Wilhelmena Wise

Dr. Wilhelmena Wise , age 76, of Natchitoches, LA, passed away Tuesday, August 21, 2007, at LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport in Shreveport, La. Funeral arrangements will be at the First Baptist Church in Natchitoches, LA Saturday, August 25, 2007 at 10:00 AM, with Rev. Thomas Rush officiating. Visitation will be at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, August 24, 2007. Interment will be at Dr. W. L. Wise Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery in Galbraith, LA, near Marco, LA. Dr. Wise practiced pediatrics in Natchitoches for 49 years. She has treated as many as three generations of families through the years of her practice. Wise followed her father in the medical field. She graduated from Northwestern State College in 1951 and from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans in 1955. Throughout her years in Natchitoches, Dr. Wise has served the hospital and community in many ways. She was a former member of the Natchitoches Parish Hospital Board, has held offices in the Natchitoches Parish Medical Society, including president on three occasions, was a part-time clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans for several years after her graduation, and served on the Government’s Committee for Special Education. She worked with Child Protective Services Multidisciplinary Advisory Group, was on the part-time clinical staff of LSU Medical Center in Shreveport, participated in the AHEC program as a preceptor to medical students, provided clinical experience in her office for several nursing programs, volunteered medical services for the Special Olympics locally and at the state level, and was on the board of First Federal Saving and Loan. She was a member of the American Medical Association, La. State Medical Society, American Academy of Pediatrics and was certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. She has been honored as outstanding woman in the medical profession by the Natchitoches Business and Women’s Organization. She was a kind and compassionate person whose love reached out to many. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Cook, Sr; her parents, Dr. W.L. Wise, Sr and Lovinia Moreau Wise; two brothers, W.L. Wise, Jr and Gary Wise, Sr.; and one niece, Dr. Jo Ann Wise, Ph.D. She is survived by her seven children, Mario Quiros of Natchitoches, LA and Antonio Quiros of Houston, TX, Cindy Smith of Natchitoches, LA, Mitzi Sisson of Natchitoches, LA, Marty Broussard of Lafayette, LA, Russell Cook, Jr. of Baton Rouge, LA, and Ray Cook of Charleston, SC; one sister, Juanita Lynn of Galbraith, LA; eight grandchildren, Zachary Quiros, Cameron Smith, Mackenzie Smith, Keaton Smith, Taylor Broussard, Austin Broussard, Chasity Fallon, and Ryan Cook; two great-grandchildren, Madison Sisson and Ganen Fallon; two nieces, Dr. Edna McLeod of Natchitoches, LA and Dr. Melissa Lynn of Shreveport, LA; and three nephews, Gary Wise, Jr of Lafayette, LA, Jackie Wise of Galbraith, LA, and Dr. Rodney Wise of Monroe, LA. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Special Olympics, address at NARC - Special Olympics, 127 Airport Road, Natchitoches, LA 71457. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA. Online condolences may be given at www.blanchardstdenisfuneralhome.com.