Katherine Elliott

New Iberia - Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM , Monday, June 13, 2011 , at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia, for Katherine Virginia Fort Elliott, a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, who passed away at home on Thursday, June 9, 2011 . She was 88 years old. She will be laid to rest at Forest Park Cemetery in Shreveport at a later date. Born Katherine Virginia Fort on November 24, 1922 , she was the daughter of Jessie Beopple Fort and prominent Minden city leader, Connell Fort, who served as mayor from 1922 to 1926, and again from 1932 to 1934. During World War II, Virginia moved to Shreveport , where she met Weldon Dow Elliott; they married on December 5, 1944 . While raising their two daughters, she also worked as a legal secretary for Shreveport city judge Hon. Ruvian Hendrick, and later was manager of his law firm, Hendrick, Fant & Bain, until her retirement in 1976. A strong woman, Virginiaaffectionately known by all as 'Mammy'was the true matriarch and pillar of her family. She was all too often sought for her sage advice, comforting assurances and warm embracesnot to mention her mean chicken saladand was always happy to oblige. Having moved from Shreveport to New Iberia in 1992 to be closer to her eldest daughter and grandchildren, Virginia enjoyed weekly pokeno games with 'her ladies', spending time with family and watching her great grandchildren grow, and playing with her rambunctious and spoiled puppy, Charlie. Survivors include her daughters, Kathy Elliott Scott and husband Ray of New Iberia, Suzanne Elliott Bigas and husband Bill of Lake Oswego, Oregon; her six grandchildren, Michelle Scott Breaux and husband Troy, Allison Wilson and husband Greg, Lori Scott, Amy Bentley-Smith and husband Sean, Duane Scott and wife Jodie, and Barry Scott; and six great-grandchildren, Chance Breaux, Elijah Scott-French, Jake Wilson, Miles Scott, Shelby Scott, and Isabel Page. Virginia was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 42 years, as well as her parents, five half-brothers, Miles, Thomas, John, Charlton, and Owen Fort, one half sister, Mary Lewis Barnes, and two brothers, Ben and George Fort. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200 , Lafayette , LA 70503 , or to the First United Methodist Church of New Iberia, 119 Jefferson , New Iberia , LA 70560 in Virginia s name. A gathering of family and friends will be Monday from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd , in New Iberia . A rosary will be prayed at 11:00 AM Monday. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.