Carol Sue Francis Charbonnet

Carol Sue Francis Charbonnet passed away on July 12 at home, surrounded by her loving family. Affectionately known as Toby, she was born in Sheffield, Alabama to Ernest and Blanche Francis. She grew up in New Orleans, where she attended Dominican High School before going on to study at LSU.

In September 1950, Toby married Robert, and together they built a family that would grow to include nine children, twenty grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She raised her children with love and laughter, always nurturing their faith and encouraging them to live by it.

Toby was widely recognized throughout the Catholic community for her faith-centered service and outreach. A well-known speaker and devoted advocate, she served the Magnificat Ministry and led the Saint Vincent de Paul Society as its first woman’s president, regularly spearheading initiatives to support the unhoused and those who had fallen on hard times at facilities such as the Ozanam Inn. She also accompanied her late husband, Dr. Robert "Bob" Charbonnet, on multiple mission trips to Haiti, providing vital on-the-ground support while Dr. Charbonnet offered critical dental care to communities with little to no access to medical services. In recognition of her extraordinary dedication, leadership, and service to the local church and community, Toby was awarded the prestigious Order of St. Louis IX Medallion.

She was adored by her children, their spouses, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. Her warmth extended far beyond her immediate family to embrace the many "adopted" children who frequented her home during their youth and continued to gather with the family at celebrations in New Orleans and at her beloved country home in Isabel.

Toby was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Charbonnet; her eldest daughter, Carol Charbonnet; her son Gilbert Charbonnet; her parents, Ernest and Blanche Francis; and her sibling, Colonel Ernest H. Francis Jr.

She is survived by her children: Robert Jr. (Dolores), Michael (Nancy), Kenneth (Laura), Lynda Phillips (Steve), Stephen (Beth), John (Joyce), and Babette; her grandchildren: Jean-Luc, Adrian, Ashley, Ian, Eric, Maggie, Jack, Grant, Rainey, Griffin, Adelaide, Sonny, Pierce, Christopher, Garrett, Sienna, Hannah, Hailey, Elle, and Jason; and her great-grandchildren: Kai, Remy, Maverick, Myles, John Louis, and Jason Jr.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name of Jesus Church on August 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.