Montez Pilgrim Black Valls

New Iberia - Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 1, 2019, at Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in New Iberia for Montez Pilgrim Black Valls, 87, who passed away on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at her residence surrounded by her family. Interment will follow at Rosehill Cemetery in New Iberia. Rev. Matt Woollett will officiate. A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Pellerin Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Friday from 8:00 am until 10:30 am. Montez was born on June 15, 1931 in Pittsburg, Texas and was a 1948 graduate of Pittsburg High School. She married and moved to Louisiana where she expanded her family. Having many children, she developed a love for sewing. Whether it was baby clothes and blankets or sewing dresses for all her girls, she took pride in every stitch and passed on her love for sewing to several in the family. Montez also took deep pride in gardening. From vegetable gardens to flower gardens, if she planted it, it grew! Her green thumb and enthusiasm for nature led her to join the New Iberia Garden Club where she could foster her love for plants and learn new things. Her love for learning new things developed from being an avid reader and eventually to being a traveler of the world. It also led her to going back to school and obtaining a degree in nursing in 1977. She was employed as an LPN at Iberia Medical Center for 10 years and Heritage Manor North for 4 years. Having a large family was one of her greatest accomplishments. Celebrating holidays and birthdays were always special times for. However, her most cherished moments were the simple times of sitting outside on the weekend visiting with her children and watching the grandchildren run around and play. She LOVED being with her family!!!! Survivors include her children, Ira Black, Jr., Robin Evans, Karen Lassalle and spouse James, Lauren Ayers and spouse James, Melanie Lassalle and spouse Mark, and Amy Black; sister, Nelda Harrell; grandchildren, Mandy Wyche Viator, Angela Black Blanchard, Scott Joseph Black, Molly LeBlanc Blanchard, Jennifer Black Kuntz, Heather Evans Robinson, Todd Michael LeBlanc, Holly Evans Viator, Misty Lassalle-Bonin, Joey Ryan Black, James Henry Ayers, III, Christopher Adam Black, Hannah Lynn Lassalle, Miles Andrew Ayers, Mark Anthony Lassalle, II, Maggie James Lassalle, Marianne Lassalle Prados, Samuel Tyler Ayers, Elijah Black Ayers, Anna Nicole White, and Aaron Lance White; 27 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ira Black, Sr., father, William Ulysses Pilgrim, mother, Nora Dyer, son, Jimmy Phillip Black, second husband and "the love of her life," Raymond Valls. Pallbearers will be Mark Lassalle, Mark Lassalle, II, Gerald Viator, Ethan Viator, Mike Blanchard, and Scott Black. Honorary pallbearers will be sons-in-law and grandchildren. The family would like to extend deepest gratitude for the exceptional care provided by Janell Ray, Stephanie Myers, Brenda Comeaux, Crystal Poirrier, Kristi Theriot, Tina Derise, and a special thanks to Jennifer Snoddy with Hope Health and Hospice. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, (337-365-3331) is in charge of arrangements.