Carrie Soileau Singleton

St. Martinville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 22, 2016, at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville, Louisiana, honoring the life of Carrie Soileau Singleton, 97. She died peacefully, surrounded by her children on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at her home in Lafayette, Louisiana. 

Interment will follow at St. Michael Mausoleum in St. Martinville. The Reverend Father Michael Russo, Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, will officiate the Mass and the funeral service. 

Carrie Soileau Singleton, daughter of Alexandre and Aime Reed Soileau, was born in Whiteville, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana on December 13, 1918. Carrie was a Louisiana native, where she lived her entire life. Her Colonial French roots can be traced directly back to Louis Jucherau de St. Denis, founder of Natchitoches and Captain Noel Soileau, Sr., Opelousas Post Commandant. For 39 years, Carrie lived in the St. Landry Parish area. During that time, she graduated from Washington High School, married Leroy Emory Singleton, and started a family. In 1949, she and her family transferred to St. Martinville, in which she resided for 54 years. In 2003, upon the death of Leroy, her husband, of 66 years, she moved to Lafayette, where she lived with her daughter, Anita and her family, the remainder of her life.

She was a parishioner of St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church for 67 years and a member of the Catholic Daughters, Court St. Martin for 42 years. Her entire life was focused on her Catholic faith and her total trust in God, which she instilled in her family. She attended daily Mass, and because of her devotion to Our Blessed Mother Mary, she recited the rosary each day, both in French and English, for her loved ones, her friends, and world intentions. Since she understood the importance of a Catholic education, she made certain that her five children realized her dream by sending them to Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School and Mercy High. A most memorable moment in her life, which helped to enrich her spirituality, was her trip to Rome, where she attended Christmas Eve Mass, celebrated by Pope John Paul II, now Saint John Paul, the Great. Carrie was never one to be idle.

She worked tirelessly to make certain that everyone's needs and comfort came before her own. The highlight of her day was caring for her grandchildren. She shared with them her faith, her tender love and her wisdom. For nearly 98 years of her life, she has enjoyed many favorite pastimes. Besides praying the rosary, she was an avid reader, and an excellent seamstress. She also possessed great culinary prowess, with her signature dish being her chocolate pecan cake. This exquisite dessert was ordered numerous times, on behalf of the bishop, to be served on the most special of occasions. 

She will be remembered as a most loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was gracious and humble. By her example, she taught her family how to be generous and compassionate. She has always recognized the positive in all individuals and has never uttered an unkind word regarding anyone. 

We are all called by God to be saints and to serve others, a calling that Carrie has truly fulfilled. Reflecting on the many memories of her, all are reminded of the impact she has had on every aspect of their lives. She has taught so many how to cook, how to pray, and most importantly, how to love. All who knew her will forever remember her beautiful spirit. She will be truly missed and forever loved, but all will find comfort in the knowledge that she is now resting peacefully in the arms of Jesus, rejoicing at the sight of His Glorious Holy Face. 

Survivors include two sons, Richard Singleton and his wife Charmain, of Rowlett, TX, Neal Singleton and his wife Kandi, of Thibodaux, LA; three daughters, Frances Hancock and her husband Jim, of Meadows Place, TX, Anita Verot and her husband Mackie, of Lafayette, LA, and Donna Summerour and her husband Alex, of Houston, TX; ten grandchildren, Dr. Mark Hancock, of Katy, TX, Elizabeth Hancock Garbutt, of Abu Dhabi, UAE, Christina Singleton, of Rowlett, TX, Amy Singleton Meyer, of Marion, KS, Paul Singleton, of Mexico, Matthew Summerour, of Houston, TX, Francis Singleton, of Maui, HI, Patrick Verot, of Lafayette, LA, Alexandra Summerour, of Houston, TX, and Ian Singleton, of Thibodaux, LA; and nine great grandchildren; one brother, Huey Soileau of Angleton, TX; and one sister, Laura Lou Soileau Duplechain, of Lafayette, LA. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Leroy Emory Singleton; her parents, Alexandre and Aime Reed Soileau; two great granddaughters, Hope Hancock and Mariana Francisca Singleton; three brothers, George Soileau, Cliff Soileau, and Harry Soileau; and one sister, Hester Soileau Stagg. 

Pallbearers will be her sons, Richard Singleton and Neal Singleton, and her grandsons, Dr. Mark Hancock, Paul Singleton, Matthew Summerour, Francis Singleton, Patrick Verot, and Ian Singleton. 

A rosary will be recited by the Catholic Daughters at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday in Pellerin Funeral Home. 

The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 9:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. on Saturday, prior to the funeral Mass. Cantor will be Alexandra Summerour, granddaughter. 

Lecturers will be Patrick Verot, grandson, Christina Singleton, granddaughter, and Amy Singleton Meyer, granddaughter. Organist will be Patrick Melancon. 

The family of Carrie Soileau Singleton wishes to extend their gratitude and appreciation to all those who have offered condolences and remembered them in prayer during this time. 

They would also like to offer a special thank you to Acadian Hospice and Louisiana Hospice for their compassionate care giving. 

Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville, 112 New Market St., St. Martinville, LA 70582, (337-394-9121) is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com