Yvonne Batiste Mercier

Breaux Bridge - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 20, 2024, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for Yvonne Batiste Mercier, 78, who passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

A visitation will take place at the funeral home in Breaux Bridge on Saturday, April 20th from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

A rosary will be prayed at 8:30 AM on Saturday. 

Rev. George Bede Ajuruchi, SSJ will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Readers will be Melissa Lewis and Dr. Shirley Thibodeaux. Gift bearers will be Brooke Charles and George Diggs, III.

Burial will follow at St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery. 

Yvonne, born on June 21, 1945, was a woman of deep integrity and dedication. She was a proud graduate of Carver High School, Class of 1964, and went on to earn her bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1976. Her thirst for knowledge and commitment to education led her to achieve a master's degree in 1986 from Southern University, surpassing expectations by earning an additional master's degree plus 30 graduate hours. Her career as an educator with the St. Martin Parish School Board, especially at Cecilia Primary, showcased her passion for nurturing young minds, leaving an everlasting mark on countless students.

In retirement, Yvonne's dedication to her community shone through her involvement with the Ladies Auxiliary. She found great joy in activities such as playing Bingo, visiting the casino, sewing, traveling to new destinations, and dancing to Zydeco music. Yvonne's love for children was evident in the love and care she showered upon them at school and within her family. She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her siblings, Vivian Lindsey (Roger Golbert), Walter Batiste, Sr. (Mary); brother-in-law, Dr. George Diggs, Jr.; Godchildren, Ashley Perrodin, Alton Batiste, Neal Batiste, James Mercier, Deena Simon, and Bradford Landry; and a host of nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Bibiana Batiste; husband, Raymond Mercier; and her siblings, Eva Diggs, Alton Batiste, Sr., and Ernest Batiste, Sr. 

Pallbearers will be David Batiste, Karrell Charles, Lovic Dobbins, III, Shannon Batiste, Neil Batiste, and Everett Batiste.

Honorary pallbearers will be Nathan Batiste, Mike Batiste, Alton Batiste, Jr., Ernest Batiste, Jr., Walter Batiste, Sr., and Travis Dobbins.

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