Cazzi Andre Batiste

Cazzi Andre Gerard Batiste was born on May 30, 1973 in Los Angeles, California to Walter Batiste, Jr. and Dolores Dale Yokum Batiste. He was the eldest of 2 children, Cazzi Andre Gerard Batiste and CijiAdriana Dominique Batiste. Cazzi was raised in the Catholic faith and served as an altar boy at Maria Regina Catholic Church in Gardena, California. He was baptized, made his Holy Communion and Confirmation at Maria Regina. His godfather was Charles Jolivette (deceased) of Los Angeles, California and his godmother is Geneva Yokum Jenkins of Lafayette, Louisiana. He attended Maria Regina Catholic School from Kindergarten thru 8th grade, where he played football and basketball. Upon graduation, he attended Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, California. In high school, he worked part time at the Roadium. He furthered his education by attending El Camino College in Torrance, California. Cazzi worked at Western Security, Xerox Corporation, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), American Airlines and University of Southern California (USC).
On August 27, 1995, Cazzi married the love of his life Taneka Henderson at Catalina Island. They were married for 25 years. They had two lovely daughters, T’Andra M. Batiste and Talani N. Batiste. During his lifetime, he and his family enjoyed traveling the world. Some of his favorite places were the Caribbean Islands, Turks and Caicos and Mexico. When not traveling as a family, Cazzi and Taneka enjoyed vacations with the James family. Cazzi enjoyed sports. He loved his LA Lakers and his beloved USC Trojans and would occasionally bet on his favorite teams. He enjoyed old school music and cruising the city in his favorite car. He was a food connoisseur and enjoyed feeding others and eating meals family style. His favorite restaurants were Ragin Cajun and Mar’s Caribbean Gardens.
Cazzi was very devoted to his girls, accompanying them to all their extracurricular activities like tennis and soccer. You would even see him at Girls Scout events as well. He loved his two girls and wife.
Throughout Cazzi’s young life he battled several health challenges, although he never let it get the best of him, he was a strong person. He went through more things in his life than anyone could ever imagine. God called Cazzi home on January 19, 2021.
Cazzi was preceded in death by his mother Dolores Dale Yokum Batiste; maternal grandparents Joseph and Virginia Yokum; paternal grandparents Walter Batiste Sr. and Alice Batiste; uncles Rodney Yokum, Oscar St. Julien and aunt Mildred B. St. Julien; his father-in-law Joe Henderson; his best friend Charles Kendrick; and other relatives and friends. Cazzi leaves behind to cherish his memory, his beloved and devoted wife Taneka Henderson Batiste; daughters T’Andra and Talani Batiste of Gardena, California; father Walter Batiste, Jr. of Los Angeles, California; sister CijiAdriana Dominique Batiste of Los Angeles, California; uncles James (Corrine) Batiste, Sr. of Hawthorne, California; Paul Batiste of Gardena, California; aunts Geneva (James) Jenkins and Ronnie Faye Taylor both from Lafayette, Louisiana; Elizabeth Fontenot of Lake Charles, Louisiana; great aunt Mary Jane Fontenot of Beaumont, Texas; godson Matthew Kendrick of Palmdale, California; mother-in-law Althea (Harold) Grant of Gardena, California; brother-in-law Glenn Wright of Los Angeles, California; sisters-in-law Shelle (Vincent) Kirk of Los Angeles, California; Jolisa Henderson and Cheryl Henderson both from Gardena, California; and a host of nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
CAZZI WILL BE MISSED BY ALL