On August 12, 1950, our Heavenly Father decided that earth needed another angel in its midst. So He looked around and chose one of His best! God sent His little angel to earth to a loving couple, Frank Calvin and Alice Batiste. The
overjoyed couple named their little bundle of blessing, "Gaynell Margaret Batiste." She would be the first of seven more "blessings" Frank and Alice received from heaven.

An angel is a messenger from God and Gaynell certainly fulfilled her mission! To her parents, Gaynell was a messenger of God's love, hope, and expectation. To her younger siblings, Gaynell was a messenger of God's strength, love and
guidance. To her beloved husband, Joseph Carrier, Gaynell was a messenger of God's faithfulness, love, counsel, friendship, devotion and self-sacrifice. To her cherished children, Joseph Anthony, Erica Michelle, and Brandon Paul, Gaynell was a messenger of God's patience, understanding, wisdom, compassion and undying love! To her precious grandchildren, Traylon, Naddie, Brandon, Matt, Madison, Kayden, and little Bryson, Gaynell was a messenger of God's tenderness, eternal love and delight for His children. To her colleagues and friends, Gaynell was a messenger of God's truth, generosity and kindness. Just like Jesus, her Savior, Gaynell's driving force in life was LOVE!

Gaynell attended Sacred Heart Elementary School from grades 1st_11th. She played the trombome in Sacred Heart's band and thoroughly enjoyed being a "Viking." After Sacred Heart High School closed at the end of Gaynell's junior
year, she attended W.O. Boston High School for her senior year and became a proud "Panther!" At Boston, Gaynell discovered a new passion-Drama. Gaynell was often the "Leading Lady" in the school's theatrical productions. Her talent, vivaciousness, and hard-working spirit won her the admiration of both her teachers and fellow classmates. Gaynell graduated from Boston with honors in 1968.

Gaynell then attended McNeese State University where she became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. During her college years at McNeese, Gaynell's light shone brightly once again! She was devoted to her sorority and worked tirelessly to promote its ideals.

After leaving McNeese, Gaynell met and married the "Love of her Life", Joseph Carrier Jr. She and Joe endured many trials and tribulations together, especially during her battle with cancer. Gaynell, held fast to God's promises and was a
shining example to her husband, children and other family members. She always encouraged her family to put their faith and trust in God.

Gaynell also taught her family how to praise and thank God for the many good times He blessed them with through the years. Gaynell's personal relationship with Christ, her Savior, was nourished by her Catholic faith. She loved to read and meditate on scripture, pray the rosary and Divine Chaplet and faithfully attend mass. Gaynell had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother and chose "Mary" as her Confirmation saint. We are sure that after first being joyously welcomed into heaven by the Lord, Gaynell was then held, in a long, tender embrace by the Blessed Mother.

In addition to being the matriarch of her family, Gaynell inspired countless children as a tutor and Computer Lab Teacher in Calcasieu Parish Schools. Most of her teaching career was spent at Combre-Fondell Elementary School. Her
professionalism and dedication made her a stellar teacher and role model for her students. After retiring from the Calcasieu Parish School Board, Gaynell worked as a secretarial assistant at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for several years.

For many years, Gaynell worked diligently on Sacred Heart's Evangelization Committee and faithfully served her church family as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion. She also shared her love for Christ with the youth of Sacred Heart by being a loyal, eager, devoted catechist for over 20 years. In word and in action, Gaynell absolutely loved teaching her students about God's charity and forgiveness.

Gaynell worked for the Diocese of Lake Charles as a receptionist in the diocesan administrative office until illness forced her to leave that position. Wherever she worked, Gaynell was an accomplished, compassionate, patient, disciple of Christ. At home, at work or in public, Gaynell was always careful to use her words wisely so as not to hurt someone's feelings. She was truly a thoughtful, strong, humorous, compassionate, joyous, prayerful woman of God!

This angel from heaven showered love, wisdom, patience, strength and understanding on her immediate family, her siblings, extended family and all who knew her. She was indeed a BLESSING to anyone who was fortunate enough to
cross her path. Even though Gaynell is no longer physically present on this earth, her indomitable spirit lives on forever!

Gaynell was called "home" to her eternal dwelling in the early morning of April 23,2019. Her passing has left a huge hole in her family's heart that only the love of God can fill in time.

Gaynell's memory is held dear by her devoted husband of 41 years, Joseph Carrier Jr., two sons, Joseph (Pandora) Carrier, Brandon (Ashely) Carrier, one daughter, Erica Carrier, two sisters, Brenda and Barbara Batiste, four brothers, Frank D, Donald Sr. (Bernadine), Anthony Sr. 'Tony'{Marcella), and Kenneth Sr. (Valerie) Batiste. Six grandchildren, Traylon, Nadailyn, Brandon Jr., Madison, Kadyn Bryson Carrier and Matthew Medlow; two stepdaughters, Lisa Francois and Tracy Singleton, five step-grandchildren, Precious Maxwell, Francois Maxwell, Treveon Henderson, Myah Singleton, Kambria Martin, one step-great-grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Gaynell was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Alice Batiste, and brother, Gerald Batiste Sr.