Elizabeth Lacaze Helms

Elizabeth LaCaze (Tannie) Helms, 79 of DeRidder, Louisiana passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Inverness, Florida.

Tannie was born in DeRidder, Louisiana to AJ and Dorothy LaCaze on January 13, 1947. She graduated from DeRidder High School in 1965, with honors, and then attended Louisiana State University. She met Howard Helms during her fifth semester there and they were married on September 3, 1967. Now the wife of a Marine Corps officer, they began their 24-year career covering over ten duty stations, beginning at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and concluding at Quantico, VA. During their marriage, Tannie gave birth to two boys, William (Buck) on March 6, 1969, and Gregory on May 16, 1975.

Upon Howard’s retirement from the Marine Corps, while residing in Stafford, Virginia, Tannie was employed at a local Middle School, where she received several employee awards. Tannie and Howard moved back to DeRidder in 1998 and then to Citrus County, FL in December of 2025, where Howard now lives. Tannie’s last years were spent in nursing homes due to mobility issues.

Tannie is survived by her husband, Howard, her two sons, Buck (Kelli) and Greg, sister Sue LaCaze Miller, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Gary LaCaze.

Funeral services will be scheduled at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida with Reverend Shawn Klein of First United Methodist Church, Hernando, Florida officiating. Burial will follow at Florida National Cemetery.

Memorial Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Hernando, Florida or a charity or organization of choice.