DENHAM SPRINGS — Funeral arrangements have been scheduled for Katy Wells after she died allegedly at the hands of a drunk driver on April 30. A candlelight vigil is also planned for May 4 at Seventh Ward Elementary with people gathering at 7:30 p.m. and the vigil starting at 8 p.m.
A public visitation will start at 9 a.m. on May 9th at Hebron Baptist Church in Denham Springs until services begin at Noon.
Meanwhile, many people in Livingston Parish continue mourning the loss of a beloved member of the Denham Springs community, particularly those at two of the elementary schools.
Katy Wells was hit by a suspected impaired driver on Thursday, April 30th while working as a crossing guard at Gray’s Creek Elementary School. The school had just let out for the day and Wells was directing traffic at the time of the crash, per the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. She did not survive her injuries.
Wells had 40-plus years of service under her belt in the Livingston Parish community, including her most recognizable role as a crossing guard. She was a familiar sight in front of Seventh Ward Elementary at the intersection of Hwy. 16 and Juban Road.
On Thursday evening, an outpouring of community support flooded social media and by Friday morning, a memorial had started to form in front of Seventh Ward, near that very same intersection.
A Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy directed traffic at Seventh Ward on Friday morning.
The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office has created a benefit fund to help Wells’ family, which will be the only official donation fund. Donations can be made at any Hancock Whitney Bank location in person or via the drive thru. Donations can also be dropped off or mailed to: LPSO Attn: Jamie Felder, PO Box 850, Livingston, LA 70754
‘She gave herself to all of us & this was her home’
Seventh Ward Elementary Principal Laura Dunlap has known and worked with Wells for around 17 years. She spoke to UWK on the legacy that Wells—better known as “Mrs. Katy”—leaves behind, both in the school and greater community.
“There definitely isn’t a person who has come through here or lived near here, who didn’t know Mrs. Katy,” Dunlap said. “Despite what her needs may have been, she truly gave of herself to all of us, and this was her home, and we were her family.”
“I think probably the best memory that everyone here has of her is that she was kind of the welcoming committee when you came to Seventh Ward as a teacher or a staff member,” Dunlap recalled. “She always took you under her wing, and she taught you all the Seventh Ward things and made you feel at home. Many people here referred to her as their school mom or school grandma.”
Dunlap said that one thing she and her colleagues want everyone to know about Mrs. Katy is how generous she was.
“She would give to others who were in need, despite what she herself may have needed. She gave everything she had to others just like how she served us.”
Wells had officially retired several years ago, but still continued to volunteer as a crossing guard at Seventh Ward, eventually also volunteering at Gray’s Creek, she said. More than just acting as a crossing guard, Wells would also volunteer to direct traffic for school events “just because she cared and she wanted everyone to be safe.”
Before her retirement, Wells ran the school’s computer lab, which Dunlap believes she helped start decades ago. She also worked as a paraprofessional.
Every morning, Wells would arrive to school early, work on a crossword puzzle and visit with the teacher’s kids and staff members who’d also arrived early. She would also enjoy coffee with one of her best friends, another staff member at Seventh Ward, Dunlap told UWK.
In the past two weeks, aside from her traffic duties, Dunlap said Mrs. Katy was also helping at Seventh Ward during student testing, which the principal now says is a “special time we’ll never forget.”
Dunlap said it’s been touching to see so many people come together to remember and celebrate the life of someone she said is “ingrained” in the community.
“I really appreciate how people are sharing stories and bringing to life who she was, because sometimes people may have only known her from passing in this street, and she’s coming to life for them as people are able to see the way she made an impact on others’ lives.”
She hopes that this will continue and that Mrs. Katy’s legacy will live on now through others: “When I look at all of the things that Mrs. Katy exemplified for others—if we could all just do a little bit more of that, I think our world would be an even brighter place to live. She loved her job, and she did it with excellence every day, and she will be missed.”
A community remembers
Long-time Denham Springs resident Rhonda Hollemon shared her personal memories of Wells: “I dropped my grands off at 7th Ward for 10 years. She was the kindest and funniest person.” Hollemon added that she and Wells would often talk about one of Wells’ coworkers who was also Hollemon’s next door neighbor.
Former students also reflected on Wells’ impact in their lives. Ariel Brouillette shared the following: “Mrs. Katy was one of my next door neighbors growing up. I went to Seventh Ward and spoke to her every day. She was one of the kindest and most caring people I have ever met. I am so torn up over this.”
Brett Crow, a Seventh Ward alumnus from 1979 through 1986 shared that he first met Wells when he became friends with her daughter, who was his classmate. “Mrs. Katy was especially personal, fun, and a light for me when I was in elementary school. I’ve known and loved her for around 43-47 years,” Crow shared with UWK. “In recent years, I’d sometimes get a wink and smile from her when passing her in front of Seventh Ward; though she was never distracted from her job of keeping the kids and community safe. She has also been protecting our people at my wife’s school (Grays Creek) till her last day. I’m sure the tragedy she has prevented at both schools can’t be counted. She is a hero. Mrs. Katy was a protector and a big part of our home. We are going to miss her dearly.”
“This has shaken generations,” said one woman, Lacey DeBarbieris, whose mother and children also knew Wells. “Mrs. Katy was the crossing guard at Seventh Ward when I started driving 26 years ago. I respect the rules of the road and Mrs. Katy because if you didn’t she was going to shake her finger at you! Now, 25 years later my kids also have the same respect for her as they drive through her school zone. She will be deeply missed.”
Retired teachers from Seventh Ward echoed the same sentiments as others in the community, sharing how they loved to talk with Wells and enjoyed seeing her daily, from visiting the school’s “computer lab” to field trips and more.
“She was always ready to help students, teachers, and anyone else around Seventh Ward!” said retired educator Jackie Manning.
Community leaders like Parish President Randy Delatte also shared their condolences: “When we think of community service, Katy defined it. Her kindness, her dedication, and her presence at our schools made a lasting impact on countless families, students, and colleagues. She stood as a symbol of care, safety, and selflessness every single day. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn this tremendous loss. We ask everyone to keep her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”
One person has been arrested after the crash near Gray’s Creek Elementary. 64-year-old Darren Goudeau was initially charged with DWI (first offense) and vehicular homicide in connection to the incident.
The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday afternoon that Goudeau’s charges have now been upgraded to DWI (second offense) after learning he had a previous arrest in September 2022 for DWI in another parish.
Goudeau remains in the Livingston Parish Detention Center at this time.
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