Inez Gravel Soileau

Inez Gravel Soileau of Ville Platte died on October 24, 2010 in Opelousas. She was born on February 27, 1917 in Alexandria, the fourth child of Camille Francis Gravel and Aline Delvaille Gravel. She was the widow of Audley J. Soileau.
For more than 27 years, Inez worked in Evangeline Parish public schools. For 17 of those years, she was librarian and taught English and typing at Chataignier High School. As Chataignier librarian, ‘Nez used her extraordinary vision and skills to ensure that kids at her little country school had all the resources they needed.
Throughout her long life, Inez clung tenaciously to her family, her Catholic faith and her Democratic Party. She was intense about her politics! She was determined to live to cast her vote in the 2008 presidential election, and she did! She would have preferred to vote for Hillary Clinton; still, her guy won.
By her 90th birthday, ‘Nez no longer felt secure living alone in her home. Two days after her birthday, she chose to move to Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Facility in Opelousas. A Catholic facility operated by the Marianites of Holy Cross, Prompt Succor allowed ‘Nez to participate in the Mass almost daily. Through her participation in the Prompt Succor Community, ‘Nez was able to spend her final years sharing her humor, love and compassion with her fellow residents and the facility staff.
A graduate of Providence Central High School in Alexandria, Inez earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas.
Inez was predeceased by her husband; her parents; her three siblings, Marie Louise Gravel Ryder, Yvonne Gravel (Mrs. M. Eugene) Wright, and Camille F. Gravel, Jr.; and by great grandchildren William Matthew Guillory and Adam Michael Guillory (beloved sons of Paula Lynn Pucheu Guillory and Dr William R. Guillory, both of Lafayette) and Christopher Paul Soileau (beloved son of Michael J. Soileau and Mary Jeannette Laneaux Wells, both of Austin, Texas).
She is survived by five children: Alice Gay Soileau (Mrs. J. William) Pucheu, Audley Gaynor Soileau, and Carol Louise "Khaki" Soileau (Mrs. James Ronald) Fontenot, all of Ville Platte, and by David Emile Soileau, and Elizabeth Ann "Lisa" Soileau, both of Austin, Texas. Also surviving are thirteen grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren.
As her final act of earthly generosity, Inez gave her body for medical education and research at the LSU Medical Center. Her family and friends will gather at Our Lady Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, 1220 Dardeau St., Ville Platte, LA at 10:00 am on November 24, 2010 to celebrate a Mass of Resurrection. Recitation of the Rosary preceding the Mass will begin at the church at 9:30 am. A reception and celebration of Inez's life will follow at OLQAS Family Life Center.
Inez and her family would be grateful for Masses offered in her memory. The family would also appreciate memorial contributions to Inez's favorite causes: Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Facility, 954 Prudhomme St, Opelousas, LA 70570; the National Multiple Sclerosis Society; or the Chataignier Elementary School Library, PO Box 189, Chataignier, LA 70524.