Launa Maria Lacour

Launa Maria Lacour passed into the arms of Jesus Christ on Wednesday morning, May 14, 2025, at Belle Maison Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Hammond, Louisiana, with her loving daughter Dana by her side. She was 84 years old.

Launa was born on August 16, 1940 in the Village of Moreauville, Louisiana as the 11th of 12 children of Edward Albin Lacour and Lorena Elizabeth Lemoine. She is survived by her loving children and grandchildren: Edward Michael Painter (spouse Angelle Walton; children Eliza Belle Easterling, Tayla Marie Painter), and Dana Ann Mintz (spouse Adrian Ira Mintz, deceased; children Tallen Anthony Mintz, Gage Adrian Mintz, whose service as a Petty Officer Second Class in the U.S. Navy stationed in Japan filled Launa with pride. She is also survived by a large host of nieces and nephews and their families.

Launa was preceded in death by her parents and her five brothers and six sisters: Merlin James Lacour (Cecile Mayeux); Vivian Cecile “Sister” Rabalais (Harnett Gerard Rabalais, Sr.); Narcille Louise “Tee” Ducote (Arthur Van Joseph Ducote); Ray Anthony Lacour, Sr. (Ella Mayeux); Marvin Patrick Lacour (Georgianna Dupuis); Edward Joseph “Zong” Lacour, Jr.; Betty Mae “Sugar” Desselle (Curry Joseph Desselle); Shirley Ann Ducote (Ray Anthony Ducote); Garner Gabriel “Brother” Lacour (Barbara Ann Wilson); Jane Frances Desselle (Daniel Joseph Desselle); and Katie Elizabeth Coco Desselle (1st: Brent Bernard Coco, 2nd: Jerald Elliott Desselle).

After being raised in Moreauville, Launa moved to New Orleans where she married Wayne Painter in 1970 and gave birth to Eddie and Dana. She later moved back to Avoyelles Parish to be closer to her extensive extended family, living first in Simmesport then at St. John’s Village in Moreauville. She lived there for over 20 years, coincidentally in the exact same apartment that her mother Lorena lived in during the 1980s. Once her health began to decline, Launa moved to Belle Maison in Hammond so Dana could care for her more closely. She was blessed to have made dozens of friends in all these places who stayed in contact throughout the years.

Special thanks go to her caregivers and friends at Belle Maison, who made the final years of her life truly special and memorable, and to The Hospice of Baton Rouge, whose excellent care made her last days calm and comfortable. Sincere thanks also go to her nephew, Minister Kevin Desselle and his wife Melinda, who provided lots of love, spiritual support, and excellent home-cooked meals during her time in Hammond; and to her niece Michelle Jeansonne, whom Launa cherished as her ‘other daughter’ for her love and care in Moreauville.

Visitation will be held at Escudé Funeral Home in Moreauville on Wednesday morning, May 21, 2025, beginning at 8:00 am until 10:40 am. A Catholic Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located adjacent to the funeral home, followed immediately by interment in Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery and a reception at Sacred Heart’s Community Center.