Louis Charbonnet III
Louis Charbonnet III was born in 1939 in the New Orleans’ Historic Treme Neighborhood, the oldest neighborhood of “Free People of Color” in the United States. A graduate of Houston’s Commonwealth College of Science, Charbonnet also studied at Loyola University’s City College and Southern University. He received the CFSP certification in 2012. After serving in the Army, Charbonnet returned to New Orleans to work with his father in the construction business and at the family funeral home. Always having a heart for the needs of his community, he ran for and won the Louisiana State Representative seat for the 96th District. He served in this office from 1970 – 1984. During his legislative service, Charbonnet distinguished himself as a floor leader for Governors Edwin Edwards and Dave Treen, also for New Orleans Mayors Moon Landrieu and Ernest Morial. He was also the legislative coordinator for the city of New Orleans for Mayor Sydney Barthelemy. After retiring from the political arena, he devoted himself to his family’s funeral business where, as the fourth generation co-owner and CEO, he has built it into the world famous Charbonnet Labat Glapion Funeral Home. Under his guidance, he has expanded the funeral home to other locations and began a variety of related businesses, including a French Quarter buggy business. His fifty-four years of unwavering dedication have earned him many honors. He considers his greatest honor as being recognized as the Robert H. Miller Professional of the Year by the National Funeral Directors and Mortician Association. He is currently guiding the fifth generation of his family, his daughter Kim, to operate this family’s legendary New Orleans business.