Marlene Talley Brown

Published 2:00 pm Wednesday, March 26, 2014

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 27, 2014, at St. Peter Catholic Church in New Iberia for Frances Marlene Talley Brown, 64, who died Monday, March 24, 2014, at her home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Entombment will follow in Holy Family Cemetery.

The Rev. Ed Degeyter will be the celebrant.

A gathering of family and friends will be Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia. A Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Visitation will continue Thursday from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m.

Readers will be Nancy Barras and C.B. Talley Jr. Gift bearers include Mariah Segura, Emma Reitzell, Ava Reitzell, Christopher Brown Jr. and Michelle Reitzell.

Marlene was born on December 1, 1949, in Opelousas, and resided in New Iberia. She was a graduate of Mt. Carmel Academy and attended USL, as well as various advertising seminars.

Possessing a variety of interests, Marlene worked in many capacities, including at KANE radio station, COX Communications, Tommy Landry Physical Therapy and Dr. Jennifer Waguespack LaBiche.

Her interests led to her membership in social organizations, including Les Allies, Fortnightly VIII, Los Rainas Pasadas of the Krewe of Iberians and pokeno/domino groups.

Devoted to her community, Marlene was a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club and participated in its many projects. She did volunteer work for the Bayou Teche Museum and was often called upon to serve as judge for speech competitions and to announce at Catholic High School’s Homecoming festivities. Marlene volunteered to be a contestant in the Dancing with the Stars fundraiser for the school. She contributed to the Iberia Parish Memory Book and was instrumental in establishing the “Be a Match” Friends of George Gros bone marrow drive. Marlene also served as a lector at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

Always proud of her association with Mt. Carmel, Marlene valued her friendships with classmates and served as president of the Mt. Carmel School Board and the Mt. Carmel Alumnae Association.

Marlene was known for the friendliness and fun she brought with her. She will especially be remembered at Mardi Gras balls. She served as Queen of Krewe of Iberians in 1999.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Charles Brown, of New Iberia; her son Christopher Brown and wife, Gina Ravaglia Brown, of Metairie; and three grandchildren Christopher, Matthew and Marie Brown.

Survivors also include Marlene’s siblings Caren Hardouin of Lafayette, Janice Spindler and husband, Tom, of Lake Charles, Lynn Dauterive and husband, Eugene, of New Iberia, Joyce Segura and husband, Scott, of Scott, Sandy Hebert and fiancé Vondo Gonzales of New Iberia and C. Bounds Talley Jr. and wife, Anissa, of Lafayette; and 12 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Caufman Bounds Talley; her mother, Frances Drago Talley; grandmother, Aurelie Oubre Drago; grandfather, Louis Vicent Drago; and her sister-in-law Clair Fair.

Pallbearers will be Eugene Dauterive Jr., Eugene Dauterive III, Louis Dauterive, Scott Segura, Tom Spindler and C. Bounds Talley.

Honorary pallbearers include Richard Brown, Donald Brown, Brian Fair, Lindsey Hardouin, Taylor Hardouin, Jake Hebert, Michelle Reitzell, Blake Segura, Eric Spindler, Brian Spindler, Marc Spindler and Caufman Talley III.

The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the Sisters of Mt. Carmel, P.O. Box 1160, Lacombe, LA 70445; the Catholic High School Endowment Fund, 1301 DeLaSalle Drive, New Iberia, LA 70560; or to Heart of Hospice, 201 W. Vermilion, Lafayette, LA 70501.

To view online obituary and sign guestbook, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 365-3331, is in charge of arrangements.