Bernardine Marie Semmes Adams

Funeral Services for Bernardine Marie Semmes Adams, 79, of West Monroe, LA will be held at 1:00PM Saturday, September 7, 2024, at St. Paschal’s Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Thangwa officiating. Interment will follow in Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery, Monroe. 

Mrs. Adams was born on February 10, 1945, in Lafayette, LA and passed away on September 5, 2024, in West Monroe, LA. She served as the Executive Director of Youth House of Ouachita for more than two decades as well as the Louisiana State Chairman of Juvenile Justice, and the National Chairman for two years. Mrs. Adams is preceded in death by her daughter, Amy Fontana; and parents, Robert K. Semmes, Jr. and Ruby Peggy Rodrigue Semmes.

Survivors include her spouse, Jerry Adams; son, Michael “Heath” Fontana and wife, Sarah; daughter, Daphne (“Tiffany”) Zagone; grandchildren, Christopher Hill, Nicholas Pleasant, Joe Michael Pleasant, Callie Madison Fontana, Tyler Fontana, and Colston Brandon; stepson, Keith Adams and wife Jennia; stepdaughter, Daphne Arender;  treasured step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and siblings, Keith Semmes, Johnny Semmes, Jeff Semmes, and Mary Semmes Kiethley. 

Pallbearers will be Kyle Semmes, Caleb Semmes, Bobby Semmes, Isaiah Adams, Colston Brandon, and Christopher Hill. Honorary Pallbearers will be her colleagues in the Juvenile Justice Coalition and all the “fun fest” gang.  

Visitation will be held from 10:30AM until 12:30PM Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe, LA.