Elma Sonnier Crawford

NEW IBERIA – Funeral services will be celebrated for Elma Marie Sonnier Crawford, 94, at 10:00 am Saturday, November 1, 2014 at Evangeline Funeral Home. Deacon Chris Doumit will officiate. She will be laid to rest in Holy Family Cemetery.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Evangeline Funeral Home on Friday from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm, with the Rosary being prayed at 6:00 pm. Visiting hours will resume on Saturday from 8:00 am until time of services.

Elma Marie Sonnier Crawford was born January 2, 1920 in Vermilion Parish to the late Orgar Sonnier and Ida Broussard Sonnier, and was one of ten children. On Tuesday, October 28, 2014, she passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Maw and La, as she was lovingly called, was a past member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a nurse and worked at the old Iberia General Hospital on Main St. where she cared for many patients. She also did private duty nursing for many years as well. That same caring spirit has lived on in this dear woman’s heart as she has loved and cared for many of her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren through the years. She also enjoyed the many visits from family and friends, but holidays were her favorite when the entire family got together.

She leaves behind many fond memories that will forever live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include her children, Darby Primeaux, Deanna Primeaux John, and Gill Primeaux (Brenda); 14 grandchildren, Pamela “Pam” Primeaux Theriot (Lee), Eddie Primeaux (Jamie), Penelope “Penny” Primeaux Percle, Ponny Primeaux Foti (Sam), Dalton “Joey” Primeaux (Donna), Prisca Standridge, Deborah “Debbie” John Dickerson, Elma Anne John Menard, Elaine John Drago, Roxie John Boudreaux (Buddy), Patrice John Pellerin (Kenny), Cherlo Primeaux Parr (Tommy), Torey Primeaux (Shawn) and Kylie Primeaux Breaux (David); 27 great grandchildren; 11 great great-grandchildren with one expected; her sister, Ophelia Sonnier Schexnayder; and her brothers, Minos Paul Sonnier and Irving Joseph Sonnier.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Prof. Ivy William “Bill” Crawford; son-in-law, Sliman Joseph John; daughter-in-law, Audrey Longon Primeaux; and her sisters and brothers, Ed Wilfred Sonnier, Edgar “Bee” Sonnier, Thelma “Sis” Delahoussaye, Loveless “Love” Sonnier, Percy Sonnier, and Edia Dubois Geoffroy.

Serving as pallbearers are Eddie, Joey, and Torey Primeaux, Tommy Menard, Angelo Drago, Cherlo Parr, Kylie Breaux, Sam Foti and Collin Pellerin. Honorary pallbearers are Minos, Irving, and “P-Joe” Sonnier, Lee Theriot, Buddy Boudreaux, and Elmo Cormier.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Crawford’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905 or to Angel Paws Adoption Center, 1314 Troy Rd., New Iberia, LA 70563.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Maw’s caregivers for their care and compassion given to her, especially Debbie Dickerson, Cecile Mitchell, Jerri Jacobs, Christine Guidry, Alice Martinez, Anne Mae Lapointe and Lottie Delcambre; and to Hospice Compassus.

To view the online obituary, video tribute, and sign the guestbook, please www.evangelinefuneralhome.com

Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia (337) 364-1881 is in charge of arrangements.