonic services of the Blaine C. Clay Lodge #14 F.& A.M. of Houma, Louisiana, beginning at 9:30 A.M., with Worshipful Master, Dontrell Scoby, Presiding. Burial will be at Halfway Cemetery in Gray, Louisiana, Rev. Dr. Irving Brown, Jr., Pastor, and Officiant.