Thelma Soileau

Thelma Fontenot Soileau, age 100, passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2026, after a century filled with faith, family, love, and cherished memories.

Born in Johnson Cove, Louisiana, on April 17, 1926, Thelma carried her Cajun roots and love of Mardi Gras throughout her life. As the wife of a United States Army serviceman, she traveled throughout the country and overseas with her husband, Edward, creating a loving home wherever military life took them.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Thelma was known for her resourcefulness, her ability to stretch every penny, and her unwavering dedication to family. There was always room for one more at her table, where she shared her much loved specialty dishes and Good Friday meals. Her treasured Christmas cookies were so popular that she kept them hidden away and carefully rationed them throughout the holidays.

Thelma loved hummingbirds, sewing, crocheting,playing games with family and treasured Friday night sleepovers with her grandchildren and chauffeuring her grandchildren to their events when needed. She made clothing and handmade gifts for loved one and always had a special place in her heart for babies and children.

A woman of deep Catholic faith, Thelma was a member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church and devoted many years to serving the Catholic Daughters. She also helped coordinate the annual candlelight remembrance at Consolata Cemetery, honoring those who had passed before us. Her faith was an important part of her life and was reflected in her devotion to family, community, and service to others. Later in life, she continued her lifelong tradition of caring for others by being a caregiver and companion to the elderly and those in need.

Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; her sons, Ted and Randall; her parents; and her siblings.

She is survived by her children, Brenda Soileau of Fresno, Texas; Sheryl Milanowski and her husband, Mike, of Lake Charles; Gary Soileau and his wife, Lola, of Bartlett, Tennessee. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Scott, Tommy (Ivelynn), Melissa(Mike), Joe, Matthew(Darian), Christopher(Rachel), and Tyler(Becca), and seven great-grandchildren, who will carry her love and memories forward for generations to come.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 27, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and will resume on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. A rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. She will be laid to rest at Consolata Cemetery.