Michele Gerard LeBourgeois, age 72 0f Dayton, passed away at her home on Sunday, October 25, 2026. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on March 4, 1954, the daughter of the late Joseph Charles LeBourgeois, Jr., and Marilyn Glynn (Gaulene) LeBourgeois. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Dragon, Jr.

A New Orleans native, Michele made her home in Dayton in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. She was a graduate of St. Joseph Academy High School. She went on to train as an operating room technician at Charity Hospital School of Operating Room Technicians, and later earned her Licensed Practical Nurse credentials at Jefferson Vocational Technical College. She was employed as a licensed practical nurse, caring for others throughout her career. Michele loved anything Mardi Gras, and she brought a bit of New Orleans with her wherever she went. She also enjoyed arts and crafts, especially making Mardi Gras and Christmas wreaths.

Michele is survived by her children, Elizabeth “Beth” (Billy) Neupert of New Orleans and Joseph “Joey” Dragon III of Depoe Bay, Oregon; her grandchildren, Maggie (Stephen) Lunsford and Robert Neupert; her great-granddaughter, Shirley Therese Lunsford, and her brothers, Joseph Charles “Buddy” (Jean) LeBourgeois III, Stephen (Louanne) LeBourgeois, Jacques LeBourgeois, Dreaux (Dina) LeBourgeois, and Brent (Kathy) LeBourgeois.

A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date.

Please share your memories and photos of Michele on her online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tennessee.