Darlis B. Fernandez

Preceded in death by her father and mother, Earl Marc Buras Sr. and Kathlyn Wingreter Buras, her husband Kenneth “Chookie” J Fernandez Sr., her brother Earl Marc Buras Jr and Sister Diana B Manint, her nephews, Baby Randazzo, EJ. Manint, and Dean Randazzo. Mother of Kenneth J Fernandez Jr. and David A. Fernandez (Roxann).

Survived by her loyal and loving Sister and Brother, Loyce B Randazzo, and Gerald M Buras, as well as many nieces, nephews, and loyal friends, which are too many to list, however honorable mentions go to Joan Livicarri and Minnie Ruiz.

She retired in 1993 from South Central Bell/AT&T after 39 years of service as what was her self-appointed job description a “BTO”, a Big Time Operator! Most of her career she was a Ship to Shore operator and before retiring a Long-Distance Operator.

She most enjoyed a party, be it at home with her neighbors and family for cocktails and boiled shrimp, going to a wedding, or when there wasn’t an event, she planned a dance to gather everyone together. To watch her and Chookie do the Jitterbug was always a treat.

She was most at home, outdoors, at picnics in City Park, the Old Beach, a Little Woods camp, or at one of the family camps in Port Sulphur or Delacroix. Put a beer and a fishing pole in her hand and she was happy, no ecstatic.

She also enjoyed cooking, and was very good at it, her most famous dish was her “ram a ram a”, which was any common dish which she would have Emeril shaking his head after watching her add uncommon ingredients to it. When asked for a recipe the same dish’s ingredients would change from day to day, but it was still good! She played fast and wild with artistic creativity when it came to cooking!

Another joy was laughing, either she was making you laugh or she was laughing. Tell her a good joke and she would tell you a proverbial “Dad” joke, corny as they might have been you found yourself laughing with her.

She loved her extended family and was fortunate to have the family she did, from lower Plaquemines Parish, Potash (Buras) to McDonoughville (Gretna) roots. To know her was to love her.

Two people that always respected and enjoyed Darlis’ company, one became her care giver and closest confidant and partner in everything to provide her with some normalcy and fun, such as going to a casino, or simply to Walmart was Evangaline “Minnie” Ruiz. Darlis called her, “her angel without wings”. The other is her cousin Bren Buras Elsen, she like everyone caring for Darlis made sure she had things to make her life enjoyable, and comfortable, always looking out for her.

She loved her siblings unconditionally, as well as her closet friends. A special mention to her Home Health nurse Allan Molero, and the Interum Hospice Team, Shannon, Nannette, and others, also the DME team, their care and compassion was outstanding. A thank you to Nannette for her personal touch and care of Darlis!

Relatives and friends are welcome to attend a visitation to be held at ST. BERNARD MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 9:00AM – 11:00AM. A celebration of her life will follow in the Magnolia Room of the funeral home.