Dolores K Morrissey

The world became a brighter place on May 31, 1932 when Dolores “Dee” Mathilde Kern Bardin Morrissey was born at the home of her parents, Clara and Leonce C. Kern, in DeRidder, Louisiana. The world dimmed, but heaven lit up when she died peacefully in her sleep on February 16th, Mardi Gras day 2021, in Lake Charles.

Hers was a friend-packed childhood in her birth place with her life-long best friend being June West (Brandt). Lianne LeRay (McNaught) completed the tight circle of childhood BFF’s and the girls spent hours playing together, from building dirt cities in the backyard of June’s home to scurrying up to the attic where they would dress-up in Maude West’s elaborate evening dresses and entertain their mothers for hours.

Dee sang for as long as she could remember and attributed her gift to her mother who sang to her when she was a little girl. Dolores had a beautiful voice that she shared with the world through 70+ years of singing in church choirs and countless weddings and funerals. Her father recognized this vocal talent early and sent her to All Saints’ Episcopal Girl’s School in Vicksburg, MS, to study voice. The move from DeRidder to Vicksburg was one that Dee treasured. Attending All Saints’ from 9th through 12th grade, Dee was a member of the Glee Club, Choir, and the elite Triple Trio. They sang for many venues in Vicksburg and on the radio as well. During her senior year she was voted the title of Miss All Saints’ 1950 and ended her stay in Vicksburg with joyous memories and forever friends. “It was a fabulous experience,” Dolores remembered.

She then headed to LSU and pledged Phi Beta Phi, being cheered on by June. She earned a degree in education and was an enthusiastic Phi Beta Phi gal for life.

In 1954, during her senior year at LSU, Dee married Kenneth Dwayne Bardin, Sr. with whom she had two sons, Kade and Brantley. They settled in DeRidder and after substitute teaching, Dee headed numerous women’s First Methodist Church groups, taught Sunday school with the late Wayne Jones, and helped run her late father’s Coca Cola Bottling Plant. She loved pitching baseballs to her first born, Kade and, later, being his biggest supporter on the football field as a DeRidder Dragon.

In DeRidder, Dee cofounded the still-thriving Gourmet Club. She adored getting together to cook with all her friends and continued to do so for more than 50 years, until her health prevented her from regular attendance. As was her style, she graciously bowed out, saying, “I hated to quit it because, besides family, it was my only social tie that I had left in DeRidder. But you’ve got to know when to let go.”

After moving to Lake Charles in 1981, Dee attended both the First Methodist Church as well as University Methodist Church, singing with both choirs until the age of 81 years old. She also adored singing in the Master Works Chorale under the direction of Lamar Robertson. “I’d rather sing, then eat,” she once said and meant it. Dee was a member of Artists Civic Theatre & Studio, and performed in their 1971 production at the Arcade Theater as Golde in Fiddler on the Roof. She commuted back and forth from DeRidder so that her son, Brantley, could pursue his love of the theatre, too, and be in numerous A.C.T.S. productions. While doing so, Dee won the hearts of cast members of the teen theatre group that Brantley belonged to. Dee was drawn to new things and fresh ideas so being among the young thespians gave her a charge and they felt the same way about her. A friendship was formed and she remained their friend up until the time of her death.

In 1983, after the passing of her first husband, Dee fell in love with and married Dr. O.J. “Sandy” Morrissey of Lake Charles. One of the most glamorous-looking and civic-minded couples in town, Dee and the late Sandy [1925-2013] were patrons and ardent fans of the Lake Charles Symphony, Lake Charles Ballet and many other local arts groups. The two were passionate travelers and explored the U.S., Europe, China, Japan and beyond, relishing as many cultures and cultural experiences as possible.

Dee was easy to love and loved without question. She gave everyone the benefit of the doubt and looked at all people as being good. She made a point of knowing the names of salespersons, cashiers, waitresses, NYC cab drivers and many others whose lives she touched. She had a million dollar smile that was infectious and an extraordinarily out-going personality to match it.

She loved fashion, beauty shops {twice a week!} and was always dressed to kill. Known to be “fashionably late,” tardiness was never her intention. The cause was more times than not because she had taken a few minutes longer visiting with an old friend she’d run into. If you telephoned her, she asked you how you were and what was going on in your life and this can make a girl late.

