Deborah Kaye Baronet

Deborah Kaye White Baronet, 73, of Lake Charles, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. She was born on December 12, 1952 to Shelton E. and Cora Pourteau White in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Debbie was a lifelong resident of Southwest Louisiana and a proud graduate of East Beauregard High School. She later attended McNeese State University. Above all else, Debbie was devoted to her family. Some of her most cherished memories were simple ones, riding bikes with her children while singing at the top of her lungs, tending carefully to her rose bushes, and spending quiet moments with a good book, especially novels by James Patterson and Danielle Steele.

Though she didn’t cook often, Debbie was famous in the family for her pot roast and gravy, and the Christmas favorites everyone looked forward to each year: cherry nut cookies and no-bake oatmeal cookies. A loyal LSU fan, she especially enjoyed football and baseball season. Her greatest joy, however, was her grandchildren. She adored them deeply and treasured every moment spent in their lives.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Benjamin Cruz (Shawn) and Darren Cruz (Haley); her stepsons, Troy Baronet (Yana), Bryan Baronet (Shana), and Brad Baronet (Kristina); her grandchildren, Ben Cruz, Jr., Kiara Cruz, Blake Cruz, Kayli Cruz, Hayden Bardon, Ava Cruz, and Emma Cruz; her great-grandson, Mateo Bergeron-Cruz; her sisters, Dale Poole and Sandra Wallace; and her lifelong friends, Carol and Pam.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Paul Gary Baronet; and her sister, Ileta Wise.

A Memorial Service celebrating Debbie’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 16, 2026, in the Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles Chapel, 4321 Lake Street, with Rev. Kris Howerton officiating. Inurnment will follow at Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Friday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of service.

Debbie will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her love of family, and the quiet ways she showed care and devotion to those around her. Her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.