We dropped in this morning for the yard sale at the Mother-in-Law Lounge, where Antoinette K-Doe’s daughter was clearing out the collected gear that cluttered up the apartment upstairs to such a degree that she had to sleep on the downstairs sofa in the bar. Going through the K-Does’ leftovers was a more disspiriting exercise than I expected, though.

As always, it was great to see how many people from different walks of life felt connected to the K-Does. Still, both Ernie and Antoinette were such dynamic figures, and seeing the remnants of their life without them in made it seem like they were just another old couple. The upstairs apartment was dingy with an unpainted ceiling, and the closet was piled with bags of clothes that were out of date years if not decades ago.

Thankfully, the K-Does could never be completely ordinary; Betty wasn’t selling costumes, but despite that limit, a lot of sequins were walking out of the door. But Antoinette made such a powerful final statement as she laid in state in a glass-topped coffin in her Empress of the Universe gown complete with scepter, and anything less regal and dynamic than that is inevitably a little diminishing.

               

 

Here’s an email from photographer Erika Goldring on Antoinette’s funeral arrangements:

Friday

Visitation at the Mother In Law Lounge (1500 N. Claiborne Ave) 2pm-7pm 

Saturday 
9-11am visitation at St. James Methodist Church
11-12:30 Funeral Service at St. James Methodist (1925 Ursuline Avenue)
12:30-2pm Jazz Funeral Procession to St. Louis #2
2:30-6:30 Re-pass at Rock & Bowl

Donations for Funeral
Checks made out to: Antoinette K-Doe Fund

Mailed to 2341 Metairie Rd. Metairie, LA 70001
C/O Raymond Landry

p.s. from Michelle, Antoinette had no life insurance; we need to help cover her coffin and other expenses.  Thank you!

Food:
If you are interested in bringing a dish to Friday’s visitation, email Michelle atmichellelongino@yahoo.com; we need trays of Manchu fried chicken, jambalaya, red beans and rice etc.  We could use a tray each hour including the family only visitation earlier that day.  Thank you so much for your help!

Music:
If you are a musician and would like to play at Rock N Bowl, please call Raymond Landry: 504-460-0256.

               

 

Have a good Antoinette K-Doe story? If so, send it me at alexrawls@offbeat.com and we’ll share the best.

               

 

[UPDATE BELOW]

Antoinette K-Doe passed away of a heart attack early Tuesday morning after finishing her Lundi Gras shift at the Mother-in-Law Lounge. Thankfully, we were able to present her with our Heartbeat Award in January and let her know how we felt about her. 

Snooks Eaglin’s funeral plans have been made. On Friday, there will be a visitation at the Howlin’ Wolf from 9 a.m. to noon, then he will be buried at Providence Park Cemetery (8200 Airline Dr. in Metairie).

Update: 1:30 p.m.  - We’ve since got more details on Eaglin’s funeral. The doors open at the Wolf at 9 am., and the service will be from 10 to 12 p.m. with music by Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas and Deacon John. After that, there will be a second line with the Hot 8 and the Senior Division of the Young Olympia Brass Band, then a repast before the burial.

               

 

I heard this morning that Antoinette K-Doe died of a heart attack last night. All my confirmations have been secondhand, but now the Mother-in-Law Lounge is my Mardi Gras destination.