But to call her a “diva” would be inaccurate. To say she was a southern belle with flawless taste would be spot on. Her manners were impeccable and she was always in the teaching mode when it came to etiquette (and grammar!).

Dee will be remembered for her sense of humor and her love of life. She was an adventurer who found travel, learning, reading and movies to be as essential as breathing. She noticed the beauty in the trees and flowers, all of which she routinely deemed, “The most beautiful I’ve ever seen!”

But people remained her primary interest. Dee always believed in the good of people. She was loved by legions, here and abroad, and she will be immeasurably missed.

Family left to mourn and celebrate her are her son, Kenneth “Kade” Dwayne Bardin, Jr., and his wife, Sunshine of DeRidder, Brantley Bardin of Los Angeles, granddaughter, Dr. Erin Bardin Jopling and her husband, Zach, of DeRidder, granddaughter, Devon Bardin McKnight and her husband, Ellis, of Baton Rouge, and grandson Hunter Bardin and his wife, Sarah, of Sulphur. Dee had five great-grandchildren: Ada and Hank Jopling, Owen and Marion McKnight, and Alexandra Bardin. In DeRidder there is also her sister in-law, Melanie Martin DeVerger and her husband Randy.

On the Morrissey side of her family are step-children, Kathleen Morrissey Delaney, Cynthia Morrissey, and Judy Morrissey (Kathleen’s husband, Darrell, and Judy’s husband and Sandy’s son, Thomas, preceded Dolores in death). Her step-grandchildren are Kelly Chaconas and husband, John, Casey McGee and his wife, Daphana, Stacy Wheat and her husband, James, John and Jill Morrissey, Shane Delaney and Debra Delaney Browne, and her husband, Wallace. She had twelve great-step-grandchildren and three step great-great grandchildren.

Essential others who will treasure her memory are an extraordinary group of Brookdale Senior Assisted Living aides and angels who passionately loved and cared for their ‘Miss Dolores’ for the last two years of her life. Too many to list in full, but the family especially thanks Brookdale’s Faith Carrier, Ursula Larrabee, Noemi Smithers, Shawntell Weston, Barbara LeMonia and Jalisa Guillory. At her Fernwood home, we thank caregivers, Tracy Trofinchuk Airhart, Angela Johnson and Brianna D’Nay Fountain. Great friends, Billy Hogan, Lana and Jim Bel, Marvin Self, Stratos Georgiadis, Julie Malus Parham, Eugenie Malus Tullos, Pierre Malus, June West Brandt, Allison Brandt Woods, Karen Brailsford, Dana Dickey, Michael Griffin, Amy Rentrop Chaffin, Arthur Shafer, Chip White, Jim Gilday and Ed and Ellen Anthony were present through thick and thin and the family’s gratitude to them is colossal.

For 28 years at her spectacular lake front home, Doris Welcome was Dolores’s true friend who kept Dee’s dream house sparkling, week after week. Doris called daily to check up on Dee until her last day. We love and thank you forever, Doris.

Last, but most crucially, was caregiver extraordinaire, Diane Cone, who, beginning in February 2014, arrived at Dee’s Fernwood home and remained by her side for the next seven years. After arriving, Diane quickly became Dee’s final best friend, masseuse, nurse, mother, sister, cook, and concert-loving partner. There are no words to sum-up what Diane meant to Dee (and vice versa) or the boundless gratitude the family will forever hold in their hearts for her. There were no limits to what she would do to be certain her beloved Miss Dee was happy, content, and cared for. She is a superstar of love.

The last seven years of Dolores’ life, when dementia and a myriad of other painful illnesses, were inexorably taking their toll, were not easy for Dee. But her massive love of life kept her here on earth until she was, finally, ready to say, “I don’t want to, but okay, fine---I’ll go.” As already noted, many remember Dee as a whirling, social butterfly of a southern belle – and she was so it’s no accident that the party girl chose Mardi Gras day itself to second-line it in heaven! But at her core, she was a strong, tough and determined Steel Magnolia. She was a one-of-a-kind who will be missed around the world. But whenever those she touched think of her, a smile will flash on their face.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 20, 2021, at 11:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church on Broad St. Services will follow at 12:00 PM. Burial and graveside service will follow in DeRidder at Beauregard Cemetery. Mask are required at the church service and requested by the family at the burial service as well. Words of comfort may be shared with the Morrissey and Bardin family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.