Ella Jeannette Phoenix LaFleur, 90, passed peacefully into the light of Jesus’ face on the morning of February 17, 2015, at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 1, 1924, the second child of Harrison and Coilio Link Phoenix. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who made everyone she met feel like part of her family.

Ella met the love of her life, Charles Irving LaFleur, RDM3 USCG, at a USO dance at the Gulfport Casino in Gulfport, Florida. They married on February 15, 1945, and she then devoted her life to loving and caring for her family. She and Charles raised their seven children in both Florida and Louisiana, where they had many adventures and made dear friends, but eventually settled permanently in Bayou Chicot, Louisiana in 1980.

A devoted Christian who shared her Catholic faith with all who were around her, Ella joined St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Pine Prairie, Louisiana and met many wonderful friends there while volunteering at the church’s Thrift Shop. She also volunteered numerous hours of her time at Prairie Manor Nursing Home, where she visited her mother and frequently brightened the days of other residents with visits, hugs, and flowers from her beautiful gardens.

Ella is preceded in death by her parents, Harrison and Coilio, her husband, Charles, and her brother and sister-in-law Fred and Sara Phoenix.

Ella is survived by her children Butch Wingard, David LaFleur, Daniel LaFleur, Steve LaFleur and Marie Brand, Chris and Karen LaFleur, Ron and Jeannie Smith, and Andrew and Sandy LaFleur; her 19 grandchildren; her 25 great-grandchildren; and dear friends from Louisiana and Florida, including the Hall Family of Port Charlotte, Florida.

Visitation will be held Thursday, February 19, from 11am – 9pm at Duhon Funeral Home Chapel in Church Point, Louisiana, with a rosary at 7pm on Thursday. Visitation will resume on Friday, February 20th from 8am until time of services. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 20, 2015 at 1:30 pm at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Church Point, followed by interment at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Pine Prairie.

The family extends a special thank you to Heart of Hospice for their loving care.

Please send personal condolences to the family at www.duhonfuneralhome.com.
Duhon Funeral Home, LLC of Church Point will be in charge of the arrangements.