Katie Lou Mize

You Are My Sunshine

You are my sunshine my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are gray

You'll never know, dear, how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away

 - Jimmie Davis

Heaven gained our beloved mother, Katie Lou Carlisle Mize, on December 30, 2024. Katie, 91 years old, battled age-related health issues for the past few years but never stopped living and never gave up. Katie died in Bossier City, Louisiana, surrounded by family and was immediately greeted in heaven by her Savior, Jesus Christ, and by loved ones who went before her including her husband of 44 years, Edward Donald Mize, her mother, Trudy Bell Barber Smith and her sister, Freddie Margene Ward Davis. Katie was born in Hunter, Louisiana on November 19, 1933 

Left to cherish her memory are her five children, Pam Washburn and husband, Mike, Paula Clement and husband, Joe, Mark Mize, and wife, Amy, Eric Mize, Mimi Rose and husband, Brett; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and bonus daughter, Tracy Thomas. She was known by Mama Katie by seven of her grandchildren, David Clement, Kyle Daniele, Jonathon Clement, Christian Mize, Thomas Mize, Brett Washburn, and Brittany Washburn. She was known as Kakee by three of her grandchildren, Alex Mize, Jake Mize, and Molly Mize. She was known by Great Kate, Mama Kate, and Mama Katie by her nine great-grandchildren, Lauren, Nathan, Kate, Luke, Eli, Chase, Cole, Ben, Tristan, and 1 great-great-grandchild, Lilly. 

Born into abject poverty to a single Mother in Desoto Parish, Louisiana, Katie worked hard her entire life to provide for and protect her children from the world she knew as a child. Together with her husband, Don, they started two restaurants in Shreveport, Cali-Burger Drive-In, the first-ever drive-in in Shreveport. Every Christmas the family still gathers to eat Cali-burgers including her special version of light sauce, double toasted. After the restaurants, she began her career as a secretary for a local insurance company and worked her way up to become one of the most influential Commercial Insurance Executives in NW Louisiana, winning several awards for her acumen and knowledge of the industry. She served as the President of the Insurance Women of Shreveport and represented Louisiana at several national conventions. Her biggest goal was to provide the best possible education for all five of her children. She used 100% of her salary to put her children in the best Shreveport schools, St. Vincent’s Academy, Jesuit High School, and First Baptist Church School. 

After retirement, Katie enjoyed time with family, especially all the little ones who would constantly want to be near her. She was always cooking food remembered from her childhood and her mother, including Chicken and Dumplings, Cornbread, Turnip Greens, Purple Hull Peas, and Tomato Gravy. Every baby that she held was guaranteed to hear “You are my Sunshine” sung to them. When she became unable to attend church, she faithfully watched First Baptist Church, Texarkana, and would vigorously take notes and preach the sermon she heard to all who would listen whether in person, by phone, or texts. 

Our mother had many fears including heights, water, airplanes, sirens, bridges, storms, tornadoes, and down escalators. Some were crippling and some were funny, but all are now gone. She is walking the streets of gold where there is no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain (Rev. 21:4). And for Katie, Mother, Mom, Mama, Mama Kate, Mama Katie, Kakee, Great Kate, no more fear. Gone but never forgotten. You were our Sunshine. 

Visitation will be on Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana. A private graveside service for immediate family will be held at Forest Park Cemetery on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

Honoring Katie as pallbearers will be Alex Mize, Jake Mize, Thomas Mize, Kyle Daniele, David Clement, Jonathon Clement, Luke Daniele, Nathan Clement, and Eli Mize. 

The family would like to express special thanks to the gentle and loving nursing staff of Old Brownlee Community Care Center of the A-wing.