On Thursday, December 8, 2022, the Creator called John L. Handy, Sr. home at the age of 84, after a brief battle with cancer to enter a peaceful rest with no more sickness or pain. Mr. Handy was born on December 27, 1937, in Grand Coteau, Louisiana to the late Truman L. Handy and Julia Ann Richard-Handy.

On April 30, 1960, John married Celeste (Celestine) Grant, and later moved the family to New York but decided to move his family back to Lake Charles, in 1965.

Mr. Handy served in the Army as a cook for 4 years and was active in the Army reserves. After leaving the military, John worked for PPG as a machinist until he retired. After retiring from PPG John worked part time with Albert (AB) Franklin and volunteered to help Mr. Franklin with his campaign for State Representative for District 34. John was always helping other and volunteered his time to a lot of organizations in Lake Charles throughout his life. John loved serving the community of Lake Charles.

John volunteered at Greater St Mary Missionary Baptist Church where he served for 16 years. John volunteered as a basketball and little league baseball coach, volunteered to bring the athletic teams of Immaculate Heart of Mary School to their sporting events. John was also a volunteer member of Washington and Washington-Marion High School band booster for many years and severed as the treasurer. John also checked on and brought food to the sick and shut in and volunteering his time on different campaigns in and around Lake Charles. John was a long-time member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and served as an usher.

Mr. Handy loved to cook and play Bingo which was his two favorite things to do. Most of all, Mr. Handy never met a stranger and was friendly toward everyone he met; he always made you feel like you were family.

He is proceeded in death by his wife Celestine Grant-Handy, parents, Julia Ann Richard Handy, Truman L. Handy, Leona Savoy Handy. One daughter Sarah Handy and one son, two brothers, Truman J. Handy and Edward L. Handy; one great granddaughter; paternal grandparents Matilda Brown and Arthur Handy, and maternal grandparents Alphonse Richard and Elizabeth "Bessie" Lemelle.

He leaves to cherish his memory three sons, Rodney Grant (Pamela) and John L. Handy, Jr. both of Houston, Texas, and David Handy (Mercy) of Katy, Texas; three daughters Melissa Nutall (Raymond) of Houston, Texas, Sally Handy of Katy, Texas and Judith Davis (Anthony) of Spring, Texas; four brother, Freeman Handy of San Diego, California, James Handy of Spring, Texas, Jerald Handy of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Charles Handy (Rosylind) of Fairfield, California; three sisters, Veronica Handy of San Diego, California, Linda Guillory (Holland), and Diana Hudson both of Lake Charles, Louisiana; 2 sisters-in-law ,Helen Carter and Delores Johnson both of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and a brother-in-law, Edward Grant of Sacramento, California; 12 grandchildren Kisha, Quinnetta, Ramona, Marlaina, Trekesa, Nakita, Charmaine, Nicole, Jeromy, Jamel, Michael and Jabary; 14 great grandchildren, Keiron, Kaleb, Kiro, Carmello, Chance, Jayden, Jalaya, Aaryanna, Shylah, Alyson, Brayden, Easton, Da'Zhon, and Cameron,  three nephews that he was close with Roderick Aaron, Terrance Handy, and Jarvis Hudson,  and a niece whom he adored Kassidy Guillory, and a host of other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.