Elsie Jane Guidroz

Arnaudville - Elsie Jane Olivier Guidroz came into this world on December 10, 1936 in Arnaudville , LA. She was the 9th child born to a family of 10 children. On September 26, 2011 at 5:18 PM at Lafayette General Hospital , she left our natural world to join her Lord and Savior. The caring and loving family she leaves behind includes 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Her daughter Donna Stelly and husband Jerry, children Elisha Cormier and her son Ethan, Tanya Douglas, Jeramy Stelly and his son Blayne. Jackie Tollett and her husband Hugh along with son Scottie Richard and daughter Emily, and finally Joey Guidroz and children, son Broc Arnaud, daughter Tori Arnaud, and daughter Claire Arnaud. She is also survived by two brothers, Burton Olivier, Sr. and wife, Shirley, and Voorhies Joseph 'Frer' Olivier and wife, Rose; and one sister, Helen Richard. Elsie worked a full-time job until she finally retired at the age of 72. She battled illness and injury but enjoyed being an independent woman. During her working years, she was employed for many years at Mayfair , a window company in Lafayette, a cook on a dredge boat, a security guard at a plant, and a cashier at various convenient stores and truck stops. For over 10 years, she was an Avon Representative being honored with membership into the President's Club. She enjoyed painting ceramics and played various types of card games, favoring a good game of rummy any time of day or night. She looked forward to 11:00 so that she could sit down to watch her favorite soap opera, 'The Young and the Restless. Her favorite holidays were Easter, everyone got their own dozen of dyed eggs and if she was able to get either a colored chicken or a rabbit, the grandchildren were sure to get one along with their Easter Basket filled with candy. She loved handing out candy for Halloween. She liked seeing the costumes and hearing the children say 'Trick or Treat'. She even accepted a 'Trick' if she did not have enough candy to hand out to the masses. Christmas was her absolute favorite. She loved buying a gift for everyone in her family, adult or child. If you were spending time with her, you got a gift. But the events that put the biggest smile on her face were the family get-togethers that included her immediate family and all extended family who cared to participate. She loved family. If it was potluck, she always prepared 2 or 3 dishes. She wanted to be sure there was enough food for everyone. She was an excellent cook and each of her family members had their own favorite dish that 'only she could prepare.' She was preceded in death by her former husband Joseph Lee (Boy) Guidroz, her parents Joseph Senie and Regina Arnaud Olivier, her great-granddaughter Elyse Bethany Cormier, her brothers Clarence (CJ) Olivier and Larry Olivier, and her sisters Etta Miller, Joyce Guidry and twins Rita Castille and Rena Olivier. In an effort to be a help to others, her corneas were donated to the Eye Bank of New Orleans. The viewing will be Friday, September 30, 2011 from 10 am until closing at 10 pm . Viewing will resume at 8 am on Saturday, October 1, 2011 , until the time of services at 10 am in Pellerin Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor David Baudoin of Crossroads Church will be officiating, along with Carrie Campbell performing 'Amazing Grace,' 'I Can Only Imagine,' and 'It is Well.' Interment will follow at St. John Francis Regis Cemetery in Arnaudville. Pallbearers will be Joseph 'Joey' Guidroz, Jerry Stelly, Jeramy Stelly, Hugh Tollett, Scottie Richard, and Broc Arnaud. Honorary pallbearers will be Shane Miller, Ethan Cormier, Blayne Stelly, Brody Miller, Jason Escoyne, Ronald Guidry, Burton Olivier, Jr., Burton Olivier, Sr., and Voorhies Joseph 'Frer' Olivier. Pellerin Funeral Home 314 St . Landry St., Arnaudville, LA 70512, (337.754.5881) is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com