Mary Virginia LaFleur Vance Jones Stout

Mary Virginia LaFleur Vance Jones Stout confidently submitted herself to her Heavenly Father's Holy Will with her family lovingly surrounding her. She died at a local care facility in Lake Charles on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. Mary was 90 years old.

Mary was born on November 17, 1926 in Grant, Louisiana to the parents of Fabius and Marie Sonnier LaFleur. She was the sixth child of seven children. She grew up in Oberlin, Louisiana and fluently spoke French, having to learn to speak English when she started school. In her later teens she moved to Sulphur, Louisiana and lived in Sulphur her adult life. She was marred to her first husband, William Vance and had three wonderful sons, her second husband until the time of his death having one daughter, for the last 22 years she has been married to her lovingly devoted and dutiful husband, Byron Benjamin Stout, Sr.

Mary was a graduate of Sowela Technical school of Nursing and was a surgical nurse for 30 plus years. The majority of her nursing career was at St. Patrick's hospital in both the original hospital and the new hospital. She was passionate about nursing and was privileged to work with some of the best nurses who became dear and life long friends.

Mary had a strong work ethic and did not tolerate any less from those around her, especially her children. She was extremely talented and could do anything she set her mind to doing. One of her greatest skills was her cooking and was well known for her cooking and presentation of her meals. For ten plus years she catered and none were disappointed in the dishes she served, especially her Pecan Pies and "Sinful" Brownies.

She is survived by her husband, Byron Benjamin Stout, Sr. of Sulphur; her sons, Kenneth Eugene Vance of Sulphur, and Larry Wayne Vance and wife, Elva of Sulphur; her daughter, Joy Rita Jones Abshire and husband, Joseph L "Bo" of Sulphur; nine grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and six great-great- grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her former husband of 27 years, Willie Burt Jones; her son, Carol Louis "Big Lou" Vance; her grandson, Darren Lane Vance; her parents; and all of her siblings, Cleve LaFleur, Mamie LaTour, Lilly Carlton, Sidney LaFleur, Cannie "Kenneth" LaFleur and Ervin LaFleur.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 27, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The Rev. Aubrey Guilbeau will officiate. Burial will be in Mimosa Pines Cemetery South in Carlyss under the direction of Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation is from 5-9 p.m. Thursday with a scripture service at 6 p.m., and will resume at 9 a.m. Friday. Pallbearers are her grandsons, Steven Vance, Justin Abshire, Jarred Abshire, Dustin Hardy, David Dronet, Jon Fessler, and special friend, Randy Babaz.

Memorials can be made to the Pack Back Blessings at Care Help of Sulphur, Hobo Hotel, or to Charity of Choice. Mary's family would like to thank Rosewood Care Center, Dr. Mark LaFuria, the administration and all of the staff. We would also like to thank Brighton Bridge Hospice their care and love will forever be appreciated and remembered. While all have been very special there were many that will forever remain in our hearts for their, love, friendship and special care of our mother and wife.

Our mother's convictions and life purpose is best summated as "I have been blessed with everything I needed. I have worked hard towards everything I wanted. But most of all I appreciate and Thank God for what he has provided to me and my family." author unknown

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.