SLS 15RS-32 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 44
BY SENATOR JOHNS
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Mrs. Willie McCullor Landry.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of a
3 community activist and public servant, Willie McCullor Landry of Lake Charles, and
4 to celebrate her life of dedication to the youth of Calcasieu Parish.
5 WHEREAS, it was with deep regret that the Legislature of Louisiana first learned
6 of the passing of Mrs. Willie Landry on June 18, 2014, at the age of ninety-four; and
7 WHEREAS, Willie Landry was a woman of inordinate strength, integrity,
8 accountability, and drive; she shared these qualities with the children she came to know and
9 love; and her desire to challenge young people to do their very best became her mission and
10 was central to shaping the work ethic and character of a generation; and
11 WHEREAS, Willie Landry played an integral part in the development of recreational
12 opportunities for the City of Lake Charles Department of Recreation and Parks; she acted
13 as director for the Drew Park facility from 1952 until her retirement in 1983; and whose
14 service and accomplishments advanced physical fitness and athletic programs for area youth
15 for more than three decades; and
16 WHEREAS, Willie V. McCullor was born in Pleasant Hill on July 3, 1920, to parents
17 James Willie McCullor and Marshey Asaley Allen McCullor; and
18 WHEREAS, in 1937, Willie made Lake Charles her home and attended McNeese
Page 1 of 3 SCR NO. 44
SLS 15RS-32 ORIGINAL
1 State University; and
2 WHEREAS, she married Lee Robert Landry and together they strived to establish
3 a loving Christian home and reared a family; and
4 WHEREAS, Willie Landry was the competitive heart and spirit of the summer
5 programs at Drew Park that attracted participants to the enjoyment of all manner of outdoor
6 activities from badminton to volleyball, and she was enthusiastic about having fun; and
7 WHEREAS, through her supervisory skills, she shared her love of sports by teaching
8 young people how to enhance their physical abilities and develop a sense of fair play among
9 their peers; her mantra was "know the rules and play the game competitively"; and
10 WHEREAS, Mrs. Landry was also known as a "ping pong champion", finishing in
11 first place many times in the city-wide competition; she was the "spark" for many
12 impassioned inter-park rivalries; and
13 WHEREAS, Willie Landry was a dynamo of organization; she organized the Senior
14 Olympics and served on its local board, coached girls softball and basketball for the City
15 Recreation League, sponsored Blue Birds, led Camp Fire Girls, and supported the local
16 Parent-Teacher Association (PTA); and
17 WHEREAS, Willie led by example and demonstrated that good sportsmanship began
18 with self-respect as well as respect for others; and
19 WHEREAS, to honor her memory and in appreciation of her many contributions, on
20 July 2, 2014, the Lake Charles City Council adopted a resolution that renamed the center at
21 Drew Park in her honor, and, in a ceremony held November 1, 2014, the building was
22 redesignated as the Willie McCullor Landry Recreational Center in recognition of thirty-one
23 years of dedicated public service to local youth; and
24 WHEREAS, Mrs. Landry is survived by her four loving children, Sandra Lee Moore
25 and husband Nolan, Marsha Irene Chapman and husband Ted, Dr. Richard Edward Landry
26 and wife Gaye, and Willie Ruth Mount, who served as mayor of Lake Charles and Louisiana
27 State Senator; and
28 WHEREAS, Willie Landry is also survived by ten grandchildren, Melissa Moore
29 Ross and her husband Don, Connie Moore Miller and her husband Robert, Tom Moore and
30 his wife Stacey, Julie Moore Miller and her husband Joe, Laurel Landry Carleton and her
Page 2 of 3 SCR NO. 44
SLS 15RS-32 ORIGINAL
1 husband Mark, Wendy Landry Lechtenberg and her husband Keith, Leslie Landry Bradley
2 and her husband Rex, Kelly Lynne Landry, Jessica Chapman Forsyth and her husband Brad,
3 Jared B. Chapman and his wife Erin; and twenty-three great-grandchildren, Emily and
4 Wilhelmina Ross, Connor and Kirby Miller, Thomas, Sandlin and Banks Moore, Dietz,
5 Grayson, and Rosamond Miller, Camille and Richard Carleton, Maddie, Abbie and Callie
6 Lechtenberg, Isabella, Julia and Anna Bradley, Walker, Truett and Cecilia Forsyth, and
7 Byler and Amelia Chapman; and
8 WHEREAS, Willie was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Lake Charles
9 and served her church as a Sunday school teacher, Training Union director, and as a member
10 of the Women's Missionary Union and the Eastern Star; and
11 WHEREAS, Willie M. Landry led an exceptional life of inspiration and service to
12 others and shall long be remembered for her compassion, her devotion to family, her
13 commitment to God, her graciousness, her leadership, and her sense of fair play.
14 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
15 express its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of a great woman,
16 Mrs. Willie M. Landry, and especially to her daughter, Willie L. Mount, our friend and
17 colleague.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Mrs. Willie M. Landry leaves a commendable
19 legacy of exceptional public service to the city of Lake Charles and the state of Louisiana.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
21 children of Mrs. Willie M. Landry.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
SCR 44 Original 2015 Regular Session Johns
Expresses condolences upon the death of Mrs. Willie M. Landry of Lake Charles.
Page 3 of 3