It is with heavy hearts and deep love that the Boudreaux family announces the passing of Barbara Mire Boudreaux, their beloved matriarch and the heart of their family. Barbara gently closed her eyes to this earthly life after going to bed for the evening and was called home to her Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 23, 2026. She was 81.
Barbara was born February 21, 1945, in Jeanerette to the late Lione Mire and Elvina Durocher Mire, one of five children born to their union. Raised in a family deeply rooted in Cajun heritage, Barbara learned from an early age the importance of faith, family, and devotion to others. She attended St. Joseph School in Jeanerette, where her Catholic faith grew and became the foundation of her life. She developed a special devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Holy Rosary. Barbara was also quite the athlete in her younger years, proudly playing basketball for her school.
After completing her education, Barbara met the man of her dreams, Raymond J. Boudreaux. Following a courtship, the two entered into holy matrimony and began a beautiful life together. Their union was blessed with three children, Raymond “Jay” Jr., Sheila, and Angela. Barbara and Raymond devoted themselves to raising their family and later cherished watching that family grow with the addition of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Barbara treasured her role as a homemaker and devoted her life to the care and happiness of her family. Her children fondly remembered how she would lay out their clothes for school and prepare their breakfast each morning. She cooked every day and made it a point to deliver a freshly prepared meal to Raymond at his job each afternoon. Her kitchen was a place where love was served alongside every meal.
Her family will forever remember the wonderful dishes she prepared, including her famous rabbit spaghetti, shrimp sauce over rice, and potato salad. Whatever she was cooking, everyone knew to come running to the dinner table. And if you were fortunate enough to be invited to Barbara’s table, you left with a full stomach, a happy heart, and a smile on your face.
Barbara’s Catholic faith was an important and deeply cherished part of her life. She was a devout Catholic and longtime parishioner of St. Marcellus Catholic Church, where she faithfully served her church and community in many ways. She was a member of the St. Ann Altar Society, the Catholic Daughters of St. Joseph School in Jeanerette, the Rosary Group, and the Legion of Mary. She also served as a catechism teacher for 16 years and generously volunteered her time with the St. Joseph Diner. Barbara’s faith was not simply something she practiced; it was something she lived each day through her service, kindness, and love for others.
Barbara also enjoyed spending time with her friends in her Pokeno group, where laughter, fellowship, and good times were always shared.
Barbara leaves behind a beautiful legacy of faith, family, love, and service. Although her family grieves the profound loss of her presence, they find comfort in the promise of their Catholic faith and the hope that one day they will be reunited with her in eternal glory.
Those left to cherish her memory are her three children, Raymond “Jay” Boudreaux, Jr. (Maria), Sheila Derouen (Randy), and Angela Boudreaux; her grandchildren, Jarrod Derouen (Brittany), Michele Derouen (Trevon), Chantelle Derouen, Ethan Boudreaux, and Avery Boudreaux (Mallori); six great-grandchildren, Jardin Brooks, Jaxon Derouen, Brinn Derouen, Ivy Brooks, Jonah Boudreaux, and Carsen Boudreaux; her siblings, Melvin Mire, Effie Mire Lecocq (Donald), Leon Mire (Amanda), and Clyde Mire; along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
She is reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Raymond J. Boudreaux, Sr., and her parents, Lione and Elvina Mire.
A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Barbara’s life will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, August 27, 2026, at St. Marcellus Catholic Church, with Fr. Donald Bernard as celebrant. Following Mass, she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband at St. Marcellus Cemetery.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Evangeline Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., with the recitation of the Rosary at 6:00 p.m., led by the Men’s Rosary Group. Visiting hours will resume Thursday morning from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., when the funeral procession will depart for church.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Jarrod Derouen, Ethan Boudreaux, Avery Boudreaux, Honorary pallbearers are Jay Boudreaux, Melvin Mire, Leon Mire, Clyde Mire and Donald Lecocq.
Family and friends are invited to share their condolences and memories with the family by visiting Barbara’s memorial at www.evangelinenewiberia.com.
Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
Barbara, may your soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
