Daily News photos by Holli Bruchhaus

DHH encourages the public, state employees and partners to unite and raise awareness about women’s health issues and educate Louisiana women about how they can live healthier lives.

Women make up 51 percent of Louisiana’s population. The 2012 Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission Report to the Governor stated that chronic disease remains one of the largest risks to women’s health.

Chronic disease includes diabetes, heart disease, smoking and obesity. Currently, one in four deaths in Louisiana results from heart disease and the state’s obesity rate continues to rise.

“I challenge women in Louisiana to take a look at unhealthy habits like smoking, overeating and lack of exercise and become knowledgeable of the deadly risk these activities have on their lives,” said DHH Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health J.T. Lane. “With lifestyle changes, Louisiana women can be healthier and less susceptible to preventative diseases like heart disease, stroke and diabetes. I also want to challenge their loved ones, friends and families to support them – especially working mothers. Sometimes the biggest barrier to being healthy is time. If a loved one can free up as little as 15 minutes or a half hour on a regular basis for a working mom to go for a run, meditate or lift weights, it may transform an unhealthy future into a healthy one.”

DHH recommends the following tips for staying healthy:

• Visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings.

• Get active.

• Eat healthy foods.

• Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.

• Avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet, as well as texting while driving.

DHH programs available for women include the Birth Outcomes Initiative, which aims to educate all Louisiana residents that healthy pregnancies are imperative to a healthy mother and baby. Further, DHH administers the Maternal and Child Health Program, with allows pregnant women, infants and children to gain access to specialized healthcare services; the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, which ensures pregnant women, infants and children have access to nutritious food; and the state Medicaid program, which provides health care coverage and coordination to eligible pregnant women and children.

“As a woman, staying healthy helps ensure I’m present for the important milestones in my family’s life,” said DHH Interim Secretary Kathy Kliebert. “A commitment to making healthy choices impacts my physical and mental health in the long run. A healthy diet coupled with an active lifestyle allows me to take charge of my well-being and I encourage all Louisiana residents to do the same.”

To learn more, visit http://womenshealth.gov/nwhw/.

Carolina Rayne Leckelt

Funeral services for Carolina Rayne Leckelt, three-month old infant daughter of Daron Chaney and Vivian Leckelt was held at 12 p.m. today, Friday, May 17, 2013, in  Miguez Funeral Home of Jennings, with Douglas I. Broyles officiating.

Burial will be in  Doucet Cemetery.

Funeral home visitation was from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. today, Friday.

Little Carolina died at 10:33 a.m., Tuesday, May 14, 2013, in  Willis Knighton South Hospital in Shreveport.

Survivors include her parents; two sisters, Makaila Leckelt and December Chaney; her maternal grandmother, Beverly Reed; her paternal grandparents, Russell Chaney and Sharon Hyde; her great-granny, Judy Istre; her five-year old cousin, Landon Istre; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Quote from Little Carolina’s mother, “we were so very blessed to have had her in our lives even for such a short time.”

Words of comfort may be expressed at www.miguezfuneralhome.com.

Edward Bias Jr.

Funeral services for Edward Bias Jr., 90, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Fondel Memorial Chapel in Jennings. Rev. Gerald Perkins will officiate. Burial will be in Benevolent Cemetery in Jennings under the direction of Fondel Memorial Chapel.

Visitation will begin Saturday, May 18, 2013, at 12 p.m. in Fondel Chapel in Jennings.

Mr. Bias died Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at 1:15 a.m. in a Jennings care center.

He was born in Branch and was a resident of Jennings for most of his life. He was a retiree from the City of Jennings. He loved to hunt, fish and garden.

He leaves to cherish his memories three daughters, Martha (Ferdie) Jackson of Beaumont, Texas, Rosa (John) Neal of Jennings, and Ruby (Ray) Norman of Lake Charles; a son, Cleveland (Idolly) Bias of Dallas, Texas; nine grandchildren, Tara, Lisa, CJ, Jonie, Monisha, Mekita, Jordan, Leon Jr. and John Jr.; five great-grandchildren, Amaya, Chloe, Xavion, Dominic and Kailon; a special great nephew, Nelson Nixon; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Huey Joseph Touchet Sr.

The family and friends of Huey Joseph Touchet Sr. are mourning the loss of their loved one who was called from this life and entered into Heaven on May 15, 2013, while surrounded by his beloved family whom he adored. He was 91.

