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