Iona Mae Bass Gouldin, 87, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, passed away on December 29, 2025 after a hard-fought lengthy battle of cancer. She was born on April 9, 1938 and lived a life marked by love, devotion to family and quiet strength.
Iona was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. As a proud military wife for 25 years, she stood faithfully beside her husband, supporting her family through years of service with grace and resilience. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures-camping trips, listening to bluegrass music, growing beautiful flowers and most of all, spending cherished time with her family and grandchildren, who she loved dearly.
Family was the center of Iona’s life. She remained closely connected to her siblings, speaking with them daily, a testament to the deep bonds she nurtured throughout her life. Her warmth, kindness, and steady presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Walter L. Gouldin Sr; her children Sheila Pounders (Paul), Walter Gouldin Jr. (Kelley) and William Gouldin (Natalie); her grandchildren Blake Johnson (Kylene), Julie Gouldin, Lauralee Gouldin, Lila Gouldin, Nate Gouldin, Jesse Pounders (Laura), Christopher Pounders, Jessica Fernandez (Johnathan) and her great-grandchildren Brody Johnson, Tatumn Pounders, Finley Pounders, Maris (Meredith) Pounders, and Jason Fernandez. She is also survived by her siblings Geraldine Langston, Rebecca Blessington, Barbara Benoit and John Bass all of Lake Charles.
A graveside service led by Larry LaBrie will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026 at 3 p.m. at Highland Memory Gardens. A celebration of life gathering will follow immediately afterward at Sheila’s home.
Iona Mae Bass Gouldin will be remembered for her unwavering love for her family, her feisty spirit, and the lasting legacy of forever love she leaves behind.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to an amazing group of caregivers who served with Godly compassion during her illness: her doctors Dr. Leroy Fredricks and Dr. Clint Lincoln, the Chemo Bay team at Lake Charles Memorial, Heart of Hospice nurses Staci Ceravelli, Ashley Thornton and most of all, Missy Giles whose loving and passionate care for Iona brought invaluable peace for the family.
In lieu of flowers the family request a memorial gift donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in loving memory of Iona Gouldin.
