Former Hometown Hero and educator Leslie Barlow passes away

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – A longtime teacher at Maplewood Elementary and a former KPLC hometown hero has died.

Leslie Barlow died Thursday after a battle with cancer. For the past 32 years, she was known simply as Mrs. B at school.

We had the chance to speak to her three years ago at a shoe and sock drive where she made sure students got new shoes after losing so much to Hurricane Laura: “And it stays with them. When so much has been taken from them in this moment, the smile we give back to them is something that is impossible to put into words.”

A celebration of life will be held today, October 29, at 10 a.m. at the Hixon-Sulfur Memorial.

Hixson-Sulfur Memorial Funeral Home is located at 2051 E Napoleon Street in Sulfur.