BATON ROUGE — State Sen. Larry Selders will be laid to rest Tuesday with a funeral at Mr. Zion First Baptist Church.
Selders, 44, died suddenly on July 7. He is survived by a wife and two sons.
Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Mt. Zion, 356 T.J. Jemison Blvd. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. at the church.
Selders was elected to the state Senate in a special election in 2025 after Cleo Fields was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Before that election, Selders had served in the state House of Representatives since 2020.
He was a social worker with a substance abuse clinic and an affordable housing firm, and a graduate of Southern University.
Selders was hospitalized in May 2026 following a serious medical emergency involving his heart, according to his office.
Mayor-President Sid Edwards declared that Friday, July 10 would be a Day of Mourning across the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, saying that “our city has suffered a tremendous loss.”
“May we all take a moment to reflect on Senator Selders’ legacy of service and his unwavering commitment to our community,” Edwards shared in his declaration.
Governor Jeff Landry posted about Selders’ death on social media, saying:
Sharon and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of State Senator Larry Selders.
He was a gentle giant who was respected by all! We will hold him and his family in our prayers.
Edwards also shared his thoughts on social media:
Saddened by the loss of Senator Larry Selders. He was truly a man of the people and a tremendous advocate for Baton Rouge. He was always willing to help me move Baton Rouge forward. My prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues, and constituents. May he rest in peace.
Representative Troy Carter, who serves Louisiana’s 2nd district posted:
I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of my friend, Senator Larry Selders. I had the privilege of serving with Larry during our time in the Louisiana Legislature, where he served with integrity, distinction, and a genuine heart for the people of our state. While I served in the Senate, Larry served honorably in the House before later continuing his service in the Senate.
Louisiana has lost a dedicated public servant, and I have lost a friend. My prayers are with his wife, his sons, and all who loved him. He will be sorely missed, but his legacy of service will live on.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Representative Kellee Hennessy, serving district 64 said:
A gentle giant with a huge heart, always having kind words of encouragement, and a million dollar smile! We will miss you Senator Larry Selders and those bear hugs! Our hearts and prayers are with your wife and your sons and your entire family!
Baton Rouge Councilman Anthony Kenney said in a statement:
Senator Selders was always just a phone call away, offering encouragement and wisdom as I began my journey in public service. His mentorship and friendship meant more than words can express. He will be deeply missed.
The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport also issued a statement on the BTR Airport Commissioner on Wednesday:
The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport family is deeply saddened by the passing of State Senator Larry Selders, who served on the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport Commission since March 2025. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Senator Selders’ family, friends, colleagues, and staff during this difficult time. We are grateful for his service to the Airport Commission and to the people of Louisiana. His commitment to public service and our community will be remembered.
Details surrounding his death have not been released at this time.
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