Rita Parker

Rita Ann Templet Rogers Parker passed away at 11:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011, at Gonzales Healthcare Center. She was born Feb. 3, 1927, in Brignac, and a lifelong resident of Gonzales. She enjoyed being outdoors and outdoor activities: fishing, hunting, clearing brush, burning yard trimmings, cutting grass and don’t forget the cookouts. She liked to go to Bluegrass festivals and listen to music at home. She was a living example of what “unconditional” love means. She loved everyone and always found the “good” in everyone. She is survived by her husband of 21 years, Percy S. Parker Sr.; children, Anne and husband C.L. Cronon Jr., of Gonzales, Joseph and wife Nina Rogers, of Broussard, Carmen McAlister, of Tickfaw, Dorothy and husband Wayne Guidry, of LaPlace, and Steve and wife Lori Rogers, of Gonzales; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; numerous other loving nieces and nephews; and a special person, whom she raised as her own, Keith Villar. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Myrtis and husband Terry Thomassie, of St. Amant, Dorothy and husband Sidney Persac, of Galvez, Percy Jr. and wife Sue Parker, of Gonzales, Janice and husband Ned Lambremont, of Fairhope, Ala., and Wanda and husband Kevin Crawford, and Kenny and wife Charee Parker, all of Gonzales; stepson-in-law, Vennie Watts, of Denham Springs; 22 stepgrandchildren; 29 stepgreat-grandchildren; two stepgreat-great-grandchildren; sisters, Elma Simoneaux and Lillian Norwood; brother, Solomon and wife Catherine Templet; brothers-in-law, Dixie and wife Lydia Faye W. Rogers, Selby and wife Sandra V. Rogers; and sisters-in-law, Effie R. Ronkartz, Helen R. Hebert and Geraldine S. Rogers. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edmond and Malvina Babin Templet; husband, Joseph A. Rogers Sr.; sisters, Nita Templet and Myrtle T. Bonneval; brothers, Calvin J. and Clyde P. Templet; son-in-law, Kelly McAlister; brothers-in-law, Lummis Norwood, John Kramer, Elton Dupuy, Clarence Simoneaux, George Bonneval, Albert Richardson, JW Ronkartz and Willie Hebert; sisters-in-law, Rosemary R. Richardson, Alice S. Templet and Margaret P. Templet; stepdaughter, Theresa P. Watts; and special person whom she raised as her own, Joseph “Black Joe” Duplessis. Pallbearers will be Daniel McAlister, Chad Guidry, Clint McAlister, Tony Rogers, George Rogers and Thomas Rogers. There will be a visitation at Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales, Wednesday, Feb. 2, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Visitation will resume at St. Mark Catholic Church, Gonzales, Thursday, Feb. 3, from 9 a.m. until a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Rubin Reynolds, celebrant. Interment to follow in New River Baptist Church Cemetery, St. Amant. The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Gonzales Healthcare Center and St. Catherine’s Hospice. Your help was invaluable. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.oursofh.com.