Brilliant, Black civil rights and freedom movement icon, Ella Baker, who inspired and guided so many emerging leaders said,

"give light and others will find the way."

Carolyn Marie Saizon Albert

February 7, 1955 – February 23, 2022

MARCH 3, 2022  |  9:00 A.M.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH

12369 LA HIGHWAY 416, LAKELAND, LA 70752

Carolyn Marie Saizon Albert, beloved and beautiful mother, daughter, sister, and educator succumbed to ovarian cancer on February 23, 2022. She was born on February 7, 1955 in New Roads, Louisiana to John R. and Marion Saizon. She lived her entire life "giving light."  She excelled as a student at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Catholic High School of Pointe Coupèe, New Roads, Louisiana and was graduated from Rosenwald High School in New Roads, Louisiana.  With an unmatched love affair with science, she began her higher education academic training in chemistry at Northeast Louisiana University (now the University of Louisiana Monroe) and was a two-time alumna of Southern University and A&M College.

Carolyn's commitment to "giving light" was shown in many ways. Her career spanned more than 40 years as a chemistry professor and academic administrator, including assistant to the dean, College of Arts and Sciences and assistant to the Dean, Graduate School at Southern University and A&M College.  She served on and chaired many committees and task forces that enhanced and advanced Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), and the experiences of the students, so lucky to attend.  She was most proud of serving as a long-term Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) to assure that student-athletes excelled in the classroom, in competition, and in the community.  With more than four decades in higher education, she retired from Southern University and A&M College and founded the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) in New Roads, Louisiana.  For over 10 years, she tutored, loved, and prepared K-14 students, specifically in the STEM disciplines and coached those students preparing for high stakes, higher education testing.  She worked and "gave light" such that students could reach their fullest academic endeavors and every opportunity for their lives ahead.

Carolyn was a masterful cook. Her classic creole dishes "gave light," to all that had the good fortune to taste and savor them.  Especially known for her potato salad, rice dressing, cornbread dressing, sweet potatoes, crawfish etouffèe, gumbo, and pecan brownies; she never hesitated to make the dish of your choice even if she prepared 15 or more dishes for one meal.  Without a doubt, she understood that Louisiana foodways engender love and "light,” and was always ready and willing to share her gifts of preparing the exquisite dishes she mastered.

Carolyn led a life of service and purposeful leadership.  Her love and "light" were realized through her daily acts of love and volunteerism.  For many years, she was the leading Southern University and A&M College fund development volunteer for the Capital Area United Way, engaging many faculty and staff to join the illustrious United Way Tocqueville Society.  As a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, she dedicated many years to religious education helping young people understand and learn the Catholic faith and tradition.  Similarly, in gratitude and appreciation for the Black Catholic tradition, she was a member of The Knights of Peter Clavier, Incorporated Ladies Auxiliary Court #041. Carolyn was committed to a lifetime of "service to all mankind" being inducted to and serving Gamma Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc. Her love and "light" to capture a vision fair was realized in many AKA service initiatives, especially through the Arts Facet and its annual Arts Camp for Kids.

Carolyn loved connecting with Mother Nature and was a master gardener. The light of her green thumb shone brightly on her back patio with an array of plants and her vegetable garden that produced bounty for her neighbors and friends.  She loved Elvis Presley.  Her annual trips to Graceland (where Elvis lives) only deepened her love for his music and his life's commitment to philanthropy. Her most cherished memory was being invited to be interviewed, on air, by disc jockey Argo on SiriusXM's Elvis Radio, Channel 75.  Finally, her love and "light" was experienced by all who enjoyed her Art Deco antique furniture and her fascination with Art Deco lamps.

Carolyn is survived by and leaves to cherish her memory, her mother, Marion Christophe Saizon; her children Dr. Katrice A. Albert (Brandon L. Jones) and Phillip Anderson Albert; her former husband, Lloyd Albert, Jr.; her sisters Judy Saizon Countee (R.A.) and Sylvia Saizon Harris (Reginald).  She is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews, Takoiya Green, Frank Turner, Jr., Reginald Colar, Angela Colar Brumfield (Chris), Adrian Colar Vaughn (Demetrious), Brad Hutchinson, Jabari Albert, Aeryn Nicole Williams, David Countee (Lindsay Rose), Ava Albert; and her Godchildren, Dominick Bridgewater and Azure Gaines.

Carolyn is preceded in death by beloved family members, John R. Saizon, Russel Saizon, Loyd Albert, Sr., Mercedes George Albert, Geraldine Albert, and Gerald Albert.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 12369 HWY 416 Lakeland, Louisiana 70752, immediately followed by A Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Entombment will take place at Chenal Cemetery & Mausoleum at 11:30 a.m., 14323 Chenal Road, Jarreau, Louisiana 70749.  Following the entombment, friends and family are welcome to a repast at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Parish Hall. In the spirit of Ella Baker and Carolyn Marie Saizon Albert, family and friends are encouraged to give light through acts of profound generosity. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southern University and A&M College Department of Chemistry Scholarship Fund, Volunteers of America Greater Baton Rouge, and Black Girls Code. An online guestbook will be made available, and guests may leave a personal note to the family at Hall Davis and Son Funeral Service, LLC. www.hallsinc.net