Mary Lou Gradnigo Lewis

Leonville - Mary Lou Gradnigo Lewis - January 2, 1942 - September 4, 2020 passed away at Opelousas General Health System. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Leonville. Fr. Darren Eldridge will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Interment will follow at St. Leo the Great Cemetery in Leonville. She was a member of St. Catherine's Ladies Altar Society for many years. She was a graduate of J. S. Clark High School in Opelousas, LA and completed the Chicago School of Nursing course from Chicago, IL where she graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). She was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, singing, dancing, family gatherings and caring for family and friends. She prayed daily for those who were sick and those with personal intentions. She supported the United States Army from the Vietnam War to Desert Storm by taking care of her brothers and army friends at their duty station and gave them homemade food care packages. She and her husband Manuel would pick up soldiers from Fort Polk, LA and take them home to visit family and friends, as well as taking them to the airport in Lafayette and New Orleans, LA to ensure their commitment to their country would be fulfilled. During the entire army conflict, she prayed daily for the safe return of all U.S. troops. She is survived by her children, Herman Lewis, David Lewis, Mary Janice Lewis Fontenot, and Agnes Lewis, all of Opelousas, LA. Four brothers Robert Gradnigo, Sr. (Pearlie), Opelousas, LA, U.S. Army veterans David Gradnigo, Jr. (Barbara) of Ethel, LA, SFC(Ret) George Gradnigo of Opelousas, LA, and Gerald Gradnigo (Adele) of Leonville, LA. One sister Edolia DeClouette (Dennis); one sister-in-law Earline Gradnigo of Texas; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Joseph Manuel Lewis; parents David and Dolia Gradnigo; two brothers Joseph A. Gradnigo, Sr. and U.S. Veteran Leroy Gradnigo; two sisters-in-law Willie Mae Gradnigo and Anna Marie Gradnigo and two nephews Gregory Gradnigo and Micheal (Dr. G) Gradnigo. The Lewis Family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Michael Felton and Dr. Amer Raza. The Opelousas General Health System: ER Physicians & staff, 5 North Staff and ICU Staff. Thank you all for being a part of her care team. Your professionalism, expertise and compassion gave us a profound sense of comfort. God Bless and thank you. Pellerin Funeral Home (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.