Freddie Rae Dupuis Chenet

With both sadness and gratefulness, the family of Freddie Rae Chenet announces their mother’s passing on the sunny afternoon of December 10, 2025, at the age of 92, after a brief illness at Harbor Hospice.

Freddie Rae Chenet was born on October 5, 1933, in Opelousas, Louisiana to Freddie Anthony Dupuis and Ida Lafleur Dupuis, and has two sisters, Mary Helen Lejeune (deceased) and Carroll Ritter (Moss Bluff, LA). After Freddie graduated from Opelousas High School, she went to nursing school at Hotel Dieu in New Orleans. Once she became a Registered Nurse (RN), she moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she met Theodore Chalker Chenet (Ted) from Thibodaux, Louisiana on a blind date and was immediately drawn to his good dancing and advanced Bridge play. The two were engaged within weeks after meeting and married on September 9, 1956, at the Immaculate Conception Church. Ten months later they welcomed their first child.

Anyone who loved Freddie knew she was music. Her house always had Andy Williams or Perry Como singing, the soundtrack to The Sound of Music playing, and, during Christmas, carols constantly filled the air with holiday spirit. Freddie never missed a Louisiana Choral Concert and was often caught weeping as the beauty of the music captivated her spirit, and she always shared a pizza with friends at the Lake Charles Symphony Pop’s fundraiser. Exercise, attending lunch and dinner groups, watching Judge Judy, making daily trips to Albertson’s, and sharing beautiful moments with friends and family, satiated her daily life.

Freddie was laughter, kindness, and generosity. She loved hosting dinner parties for friends and family for big occasions, like birthdays, retirement, and anniversaries, and anyone who came to one of these infamous parties had to come with vocals ready, for she always wrote songs to famous tunes in which everyone had to participate. Making a moment memorable was Freddie’s specialty. She and her husband hosted an annual family vacation in Pensacola Beach, Florida, for years, which created lifelong memories for everyone, and Freddie was always there for dance recitals, plays, weddings, funerals, and birthdays. If anyone came into Freddies’ house, and remarked that he/she liked something, she would say, “Take it.” Freddie adored and was dedicated to each of her friends and always provided a loving place for all her family in her heart and home.

Freddie was Christian. She was a fervent member of First United Methodist Church these past 70 years, participating on several committees and eventually becoming president of the Builders Sunday School class. Attending church on Sunday mornings, where she could hear Weldon Bares preach and the choir sing, was the highlight of her week. All of Freddie’s children were raised at First Methodist and are blessed because of it.

Freddie was family. Left to live in her honor and shine in her shadow are her children Tad Chenet (Rhonda), John Chenet (Carol), Susan Chenet, and Mary Carol Chenet. Seven wonderful grandchildren, who loved their Gran, are Sally Ostrow (Mike), Kelsey Richardson (Courtney), Theo Chenet (Kacy), Zack Chenet (Brittani), Peyton and Edie Owen, and Danielle Chenet. Freddie was also blessed to have five great grandchildren Mikah, Everett, Olivia, Jonah, and Caleb. Ted, her husband of 68 years, embraced her into heaven when her spirit left the earth.

Freddie’s life will be celebrated at 11:00am on Monday, December 15, 2025, in First United Methodist Church on Broad Street. Reverend Weldon Bares will officiate. Inurnment of ashes will follow in Prien Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Johnson’s Funeral Home. Visitation will be in the First Methodist sanctuary from 10:00am until the start of the celebration at 11:00am. After the graveside service, a reception in Paxton Hall at First Methodist will be enjoyed with all who loved Freddie.

In lieu of flowers, please give a donation to her beloved First Methodist, and in her honor, sing “My Favorite Things,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “What a Wonderful World,” or a favorite hymn whenever you need to feel her radiating presence or God’s beautiful spirit.

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