Verna M. Burleigh

Verna had the sweetest smile, you noticed that first. That and her beautiful blue eyes. She was quiet, almost shy, always had her hair fixed and make-up on. She always made sure everything around her was neat and pretty.

She proudly wore the title of housewife but also worked whenever she was needed at Martin Sausage, the business they owned, and helped with their many pets and barn animals. She once had her nose broken by a particularly ornery horse.

She was so much stronger and tougher than she appeared. She did anything and everything for her husband and family. They were her priority until the very end.

Mrs. Verna is survived by her husband, James Burleigh; daughter, Tina Burleigh Staggs (Terry); son, Scott Burleigh (Jamie); sisters, Carol Paronto, Judith Calhoun (Gary); sisters-in-law, Diane Mizener and Mary ‘Putsy’ Guedry (David); grandchildren, Daniel Burleigh (Victoria), Ryan Burleigh (Leslie) and Katie Burleigh; and great grandchildren, Noah Burleigh, Brennon Stringer and Ellie Burleigh.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Thelma Mizener; brothers, Floyd Mizener (Shirley), Lawrence Mizener (Jean) and James Mizener; sister, Loretta Smith (Stanley); and brother-in-law, Roland Paronto.

Visitation will be held at Ourso Funeral Home in Gonzales, LA, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM. A Celebration of Life Service will then follow at 12:00 PM, before the Committal Service at Hope Haven: Garden of Memory in Prairieville, LA.