ROBERT BASS NEWTON
Robert Bass Newton, of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on December 31, 2025, at the age of 93. Born on July 8, 1932, in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, England, to his parents, Robert Newton and Edith (Bass) Newton, Robert was the eldest of three siblings, with a younger brother, John Newton, and sister, Dorothy (Newton) Hodgson. Growing up during World War II, he carried many vivid stories of his family’s experiences.
At age 13, he attended Northeast Technical College in Colchester, England, a Junior Technical School. From 1954 to 1956, he served in the British Royal Air Force. He earned a Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering, with endorsements in Structure and Heat Engines, from Kingston Technical College, England—a qualification equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Earlier in his professional life, during his 30s, Robert was employed at Vickers-Armstrong Ltd Weybridge Works in Surrey, located near Isleworth, Middlesex, England.
In 1967, he married Monique Juliet Marie (Langlet) Newton, originally from Villers-sur-Mer, Basse-Normandie, France. The couple’s love story began when they met by chance in a taxi in Cherbourg, France, as Robert was en route to a Paris air show. Shortly after their wedding, they relocated to Buffalo, New York, where Robert began a new chapter in his career, working at Bell Aerosystems in Niagara Falls. On June 26, 1974, he accepted a position at Bell Aerospace in New Orleans, Louisiana, and later continued his career with Martin Marietta, which subsequently became Lockheed Martin.
Together, they shared 49 years of marriage until Monique’s passing on April 3, 2017. Following the passing of his beloved wife Monique, Robert remained active in his community. He regularly exercised at Cross Gates Athletic Club and volunteered with the Slidell Library. He was also active with the Lockheed Martin Retirement Club. He cherished attending the activities of his grandchildren.
An avid aviator, Robert held a private pilot’s license and, along with two friends, built and flew a home-built aircraft that is still flying today. Another proud accomplishment was The New Orleans Marathon which included running across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. His passions included flying gliders, aviation, photography, travel, and woodworking.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Edith Newton; his brother, John Newton; his brother-in-law, Bill Hodgson; and his wife, Monique Juliet Marie (Langlet) Newton.
Robert is survived by his daughters: Laura Newton Jones, Annette Newton Baldwin, Sophie Beane (Kevin), and Natalie Sturgis (Richard); his sister, Dorothy Hodgson; and a host of extended family members. He is the grandfather of Gabrielle Bree Baldwin, Isabelle Emily Beane, Exene Ophelia Sturgis, Jillian Phoenix Beane, and Orion Robert Sturgis. Robert often expressed how deeply proud he was of his children and grandchildren.
Robert’s life was marked by his resilience, his love for his family, and his journey from the English Coast to becoming an American Citizen.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at Audubon Funeral Home in Slidell. A Celebration of Life Service will begin in the chapel at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Robert Bass Newton to the Southeastern Louisiana University LION UP Recovery Program, which supports students in recovery from addiction while pursuing their academic goals @ https://www.southeastern.edu/lionup-recovery/donate/. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com
ROBERT ‘BOBBY’ EARL COCKERHAM
Funeral services for Robert “Bobby” Earl Cockerham, 81, of Slidell, LA formerly of Ferriday, will be held at Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday on Friday, January 2, 2025 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Everett Ellzey and Glen McGlothin officiating. Interment will follow at Flatwoods Cemetery in Flatwoods, LA at 2 p.m., under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 10AM until service time at 11 a.m.
Bobby was born on Saturday, August 19, 1944 in Ferriday, LA and passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025 in New Orleans, LA. Bobby was a simple, godly country man whose life was marked by faith, hard work, and genuine love for people. He enjoyed the quiet joy of deer hunting and the beauty of God’s creation, but his true calling was behind the barber’s chair. For 62 years, Bobby worked as a barber, and to him it was never just a job. It was a ministry. He loved his clients, cherished the conversations, and valued the friendships that grew with every haircut. Bobby never met a stranger; you were never “just a friend,” but family. He made sure you knew you were loved, and he wasn’t shy about telling you so. His faith guided his life, and he dearly loved going to church and being with his church family. Bobby adored his Meme and deeply appreciated Mamie, her devoted caregiver. Above all else, his greatest joy was his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whom he loved and cherished beyond measure.
He is reunited with his parents, James Miron Cockerham and June Gallaway Cockerham.
Those left behind to Bobby’s memories are his daughters, Crystal Ramsey & her husband Mike of Ball, LA and Robyn Armer & her husband Scott of Ball, LA; son, Robert E. Cockerham, Jr. of Waxahachie, TX; brother, Steve Cockerham of Clayton, LA; grandchildren, Morgan Burlew, Ryan Arnold, Taylor Breth & her husband Tony, Connor Ramsey, and Memphis Cockerham; great-grandchildren, Cayden Burlew, Isabella Burlew, Charlee Breth, Max Magdaleno, Brayden Lundgren, and Charley Arnold; and a host of family and friends.
Those honoring Bobby as pallbearers are Mike Ramsey, Scott Armer, Cayden Burlew, Max Magdaleno, Steve Cockerham, and Connor Ramsey.
To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.youngsfh.com.
Honaker Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For more information on services, contact Honaker at 985-641-1900 or online at: honakerforestlawn.com)
Bryan Lynn Saba, age 66, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.
Born in Bogalusa, LA, he was raised in New Orleans before moving to Slidell in 1986.
He was a skilled carpenter most of his life who loved to fish and hunt as often as possible.
Dr. William E. Eggerton, age 94, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.
A native of Meridian, MS, and a longtime resident of Slidell, he was a graduate of LSU Medial School, a U.S. Air Force veteran and practiced dermatology in Meridian, New Orleans and Slidell.
He was a longtime member of First Pentecostal Church in Slidell.
Ann J. Hussey, age 82, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025, after some challenging years with Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia.
Born in St. Louis, MO, she worked for BellSouth as a switchboard operator, then became an airline stewardess for Ozark Air Lines. She also spent time working as a real estate agent and a management program technician for the U.S. Customs Service.
She loved socializing with friends at her favorite restaurants and had a love of circus clowns.
Kathryn “Kit” Irene Ryan, age 78, of New Orleans, Mandeville and Slidell, LA, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
Born in Metairie, LA, she was a devoted homemaker after graduating from Chapelle Catholic High School in 1966.
She later pursued a career as an airline stewardess with Eastern Airlines, then worked as a professional model in Las Vega, NV.
James N. Tauzin, age 80, of Lacombe, LA, passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
He was a longtime resident of Lacombe who retired from Southern Eagle Sales in Metairie, LA, after many years of service.
He enjoyed singing and playing guitar.
Audubon Funeral Home Obituary Listings
(For information on services, contact Audubon at 985-645-0600 or online at: audubonfuneralhome.com)
Deacon Francis “Frank” William Drake, age 88, of Lacombe, LA, passed away on Monday, December 22, 2025.
Born in Chestertown, NY, he served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, then worked for Ford Motor Company, then as a meteorologist from Lockheed Martin.
He was a deacon at St. John of the Cross and Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Churches, and a chaplain for Notre Dame Hospice. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, a hospice volunteer and involved in other church groups, as well as a Samaritan Center volunteer.
He enjoyed woodworking, and hunting in his spare time.
Sgt. First Class Gerald Demoville Collins, age 77, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Born in Opelousas, LA, he had a distinguished career with the U.S. Army, then worked at the U.S. Postal Service, and later with the Army Corps of Engineers.
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