Anita deSambourg McDanell passed away peacefully at her home in Saint Francisville on Monday, April 15, 2019. She would have been 103 on June 6. Anita was born in Obion, Tennessee in 1916, and spent her childhood years in Obion, and then in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Evanston, IL. before returning to Obion. She attended David Lipscomb College in Nashville, TN and then taught 5th grade in Obion when one could teach after two years of college. One summer while talking to her cousin, Mack Hornbeak, at church, he asked her why she didn’t come back with him to summer school at L.S.U. That quick decision determined where she would live for the rest of her life, because it was at LSU that she met her husband of 50 years, Renard Percy “R.P.” McDanell, and raised and loved 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren—all who called her Gram.
She continued her education at L.S.U. starting a tradition that is still evident today. She loved all L.S.U. sports and cheered on the Tigers. After graduation from L.S.U., she taught kindergarten at The North Boulevard Church of Christ for over 20 years.
Throughout her life, she saw many changes in the world-- living through two World Wars and the Great Depression. She loved to travel, visiting all fifty states, she loved to read, to sew and do handwork. She loved and protected all animals, and took great delight in helping her grandchildren with school projects. She was loyal to her friends and neighbors long after she had moved away; participating in a Round-robin chain letter beginning in the 1930’s, and continuing for over 70 years until she was the last one. Everyone loved Gram and felt loved and special when they were with her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lillie Moultrie and Henry Earl deSambourg, her brothers, Harry Earl (Dotty), Charles William, and Warren Edward deSambourg, her son James Renard McDanell, and her husband Renard Percy McDanell.
She is survived by her daughters Barbara (Morris “Spike”) James and Jeanne (James Nelson) Whitehead and her sister-in-law Mary deSambourg Wyatt, her precious grandchildren: Marie Pennington, Jana Graves, Jack James, Kyle McDanell, Joel James, Will Whitehead and Claire Whitehead along with their husbands and wives, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
She was a faithful member of the Church of Christ throughout her years in Baton Rouge and then at the Jackson Church of Christ when she moved to Saint Francisville.
Pallbearers are Jack Renard James, Kyle Andrew McDanell, Joel Hamilton James, William Logan Whitehead, Andrew Blake Pennington, White Solomon “Quin” Graves V, and Luke Renard James.
Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Memorial Chapel 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815, from 9:00 -11:00 Friday, April 19, 2019 with services at 11:00 AM. Burial following at Resthaven Gardens of Memory 11817 Jefferson Hwy. Baton Rouge, LA 70816.
The family expresses deep appreciation to her faithful caregivers, Tina Gonzales and Rosie Spencer and the staff of Bridgeway Hospice. Memorial donations can be made to the Jackson Church of Christ or Bridgeway Hospice in Baton Rouge.
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