Carol Zachary Erwin

Carol “Tug” Louise (Zachary) Erwin departed to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the morning of Saturday, May 23, 2026. She passed away due to complications after an unexpected Heart Bypass Surgery at the Baton Rouge General Hospital. Tug was born on February 11, 1947, and God graced us with 79 years to enjoy her love and company.

Tug was raised in the Baton Rouge area with close family living nearby. She often spoke of her fond memories of playing with cousins, visiting with her grandmother and the joy of being surrounded by family. Tug graduated from Glen Oaks High School, Class of 1965 and loved to Jitterbug. She married Armand R Erwin Sr. on April 15, 1967, and together they started their family. Tug lovingly cared for her family as a godly wife and mother of her two children. They moved to Atlanta, Ga in 1979 where her husband pursued his M. Div. and then returned to the Baton Rouge area in 1984.

Upon their return, Tug pursued her career in nursing. She began as a Medical Tech at Stanocola Medical Clinic and worked her way up to the position of Manager of Nursing. She received her license as a Registered Nurse in 1995 after obtaining her Associate Degree in Nursing at OLOL College of Nursing. Tug finished her 30+ year career of Nursing in Home Health management and medical coding.

Among Tug’s many talents, she followed in her mother’s footsteps with sewing and crafts; making her own clothes, painting, glazing and firing her own ceramics, seamstress, macrame (the house was full of her macrame in the 70’s), needlepoint, cross-stitch, quilting, crochet, etc. Much of her handiwork can be seen throughout her house even today.

She was a tremendous administrator and had a heart for the neglected and less fortunate. She took several mission trips, domestic and abroad, and used her nursing skills for ministry and most recently reached out to the homeless through First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. Through much of her later years, she was principally involved in Nursing Home ministry alongside her Husband.

Tug was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Lee Zachary and Marion (Zobkin) Zachary, her beloved daughter, Kelly E. Stokley (May 2021); and her cherished grandson, Caleb Erwin (March 2025).

She is survived by her devoted husband of 59 years, Armand R. Erwin Sr.; her son, Armand Erwin Jr. and his wife, Christine; and her son-in-law, Greg Stokley. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Stephanie Zickau, Gabrielle and Brandon Stokley, and Kaylyn, Katherine, Elijah, and Zechariah Erwin; her older brother, Joseph 'Joe Lee' Zachary and his wife, Deanna; and her younger brother, Johnny 'Buzzy' Zachary and his wife, Darlene.

Tug’s life will be celebrated by a Memorial Service that will be held on Saturday, May 30th at 11:00 AM. The service will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church, 9526 Joor Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70818.