Kasey Joelle Ragan

Funeral services celebrating the life of Kasey Joelle Ragan will be held Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church on Second Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana, with interment to follow at American Cemetery in Natchitoches, LA. Reverend Doug deGraffenried will officiate the service. Pallbearers include Austin Alexander, Brett Fredieu, Joshua Fredieu, Jace Herring, Jonas Meshell, and Dillon White. Honorary pallbearers will be Jocob White and Louis Rachal. A wake will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Crossroads Sanctuary on Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Kasey was born October 26, 1990 in Natchitoches. She left us far too soon on March 10, 2011. She was the beautiful daughter of Herman Wayne Ragan and Tina Pickering Ragan and had one brother, Alex Mathew Ragan. Preceding her in death were her paternal grandparents, Elouise Johnson and William Herman Ragan. In addition to her parents and brother, Kasey is survived by her Maternal grandmother, Lois Pickering; three aunts, Wanda Ornelas, Jamie Alexander, Sue Fredieu and her husband, Darrell Fredieu and their children, Brett Fredieu and Joshua Fredieu and his wife, Kristi; four cousins, Katlin White, Jacob White, Austin Alexander, and Taylor Alexander. Kasey attended NSU Elementary and NSU Middle Lab, Natchitoches Central High School, and was in her second year of college at NSU. Kasey’s smile and enthusiasm made instant friends of all she met. She was a compassionate spirit who found joy in helping others. With an effervescence that knew no bounds, Kasey was active in Dixie Youth Softball, the DAC Swim Team, and Track Team. She played basketball at NCHS her freshman year and later was both a Cheerleader manager and Cheerleader. She went to state in power lifting her senior year, was an NCHS Friend Mentor her senior year, and participated on the Mayor’s Youth Council. An active member of First United Methodist Church, Kasey was a Kid’s Hope Mentor, a member of “Sneakered Seekers”, and Youth Group. She was also a member of Calico Bells, Spring Court 2009, and the St. Pat’s Committee. Kasey attended Brookhill summer camp for six years where she accepted Jesus Christ into her life. During the summers of 2009 and 2010, she found her passion in working at the LA Lions Camp for Youth, a non-profit organization in Anacoco, Louisiana. Kasey’s heart was touched by the needs of children with diabetes, pulmonary disorders, and other mental and physical challenges. Her compassion and vivacious personality were a perfect fit for these special kids and spoke volumes about her desire to help change the life of a child. Because of this experience, a “KASEY RAGAN MEMORIAL FUND” has been established at City Bank & Trust Company. Funds will be used for scholarships to the LA Lions Camp for Youth in Anacoco. What can be said of a life too short? Only Kasey knows why God beckoned her to Him, for she has seen His face and has felt the peace that passeth all understanding. With wings given only to angels, she’s flying around Heaven’s skies, greeting all she meets with the same smile that was so contagious on Earth. Perhaps Kasey’s message to us all is found in the words she told the children that she worked with at the Lions Camp for Youth . . . “Always strive to be all you can be, and NEVER let anyone or anything stop you from following your dreams. This is “so long” and not “good bye.” The good news is, we will all see her again!