Evelyn Himel Theriot

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Hewitt Theriot, the former Evelyn Himel, 90, will be celebrated at 2:00 pm Thursday at St. Peters Catholic Church with the Rev. Charles Langlois officiating. Entombment will follow in Holy Family Mausoleum. Visiting hours will be observed Wednesday from 3:30 pm until 9:00 pm with a rosary being recited at 7:00 at Pellerin Funeral home. Visitation will resume Thursday at 8:30 am until 1:30 PM. ; The youngest of 11 children, Evelyn was born in St. James Parish on the River Road in 1919. Raised in a rural area, she learned the importance of family for support and friendship. She also developed her devotion to her church and her need to serve others. She graduated from LSU where she met her beloved Hewitt, a man who shared her devotion to God and family and who made her laugh. ; Moving to Iberia Parish in 1946, they took New Iberia as their home where they raised 7 children and provided love and support to many additional neighbors and friends. Because of her devotion to her children she was extremely active in the parents' clubs of the area Catholic Schools as well as Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. She taught CCD for 25 years, and was involved in sacramental preparation for young children. In later years she served her church as a Eucharistic minister as well as in other ministries as the need arose. Fueled by her daily mass and rosary, she was lead to develop a home ministry for shut-ins to ensure the availability of the Eucharist to those unable to attend mass. This was her proudest accomplishment. She trained numerous others to follow in her footsteps. In her early years she developed a love of reading which broadened her knowledge and desire to experience new things which she instilled in her children. In later years she and her husband, often with family in-tow, traveled extensively through out the country and overseas. She was one of LSU Basketballs most avid fans and could name every member of the team. She often attended games and SEC tournaments. She was devoted to her Welsh Corgi dogs which provided her with exercise and constant companionship and affection. ; She was accepting of those around her, not ever speaking ill of others. She believed that everyone is different and that it is important to be the best person you can be. A leader without seeking recognition, her motto was "dare to be different". She was masterful in handling her many roles. ; Not one minute of her 90 years was wasted. We celebrate her life! ; She is survived by her four sons, James H. Theriot and wife Maryann Casey Theriot of New Orleans, Gerald P. Theriot of New Orleans, Lawrence H. Theriot and his wife Beth Romaguera Theriot of Reston, Va., Alfred J. Theriot of Lafayette, her three daughters Adele T. Guillot and husband Louis Guillot, Anne T. Dugas and husband Thomas Dugas, Libby T Mannina and husband Dickie Mannina all of New Iberia; 16 grandchildren, 2 step-grand children, 7 great-grand children and one step great-grand child. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hewitt P. Theriot, her parents, and all of her 10 siblings. ; Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons; Patrick, Lars, Jason, Bart, Henri, Louie, and Ryan, and her granddaughters; Camille, Amelie, Damare, Eugenie, Simone, Leslie, Elise, Desiree, and Stephanie; her step-granddaughters Sara and Rachael as well as Mary Ann Theriot and Adrienne Zimmer. ; In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Mrs. Theriot's name to the Sisters of Mt. Carmel, Retirement Fund, P. O. Box 1160, Lacombe, LA 70445. ; Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, LA., 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of the arrangements.