Mary Sloan L'Herisson

Mary Sloan L'Herisson

Mary Sloan L'Herisson made her earthly transition September 1, 2016, at the age of 91. Formerly a resident of Shreveport, she moved to Sunrise at Siegen in Baton Rouge in May 2013.

Mary was born in Taft, Lincoln County, Tennessee in 1925 to Lawrence Wiley Sloan and Vallie Theodocia Green (nee), the youngest of four children. Her father died by accident during early efforts to bring electricity to their rural county, and in recognition of his role the TVA honored 9-year-old Mary by letting her throw the switch that first energized the region. She graduated from Huntsville (AL) High School and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Soon after arriving in Louisiana for her dietetics internship at New Orleans Charity Hospital, Mary met an LSU Med School resident from Bossier Parish named Lawrence Edward L'Herisson. They married on a snowy St. Patrick's Day in 1945, in Fayetteville, TN.

Mary and Larry settled in Coushatta, Red River Parish, where they built a 23-bed hospital and clinic, and raised their children, Laura Ann, Lawrence Edward, Jr., and Sandra Sloan. Mary played piano every Sunday for her church, grew beautiful roses, cooked delicious healthful meals, hosted great parties, and was active with her children's many activities: scouting, rodeo, dance, sports, music, and church. She filled the home with music and taught her children their first piano lessons.

In the early 1970s, Mary designed and directed the new Brentwood Hospital kitchen in Shreveport where she worked as a registered dietician for several years. After Larry completed a second medical specialty (psychiatry) in the mid-1980s, they permanently moved to Shreveport. She and Larry enjoyed traveling, and visited many countries during their 41-year marriage.

Mary was a private pilot and a lifetime member of the 99s, an international woman pilots association. She made many dear friends with other 99s that endured her whole life. In the late 1960s, Mary and her son were the first mother-son pair to get private pilot licenses at their flight school. Mary was also active in the medical auxiliary, opera guild, DAR, UDC, and bridge clubs. Mary's primary activities, however, centered on her church. She served the board of Haynes Avenue Baptist Church, and was a member of the Larks Senior Choir and the hand bell choir.

Mary is survived by her three children who live in Baton Rouge; grandson Robert Paul Mooberry II, his wife Amanda, and their twins Holden and Harper Mooberry of Las Vegas, NV; brother-in-law Charles Edward L'Herisson and wife Catherine of Garland, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Larry; her three brothers David, Wilson, and Joe Sloan; and her second husband, Malcolm Earnest.

Mary will be remembered as a kind and loving mother; a fun-loving and loyal friend; a willing, helpful servant of the Lord; and a lifelong learner and role model for living fully.

Visitation will be from 1-3 pm, Sunday, September 4, at Haynes Avenue Baptist Church in Shreveport, followed by church and graveside services.