Dorothy Mae Theard-Prosperie Gonzales

Dorothy Mae Theard-Prosperie Gonzales, 97, died Tuesday, February 21, 2017 in San Antonio, TX.

Born in New Orleans to Leonce and Stella Marie Theard Peosperie, Mrs. Gonzales was a teacher of Sunday School and Training Union for many years. She served as a salesperson and ministered to those in need at the Mid-City Baptist Book Store in New Orleans for many years. She also worked as secretary for John Curtis Christian School. After serving there, she worked for American Fence Company as secretary for many years before retiring to take care of her ill husband and elderly mother, both to whom she was greatly devoted. She moved to the Lake Charles area in 1987.

Mrs. Gonzales loved to cook and crochet. She made many a scarf, hat, baby blanket, booties and numerous other things for family and friends. She always welcomed an extra person or more to her table for a meal, even when she had to stretch the little she might have had to feed her own family. She served as a pastor’s wife and mate for nearly fifty years. She was a delightful lady who was always smiling, hugging and kissing everyone everywhere she went. She had a special way of warming hearts. She loved everyone in a way that only she could do and was loved by everyone in return. She truly loved her Lord and that was apparent in everything she did. She was a gracious and loving woman who found great pleasure and joy in the privilege of serving her Lord and His people. She served in many capacities at any church where she was a member. She ministered at East Ridge Baptist Church for many years to all of the members and visitors with her faithful phone calls and greeting cards.

Mrs. Gonzales spent her years being concerned about the eternal life of all with whom she came in contact, witnessing to people she knew and met. Her greatest desire was to know that everyone, especially her friends and loved ones, would be in Heaven with her when she went to her home in Glory. Mrs. Gonzales requested that the song, “I Dreamed I Searched Heaven for You,” be sung at her funeral as a message to let everyone who is still living know that she would be searching Heaven for them one day.

She is survived by one son, Stephen Gonzales and wife Betsy of Austin, Texas; three daughters, Maureen Shy of San Antonio, Georgelle McCown and husband Wayne of Lake Charles, and Deborah Lentini and husband Gary of Zachary; eight grandchildren, Gina Shy, Kelly Shy Maranca and husband Don, of San Antonio, Nicole Gonzales Baird and husband Stephen of Austin; Shawn Swible and wife Daina of Lake Charles; Catherine Shy of Taylor, Texas; Amanda Shy and husband Matthew McCurdy of New York; Gabriel Lentini and wife Amy and Cory Lentini, of Zachary; and five great grandchildren, Reagan and Casey Brooks, Jake and Luke Maranca, and Steffen Swible.

She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, Reverend George E. “Jake” Gonzales and by her son-in-law, George Shy, Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Johnson Funeral Home. Reverend Alan Weishampel will officiate. Interment will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until the service time on Saturday.

Memorial donations may be made to the East Ridge Baptist Church Building Fund, 5400 Highway 397, Lake Charles, LA, 70615, to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation/Gina Shy, 47 Michelangelo, San Antonio, TX 78258, or to the Cory Lentini Fund, 5646 Sophie Anne Drive, Zachary, LA  70791 .