Mrs. Barbara Donatto Lemon Haydel

Barbara Donatto Lemon Haydel, a retired educator in the Orleans Parish Public School System, died peacefully on Monday, December 16, 2024 at the age of 85. A native of Opelousas, LA, she was one of ten children born to the late Joseph George, Jr. and Madeline Auzenne Donatto on May 6, 1939. Survivors include her children, sons, Corwin Lemon and Kevin Lemon; daughters, Yolunda Lemon LaCroix (Joe) and Kimberla Lemon; brothers, Tyrone Donatto (Sue) and Eric Donatto; stepson, Honore S. Haydel, III (Trudy); granddaughters, Tiﬀany LaCroix (Cayetano) and Madeline Lemon; grandsons, Joseph LaCroix, Jr. and Marcus LaCroix, Sr; great-grandsons, Cardell Hayes, Jr., Marcus LaCroix, Jr., Cayetano Hingle, III; great-granddaughter, Tatum Hingle; brother-in-law, Hubert Lemon (Velma); sisters-in-law, Mary Brewster, Frieda Taylor Donatto, Sigrid Lastrapes Donatto, Margaret Lemon and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Haydel is also preceded in death by her husband, Gilman J.K. Lemon and by second marriage, husband, Honore S. Haydel, Jr; brothers, Alvin Donatto (the late Pat), Ted Donatto, George Donatto, III and Gregory Donatto; sisters, Geneva Donatto Fleury (the late Gerald) Sharon Donatto, Ingrid Donatto Simon (the late Herbert); step-daughter, Rhonda H. Drake (the late Leonard); fathers-in-law, Nelson Lemon, Sr. and Honore Haydel, Sr; mothers-in-law, Anna Barnaba Lemon and Eldria Vappie Haydel; brothers-in-law, Nelson Lemon, Jr., Gary Lemon, Elphage Haydel (the late Arlene) and Nathaniel Haydel; sisters-in-law, Harriet Lemon, Hannah Lemon Detiege Shakesnider, Patricia Lemon and Elvina Lemon. Barbara graduated as Class Valedictorian from J. S. Clark High School in Opelousas, LA and later earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education from the University of New Orleans, followed by a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching from Xavier University of Louisiana. All are invited to attend the funeral. A Mass of Christian burial honoring the life and legacy of the late Barbara Donatto Lemon Haydel will be held at Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 7300 Crowder Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70127 on Saturday, January 4th, 2025 at 11 am. Visitation 10 am in the church. Interment Bellevue Memorial Park, 4833 LA-182, Opelousas, LA 70570 on Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 1 pm.

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Mrs. Barbara Donatto Lemon Haydel

May 6, 1939 - December 16, 2024