Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Willie Mae Saizan Burleigh; her sister, Frances Burleigh Bienvenu; and her adopted nephew, Nicolas Leonard. She is survived by her brother, James E. Burleigh, of Opelousas, LA; three sisters, Ann Dugas of Addis, LA; Catherine Killingsworth of Lafayette, LA; and Debbie Burleigh of Greensboro, NC. Judy loved her godson, Marc Leonard and his sister, Celeste Stout; her nieces, Lisa Richard, Alice Parker, and Amy Allen; and her nephews, Charles Bienvenu, Paul Bienvenu, and Stephen Killingsworth. She is survived by three cherished friends, Lanette Leonard, Carolyn Doiron, and Carol Wolf. Judy leaves behind numerous extended family members and friends who loved her dearly.
Judy was born on October 26, 1951. She grew up on her family’s farm in Opelousas, Louisiana. She attended church at Louisiana Memorial UMC where she formed friendships that would span her lifetime. She graduated from Opelousas Senior High School in 1969. She attended University of Southwestern Louisiana where she obtained bachelor and master degrees in the field of education. After a brief career as a high school math teacher, Judy went on to retire from civil service with the State of Louisiana.
Judy was one of the kindest, gentlest, most generous people whom you could ever meet. She welcomed everyone with goodness and grace. Family and friends were very important to her. Birthdays and special occasions were always remembered with cards and phone calls. It was her desire for every person in her life to know that they were loved and cherished. Judy will be missed by everyone who was privileged to know and love her.
A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday October 9, 2021 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00 - 2:00 pm prior to the service. The family would like to express appreciation to Hospice of the Piedmont and the staff and residents of The Carillon.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18