Audrey Mae Vinson

Audrey Mae Capone Vinson, a woman of faith, a devoted wife and loving mother was born on February 18, 1934 and passed from this life at the age of 83 on June 19, 2017.

She was married on August 14, 1954 to her life-long partner of 47 years, Frank Charles Vinson who passed away on March 29, 2001. Both were long-time residents of Lake Charles, LA. She was the daughter of Joseph Capone Sr. of Donaldsonville, LA and Ruth Louise Fontenelle of Pointe-ala-Hache, LA. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers; Joseph Capone Jr., Lawrence Capone Sr. and Michael Capone. Her surviving sibling is her sister, Ruth Beshel.

Audrey is survived by five children; Frankie-Jo Mary Vinson Gray and husband, Bill, Carol Ann Vinson Snyder and husband, William, Ellen Ruth Vinson Harkins and husband, Brian, Charles Allen Vinson and wife, Ann, and Dan Patrick Vinson. She is also survived by ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Grandchildren include Stephen Gray, Erin Grace, Travis Gray, Julia Snyder, Michael Harkins, Erica Harkins, Jessica Harkins, Rebecca Harkins, Ryan Vinson and Trey Valentine. Great grandchildren are Jenna Gray, William Gray, Charlie Grace, Marlowe Grace, Alina Gray, Ciera Hearn-Gray, Ella Rose Harkins, Evie Harkins, Alexander Harkins and Ryder Vinson.

During Audrey’s early years while residing in Pointe-ala-Hache LA, she served as Deputy Clerk of Court for Plaquemines Parish and was an organist at St. Thomas Catholic Church. After moving to Lake Charles LA with her husband and family, she became a member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church and joined both the Church and Jubilate Choirs in addition to participating in the Marion Movement for Priest. It was here that Audrey and her family became acquainted with Monsignor Irving A. Deblanc, who grew to be a life-long friend and spiritual inspiration to the entire family. She was devoted to the Pro-Life Rosary prayer service and for 25 years participated in Hourly Adoration, both while a parishioner at Our Lady Queen of Heaven. She was a 30 plus year member of the Catholic Daughters of America, had served as Chairman of the Christian Women’s Club, and was a member of the Petroleum Wives Club, the Red Hat Society and the USA Council of Serra International Club.

Friends of this remarkable woman are invited to pay their respects and celebrate her life by attending a pre-funeral visitation on Thursday, June 22, 2017 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm with Scripture Service at 6:00 pm and Rosary at 6:30 pm at J.E. Hixson & Sons Funeral Home, 3001 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601. A service honoring her life with reflections by her children and grandchildren will also be held at the aforementioned location on Friday morning, June 23, 2017, beginning at 8:30 am. a Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 3939 Lake Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70605 at 11:00 am on Friday, June 23, 2017, followed by a burial service at Consolata Cemetery 2300 Country Club Road, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70605. In lieu of flowers please make donations to stjude.org to support ending childhood cancer or shrinershospitalsforchildren.org

We welcome your participation in celebrating Audrey’s life!

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com .