Nelda Soileau Fontenot

VILLE PLATTE - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Nelda Soileau Fontenot at 12:00 PM on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Ville Platte. Father Mario Romero will be the celebrant of the mass followed by Interment at Sacred Heart Mausoleum.

Nelda Soileau Fonenot, 85, passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. She was born on October 12, 1937, in rural Evangeline Parish to the late Delma and Hester Monier Soileau. Nelda was a dedicated wife, mother grandmother and great-grandmother. She was an accomplished seamstress, who loved to sew, crochet and do needlework. Her skills as a seamstress were striking and were evident through the christening gown, first communion dresses and wedding dresses she made for her daughters. Nelda worked for many years as an administrative assistant for the Evangeline Parish School System. She was the true definition of a philanthropist serving as an officer and board member of the Louisiana Cotton Festival and was acknowledged with her being named Ville Platte “Woman of the Year” in 1974. Her philanthropy work continued through her service to her local community in other capacities. In 1996 she was named Colonel Cotton for her ardent support of the Louisiana Cotton Festival, as a 4-H Volunteer Leader, Ville Platte Lioness Club member, Evangeline Parish Extension Homemakers Community Club member, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church lay member.

She is survived by her daughters, Tina F. Guillory (Raymond) of Ville Platte, LA, Johanna F. Hebert (Ron) of Westminster, MD, and Kim F. Pucheu (Guy) of Ville Platte, LA; grandchildren, Morgan Guillory, Jake Guillory (Alexis), Alex Guillory (Sarah), Amelie Hebert-Moore (Michael), Arianne Hebert (Brittany), Ian Hebert (Marisa), Zachary Pucheu (Christina), and Joshua Pucheu (Blair); great grandchildren, Olivia Guillory, Bernadette Guillory, Agatha Guillory, Edith Guillory, Maximilian Guillory, Addison Guillory, Elijah Guillory, David Moore, Marisa Moore, Leo Moore, Everett Pucheu, Vivian Pucheu, and Jack Pucheu.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Delma Soileau and Hester Monier Soileau; and husband, Jesse W. Fontenot.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Ville Platte. A Rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM by Deacon Ben Soileau. Visitation will resume on Thursday, November 3, 2022 from 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM.  

Family and friends may leave condolences for the family at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com

Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Ville Platte is overseeing arrangements