Joyce Fontenot Brown, a lifelong resident of Whitehall, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, just a few months shy of her 100th birthday. A quiet, gentle soul, Joyce lived her life with devotion—to her faith, her family, and the values she held dear.
Joyce graduated from Maurepas High School and continued her education at Spencer Business College. Throughout her life, she served her community and supported her family through her work at Charity Hospital of New Orleans and Lemieux Lumber Co. A dedicated member of St. Stephen Catholic Church, she was active in the St. Stephen Ladies Altar Society and the Senior Citizens Club. She was known for her love of reading and cooking, and for the simple grace with which she moved through life. Though a woman of few words, her love was deeply felt by all who knew her. She was a devoted Catholic and a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.
She is survived by her daughters, Cheryl B. Watts (T.F.), Glenda B. Lambert, and Staci Brown; her sister, Marjorie Fontenot; three grandchildren, Todd Watts (Tabatha), Neil Watts (Staci), and Paul Lambert (Nicole); seven great-grandchildren, Amber, Brittany, Brooke, Connor, Bryce, Perry, and Jack; and six great-great-grandchildren. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Melton “Perry” Brown; her parents, Aynaud and Aurelia Fontenot; her son-in-law, Kenny Lambert; and her brother-in-law, Donald Fontenot.
Services for Joyce will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 22502 LA-22, Maurepas, LA. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. She will be laid to rest in Whitehall Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Todd Watts, Neil Watts, Paul Lambert, Kenny Fontenot, Connor Watts, and Bryce Watts. Honorary pallbearer is T.F. Watts.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Clarity Hospice (Christy), Francois Bend Senior Living and to her caregivers, Demetria and Kimberly, for their exceptional care and compassion.
