A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Baton Rouge, LA at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Curtis Street Saturday, January 4, 2013, 11:30 a. m. The remains will lie in state at the church for public visistion Saturday from 9:00 a. m. to 10:30 a. m. A period of reflection and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Ivy Beyond the Wall Service will follow the viewing. Burial will take place at Southern Memorial Gardens.
Arthemise Angele "Artie" Lacour, age 96, departed life at Natchitoches Community Care Center in Natchitoches, LA, on Sunday, December 29, 2013.

Born October 17, 1917, in New Orleans, LA to Edna and Joseph Wilson, Artie was a graduate of Xavier Prep High School. In 1938, she received a BS Degree in French from Xavier University of Louisiana. In 1940, she earned a Masters in Social Work at Catholic University in Washington, DC.

While attending Xavier University, Artie met Vanue (Van) B. Lacour; and on February 22, 1941, in Washington, D.C., they were united in holy matrimony. After Artie and Van graduated from their respective graduate institutions in Washington, DC, they moved to Kansas City, MO and in 1947, they relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where they became members of the Southern University family with Van as a faculty member of the newly established Law School. To their union seven (7) children were born. In January 2011, Vanue preceded Artie in death.

Artie will especially be remembered for her dedication to her family, to her church and to her community. She was a founding member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (1953). She served for 46 years as Director of Religious Education. Artie and Van found great joy in the establishment of the Immaculate Conception Food Pantry, which, today, remains a valuable community service. Artie was the recipient of the 25th Anniversary Certificate of Acknowledgment from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. She was a member of the Flower Lovers Garden Guild, Inc of Baton Rouge and also a charter member of Zothang Bridge Club of Baton Rouge.

Additionally, Artie received numerous awards and recognition from the Girl Scouts of America. She was both leader and mentor to many girls and troops in Baton Rouge and was a powerful influence in the efforts to integrate the organization. She served as the first minority board member of the Baton Rouge council. She also actively served as a leader with Cub Scouting and was a Den Mother of Pack 43 for a number of years.

During her senior year in college, Artie was inducted into the Xavier University of Louisiana chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. National Sorority. She has been recognized as a Golden Soror.

Surviving to cherish Artie's memories are her children, Van Jr. (Brenda), Natchez, LA; Leonard (Juliette) Atlanta, GA; Cynthia Nathaniel, Bowie, MD; Bernard (Barbara), Chicago, IL; Elaine Brown (Toyo), Nashville, TN; Michael (Carole), Atlanta, GA; and Anthony (Edwina), Baton Rouge, LA; 18 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family is encouraging contributions to the Immaculate Conception Food Bank in Arthemise A. Lacour's memory.