Peggy Joyce Newman Laughlin, 69, of Lake Charles, La., passed away at 5:16 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023, in a Houston, Texas, hospital.
Mrs. Laughlin was born June 7, 1953, in Lake Charles, La., where she was a lifelong resident. She attended Marion High School, graduated from Merryville High School and received her LPN degree from Sowela Tech. She began her nursing career at Lake Charles Care Center and then moved to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, where she worked for thirty-five years in the Rehabilitation Department, retiring in 2015. Mrs. Laughlin was a previous member of Grace Church in DeRidder and most recently Gillis Pentecostal Church. She volunteered as secretary for TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) and as a child worked with the Lyons Club. She loved to crochet and shared her blankets with family and friends and when they welcomed a new baby. She also enjoyed sewing and was very talented, even making her own wedding dress and clothes for her family. She loved playing cards, dominoes, and board games and referred to that time as her “Cards and Coffee.” Mrs. Laughlin will always be remembered as a great prayer warrior, with a giant heart. She loved her family dearly and treated everyone she met with kindness and love.
Mrs. Laughlin is survived by her husband of 33 years, Raymond D. Laughlin of Lake Charles; son, Raymond Micah Laughlin (Chandler) of DeQuincy; daughter, Rebekah Rae Nolden (Mitch) of Lake Charles; brothers, Roy Hebert and Larry Newman; mother-in-law, Bonnie Rae Laughlin of Lake Charles; sister-in-law, Tanya Miller (Rod) of Lake Charles; brother-in-law, Toby Laughlin (Julie) of Westlake; grandchildren, Estelle Laughlin and Silas Nolden; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Curtis Newman Sr.; mother and step-father, Dorothy and Wilson Hebert; sisters, Dorothy Swire and Leona Fruge; brother, Curtis “Gene” Newman Jr.; father-in-law, Floyd Ethan “Dub” Laughlin Jr.; brother-in-law, Earl J. Laughlin; and a nephew, Paul Frieu.
Her funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. The Revs. George Lee Glass, Bob Stevens and Charles Manuel will officiate. Burial will follow in Prien Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and continue on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the start of the service.
The family would like to say a special word of thanks to the staff at Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center, especially to Erika and Myeshia, for the care and compassion given.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.