Anna Dean (Connell) Collette

Anna Dean graduated from McKeown High School in Jackson, Louisiana as the Valedictorian of her class of 15. She went on to receive her B.S. in Home Economics at Louisiana State University. Anna Dean still had recurring nightmares even in her later years of losing her schedule on her first day at LSU. Everything at LSU changed after she met Donald Allan Collette Jr at the Wesley Foundation for Methodist Students at LSU. He invited her to be a part of his team required to push start his old car. Anna Dean was in Chi Omega Sorority and he was a member Lamda Chi Alpha Fraternity; they were pinned on the first Valentine's Day after they met. She was a talented seamstress chairing the costume committee of any organization of which she was a part. Anna Dean enjoyed being the troop leader for the Bluebirds and the Campfire Girls. She was a member of the Jr. League of Lake Charles, United Methodist Women, Daughters of the American Revolution, The Review Club, The Merry Mates Dance Club, and The VAGS. She had a career with the state of Louisiana Child Protective Services for over 20 years. Anna Dean loved to entertain and host the large Collette Family parties, and also visit the Connell Family in "the country".

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Alice Anne Collette and Allyson Dean Collette Nixon; son, Hugh Connell Collette (Cynthia Melbert); grandchildren, Michael Paul Collette (Laura Deas), Nicholas Lowery Nixon (Alison Crocker), Stewart Allan Nixon (Allison Bailiff), Matthew Joseph Nixon, Sophia Augusta Collette, Noah Allan Collette, Hunter Connell Collette, Cameron Connell Collette, Catherine Eileen Collette, and Max Colin Collette; 8 great-grandchildren; as well as numerous friends and relatives.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald Allan Collette Jr; son, Donald Allan Collette III; brothers, Wade Richardson Connell Jr., Forrest Lee Connell; and her parents, Wade Richardson Connell Sr. and Velma Palmer Connell.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Lake Charles, 812 Kirkman St, Lake Charles, LA 70601.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Jocelyn Shields and her husband Zachary, who opened their home to Anna Dean after the Hurricanes. A special thank you to the rest of the Shields' family, especially Christina Lewis and Crystal Williams.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the visitation held at First United Methodist Church of Lake Charles, on March 30, 2021 beginning at 11:00 a.m. until the Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m., which will be led by Rev. Katie Black. Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.JEHixson.com for the Collette family.