Anna Belle Batiste, a lifelong resident of Lake Charles, died Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016. She was 86 years old.

Ms. Batiste was born on Feb. 23, 1930, to Willie James and Rose Dora Blanchard-Batiste in Lake Charles, the youngest of 13 children. She attended school in Lake Charles and received her degree from McNeese State University. Ms. Batiste went on to become a career educator, employed by the Calcasieu Parish School System from 1959 to her retirement in 1990.

Ms. Batiste started work at Washington School as a fifth-grade teacher. She was transferred to Cherry Street Elementary the same school year and remained there until 1970. From 1970 to 1982, Ms. Batiste taught at Rosteet Elementary as a fifth-grade teacher, with the exception of one year, when she taught sixth grade. She returned to Cherry Street and taught fourth and fifth grade.

Professionally, she was affiliated with the Calcasieu Association of Educators, Louisiana Association of Educators and the National Education Association. She also received various accolades over her career, such as a Governor''s Award for tutorial work for the Literary Council of Southwest Louisiana. Post-retirement, she was recognized with an Honorary State Representative designation in 1995.

She was survived by her grandson, Van Sias of Brooklyn, N.Y.; her granddaughter, Anna Sias of Mobile, Ala.; her great-granddaughter, Matilda of Brooklyn; and two great-grandsons, Carlos and Calvin, both of Mobile. She was also survived by numerous nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews, with many of them providing extensive care and assistance to Ms. Batiste over the years.

Her only child, Rose Mary Sias, died in Dec. 2015. Her siblings also preceded her in death.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Service date: Oct. 21, 2016

There will be a viewing at Combre Funeral Home in Lake Charles from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, with a Rosary being prayed at 10:15 a.m. A Mass memorial will be celebrated afterward at noon at Sacred Heart Church in Lake Charles.