Thelma Chautin Devillier

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Thelma Chautin Devillier on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Leo Catholic Church in Leonville, La. Monsignor Curtis Mallett and Father Darren Eldridge will con-Celebrate the Mass. Rite of Committal and Burial will be held in the St. Leo Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Rosary will be prayed on Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. The funeral home will re-open on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. 

The pallbearers will be Richie Badeaux, Jared Badeaux, Nicholas Badeaux, Tibby Figueiredo, Hunter Devillier and Noah Vizena.

A sweet old lady, Thelma Chautin Devillier, passed away on November 3, 2024, in her daughter Sheryl Badeaux’s home in Pecaniere, Louisiana. Pecaniere was our mom’s birthplace. She was born on June 8, 1928, to sharecroppers, Leonce and Emma Chautin, who preceded her in death. Her husband, Walter Devillier, a beautiful granddaughter, Dawn Alyssa Mayer, a son-in-law, Carl Dupre, and a step-grandson, Kyle Landry who also preceded her in death. Mom was 96 years old. 

Thelma (our mom) was the mother of 5 children: Sheryl Badeaux (Waylon), Charlene Fontenot (Al), Sandi Joubert (Blaine), Fern Dupre (Kent Serrette), and Robbie Devillier (Laurie McDaniel).

Thelma had 15 grandchildren: Richie, Jared, and Nicholas Badeaux; Brooke Johnson and Jodi Messina; Kelly Morales, Dawn Mayer, and Halie Joubert; Megan and Tibby Figueiredo, and Kaylee Serrette; and Josh, Hunter, Alexis, and Landon Devillier.

She was also blessed with 24 great-grandchildren: Victoria, Olivia, Jordan, Madi, Wyatt, and Josey (Sheryl’s grandchildren); Briggs, Bowen, Luke, Maggie, and Millie (Charlene’s grandchildren); Andre’, Talon, Kaylee, and Emersyn (Sandi’s grandchildren); Brecken, Emry, Noah, Reid, and Anderson (Fern’s grandchildren); and Theo, Asher, Asa, and Luca (Robbie’s grandchildren). In addition, Mom had 5 step-grandchildren: Mallory Dyson, Bella Brassette, Chad Dupre, Christy Thibodeaux, and Miranda Melchert. 

Mom was a lifelong parishioner at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Leonville, Louisiana. Mom and Dad raised their family in Pecaniere, Louisiana. They later moved to Opelousas, Louisiana, to live next door to their only son, Robbie. Within the last year of her life, Mom returned to Pecaniere to live with Sheryl, her daughter. Sheryl and Waylon selflessly cared for her until she died. She passed away peacefully in the place where it started nearly 100 years ago. 

Mom was a sweet, incredible lady. She spoke quietly, walked slowly, and had an incredibly calm nature. She loved gardening, growing flowers and making homemade delicacies, such as boudin, cracklins, sweet dough pies, and pecan fudge just to name a few. 

Her hobbies were caring for others, cooking, baking, canning figs, picking, shelling, and using pecans in her fudge and cakes. 

Mom’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her world. She loved it when people visited her. In other words, she loved life. She was happiest when she was doing for others. 

Mom didn’t want to leave, and we didn’t want her to leave, but God needed her back, and He was generous enough to let us keep her for a long time. For that, we will be forever grateful. Love and prayers for our sweet mom until we are once again in her loving arms where we have always felt loved and protected. She was the best and Heaven has just gotten a little sweeter. 

A Loving Goodbye to an Incredibly Sweet Mom. Love and prayers, Sheryl, Charlene Sandi, Fern, and Robbie. 

Family and friends are invited to visit our website at: www.lafondardoin.com.

LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA 70570, (337) 942-2638, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.