Enola Marie Bourgeois

Enola Marie Bourgeois, 94, of Lake Charles, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on July 7, 1931, in Church Point, Louisiana, to Julius Duplechain and Hyacinth Thibodeaux Duplechain.

Enola’s life was defined by faith, family, and a generous heart. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, a cherished great-grandmother, and a dear friend to many. She met the love of her life, Joseph “Blanco” Bourgeois, at Rose’s Café in Church Point, and the two were married in 1951. Together, they began their family in 1953, moved to Westlake in 1957, and settled in Lake Charles in 1959. Their marriage was a true partnership that spanned 71 beautiful years, until Blanco’s passing in 2021.

A gifted cook, Enola delighted in preparing meals for large gatherings of family and friends. Her kitchen was always filled with warmth, laughter, and the aroma of something delicious on the stove. She had a special gift for caring for others, especially children, and welcomed many into her home and heart over the years.

Enola’s Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life. A devout member of St. Margaret Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters, she prayed the rosary several times a day and lived out her faith through kindness and service. She loved to laugh, treasured time with her family, and created a home filled with love, joy, and tradition.

Those left to cherish her memory include her three sons, Joseph N. Bourgeois, Jr. (Liz), Anthony Bourgeois (May Rose), and Samuel Bourgeois; her grandchildren, Tyler Bourgeois, Kendale Jones (David), Seth Davies, Kara Jones, and Annette Jones; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Blanco; her parents; her grandson, Ben Allen Monroe; her brother, J.D. Duplechain; her sister, Gertie Mae Higginbotham; and her brother-in-law, Tommy Bourgeois.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, 2500 Enterprise Blvd., with Reverend Nathan Long serving as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake Street, on Monday, August 11, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a Cursillo Rosary at 6:00 PM, and will resume on Tuesday from 9:00 AM until the procession departs for the church.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.