The Life of Emma Lou Stutes
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at an 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial in St. Edmond Catholic Church for Emma Lou Stutes, 87, who died on Sunday, May 13, 2012, at her residence in Lafayette, surrounded by her family.
Interment will be in Holy Mary Mother of God Cemetery.
The Rev. Gilbert J. Dutel, pastor of St. Edmond Catholic Church, will be the celebrant of the funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Lectors will be Anthony LeBlanc and Sue Durio. Giftbearers will be Logan Lopez, Lauren Boudreaux and Laina Boudreaux. Jodi Bollich, organist and soloist, will sing for the services "How Great Thou Art," "Amazing Grace," "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman," "You Raise Me Up," and "Ave Maria."
Survivors include one son, Larry Durio and his wife, Sue; two daughters, Marie LeBlanc and her husband, Francis, and Melanie Durio; one brother, Shirley Stutes and his wife, Nena; four grandchildren, Anthony LeBlanc and his wife, Amy, Margaret Sharla "Charlie" Boudreaux and her husband, Daryl, Tyler McDaniel and Meaghan Greene and her husband, Bob; seven great-grandchildren, Logan Jude Lopez, Lauren Alise Boudreaux, Laina Addison Boudreaux, Bruce McDaniel, Ashley Stoecker, Grady Greene and Avery Greene; numerous nieces and nephews; a multitude of friends, including the staffs of The Flower Bed, Chick Fil-A and Wendy's, other relatives; and her canine companions, Zena and Buddy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Marie Alleman Stutes; her brothers, Ernest G. Stutes, Edwin Stutes, Fernand Stutes, Turney Stutes, Lloyd Stutes, and Russell Stutes; and her sisters, Agnes Stutes, Inez Richard, Exalta Stutes and Lillie Stutes.
Pallbearers will be Anthony LeBlanc, Greg Stutes, Douglas Stutes, Richard Yandle, Daryl Boudreaux, Sonny Yandle, Shawn Anslem, Francis LeBlanc and Larry Durio. Honorary pallbearers will be Shirley Stutes, Dickie Stutes, Logan Jude Lopez, Johnny Knickerbocker, John Kenneth Knickerbocker, Paul Begnaud, and Gerald Stroud .
A native and lifelong resident of Lafayette, Louisiana, Ms. Stutes was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend to all who knew her. It is fitting that the Lord called her home on Mother's Day. Her talents in the kitchen were the stuff of legend, she lived for her children and was the living embodiment of unconditional love. A two-time cancer survivor, she lived more than a lifetime in her 87 years. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
A rosary will be recited on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at 6:30 PM in Martin & Castille's DOWNTOWN Location.
The family requests that visitation be observed on Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM and will continue on Wednesday from 8:00 AM until time of services.
The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and staff of Hospice of Acadiana, including Julia Thibodeaux, Beverly, Jenny, Cookie, Rose, Dr. E. Paul Breaux and Dr. Roden for their kindness and compassion. Very special thanks to Cynthia Stutes for her generosity and devotion to her aunt, Ms. Stutes.
Martin & Castille - DOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry St., Lafayette, LA 70506. 337-234-2311
