Leroy Henderson OBITUARY
Leroy Henderson, Jr. passed away on July 24, 2020, at the Indiana Veterans Home in West Lafayette, Indiana, with his family by his side. He was born on April 7, 1941, in Edwards, Mississippi, to Leroy Sr. and DeEther (Phillips) Henderson. As a child, Leroy attended St. James MB Church with his mother, later joining Pilgrim Rest M B Church. He graduated from Froebel School and earned a Journalism degree from Miami Dade College. Leroy proudly served in the United States Air Force.
Leroy is survived by his wife of 35 years, Elizabeth; brothers Leon, Larry (Sheila), and Sherfie Staples; brothers-in-law George and John (Tawania) Foster; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Visitation will be on Thursday, July 30, 2020, from 12:00 to 8:00 PM at Smith, Bizzell & Warner Funeral Home, 4209 Grant Street, Gary, IN 46408. The funeral will be private due to COVID-19. Leroy will be laid to rest next to his son, Dajaune, at Evergreen Cemetery in Hobart, Indiana. For more details, visit www.smithbizzellwarnerfuneralhome.com.
Lafayette chef shares grieving process after deaths of two children: ‘It feels like a nightmare’
After losing her son four years ago, a chef from Lafayette is now burying her daughter.
“It feels like a nightmare. We were so close. My son called us the ‘Three Musketeers.’ I just hope they’re together now,” Agnes Capello said.
Marion Julia Stokes, the older sibling, died at 33. Her brother Julien passed away on October 14, 2020.
Stokes held dual citizenship in the U.S. and France. She graduated from New Iberia Senior High.
Her obituary noted her love for music, travel, cooking, and animals, especially her cat, “Mango.”
Julien also had dual citizenship, graduated from Catholic High, and attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
“They were like twins, just 17 months apart. I don’t think my daughter ever got over losing Julien,” Capello said.
Capello moved to New Iberia from France in the 1990s with her children.
“My kids loved their French roots. Julien once said he couldn’t choose between Louisiana and France. I told him we could love both. Our heritage and Acadiana’s are so similar.”
Capello turned her passion for food and culture into a career as a private chef, specializing in French cuisine. She catered to families in Lafayette and nearby areas.
Additionally, she worked as a translator for festivals like Festival International and Festival Acadiens. In her spare time, she taught French to both adults and children.
“I miss our dinner table chats and laughs,” Capello reflected. “Marion loved my shrimp scampi. I always made it for her. Julien, on the other hand, adored my crêpes. I wish I could cook for them again.
“I miss their laughs and smiles. My faith keeps me going. I believe they’re together now. Marion missed her brother. He called for her. I know I’ll see them again.”
Facing life without her children, Capello is on a quest to find her purpose.
“I’m wondering about my purpose now. I trust God will show me. I’m taking a break to grieve and seek Him. He’s all I have,” she said.
“I invite everyone to Marion’s funeral. It would mean a lot. I need the comfort of others. Even a simple Facebook message helps.”
Stokes is survived by her father and stepmother, Leif and Jayne Stokes; siblings Josh and Caleb Pellerin and Sammy Stokes; and grandparents Glenn and Yvonne Stokes.
The funeral was held on Tuesday at Pellerin Funeral Home.
