Carletta Lynette Conner

New Iberia – A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 am, on Friday, July 26, 2024, at Pellerin Funeral Home, for Carletta Lynette Conner, 55, who passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Lake Charles, after a sudden illness.

 Visitation will be Friday, from 8:30 am until 10:00 am at Pellerin Funeral Home.

 Carletta was celebrated and loved by many. She enjoyed life to the fullest surrounded by her family and friends. Well-known for her homecooked meals and custom Amazon shirt for all occasions, Carletta loved listening to music, interacting with Facebook friends, and learning new recipes and dances on TikTok. She was cherished by her children and grandchildren, going above and beyond to ensure that they were happy and loved. She consistently worked hard despite adversity, keeping a bright smile. Her motto was “keep your head up and keep striving.” 

 Carletta was born on July 8, 1969, and passed away on July 16, 2024. She was a resident of Lake Charles at the time of her passing. A graduate of New Iberia Senior High class of 1987, Carletta lived in and raised her family in New Iberia, LA until 2015 when she moved to Lake Charles to be closer to her sister/best friend Yolanda Simon (Efron; Lake Charles) and her close cousin Rhonda McGruder. In Lake Charles, Carletta met the love of her life Bruce Rison (Cleveland, Ohio) in 2015, and the two remained devoted to each other until her untimely passing. 

 Carletta raised 6 children (2 deceased) and made countless sacrifices as a single mother. Carletta was proud of her children, bragged about them often, and encouraged them to never give up. She was able to guide her children through adulthood, supporting their many roles including military veteran, business owners, writer, case manager, and musician; all together obtaining four bachelor’s degrees, and one master’s degree. 

Although Carletta cherished quality time with her family and played many roles, her favorite role was grandmother (of five). She loved being their MawMaw, never failing to attend their birthday parties and hosting family dinners with her grandchildren present. 

 Carletta possessed a passion for cooking, serving others with her meals. Her most current position was Cook at The Guardian Nursing Home in Lake Charles. Also, while in New Iberia, she worked at New Iberia Manor South as a kitchen aide and Legnon’s Boucherie. 

 Carletta joins in glory two children; brother Shedrick Ward (Dallas, TX); parents Ruby C. Armstead (Lloyd; Loreauville, LA) and Ernest Gilliam (Lake Charles, LA); maternal grandparents Preston James Conner and Whilimena Boutte Conner; paternal grandparents Ernest Gilliam, Sr. and Laura Polk Gilliam; maternal aunt Louella C. Carvin; paternal uncle MacArthur Gilliam; and paternal aunts Jacqueline Gilliam, Marilyn Gilliam, Carol Gilliam, Brenda “Teasy” Gilliam Ledet, and Laurel "Loli" Gilliam Moore-Leblanc. 

 Carletta leaves to cherish her memory her husband Bruce Rison; six children Dedrick Conner, Nastephen Kamila (Amit; Carencro, LA) Patrick Conner-Dore (Clint; Arnaudville, LA), Christanna Conner (Carencro, LA), Edliyah Conner (Robert; Youngsville, LA), and Shayne Conner (New Orleans, LA); five grandchildren whom she exceptionally loved Elijah Ware, Re’a Ware, Emon Ware, Asmit Kamila, and Every Kendrix Ware; her aunt Vernadean Polk (Wilfred) who was like a second mother; sister Yolanda Simon; brothers Shawnderic L. Conner and Brandon Armstead; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who will miss her dearly. 

Honorary Pallbearers: Robert Ware Jr., Amit Kamila, Patrick Conner-Dore, Clint Dore, Efron Simon, Sr., Efron Simon, Jr. Joshua Simon. 

Final arrangements are entrusted to Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace, New Iberia, LA 70560 (337.365.3331)