Geraldine Ducote Stephens

Geraldine Ducote Stephens passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the age of 95. She resided in Baton Rouge, LA for most of her life, but was a native of Avoyelles Parish and was born in Odenburg, LA. Geraldine was raised in a simple lifestyle, picking cotton and doing household chores. She loved school and enjoyed singing. She attended Simmesport High school, in which she played the French Horn and sang with a trio as well as the Glee Club. Shortly after graduation, she moved to Baton Rouge, where she ultimately met her life-long love, Preston. She worked at Dalton’s and DH Holmes but eventually settled down as a stay-at-home mother of five. Geraldine was an active member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church and had faithful attendance at Mass every week. She sang in the Resurrection Choir, and she and her husband worked at the general store for the church fair with crafts, baked goods, and plants.Together, they participated with the “Young at Hearts Club” and St. Vincent de Paul cooking meals for the Bishop Ott Center. She also sang in the choirs at St. Gerard and St. Pius and was a part of the liturgical committee. Geraldine loved sweets and loved to cook and bake for others. She often brought meals to sick neighbors and relatives. She kept a spotlessly clean and organized home and enjoyed gardening, especially roses. During her later years at Lake Sherwood Village, she participated in the Bell Choir, Bingo, and Mass. Her smile, her loving and caring and worrying nature, her kindness and gratefulness will be missed by those who had the privilege to know and love her. Geraldine is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Farrell (Kevin Smith), Annette Manda, Lora Backes (Charles), and Joan Dobard (Eddie); daughter-in-law, Theresa Stephens; grandchildren, Stephen Farrell (Heather Abrookin), Christopher Farrell, Alan Manda, Kaje Manda (Lindsey), Natalie Bourgeois (Corey), Ashley Brooke Greene (Alex), Matt Stephens (Magen), Michelle Parkerson (Trent), Katherine Brown (Philip), Emily Brock (Hunter), Grant Dobard (Abbey), and Anna Dobard; 17 great-grandchildren; sister, Delphine Nelson; and a host of other family members. She is preceded in death by her husband, Preston M. Stephens; her son, Timothy Stephens; son-in-law, Gerard Farrell; grandson, Patrick Farrell; parents, Wallet and Eugenia Ducote; siblings, Jackie Rabalais, Elaine Brown, Harry Ducote, Clyde Ducote, Bert Ducote. Visitation will be at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11441 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, on Monday, April 28, 2025, from 10am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11am. Burial will immediately follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Donations in her memory can be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, The Bishop Ott Center, or to the charity of your choice. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.greenoaksfunerals.com