Victoria Summer McElwee

 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Victoria Summer McElwee, 24, of Lake Charles passed away Friday, May 22, 2026 on the Island of St. Kitts following a car accident.

Summer was born in Lake Charles, attended St. Louis High School and was a graduate of Iowa High School where she was a member of the Yellow Jackets dance team. Following graduation, she furthered her studies at the University of New Orleans where she attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She was a member of the Honor Society, Sigma Kappa Sorority (Epsilon Beta Chapter) and was elected to the Homecoming Court. Summer also continued her love of dance at UNO as a member of the Privateer Poms Dance Team at countless events on and off campus, as a dancer and private coach at Move Studio and as a featured dancer in the movie, “Step Up”, filmed in New Orleans. She was a natural born dancer with great mental and physical strength. She enjoyed being healthy through diet and exercise, and especially loved running with her fur baby dog, Ryder. Summer found importance in being a respected mentor to younger students, sorority sisters and dancers and was an advocate for encouragement in self-worth and against bullying.

Summer was truly beautiful inside and out. From the age of two until twenty-one, she competed in beauty pageants, often winning Miss Photogenic and was crowned Miss Armed Forces and Miss Mardi Gras of Lafayette. She was a model for Madison Hartley, MadHart Productions and was a successful Instagram Influencer, partnering with brands such as Prime Energy, Pretty Little Gals, Hot Worx and many others to promote their product. She achieved Famous Influencer status with more than 20K followers.

Other than her precious Momma, Summer’s greatest love was animals. In January of 2026, Summer pursued her passion in Animal Science as a student at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine where she was living her dream and had recently achieved White Coat status. She shifted studies from small animals to livestock husbandry. Her primary focus was advocating for non-kill shelters and pet rescue. Summer also introduced and started the “yellow scrubs trend” at Ross. Yellow was her favorite color. It reflected a bright sunshiny day and her bright personality. Summer loved sunny days, the beach, snorkeling and Scuba diving. Her studies at St. Kitts allowed her the opportunity to appreciate and delight in those very things. During her time there, she embraced her passion for animals, adventure and the island through her membership of the Bovine Club, Equine Club, Running Club and Scuba Diving Club.

She was a young lady of faith and prayer, attended Metairie Celebration Church and Caribbean Christian Fellowship in St. Kitts where she was also involved in a Bible study class.

Summer loved life and lived it to the fullest. She will be most remembered as beautiful, with a gift of the ability to brighten the spirit of those around her and a committed belief in compassion, love and kindness. She will also be remembered for her love and devotion to her dearest friend, her Momma. She loved and looked up to her Daddy for his inspiration and embraced his encouragement to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She also had a special relationship with her DaDa who loved spending time with his Peanut.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her precious Momma, Cammy McElwee and stepfather, Robert Williams; father, Dr. Michael Bergeron; grandfather, James McElwee; aunts, Tammy McElwee and Charlotte Bergeron; uncle, Paul Bergeron (Ann); cousin, Shelby Doxey Ashfield; godchild, David Ashfield; her dance family in New Orleans; fellow Veterinary students in St. Kitts and many dear friends throughout. She also leaves her fur baby dog, Ryder and kitty, Kendall.

She was preceded in death by her MiMi, Darlene McElwee; grandparents, Frank and Fran Bergeron; great grandmother, Cecile LeBleu and godfather, Lance Doxey.

Her Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Monday, June 15, 2026 in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles. Interment services will follow at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation Sunday will be from 4:00 until 8:00 PM and will continue Monday from 9:00AM until the time of service in the funeral home.

In celebration of Summer, we ask that everyone wear yellow.

Pallbearers for her service will be Ahmad Chaudhry, Evan Favalor, Bailey Juneau, Alex Mazon, Slade Walder and William Ward.

Memorial donations in Summer’s name may be made to any animal rescue or shelter of choice.