Jude Laurent Chaney, a beacon of grace, wisdom and quiet strength, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2024, at the age of 92. Her life was one of deep faith, unwavering love, and service to her family, leaving an unforgettable mark on all that knew her.
Born in December of 1931, in Plaquemine, Louisiana, Jude was raised by a close-knit family where values of faith and education were paramount. She earned the honor of being one of the first ten students to graduate from Redemptorist High School’s inaugural class. She often shared fond memories of those formative years, filled with friendships, playing basketball, and a faith that would sustain her throughout her life. She was employed by Winn-Dixie for over 20 years as a cashier. She also worked for several years as a school crossing guard for East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
Jude married the love of her life, Donald L Chaney, in 1952, and together they built a home that was rich in laughter, devotion, and the aroma of her famous gumbo. A mother to two children, Jude’s life revolved around her family, ensuring each of them felt the depth of her love and support. She also extended her motherly love to many of her nieces and nephews. She was a proud great-grandmother and loved sharing stories with them and attending any event to honor them. Her wisdom was shared not in grand speeches but in the small, meaningful moments- sharing her love for Jesus, decorating for Christmas, and gathering to make an assortment of her specialty desserts.
Her family will remember her as a woman of resilience and grace, someone who met life’s challenges with unwavering faith and a calm assurance that everything could be solved with prayer and a little patience. She was the kind of person who made you feel better just by being in her presence- a true matriarch in every sense of the word.
Jude is survived by: daughter, Donna Ballard of Denham Springs; grandson, Derek Wood; granddaughter, Rebekah Coulon and husband Donnie of Denham Springs; three great-grandchildren, Alexis, Ashton & Abigail Coulon of Denham Springs; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald L Chaney of 66 years; son, David Chaney; parents, Noelie and Villary Laurent; sisters- Rosa Landry, Clarise Nastasi, Marie Pourciau, Noelie McLin, Dorothy Shellenberger, and Fern LaCour; brothers, JV Laurent and Aubrey Laurent.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Visitation at Rabenhorst East Funeral Home in Baton Rouge on Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 5 to 8 pm. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 22, 2024, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denham Springs, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park in Baton Rouge.
Honoring the family as pallbearers are Derek Wood, Donnie Coulon, Jacob Spradlin, Wildon Fontenot, Keith Ramirez and Donnie Pourciau. Honorary Pallbearers- Ashton Coulon and Jacques LaCour.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, honoring Jude and her great-granddaughter, Alexis Coulon.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at the House of Grace in Denham Springs, Louisiana; and to Sundi (nurse) and Leona (caregiver) with Pinnacle Hospice, whose kindness and dedication brought comfort and dignity to Jude’s final days.
Jude Laurent Chaney: a woman whose life was a testament to faith, family, and love, and whose legacy will live on in the hearts she touched.
