Lou Anna Elkins

Lou Anna Elkins passed away at her home in Mandeville on February 21, 2023 at the age of 90. She was born in Lawtell, Louisiana, on August 13, 1932 to Albert and Roberta Le Bauve Prejean. She was the proud owner and operator of Lou and Bob’s Lounge at 249 Nursery Avenue in Metairie for nearly 50 years. She was dearly loved by her customers and many friends and the feeling was mutual. She had crawfish boils and cooked for her customers on Saturdays and when they were sick and had no one else to care for them. She even quietly paid for some of her customer’s cremations when there was no family available to handle the arrangements.

She taught ceramics, woodworking, and quilting- skills she nurtured over the course of her life. Lou Anna also gave back to her community by delivering for Meals on Wheels and volunteering at nursing homes.

Lou loved life, family, and friends. She will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have known her.

She is survived by her children from her marriage to Wallace Vance, Rita Vance Cook and Albert Vance; her children from her marriage to Alfred Sidney Elkins, Rebecca Elkins Magner, Sidney M. Elkins, Robert N. Elkins, David A. Elkins, and Russell O. Elkins; and her son from her marriage to Robert Funck, Joseph Funck; 20 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 37 years, Robert Rene Funck; her husband of 17 years, Alfred Sidney Elkins; sons, Larry W. Vance, Andrew F. Funck, Robert Rene Funck, Michael Funck, and Wallace E. Vance; sisters, Yola Richard, Wilda Fontenot, Lula Mae Babineaux, and Etta Pat Smith; and brothers, Lawrence Prejean, Alonzo Prejean, and Martin Prejean.

The family would like to give special thanks to Lavonda and Albert Vance for 10 months of dedicated and loving care to mom so that she could remain at home as well as the Elkins family who lovingly visited over the past 18 years providing love and support to mom as she struggled with dementia.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service, officiated by Chaplain Chris Thomas of St. Joseph Hospice, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd in New Orleans, on Friday, March 3, 2023 at 2 PM. Visitation will begin at 11 AM. She will be laid to rest privately.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Covington branch of St. Joseph Hospice, 409 W 21st Street in Covington, LA 70433.