Mary Joyce John

Breaux Bridge - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am, on Saturday, November 15, 2014, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge, for Mary Joyce Washington John, 78, who passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2014. The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 7 am until 10:30 am, at Pellerin Funeral Home in Breaux Bridge. A rosary will be recited at 8 am Saturday. Rev. Joseph Campion will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Scriptures will be read by Roxanne Washington. Gift Bearers will be Lacey John and Janna John. Interment will follow at St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery in Breaux Bridge. Mary Joyce John was born on October 23, 1936 in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana to the union of the late Sidney and Vivian Ledet Washington of Breaux Bridge. She was married to the late Melvin John, Sr. of Breaux Bridge. To this union four children were born, Brian A. John, Melvin John, Jr., Brandel L. John, and Kim John Vavasseur. Mary Joyce graduated from U.L. of Lafayette, did undergraduate work at Southern University in Baton Rouge, and Loyola University in New Orleans, and Delta Business College in Lafayette. Mary Joyce was a retired educator who devoted 29 years of service to the educational system in St. Martin Parish. She was a devoted member of the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association and the St. Martin Parish SMART Association. Mary Joyce was a 4-H Sponsor for 14 years and a recipient of the St. Martin Parish Teacher of the Year Award. She instituted the idea of having the 1st 8th grade completion ceremony at Cecilia Jr. High School. A devout Catholic, she was a lifelong parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, having served as a committee member for the churchs 75th year celebration and also taught catechism for 2 years. She was a member of the Evangeline Court No. 49 Ladies Auxiliary and the New Iberia Chapter of St. Katherine Drexel Society. Mary Joyce was a lover of family, friends, and all who knew her. She always had the warmest hospitality towards anyone who visited at her home; never letting anyone leave without a special farewell. Mary Joyce will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. She leaves to cherish her loving memory, her daughter, Kim M. (Raymond, Jr.) Vavasseur; three sons, Brian John, Melvin (Rebecca) John, Jr., and Brandel John, all of Breaux Bridge; her sisters, Marion (John) Tatum of Dallas, TX, and Evola (Earl) Derouselle of Houston, TX; her brother, Leroy (Jacqueline) Washington of Baton Rouge; nine grandchildren, Wendy Williams, Brian A. John, Jr., Brandi John Adundarin, Lacey John, Chase John, Brandon Wiltz, Janeice John, Janna John, and Jalen Vavasseur; 14 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Melvin John, Sr.; her parents, Sidney and Vivian Ledet Washington; and two sisters, Anna Rose Washington and Renella Narcisse. Pallbearers will be Jonathan Narcisse, Sr., Nathan Batiste, Leroy Washington, Jr., Alton Batiste, Jr., Chase John, and Barry Alexander. Honorary pallbearers will be Leroy Washington, Sr., Earl Derouselle, Melvin John, Sr., Brian John, Sr., Brandel John, Brandon Wiltz, Brian John, Jr., Jalen Vavasseur, Raymond Vavasseur, Jr., and Darren Benoit. Pellerin Funeral Home, 211 Berard St., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 (337.332.2199), is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com