Barbara Marie (Richard) Chaisson, age 78, of Pine Island, La. went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 16, 2024, surrounded by her four children. 

She was born Sept. 30, 1945, to parents Sandrus and Allie (Trahan) Richard in Jennings, La. She married the love of her life, Donald, on May 28, 1966. Together they lived in Pine Island, La. 

Barbara was a homemaker, taking care of her family and helping her husband with farm chores. She was a talented cook and could find a way to make a meal from whatever her family raised in the garden or livestock from the barn. It was said that Barbara could make a meal out of anything from a hog but the oink.  She enjoyed fishing, reading, doing puzzles, playing cards, “circling words”, and visiting her siblings and neighbors.  She valued time with her family and made sure to call all of her children and grandchildren every Sunday so they could come eat lunch and visit under their favorite front yard tree. 

Barbara is welcomed into Heaven by her husband, Donald Chaisson; parents; brother, Larrell James (Jimmy) Richard; sisters, Murleen Aucoin, and Wilma Jean Lawless; and brothers-in-law, Billy Aucoin and Harold Lawless.  

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her daughters, Donna Rene’ Collins and husband, Randy, of Welsh, La.; Melanie Kay Miller, Farmersville, Texas; son, Darrell James Chaisson of Lacassine, La.; Laura “Lolly” Hendrickson and husband, James “Jasper,” of Lake Charles, La.; and daughter-in-law, Thomasena Chaisson of Lacassine, La.; brothers, Elvie Reed Richard and wife, Lorene, and Gerald Richard and wife, Theresa, and sister-in-law, Linda Richard; 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. 

The family would like to invite friends and relatives to Hixson Welsh for visitation on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 10 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. A rosary will be recited at 11 a.m. 

Burial will follow at Pine Island Cemetery in Pine Island, La.