Gail Brooks Hernandez Darbonne passed away on October 12, 2026, at the age of 79. She was born in Georgia then later made her home as a long-time resident of Baton Rouge, where she was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Gail retired from The Department of Insurance for the State of Louisiana as a commercial lines policy examiner. She was an avid Southern cook who found real joy in the simple pleasures: the thrill of garage sales and thrift shopping, and, in her later years, the quiet enjoyment of bird watching.
Gail is survived by her daughters, Hillary Hernandez Spillman (Todd Trosclair) and Amy Hernandez Haltom (Jimmy Haltom, Jr.); her grandchildren, Chelsea Prine (Patrick), Carley Spillman, Aubrey Haltom, Emma Haltom, and James Haltom III; along with four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Devoe and Celia Brooks; her sister, Patricia Ford (Sidney); her brother, Ronald Brooks; her son-in-law, Charles Spillman; her first husband, Roy Hernandez, Jr. and her second husband, Joseph Darbonne.
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Gail's Life at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East on October, 23, 2026, at 10 AM until the time of service at 12PM, celebrated by Todd Vickery.
Special thanks to the staff at Golden Age Healthcare and the Hospice of Baton Rouge; especially: Judy, Meredith, Katrina, Mona, Contina, Sarah, Brandy, and Todd for their compassion. The family would also like to thank her sitters, Lanell, Terrica, Carley and Brittaney for their kindness and loving care.
