St. Martinville - Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 8, 2006, at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville for Elia Breaux Bienvenu Berard, 94, who died Thursday, July 6, 2006 at her home.
A native of Loreauville, she moved to St. Martinville upon her marriage to Lee ""Doon"" Bienvenu, owner of the Ford dealership, Bienvenu Motor Company; thus the nickname, ""Mom Doon"".
An accomplished seamstress, she also had a green thumb, and was an avid flowergardener. ?She was known for the prettiest snap dragons and sweet peas in town. ?Elia loved flowers so much she sometimes ""borrowed"" irresistible specimens from the gardens of neighbors and friends.
Widowed after 37 years to Lee ""Doon"" Bienvenu, in 1991 she married widower Adolph ""Kye"" ?Berard, a St. Martinville native. ?Kye preceded her in death after eleven years of marriage.
Her parents were Ademar and Amelie Dugas Breaux. ?She was the mother of 3 children; Sonja Bienvenu Dupois, Joseph ""J. C."" Clairville Bienvenu, and the late Grace Bienvenu, her infant daughter. ?She is also survived by 2 step-children, Raymond ""Eboo"" Bienvenu and Estelle ""Tell"" Labbe', all of St. Martinville, and her sister, Grace B. Decuir of Loreauville.
She was a loving, playful ""Momom"" to 13 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren.
Elia was one of a kind, with a great sense of humor. ?She was loved, and she will be missed.
Interment will be in St. Michael Cemetery in St. Martinville.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 5:00 p.m. ~ 10:00 p.m. on Friday and continue at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday until time of service.
A rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Friday.
Pallbearers will be Leon Russo, Jr., Jason Bienvenu, Kyle Boudreaux, Scott Blanchard, Jeremy Greig, and Chad Latiolais.
Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville is in charge of arrangements.