Anna Fontenot

VILLE PLATTE – Funeral services will be held at a 1:00 PM Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Ville Platte on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 for Anna Pearl Fontenot, 93, who passed away on Saturday, September 14, at Heritage Manor Nursing Home of Ville Platte.

Father Mitchell Guidry, pastor of Our Lady Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, will be celebrant of the Mass and will conduct funeral services.

Burial will take place in the Gates of Heaven Mausoleum.

Anna Pearl Fontenot was a resident of Ville Platte and the surrounding areas her entire life.  She was born December 21, 1925 at home by a midwife.  Pearl was the second of eight children born to Fabien and Emelie Morein Fontenot.  At a young age, she learned about living on a farm and learned that hard times took hard work.  Pearl assisted her father with daily chores, such as milking cows and working in the fields, picking cotton, and digging potatoes.  She also assisted with caring for her younger siblings.  Her father referred to Pearl as his “Corner Post” depicting her hard work ethics which have since then served as an example for her family.  She taught herself to sew and became a respected seamstress.

Pearl met her future husband Turling Fontenot at a picnic and later married him in 1943.  They were blessed to share 56 years together before his death.  During their years of marriage, Pearl worked at several different jobs to raise her four children along side Turling, and often struggled to make ends meet.  She is most remembered as a kind and loving person.  As a long-time employee of West Brothers Department Store’s fabric department, Pearl shared her sewing knowledge and assisted many customers with sewing skills and advice.  She loved cooking and baking for her family throughout the years.  Later Pearl and Turling started a new adventure of camping and enjoyed outings with family and friends.

Pearl’s main goal in life was to love, cherish, and care for her family and friends and was always available for them.  Through her deep faith in God, she was able to endure the many challenges in her life with patience and grace.  A strong and determined lady with beautiful blue eyes and an enduring smile, Pearl will be deeply missed and forever in the hearts of those who were privileged to know and love her.  May God surround her with His love as she is welcomed home.

Pearl is survived by three sons, Brent Fontenot and wife Sandra of Opelousas, Robert Wayne Fontenot and wife Jane of Mamou, Joseph “Joe” Turling Fontenot and wife Phyliss of Lafayette, three sisters Jane Martin of Sulpur, Jeanette Ford and Barbara Ardoin both of Ville Platte, six grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and one great great grandson.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Turling Fontenot; parents, Fabien and Emelie Morein Fontenot; daughter, Beryl McManus Dardeau; sisters, Maudrie Soileau and Dorothy Olivier; brothers, Wilfred Fontenot and Clyde Fontenot; and grandson, David McManus.

The family requests that visitation be observed at Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Ville Platte on Monday, September 16, 2019 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  Visitation will resume Tuesday, September 17, at 9:00 AM until time of service.  A rosary will be recited on Monday evening at 6:30 PM led by Deacon Gene Lebouef.

Family and friends may leave condolences for the family at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.  Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Ville Platte is in charge of arrangements.