Gwendolyn Laurent Simon

Funeral Service for Gwendolyn Laurent Simon of Marksville will begin at 11:00AM on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Starlight Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Starlight Baptist Cemetery in Marksville.

Visitation will begin at 9:00AM until 11:00AM, on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Starlight Baptist Church.

Gwen Laurent-Simon was born August 18, 1953, to the union of the late Edwina and Nathan Laurent in Cottonport, LA. At an early age, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized by the late Rev. Blackman at Little Zion Baptist Church in Long Bridge, LA.

On December 15. 1973. Gwen was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Lionel Simon. To this union, God blessed them with five children, 19 grand-children, and a host of great grand-children.

Gwen remained a faithful member of Starlight Baptist Church until her health failed. Gwen graduated from Carver High in Bunkie in 1971. After granduation, she attended CLTCC in Alexandria, LA where she finished and worked as an LPN for 32 years.

Those left to cherish her loving memory are two daughters, Myeshia Simon and Shameka Augustine both of Marksville, LA; two sons, Taji Simon Sr. of Marksville, LA and Kerry Laurent Sr. of Houston, TX; one sister, Rose Laurent of Cottonport, LA; and two brothers, Benjamin Laurent of Cottonport, LA and Micheal Foster (Hope) of Dallas, TX; eighteen grandchildren; four godchildren, Torrey Laurent, Shawndruckus Ford, Brenda Turner, and DaShawn Ford; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Lionel Simon; Parents, Edwina and Nathan Laurent; siblings, Ella Laurent, Lionell Kelly Sr, Nathan Laurent, Jr.; grandchildren, Taji Simon Jr., Veronica Johnson, and Balqua Myers.

Those to serve as active pallbearers are; Jalen Simon, DeTaji Kelly, Javon Sampson, Rashaol Simon, Kerry Laurent Jr., and Steven Simon; honorary pallbearers are, Taji Simon Sr., Torrey Laurent, Kerry Laurent Sr., Troy Laurent, Benjamin Laurent, Shaun Wilson, Micheal Foster, Edward Heggar, and Emile Celestine.

The family would like to take this opportunity to express a heartfelt "Thank You" to each of you who have showed kindness, compassion, and concern in our time of bereavement. We shall forever cherish your sincere thoughtfulness and kind gestures of love. Also, we would like to acknowledge Cabrini Hospital, Cabrini Cancer Center, and family and friends who helped care for her daily.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Escude Funeral Home.