Teacher, social activist
WOODWORTH – Services for teacher and social activist Denise Bankovic will be Saturday. She died Feb. 25 at age 55.
She began her teaching career working with mentally ill children at Central State Hospital, then worked with substance abuse students at the Rapides Chemical Dependency Unit and as a Special Ed teacher for the Rapides Parish School Board. She was the first executive director of The Food Bank of Central Louisiana, began the Adopt a Cenla Senior Food Program and was executive director of Working People’s Free Pharmacy.
Survivors include her husband Michael and a son.
Arrangements are by John Kraner & Son.
Dentist
SHREVEPORT – Services for long-time Louisiana Dental Association president Dr. Jack “P.J.” Ratley will be Saturday. He died Feb. 26 at age 82.
He practiced in Shreveport for 50 years and served on many missions to Third World countries, providing free dental care to small villages.
Survivors include his wife Cindy and several children and step-children.
Arrangements are by Osborne.
Southern N.O. staff member
NEW ORELANS – Services for long time Southern University N.O. Psychology Department member Dr. Guillarne Leary will be Saturday. She died Feb. 22 at age 72.
She was on the Southern staff for more than 30 years.
Survivors include a daughter.
Arrangements are by Charbonnet-Labat-Glapion.