Irene Fontenot

Irene Evans Fontenot was born on November 6, 1935, to Charles Evans Sr. and Hazel Sennette in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She was raised in Rayne, Louisiana, where she attended Acadia Parish Training School and was a faithful member of Starlight Missionary Baptist Church.

Irene welcomed her first child, Joy Etta, on November 16, 1950. On October 23, 1951, she married Shirley LeBlanc, and together they had four more children: Darrell, Georgia, Hazel, and Carl. In 1972, Irene moved to Houston, Texas, where she later married Lawrence D. Fontenot on March 17, 1984.

Throughout her years in Houston, Irene worked for the Tennison and Burroughs families, who became like family to her, and she to them. She lovingly helped raise Mark, Bill, and Kent Burroughs until her retirement. In 1996, Irene relocated to Galveston, where she spent the rest of her days surrounded by family and friends-always enjoying good company and a little bit of conversation.

Irene leaves to cherish her memory her children: Darrell J. (Alice) LeBlanc Sr., Georgia Beasley, and Carl (Diane) LeBlanc; 28 grandchildren, 84 great-grandchildren, 64

great-great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her "children of the heart," Mark, Bill, and Kent Burroughs, along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, and friends who will remember her with love and laughter.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Fontenot; her siblings, Charles Jr., Ezekiel, Mary, Ollie, and Viola; her children, Joy Etta and Hazel; her grandchildren, Nathaniel and Milton ; and her great-grandchildren, Brittany, Raymond, Ashley, and Eugenya.

Irene's warmth, humor, and kindness touched every life she encountered. Her legacy of love and family will continue to live on in all who knew her.

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