Devena Deshotels Moody

EUNICE-Devena “Dee” Deshotels Moody of Eunice passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, December 2, 2024, at the age of 100. At the request of the family, visitation will be held at Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Eunice on Friday, December 6, 2024, beginning at 9:00am, with a Rosary prayed by Father Hampton Davis at 12:00 noon. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:00 pm at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Eunice. Burial will follow in the St. Paul Mausoleum with Father Hampton Davis, Celebrant.

 Born in 1924 in Duralde, Louisiana to Hosea and Corinne Manuel Deshotels, Devena attended Valentine School in Duralde, graduating from Basile High School in 1940, then attended Business School in Lake Charles. In 1941 Dee worked at the State Capitol as a secretary for a little over a year then was employed by the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court in Ville Platte, later moving to Tepetate to work for Continental Oil, Co. where she met and married a fellow employee, Jake Moody of Eunice. In 1950 they built a home in Eunice, raising seven children and hosted many gatherings with children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and friends, all while growing the largest Mimosa tree in Eunice.

 Dee was active in the community, serving on the St. Edmund’s PTC Board and, along with Mercedes Vidrine and Bobbi Breaux, managed the St. Edmund’s annual Spring Fair’s “Country Store” booth. She was an active member of the Women’s Club of Eunice when it established Eunice’s first Public Library in 1953. Since 1950 she has been a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church of Eunice. Later in life Dee worked at the Lester Gil Insurance Agency until retirement. Dee will be remembered for her gentle nature, her immense love of her family, her Faith and her prematurely gray hair.

 Dee is survived by her seven children, Kenneth (Laura) Moody, Alan (Dorothea) Moody, Claire M. Link, Guy (Annette) Moody, Mary Anne (Gerald) O’Brien, Virginia Moody and Michael Moody; her brother, Hosea Deshotels, Jr.; and sisters, Sherrill Sanders, Judy Deshotels, Laura (Louis) Engler, Faye (Bobby) Langley; and her sister-in-law, Elaine Deshotels.

 Her gentle spirit (and the gum she kept in the cookie jar) will be missed by her grandchildren, Aimee Moody (Tony) LeBlanc, Alice Moody (Brent) Peveto, Christopher Moody, Catherine Link (Jack) McGee, Matthew (Shauna) Link, Kevin (Hannah) Link, Eric (Kelsey) Link, Steven (Paige) Moody, David (Kassie) Moody, Phil (Sheree) Moody, Mark (Lexie) Moody, Allie O’Brien (Stormy) Soileau and Jake (Jordan) O’Brien; and great-grandchildren, Dylan and Dalton Leblanc; Kyle, Braydon and Corbin Peveto; Garrett, Blaire, Jacob, Bayli, Layton and Weston LeBlanc; Josephine and Corinne McGee; Grant, Ada, Nora, Maisie, Everett and Scarlett Link; Emma, Jacob, William, Noah, Sawyer, Dawson, Maddox, Baylor and Kash Moody; Ben, Eleanor and Mallory O’Brien, Colt, Mila, Jaedyn and Karleigh Soileau; great-great granddaughter, Cellie Carroll; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins, some of whom have musical talent which brought great joy to Dee.

 She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Jake Moody; their infant daughter; her parents; her stepmother, Nursie Deshotels; siblings, Harry Deshotels, Wilfred “Fred” Deshotels and Joyce Deshotels Oge; son-in-law, Mark Link; grandson, Kevin LeBlanc; great-grandson, Colton Peveto; sisters-in-law, Marie Elaine Miller Deshotels and Leonie F. Deshotels Reed; and brothers-in-law, John W. Oge and Larry Sanders.

 The family would like to express their appreciation to Barbara, Jane, Andrea, Yvonne, Vicki, Heather, Clara, Linda, and Hope Hospice and Leading Home Care for the care they gave to Dee in her final years. 

 In lieu of flowers, friends and family are encouraged to make donations to their local libraries.

 A final word from Dee herself, from her personal journal, “Music can make you happy, make you sad, and even inspire you. It’s good for the Soul. So is laughter. So, sing a song, tell a joke, make the world a happier place. This is my own personal observation. I sure wish I could sing. ddm August 11, 2000.”

 Family and friends may view this obituary and sign the guestbook at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com

 Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Eunice, 1301 West Laurel Ave, (337) 457-3371, is in charge of arrangements.