A Mass of Christian Burial for Lionel Clifford Charles, 94, will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 920 South Broadway St., Jennings, LA.   Pastor Jude Fernando will be the Celebrant.  Visitation will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Church Chapel at Semien-Lewis Mortuary, 819 N. State Street in Jennings, LA.  A rosary will be recited at 8:30 a.m. in the Chapel followed by a Ritual by the Knights of Peter Claver Council #132.  Interment will follow in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Cemetery under the direction of Semien-Lewis Mortuary of Jennings, LA.

Lionel Clifford Charles was born Sunday, December 29, 1929, in Plaisance, Louisiana, to the union of the late Eli and Mary Rideaux Charles.  He was the 12th of 14 siblings.  He attended primary school in Plaisance, Louisiana and attended high school at Jeff Davis Negro School.  Following high school, he enlisted into the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged.

In 1950, Lionel married the late Jessie A. Simon and with the union they were blessed with 5 sons.  His employment career spanned over 25 years, which included the Jennings Airport, the Pipeline, and later retiring from the Ziegler Shipyard in 1976.  Lionel was baptized into the Catholic Faith in St. Landry Parish, where he remained a devout Catholic until his time of death.  In 1949, after relocating to Jennings, Lionel became a parishioner of Our Lady Perpetual Help Catholic Church.  Lionel was an active member of the church serving in numerous capacities within the parish.  He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Peter Claver Council 132, where he served as the financial secretary throughout this time. After retirement, he enjoyed hobbies such as gardening, woodworking, and raising his animals.  His most beloved way of spending his time was cooking and spending time laughing and fellowshipping with his family.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was also preceded in death by eleven siblings; Lincoln Charles, Lonias Daniel, Lillian Richardson, Gladys Gastille, Melvin Charles, Felma Oldham, Felton Charles, Elma Murray, Easton Charles, Gussie Charles, and Nathan Charles.  After a brief illness, Lionel peacefully transitioned to eternal rest on Thursday, August 22, 2024, in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Lionel leaves to cherish his memories five sons, Leon Charles, Cyril (Laura) Charles, Clifford Charles, and Richard Charles, all of Jennings, LA, and Eric (Emma) Charles of Houston, TX; two sisters, Edna Mae Charles and Vinell Charles Jones both of Jennings, LA; twelve grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

"With long life will satisfy him and show him my salvation."  Psalm 91:16