Isaac "Ike" Reddit Jr.

A retired teacher at East Iberville Elementary School and a resident of Baton Rouge, Isaac went home peacefully to be the Lord on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, at Baton Rouge General Medical Center, surrounded by his devoted wife of 45 years and family. He was 67, a longtime resident of St. Gabriel and a U.S. Army veteran. Visiting at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Elder Eugene Harris, pastor, on Friday, Aug. 14, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a funeral service at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Robert Brown, pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, St. Gabriel. Interment in Progressive Baptist Church Cemetery, La. 73, Geismar. Ike is survived by his wife, Shirley Redditt; two daughters, Carol Redditt-Frank, Baton Rouge, and Donna Redditt, St. Gabriel; three sons, Maurice Redditt and Marlin Redditt, both of Baton Rouge, and Darryl Reditt and wife Nadia, of Prairieville; 15 grandchildren, one of whom he reared; two sisters, Alice and husband Louis Davis, of St. Gabriel, and Evelyn Chaney, of Baton Rouge; two brothers, Reginald Redditt, of St. Gabriel, and Ronald Redditt and wife Claudette Redditt, of Gonzales; and a host of nieces, nephews and other close relatives. Ike was elected the first black representative to the Iberville Parish School Board, where he served three terms from 1977 to 1988. After serving on the board, he restarted his teaching career in 1988 at East Iberville High School in St. Gabriel, where he taught physical education for 20 years until he retired due to illness. He married the love of his life, Shirley Darville Redditt, his anchor, his friend and the mother of his children. He was a member of NAACP, Voters League, Louisiana Teachers Association, National Teachers Association and the Athletic Association. He was instrumental in the East Iberville Voters Registration Drive. He also taught adult education. He was a former business owner of Ike's Pac & Save and made notable contributions to the community by assisting with tax preparation, workshops and focusing on education. Memorial contributions may be made to East Iberville Athletics Department, 3285 La. 75, St. Gabriel, LA 70776 with contact information, including mailing address. The family would like to thank the medical staff at Baton Rouge General Medical Center. Isaac Redditt was preceded in death by his father, Isaac Redditt Sr.; two sisters, Joyce Willis and Rita Redditt; and a great-granddaughter, Kirsten Valentine. Arrangements by Hambrick's Mortuary, Gonzales.