Obituary

Julie Ann Dunaway Drennan

October 29, 1974 - January 22, 2026

Julie Ann Dunaway Drennan, beloved mother, daughter, sister, friend and nurse, passed into eternal life on Thursday morning, January 22, 2026, at her home in Mandeville, LA., surrounded by family and close friends.  A native of Bogalusa, Julie was born on October 29, 1974, to Donnie and Frances Dunaway of Bogalusa.

Julie was the loving mother of three children whom she considered her greatest treasures.  She is survived by her children: Dr. Lauren Elizabeth Pounds (Max Ungar) of Norman, Oklahoma; Mia Catherine Drennan and Jacob Adrian Drennan of Mandeville, Louisiana; her mother, Frances Dunaway, and her siblings, Dee Dee (Spike) McCullough and Blaine (Liz) Dunaway as well as her adored nieces and nephews.  Julie was preceded in death by her father, Donnie Dunaway, and her grandparents, Maggie Smith Erwin, and Helen and T.C. Dunaway.

Educated in Bogalusa City Schools, Julie was a 1992 graduate of Bogalusa High School and a 1995 graduate of the LPN program at Sullivan Memorial Technical College.  She received a BSN degree from Southeastern Louisiana University and began her nursing career at the Washington-St. Tammany Charity Hospital in Bogalusa, Louisiana.  A dedicated and highly respected nurse, Julie went on to do cardiac care and emergency room nursing at the Louisiana Heart Hospital.  The latter years of her career, she worked as a clinical educator, an acute care specialist, and a Field Reimbursement Manager for several health care groups.  

Julie loved life and was very involved in the lives of her children, who were always her top priority.  She loved helping people and gave much energy and love to her profession.  She also had a passion for gardening and loved to show visitors the cottage garden she lovingly developed and tended in her backyard, enjoying the flowers, vegetables and herbs she grew there.  She loved her friends and colleagues and especially enjoyed being a member of The Krewe of Eve in Mandeville which she served as Maid in 2022.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Siva and Julie’s nursing friends who lovingly cared for her and supported her throughout her courageous battle against cancer.

A Celebration of life will be held to remember the gift of Julie’s beautiful life and spirit – her love, her laughter, her authenticity, and the joy she brought to all she knew.  The celebration will take place on Sunday, January 25th, at 1:00P.M. at the Bogalusa Coke Plant.

Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.