Ellis Deshotels

VILLE PLATTE – Funeral services will be held at an 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Ville Platte on Monday, February 22, 2021 for Ellis Pierre Deshotels, 82, who passed away on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

Father Andrew Killeen will conduct funeral service and be celebrant of the Mass.

Entombment will take place at Sacred Heart Mausoleum.

Ellis was born and raised in Tate Cove, Louisiana, as the only son of Herbert and Rose Deshotels. Ellis had two younger sisters, Dorothy and Patsy, that he loved dearly. He lost his father at a young age of 14 and stepped into a role that he would occupy the rest of his life: the family corner post.

Happily married to the love of his life, Elmina, for 64 years, they had three children: Phyllis, Karl, and Peter. Ellis supported his family by various means, beginning in the timber industry. Later, he farmed sweet potatoes, soybeans, and cotton, while also raising cattle. He owned and operated a dairy farm up until he started his own oilfield construction company, where he worked until retirement.

Ellis’s greatest joys in life were his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren—and of course, his queen, Elmina. He could always be found cheering on his children and grandchildren at ballgames, dance recitals, or beauty pageants. He also enjoyed playing the harmonica, writing award-winning Cajun songs, and cooking big family meals. One of his proudest moments was being awarded Song of the Year by the Cajun French Music Association for his song ‘The Porch Swing’, which he wrote about he and Elmina’s children. As well as for his family, Ellis had a special place in his big heart for his farm animals, and his hunting dog, Shorty.

In the last twenty years of his life, with total selflessness and without complaint, Ellis accepted the role of caregiver for his two favorite women: Rose and Elmina. Despite his own health challenges, Ellis’s life ended the way it began: as his family’s corner post.

He is survived by wife, Marie Elmina Deshotels; two sons, Karl Deshotels and wife Rhonda of Grand Prairie and Peter Deshotels of Grand Prairie; daughter, Phyllis Deshotels Stagg and husband, Ricky of Whiteville; grandchildren, Robbin Stagg Soileau (Bryan), Holly Stagg Fontenot (Ched), Ashley Stagg Patin (Nicolas), Kristin Stagg Fontenot (Kyle), Kelsey Deshotels Brown (Derek), Gannon Deshotels (Kelli), Blake Delahoussaye (Mckenzie), Shelby Delahoussaye (Ashton), and Johnathon Deshotels; 18 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Dorothy Penn of Houston and Patsy Lavergne and husband Ray of Abbeville.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Rose Deshotels; great grandson, Michael Carson Patin; and his brother-in-law, Leroy Penn, Jr.

At the request of the family, visitation will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Ville Platte from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  A rosary will be prayed in his honor on Sunday evening at 6:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Monday, February 22, 2021 from 8:00 AM until time of service.

Pallbearers are Gannon Deshotels, Johnathon Deshotels, Garrick Fontenot, Blake Delahoussaye, Ched Fontenot, and Kyle Fontenot.

Honorary Pallbearers are Nicolas Patin, Brian Soileau, and Derek Brown.

Special thanks to Dr Brandon Fontenot, Dr. Chuck Monier and Dr Marcel LaHaye and to the staff at Mercy Regional Medical Center.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital because of his struggles with cancer and his love for children.

St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital Memorial Account #2234322, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105, 1-800-805-5856. http://www.stjude.org/

Family and friends may send condolences to the Deshotels family at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.

Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Ville Platte is in charge of arrangements.