Walter Ennis, Jr.

Visitations will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Church of Christ, Railroad Ave., Morgan City, La., from 9:00 AM until funeral service at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be in the Morgan City Mansoleum.

Walter Ennis Jr. was born on December 21,1934 to his loving mother Fannie Mae Porter in Morgan City. He departed this life on January 4th, 2023. Walter gained many accolades during his lifetime. As a young man, he was most known for his athleticism; he was a point guard basketball player at Morgan City Colored High School (later known as Sumpter Williams Colored school). 

He was a proud man who loved sharing that he was direct relation of Louisiana's first Black governor, P.B. Pinchback. But, Walter was a living legend of his own. Mr. Ennis, as he was most notably known, was a revered, highly sought-after painter and longtime business owner for 70 years. He was a renowned professional who honed his talents at the tender age of nine. He was an apprentice to another well-known established painter and started his company at 21. He was a multi-talented man expanding much of his knowledge even to carpentry. The business was a family business made up of his sons and grandsons.

Walter gave his life to Christ under the leadership of the late Rev. Johnny Dardar with the Church of Christ in Morgan City. He was very active in the congregation until he became ill. He was a Sunday school teacher and very involved in the building and upkeep of the church. In addition to his church experience, he was heavily involved in civic organizations. 

Walter leaves to cherish his memories; two sons, Gavin Ennis of Los Angeles, Calif., and Jerome Ennis both of Morgan City, LA; three daughters, Melanie Woods of Morgan City, La., Jewell Jefferson of Suwanee, GA.,  and Janell Stephens of Milton, GA; his former wife, Jacquelyn Pratt Ennis Brown of Morgan City, LA; his longtime companion, Mary Ann Ennis of Morgan City, LA., He loved his family dearly and was a devoted father, a grandfather of 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. 

Walter was preceded in death by two sons, Christopher Joseph and Brian Ennis, a brother Lloyd Barrow, Sr. two sisters, Pamela Porter Firvin and Verna Granger and his late mother, Fannie Porter.

He was loved by a host of family, friends and community.