Grand Marshal - Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival

2009 Grand Marshal - Mrs. Louise Ragan Fitzmorris

     Ponchatoula adopted “Miss Lou” as she was born in Blond, Louisiana but has lived here most of her life. She is the oldest daughter of Clarence “Spike” Ragan and Ruby Wilkins Ragan. She attended Ponchatoula Elementary School and graduated from Ponchatoula High School in 1936. In her younger years Lou picked strawberries for Mrs. J. Bodker (Buddy Bodker’s grandmother) on property that is now North Second Street. At that time, she was paid .08 cents for each carrier picked. Graduating to packing, Lou received .12 cents for each crate packed. My, my, how the economy has changed!
     After graduation, she began working in New Orleans for Southern Bell Telephone Co. She met and married S. N. “Gramps” Fitzmorris and they made their home in Ponchatoula. Southern Bell moved its office to Hammond and to Ponchatoula, then retiring in 1972. She has held membership in the First United Methodist Church for 77 years where she has been a member and treasurer of the United Methodist Guild, The Lottie B. Mitchell Sunday School Class and as a “Sensational Senior”, a social organization affiliated with First Methodist Church.
     Giving back to the community in service, Lou served as a volunteer for Seventh Ward Hospital and then at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center for over 21 years, and The Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce for 18 years.
Mrs. Lou exclaims, “I am so excited to be asked to be Grand Marshal and I thank all those responsible for the selection. I hope everyone will enjoy the Festival as much as I will!”

2009 Grand Marshal - Mrs. Joy Ragan Sheridan

     Born in Ponchatoula, Joy was the second daughter of Clarence “Spike” Ragan and Ruby Wilkins Ragan. As a young teen, Joy picked and packed strawberries for Mr. John Schafer and later for Mr. Howard Dominguez.
     As Mrs. D. B. “Pug” Sheridan she became the mother of three children: Donner Nethercutt, Randal C. Sheridan, and Scott R. Sheridan. Pride and love shine in her eyes when she speaks of her eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Joy recalls in saying, “Pug and I planted strawberries the year after he came home from the service and the crop was destroyed by a hail storm. That ended our experience as strawberry farmers!” Following this, Joy worked at the S & F Automobile Store with Pug and “Gramps” Fitzmorris until it closed.
     She is a long time member of the First United Methodist Church of Ponchatoula, the United Methodist Guild, and The Lottie B. Mitchell Sunday School Class.
     Always being of service to the community, Joy has dedicated over 21 years of volunteer time at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, and 18 years with The Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce.
     With great honor Mrs. Joy says, “Welcome to our Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival guests. Enjoy all the activities and have a wonderful time.”

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