Myrtle Theresa St. Julien

October 19, 1951 - August 30, 2026

Myrtle Theresa St. Julien was born on October 19, 1951, in Lafayette, Louisiana, to Elias and Anita Wiltz James. One of twelve children, Myrtle was raised in a family where faith, family, music, education, and perseverance became enduring threads throughout her life.

From an early age, Myrtle was deeply rooted in music and faith. She was active in the Music Ministry at Notre Dame Catholic Church in St. Martinville, Louisiana, located across the street from her parents’ home. Church became a natural extension of home and family a place where Myrtle could share her musical gift with her brothers and sisters.

Blessed with a beautiful voice, Myrtle sang alongside three of her sisters as part of the “James Sisters.” Their musical talents carried them beyond Louisiana, including to France, where they represented Louisiana in a cultural exchange program. Together, they traveled through the French countryside, sharing their music at engagements along the way.

Myrtle attended Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, earning a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. As a student teacher, she taught in one of New Orleans’ most challenging environments. That experience demanded courage, composure, and resilience qualities that would remain hallmarks of her life and career.

Her commitment to education continued at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL), where she earned a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling. She devoted her career to serving young people as a counselor at numerous schools, helping generations of students navigate their education as well as the challenges and decisions that shaped their lives.

Myrtle’s life story was inseparable from that of Conrad, her childhood friend from first grade. Their friendship blossomed into love after high school, and they married on November 21, 1975. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2025. From the beginning, theirs was a partnership grounded in mutual support. While Myrtle pursued her education at Xavier, Conrad encouraged her and devoted time and attention to her academic pursuits whenever he was not working offshore. When Conrad attended UL, Myrtle similarly supported him. Each invested in the other’s dreams, understanding that the advancement of one strengthened them both. Together, they built the family they cherished and were blessed with two sons, Conrad Jr. and Jason, whom they raised with the same values.

Myrtle poured unconditional love into her sons while holding them to high expectations. Her love could comfort, and her discipline could correct, but both came from the same desire: to prepare Conrad Jr. and Jason to become thoughtful, capable men who understood that their choices would shape the lives they created.

On August 30, 2026, Myrtle’s final day brought together the great constants of her life: faith, family, love, and music and no one could have scripted it any better. Conrad Jr. began singing gospel music a cappella at her bedside. Jason heard him and, instead of leaving the house to exercise, joined in. Conrad Sr. heard his sons, grabbed a hymnal, and followed suit. What followed was Myrtle’s magnum opus: an hour-long a cappella serenade of her favorite gospel songs, sung by the men she loved at her bedside. There, every note and every piece of her life fell perfectly into place. Myrtle passed away later that evening.

The way Myrtle moved through life with music was also the way she transitioned into eternity: surrounded by her family, wrapped in familiar hymns, and carried forward by the faith that had accompanied her from the beginning. The final note has sounded. Her song is complete, but the music of her life remains.

Myrtle is survived by her aunt, Sister Innocente Wiltz; brothers, Christopher James and Curtis James, Sr. (Rose); sisters, Helen Bourda, Felicia Mercier (Walter), Joanne Pratt, and Carmella Marshall; grandchildren, Conrad St. Julien, III, and Avery St. Julien; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Elias James, Sr.; mother, Anita James; sisters, Anita Mae James, Carmen Ann James, Althea Marie James, and Philomena Marie James; brother, Elias James, Jr.; and brothers-in-law, Joseph Bourda, Junior Pratt, and Edward Marshall.

Pallbearers at the funeral mass are Conrad St. Julien, Jr., Jason St. Julien, Dustin Williams, Jared Williams, Carl Pratt, and Steven Mercier.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Prosper Chretien, Mark Chretien, Walter Mercier, David Mercier, Michael Mercier, Kendall Guidry, Tyler Guidry, Kyle Guidry, Ted St. Julien, Ryan St. Julien, and Coral Fontenot.

Visitation will be held at Forest Park Missouri City Funeral Home, 4217 Shipmans Cove Boulevard, Missouri City, TX 77545, US, on September 11, 2026, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am.

A Funeral Mass will take place at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1510 5th St, Missouri City, TX 77489, US, on September 11, 2026, at 1:00 pm.

Committal will follow at Morton Cemetery, 401 N 2nd St, Richmond, TX 77406, on September 11, 2026, at 2:00 pm.