Gale "Ja Ja" Louviere Soileau

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in New Iberia for Mrs. Gale Louviere “JAJA” Soileau. Fr. Steve LeBlanc will be officiating. Msgr. Richard Greene and Fr. Charles Langlois will con celebrate. Billie Sue Kramer will provide the music.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 9:00 Tuesday, October 15, 2013 with a Rosary to take place at 7:00 p.m. The funeral home will reopen on Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. until time of services.

Gale died Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at the age of 71, in her home in New Iberia.

She is survived by her husband, David E. Soileau; her three children: Stacey Broussard (husband, Ed) Chrystel Smith and Jason Smith; her seven grandchildren: Callie D. Perez (husband, Mike), Zac Broussard, Margan D. Nixon (husband Eddie), Chelsie B. Marcus (husband Brian), Blake Delehaussaye (girlfriend Rita Wardlaw), Brittanie D. Messer (husband Matt), Hagen Broussard; and her six great-grandchildren: Jaden Louviere, Mikie Delahoussaye, Aidan Nixon, Mckenzie Messer, Anastin Nixon and Marlie Messer. Gale is also survived by her brother Kieth Louviere (wife Linda).

She was preceded in death by her father, Elton Louviere, mother, Louise Boudreaux Louviere, brothers, Johnny Louviere, Leo Louviere and Tommy Louviere, sister, Andrea Louviere Boutte.

Gale worked for numerous charitable organizations including the Cancer Society, Heart Association, as a Board Member of the Homeless Shelter in New Iberia, and the Social Services Center. She was also a founding member of Toastmasters of New Iberia and the Just Faith Council. She was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in New Iberia where she served as a member of the Parish Council, a Eucharistic minister, a lector, and the director of the Stewardship Committee. She was a Member of the Iberia Chamber of Commerce where she served on the Transportation Committee. She collected and passed out gifts to people in nursing homes. She worked collecting food for the Social Services Center in New Iberia. She was truly happy, giving to and helping others in her community. Her professional life was no less varied and fulfilling. She worked as a Weather Observer for Iberia Parish Regional Airport Authority, in Advertising for the Daily Iberian, and was a member of the President’s Council for New York Life Insurance Company for whom she sold life insurance for 12 years. The past 20 plus years she was the owner/operator of JAJA’s Old Mirror Room Antiques and conducted several estate sales for the surrounding communities. Gale was a member of the “JA JA SISTERHOOD” where she held the highest rank of Pope-ette. She was a Member of the New Iberia High School Class of 1960. Her kind and giving nature, way with words, humor, and love is exemplified through every member of her family and her friends. She will be both dearly missed and always around us.

Pallbearers will be Zac Broussard, Blake Delahoussaye, Hagen Broussard, Mitchell Louviere, Lee Louviere and Andy Louviere. Honorary pallbearers are Ed Broussard, Billy Armentor, David Degroat, Kevin Smith, Jared Louviere and Joey Davis.

The family would like to thank Dr. Michal Overman and the staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Mark Charbonnet and his staff and the entire staff of HEART OF HOSPICE for their kindness and compassion.

To view on-line obituary, video tribute and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.