Published 5:00 am Saturday, June 15, 2024 By obitsamericanpress Virginia Carmouche Gayle passed away peacefully in Baton Rouge, La. on May 30, 2024, at the age of 100 after living an extraordinary life. It is hard to put into words all that she meant to her family, her friends, her church and her community.
She was born Virginia Lanier Martin on Dec. 8, 1923, in Thibodaux, La. to William Littlejohn Martin and Virginia Locket Lanier and was the eldest of three sisters, Virginia, Ruth Deus (Frank) and Marion Segger “Minnie” (Franz).
They grew up during the Great Depression in a home that was a quiet one, conducive to reading and study which they all did. Books and education were very important to all of them. In her own words, Virginia knew in high school she was “intelligent, bossy, and hard-headed; impatient with slowness and stupidity”.
She was always eager to learn and eagerly looked forward to a life of learning and excitement. And what a life she led. Virginia traveled the world many times over and met and entertained many fascinating people throughout her life.
Virginia majored in Philosophy at LSU and attributed it with teaching her how to get the most out of life and be happy. She also had a Master of Arts in government and Juris Doctorate from LSU. She went to LSU law school at a time when there were very few women attorneys and graduated in 1949.
Virginia was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity for over 80 years, initiated in 1941 by the Delta Iota chapt.