Carolyn Arlette Barras

Carolyn Arlette Moore Barras of Marrero, passed into greater glory on Thursday, June 26, 2025, a few days before her 70th birthday. Daughter of Keiko Harada Moore and the late Lester LaRue Moore. Best friend and beloved wife for 31 years of Gary Barras. Mother of Nicholas Gernon (Renee). Stepmother of Dawn Barras and Jessica Ordon (Jeffrey). Sister of Rachael Ison (Doug) and Marie Yokum (Pat). Brother of Lester Moore, Jr. Sister in-law of Valarie Ballein (Greg). Grandmother of Megan Jackson (Evan), Allison Ordon, and Ophelia Lapino. Great grandmother of Magnolia Jackson. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She retired from the Jefferson Parish School System after 20 years of service and currently is an active congregant of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Algiers. She was dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew her. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Memorial Service at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 3643 Aurora Drive, New Orleans, LA 70131 on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be held on Tuesday morning from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Burial will be in a private ceremony. Donations may be made in her memory to the American Lung Association. Flowers will be received at the church.

Carolyn was born on June 30, 1955 at the Port Lyautey Naval Air Station Hospital, Morocco. Her father Lester L. Moore of Camdon, FL was posted at Sidi Sliman Air Force Base. The early years of her life was that of a typical military family as her father, mother, Keiko Moore of Yokohama, Japan, and four children, Rachael, Marie, Carolyn and Lester, Jr. moved from posting to posting to meet the demands and needs of the U.S. Air Force. In 1956, the family moved to Japan where Carolyn attend the Japanese pre-school. The family moved to Salina Kansas in 1960 where she attended Sunset Elementary school and then Lowell Elementary. In 1964 the family moved into military housing on the Santa Clara Air Force base near Sevilla Spain. During the 3 years that they were stationed in Spain, Carolyn was very impressed with the culture, architecture and history of the area. In later years she often reflected on her experiences here especially Columbus’ tomb in the Sevilla Cathedral, the Samana Santa Easter Festival, and the annual Feria de Sevilla tour from the northern coast at Santander passing through Toledo, Burgos, and Madrid. In 1967, the family moved back to Salina where they lived in the same house they had previously resided. In 1972, she moved to Hilliard, Florida and helped to build her parents’ home, graduating from West Nassau County High School in 1973. Carolyn joined the Air Force immediately out of high school.

After her basic and Advanced Training, her first posting was in Massawa, Japan. After her tour in Japan, she was stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland, where she worked for the National Security Agency (NSA). Her son Nicholas was born in Washington, DC at Walter Reed Medical Center in March 1979. She separated from the service in 1979 as a Staff Sergeant. After leaving the Air Force she moved to New Orleans and worked part-time at Hotel Dieu Hospital while attending the University of New Orleans. In 1986, she earned her Bachelor of Arts and completed all certification requirements for teaching 6-12 grade English.

Her teaching career included assignments for student teaching at Grace King High School, and certified teaching positions at Andrew Jackson High School in Saint Bernard Parish and at West Jefferson High School in the Jefferson Parish Public School System. While at West Jefferson she met and married a fellow teacher, Gary Barras. The ceremony was held in the West Jefferson High School library on records day, January 14, 1994. Her blended family now included her son Nicholas and Gary’s daughters, Dawn and Jessica with additions over the years as recently as this past year with the arrival of great granddaughter, Magnolia, on the day before Mardi Gras. Donations to the American Lung Association appreciated.  Flowers will be accepted at the Church.

The family invites you to share thoughts, fond memories and condolences online at mothefunerals.com.