Charles Raymond Whitehead, Jr.

A Mass of Christian burial for Charles Raymond Whitehead, Jr., will be held September 17, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Celebrants will be Father Craig Scott, Father Blake Deshautelle, Father Derek Ducote and Deacon John Louis Whitehead. Burial will follow at the Catholic Cemetery in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Visitation will be at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home from 5:00 -8:00 p.m, Thursday, September 16, 2021. Father Blake Deshautelle will preside over the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Charlie was born August 10, 1938, to Charles Raymond Whitehead and Sara Roach Whitehead in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He passed away September 15, 2021, in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where he resided all his life. Charlie graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1956. He married Martha Kay Pollock on June 2, 1960. Charlie graduated from Northwestern State University with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1960, Louisiana State University School of Law in 1966, and the Georgetown University School of Law, National College of Advocacy in 1978. Charlie served in the United States Army from 1961-1963, attaining the rank of Lieutenant and as Captain in the United States Army Reserves from 1963-1966. Charles R. Whitehead, Jr., began practicing law in Natchitoches in August 1966 and served the Natchitoches community in many areas including, Assistant District Attorney, 1970-1973, Board of Directors, Natchitoches Industries, 1981-1984, Chairman, City of Natchitoches Planning & Zoning Commission, 1970-1976, Board of Commissioners, Natchitoches Parish Hospital, 1976-1982, Chairman, Natchitoches Parish American Red Cross Fund Drive, 1968, and President, Natchitoches Parish L.S.U. Alumni Association, 1969-1975. Charlie also served Immaculate Conception Church in various capacities including, St. Mary’s School Board, 1975-1978, Trustee, Lector and Eucharistic Minister and as terms as President, Vice President and Secretary of the Parish Council. Charlie was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #1357 since 1956. In 1983, Pope John Paul II bestowed upon him the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great, an order of knighthood in recognition of personal service to the Holy See and to the Roman Catholic Church. Charlie was inducted into the Northwestern State University, College of Business and Technology Hall of Distinction in 1999 and the St. Mary’s Academic Hall of Fame in 2002. He was preceded in death by his wife Martha Kay. Charlie is survived by his sons Charles R. Whitehead, III (Ronnell), John Louis Whitehead (Tara), daughter Mary Edith Stacy (Russell). He was known as Paw Paw to his grandchildren, Charles R. “Ryan” Whitehead, IV, Colleen Hassell (Louis); Taylor Camargo-Patron (Carlos), Sarah Kay Lirette (Sam), Elizabeth Maggio (Vincent), and Kaylee Stacy; and one great-grandchild, Louis Gabriel Camargo-Patron. He is also survived by a sister, Linda W. Perot of Alexandria, Louisiana, and one brother, Dr. William A. Whitehead of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Ryan Whitehead, Carlos Camargo-Patron, Vincent Maggio, Louis Hassell, Keenan Kelly and Danny Gallien. Honorary pallbearers are Sam Lirette, Ed Giering, and Donald G. Kelly. Special thanks to Wanda Sykes and Hospice of Natchitoches, Inc. In lieu of flowers please make donations in memory of Charles R. Whitehead, Jr., to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.