Gilbert Lashawn Fontenette

Arnaudville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church for Gilbert Lashawn Fontenette, 45, who passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at his residence. 

The family requests visitation be held at Pellerin Funeral Home in Breaux Bridge on Friday, May 17, 2024 from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm. It will continue on Saturday from 8:00 am until 10:00 am. 

A Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 pm on Friday evening by Raymond Dean, followed by a tribute from the Louisiana Nurse Honor Guard - Acadiana Chapter.

Father Travis Abadie will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Readers will be Stacey Sam and Chiffionia Collins. Gift Bearers Noah Human, Dylan Fontenette and Abigail Haynes. Interment will follow at St. John Francis Regis Cemetery. 

Gilbert Lashawn Fontenette, DNP, APRN, ANP-C, was a dedicated brother, uncle, grandson, friend, and colleague to many. A Breaux Bridge, native, Gilbert was an Adult Nurse Practitioner and Board-Certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Gilbert earned a Doctorate of Nursing practice degree from the University of Kansas City in Kansas City, Mo., a Master's degree in nursing from UL Lafayette, where he also served as a nursing instructor. Gilbert was a Franciscan Service Award recipient for Lourdes Physician Group and was an active member of the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and Acadiana Association of Black Nurses.  Gilbert was recently awarded the 2024 Advance Practice or Master's Prepared Nurse of the Year during nurse's week at Our Lady of Lourdes Health.

Gilbert dedicated 25 years of his life to caring for others as a Registered Nurse and Advanced Nurse Practitioner. Gilbert was well versed in diagnosing and managing adult patients with acute and/or chronic pulmonary conditions as well as managing patients with obstructive sleep apnea.  Gilbert was employed as an Adult Pulmonary Nurse Practitioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Health System.  Gilbert was the first Advanced Nurse Practitioner to be employed by the Pulmonary Group at Our Lady of Lourdes. Gilbert also worked at Heart of Hospice for 3.5 years offering comfort and support to individuals during their most vulnerable time. Gilbert began his nursing journey as an Emergency Room nurse at Our Lady of Lourdes. Gilbert's love and passion for nursing continued in specialty areas of the Intensive Care Unit, Nursing Supervision, and Cardiac Nurse Management. Gilbert's nurturing spirit and calming presence touched the lives of many patients both in the clinic and hospital setting. Gilbert's ability to effectively communicate with his colleagues, physicians, and nurses was unparalleled.  Gilbert's selflessness extended beyond his professional duties, often being a listening ear or shoulder to cry on for many. Gilbert moved his loving mother into his home and cared for during her time of illness.   

Gilbert loved the simplicities of life which including family time, going out to dinner with friends, cooking, traveling, daily exercising, yardwork, and playing with his 2 beautiful dogs. One of Gilbert's daily routine was to call his loving grandmother to make sure she was okay. Gilbert's religious faith was very strong and evident in his daily interactions to all whom he touched. During his call weekends, Gilbert did his best to never miss weekend church services.  

Gilbert leaves behind many memories of his beautiful smile, kindness, compassion, dedication, selflessness, generosity, and numerous friendships. Gilbert touched many lives across Acadiana and will be greatly missed by all whom had the privilege of knowing him in both a work and personal capacity.   

Gilbert's sister Chastity wanted to share her grief by writing the following statement.  "To my baby brother Gilbert, there are no words to express that life will never be the same without you in my life.  I know it is hard to understand this loss, but I know God needs you right now because he has work for you to do in heaven with him.  It is hard for me to imagine life without you. There isn't a day that went by when we didn't talk, and its been that way since kids. The hardest thing for me is knowing that you are not here with me anymore.  The void in my heart will always be there, but I know you are up there with our mother, brother, and grandfather.  I know that there is now one more angel looking over me. Gilbert until we meet again, I love you so much but know you are now my angel in the clouds.  Until we meet again, I love you!

He is survived by his maternal grandmother, Leola Journet; father, Rogers Noel; brother, Derrick Fontenette (Naomi); sister, Chastity Human (Dwight); nephews, Dylan Fontenette, Joshua Fontenette and Noah Human; and niece, Nia Fontenette. 

He is preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Journet Fontenette; brother, Rogers Fontenette; and maternal grandfather, Gilbert Journet.

Pallbearers will be Derrick Fontenette, Dylan Fontenette, Joshua Fontenette, Noah Human, Kevin Sam and Lionel Sam.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dwight Human and John Benjamin.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Gilbert's friends and family who shared their grief through texts, calls, and social media posting. A special thank you to Our Lady of Lourdes Health System, Lourdes Pulmonary Physician Group, and Heart of Hospice for the outpouring of support during this difficult time. If anyone was forgotten, our appreciation is extended to you as well.

Pellerin Funeral Home, 211 Berard St, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.