Deborah Pauline Poche’ Muller

Deborah Pauline Poche’ Muller passed away at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana May 19, 2025, at the age of 92. Debbie was born on February 26, 1933, in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. She was a long-time resident of the Southdowns neighborhood in Baton Rouge.

She was the daughter of Paul W. Poche’ and Eva Willie Poche’ of Ponchatoula. She married Ronald Adam Muller, also of Ponchatoula, November 2, 1954.

Debbie is survived by three children, five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and family friends that she loved dearly.

She is survived by Monica Muller Lee and her husband, Donald P. Lee of Mandeville, Louisiana, their daughter, Caroline Lee Berman and her husband, David Michael Berman, and their daughter, Margot Elizabeth Berman of New Orleans, Louisiana, Judy Muller Morice her husband, David A. Morice of Canton, Georgia, their sons, David A. Morice Jr. of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Bryan A. Morice of Great Falls, Montana, Kathy Muller Cook, her husband, Thomas W. Cook of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, their daughters, Anna Katherine Cook Embry, her husband, Elliot Embry, and their son, Haywood Elliot Embry of Memphis, Tennessee, and Elizabeth Corinne Cook of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald A. Muller, mother, Eva Willie Poche’, father, Paul W. Poche’, younger sister, Sylvia Poche’ Lagarde, father and mother-in-law, Matt and Mary Muller, and sister-in-law, Mattie L. Schech.

Debbie graduated from Ponchatoula High School in 1951 and then graduated from Baptist School of Nursing to become a registered nurse in 1954. She worked as a labor delivery nurse at the Baton Rouge General for ten years. When her youngest daughter was born, Debbie became a stay-at-home mom and contributed to the Baton Rouge Southdowns community as a volunteer serving as a Girl Scout leader for 12 years, an active member of the Southdowns Elementary PTA, the Louisiana Engineering Society Auxiliary, a Sunday school teacher and vacation bible school leader at Istrouma United Methodist Church. As a Girl Scout leader, she managed the troop’s many outdoor activities such as summer camp at Shady Trails and overnight camps at Camp Marydale. She volunteered as the camp nurse.

Debbie gave to many who wanted support just by being a dependable, reliable, generous, and caring individual. She helped raise her granddaughters Caroline, Anna, and Corinne and was present for school activities to cheer everyone on. She visited her grandsons, David and Bryan in Asheville, North Carolina to celebrate their school activities. She opened her home to relatives and friends when they needed a place to live during their college studies. She cared for and loved different neighbors when they needed a helping hand and wanted to share what was happening in their lives. She helped other family friends by providing them work so they had college spending money.

Her home was open during the Southdowns Mardi Gras parade to float riders needing a break, and with her daughters’ help she provided a safe family friendly celebration. She loved the LSU football games and celebrating with friends and family at her home before the big games. She was always up for attending plays, movie premiers, and art exhibits.

Debbie loved the many adventures her husband Ronald planned which included time spent at Camp Cedar on the Tangipahoa River and boating and water skiing on Lake Pontchartrain, travel throughout the USA including Hawaii. Her many travels included visits to Northeast Ohio, Niagara Falls, Canada, Washington DC, New York, Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, Colorado Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and the Lewis and Clark 17 state history tour.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 23rd from 8 - 10 AM and services will begin at 10 AM at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, 100 W. Magnolia St., Ponchatoula, LA 70454.

Graveside services will follow at the Wetmore Cemetery in Ponchatoula, La.

An on-line guest book is available at www.harrymckneely.com.