Funeral services will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jennings in honor of Huey’s life on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at 10 a.m. He will be laid to eternal rest in Calvary Cemetery where he will be honored with full military rites. Deacon Bennett McNeal will officiate.

A gathering of Huey’s family and friends to bid their final farewell will be held at Matthews and Son Funeral Home in Jennings today, Friday, May 17, 2013, from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. with a rosary recited at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at 8 a.m. until the time of his funeral services at 10 a.m.

Huey was born in Pecan Island to the late Ambrose Touchet and the late Alice Mayard Touchet on Sept. 25, 1921. He served his country honorably in the United States Army. Following his military service, Huey worked as a painter and contractor for many years earning an honest living for his family. He enjoyed raising cattle and gardening. Huey had a love for the outdoors and enjoyed spending his time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Huey is survived by his beloved family: five sons, Daniel (Anna) Touchet of Elton, Paul (Donna) Touchet of Jennings, Charles (Kathy) Touchet of Winnfield, Pete (Aimee) Touchet of Jennings, and Matthew (Ruby) Touchet of Jennings; one daughter, Barbara (Chick) Gotreaux of Jennings; and his 33 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; and 19 great-great-grandchildren.

Huey now rests in Heaven with his beloved wife, Viola Janice Touchet; his parents, Ambrose and Alice Touchet; one son, Huey Touchet Jr.; and two great-grandchildren, David Blanchard and Camron Touchet.

Huey’s grandsons will be carrying him to his final resting place.

To extend online condolences, please visit www.matthewsandsonfuneralhome.net.

He died today, Friday, May 17, at 5:30 a.m. at  Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home.

Visitation will begin today, Friday, May 17, 2013, from 6-8 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Brown-Holley Funeral Home of Rayville.

Mr. Leo was born Dec. 19, 1922, in Rayville and passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2013, in Rayville after a lengthy illness.

Mr. Bryant was a member of  Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rayville. He worked with the postal service in Rayville for many years, starting in 1946.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Ilva Bryant of Rayville; his sons, Carl (Brenda) Bryant Jr. of Rayville, and Franklin Odel (Celeste) Bryant of Natchitoches; his grandchildren, Jeni (Cole) Mercer of Mont Belvieu, Texas, Bridget (Yves) Verret of Shreveport, Carl (Maggie) Bryant III of Winnfield, Catherine Whittington of Natchitoches, Donna (Chris) Cooper of Shreveport, and Rebecca (Trevor) Bates of Pensacola, Fla.; 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Garland and Addie Dickens Bryant; and his brother, Marvin Bryant.

Pallbearers will be Carl Bryant III, Chris Cooper, Cole Mercer, Yves Verret, Trevor Bates and Phillip Todd Bertrand.

To leave condolences for the family go to www.brownholleyfuneralhomes.com.

Marie Audrey Meno

Funeral services for Mrs. Marie Audrey Meno, 83, will be at held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2013, in Semien-Lewis Mortuary Church Chapel. Pastor Joseph Butler will officiate. Interment will be in Parkview Cemetery under the direction of Semien-Lewis Mortuary of Jennings.

Visitation will be in the church chapel of the funeral home from 9 a.m. until time of services.

Mrs. Meno entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, in her daughter’s residence.

She was a native of  Indian Bayou and lived in Jennings and Baton Rouge. She was a member of In Jesus Name Ministries and a graduate of McNeese State University where she received a B.S. and Master’s degree in education and a Plus 30 and Specialist in Education from Southern University. She was employed by the State Dept. of Education in Baton Rouge as a State Supervisor of Adult Education until she retired.

She leaves to cherish her memories one son, Wayne Meno of Baton Rouge; three daughters, Dianne (Howard) Bagwell of Lake Charles, JoAnn Meno of Baton Rouge, and Velta (Dwayne) Viney of Jennings; one sister, Georgiana Handy of Welsh; 14 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren.

Words of comfort maybe expressed at www.semien-lewis mortuary.com.

On Thursday, the Louisiana Department of Transportation (DOTD) announced closures on La. 97 and La. 99 while work is completed.

Starting at 12 p.m. on Monday, May 20, La. 99/La. 102, or Pine Island Highway, will be closed at mile marker 10.8 near the Pine Island community, just 0.6 mile West of La. 99 (Lauderdale Rd.) for two weeks, according to a press release. The roadway is scheduled to be re-opened at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, June 3. The closure is necessary for crews to replace cross drainpipe.