Rita Bernis Theriot

St. Martinville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 p.m., on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville, for Rita Bernis Theriot, 90, who passed away on Monday, May 11, 2015. The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday, and continue at 7 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, at Pellerin Funeral Home in St. Martinville. A rosary in will be recited in French by her daughter, Dr. Shirley Theriot at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and 9 a.m. on Wednesday by the Catholic Daughters. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery in St. Martinville. Rev. Rusty Richard will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Scriptures will be read by Kim Bozeman and Shelly Poche. Gift Bearers will be her daughters. Mrs. Theriot was a parishioner of St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville, where she volunteered her time at the Petit Paris Museum and was also a worshiper in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel for many years. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, a local Rosary group, Martha's Guild, and the St. Martinville Home Demonstration Club. Rita enjoyed playing Pokeno, cooking, and baking for her family and friends - her cakes were the best, and she lovingly shared them with everyone she knew. An avid gardener, Rita loved working in her flowerbeds and received "Garden of the Month" numerous times. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Survivors include her four daughters, Louella Champagne (Ronnie) of St. Martinville, Elaine Bernard (Garland) of Lafayette, Dr. Shirley Theriot, of Arlington, TX, and Patricia Guidry (Larry) of St. Martinville; one sister, Maria Granger, of St. Martinville; 10 grandchildren, Shelly Poche, Wayne Champagne, Paul Champagne, Amie Bulliard, Bart Bernard, Kim Bozeman, David Bernard, Robert Fogleman, Dr. Erin Fogleman, and Kacey Derouen; and 22 great grandchildren, Ethan, McKenzie, and Brielle Poche, Madeline Champagne, Kayli Huval, Hunter Champagne, Matthew Bulliard, Barton, Roman, and Alexandra Bernard, Will Nash, David, Kate and Mary Beth Bernard, Anabelle and Olivia Bozeman, Rose Fogleman, and Caden, Hazelyn, Everly, McKenzie and Karter Derouen; and one great-great granddaughter, Emmerson Huval. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willis Theriot; her parents, Cyrus and Irma Gautreaux Bernis; two infant daughters, Lilly Mae Theriot and Baby Theriot; and two sisters, Luda B. Theriot and Agnes B. Oviedo; and one great granddaughter, Ainsley Bulliard. Pallbearers will be Wayne Champagne, Bart Bernard, Paul Champagne, Robert Fogleman, David Bernard, and Chet Poche. Honorary pallbearers will be her sons-in-law, Ronnie Champagne, Garland Bernard, and Larry Guidry. Pellerin Funeral Home, 112 New Market St., St. Martinville, LA 70582, is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com