Leona Johnnie Doucet

Leona Johnnie Doucet, 83, a resident of Patterson LA, went home to glory on Saturday, June 10, 2023. She was born to John Benjamin Durio of Arnaudville, LA and Leona Leora Granger of Orange, TX on August 3, 1939 in Opelousas, LA.

“Johnnie” was a very strong woman of faith and prayer. Her bible did not sit on some shelf in the corner collecting dust. She devotedly read the Word of God on a daily basis so much so that she had to duct tape the spine of that Bible to keep it together. She enjoyed sharing how God moved and touched her life with others. She possessed a very compassionate and tender heart for the less fortunate and never wanted to see anyone go in need. She taught her children to always consider other’s feelings and treat them how you would want to be treated.

Johnnie would never pass up a fishing hole if she could help it. If she was not at home, you could bet she had her children loaded up in the car headed to the closest fishing spot with the cane poles sticking out one of the back windows. It was nothing to see her 95 lb. frame holding a fishing pole in one hand prop up on a hip and holding her youngest on the other. She loved to compete with her two eldest children on who was the better angler.

Johnnie was also an avid animal lover and was never without a dog, cat, horse, bird, rabbit, duct, pig and a monkey at some time or another taking care of them. She truly was a caretaker of all God’s creatures. We cannot forget to mention that she was a dedicated Saints fan who was loyal win or lose.

Thank you Mama. You will be sorely missed and never forgotten. Your children will rise up and call you Blessed!!

Johnnie was preceded in death by her parents: John Durio and Leona Rose; her two husbands, Jimmie R. Smilie Sr. and Douglas Doucet; two sons: Chad R Smilie and Michael R. Smilie.

Johnnie is survived by her daughter, Gina Mumford and husband, Billy of Patterson LA; two sons: David Peveto of West Monroe and Rt. Rev. John M. Smilie and wife, Shana of Spring, TX; three grandchildren; Ashley Peveto and Britney Granier and husband, Jed of West Monroe, LA and Hunter Gillette and wife, Madison of Colorado Springs, CO; seven great granddaughters: Jade, Amiya, Brynlee, Jaylee, Savannah, Brooklyn and Dakota and one great great-granddaughter, Salem. A very special mention of her fur baby, Meneaux.

There will be a Celebration of Life date to be determine. In Lieu of Flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter or the SPCA.

The family would like to acknowledge the caring and professional service that Janee and her team at Hargrave Funeral Home has provided.