Louella M. Melancon

CATAHOULA – A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for LouElla M. Melancon, age 78, at 1:00 pm Saturday, October 25, 2014 at St. Rita’s Catholic Church. Fr. Donald Pelous will be the celebrant, with Fr. Richard Fabre as con-celebrant. Interment will follow in Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery.

Visiting hours will be observed on Friday at the Dion Hall in Catahoula from 2:00 pm until 10:00 pm, with the recitation of the rosary at 7:00 pm by Sister Ameline Theriot and the St. Anne Rosary Group. The hall will reopen on Saturday from 8:00 am until time of services.

LouElla was born June 26, 1936 in Loreauville to the late Elmer and Cora Prince Melancon. She passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at LA Extended Care Hospital at Lafayette General, with her family at her side.

Mrs. Melancon was an artist whose talents were endless. Besides painting, she also taught basket weaving, and other crafts. Her knowledge of weaving was used to renew the culture of the Attakapas Indians by re-teaching them how to weave the baskets that their elders once made. As an artist, she was a member of the Acadiana Art Gallery. LouElla was also a Matriarch who was devoted, loving, and spiritual. Her faith and love of her God was above all else, and she prayed for anyone in need of prayer. She leaves behind a legacy of love and faith, and she will be missed dearly.

Survivors include her children, Roland and Candee Melancon, Raymond and Melanie Melancon, Inez Francois, Louise and Dale Prados, and Ricky and Karen Melancon; grandchildren, Joshua Melancon and wife Jessie and their daughter Sophia and Piper Grace (expected in February), Nicholas Francois and wife Callie and their children, Reese and Sawyer Grace, Lacy Savoy and husband Lane, and their children Gavin and Maddox, Ryan Melancon and his child Madison, Claire Melancon and companion Mark Norris, Zachary Taylor Connor Williamson, Megan Irving and husband Tance, and their children Asher, Emma Claire and Addy Grace (expected Monday), Genee Prados and companion Thomas Williams and their children, Amelie, Elise and Tori, Naomi Soileau and husband James and their children Jaxson and Dawson, Blair Prados and Fiancee Justin and their children Justin Michael Jr. and Cora, and Trent Prados and companion Triston; her sister and brother, Jeanette Guidry and husband James and Johnny Melancon and companion Laura; daughter-in-law, Loraine T. Melancon; sisters-in-law, Elaine Hebert and Mildred Simoneaux; brother-in-law, Leed Melancon; and her very dear friends, Sister Ameline Theriot and Annie Theriot.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dallas John Melancon; her son-in-law, John Ronald Francois; her daughter-in-law, Phyllis L. Melancon; a niece and nephew, Shannon Bonin and John Melancon, Jr.; and brothers-in-law, Stafford and Milton Melancon.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Melancon, Nicholas Francois, Ryan Melancon, Tance Irving, Trent Prados and Dale Prados. Honorary pallbearers will be her five children and Dr. Brent Hebert

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Melancon’s name to EWTN.

To view the online obituary, video tribute, and sign the guestbook please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com

Evangeline Funeral Home of St. Martinville is in charge of arrangements.