Modella "Nanny" Gerard

St. Martinville - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Notre Dame Catholic Church honoring the life of Modella "Nanny" Gerard, 100 years old, who passed away on April 7, 2026, at her residence in New Orleans. 

A visitation will take place at Pellerin Funeral Home in St. Martinville, LA on Friday, April 17, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and will continue on the Saturday from 7:00 AM to 10:20 AM. 

A Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 PM on the Friday. 

Fr. Bartholomew Chukwuma will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Readers will be Nia Mendy (granddaughter), Mikyala Clayton (granddaughter), Tamika Tripeaux (granddaughter). Gift bearers will be Sinia Smith (great granddaughter) and Kendyl Clayton (great granddaughter). 

Burial will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery in St. Martinville. 

Modella was born on January 13, 1926, in St. Martinville, LA, the youngest of eight children. She attended school in both Lake Charles, LA and Houston, TX before returning home to St. Martinville. She then moved to New Orleans, where she lived until her death. Affectionately known as "Nanny", she loved spending time with family, especially cooking meals and spending time with loved ones. She was an active member of St. Monica Catholic Church and Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in New Orleans. She served as a member of the Ladies Sodality, along with her sister, Modeste. She was an avid walker and loved spending time sitting outside under the sun and reading. 

She is survived by her children, Rodney Gerard, Duplantis Gerard (Nedra), Romel Clayton (Stanley), and Cheryl Mendy (Edward); grandchildren, Tamika Tripeaux, Jovan Clayton, Mikyala Clayton, Christopher Gerard, Reginald Gerard, Nia Mendy, and Gabrielle Mendy; and great-grandchildren, Kaine Clayton, Sinia Smith, and Kendyl Clayton. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Duplain and Cecile Francois Gerard; and her siblings, Juanita Mallery, Edna Anthony, Rose Pierre, Moderon Gerard, Cecile Wiltz, Lucille Pierre, and Modeste Albert. 

Pallbearers will be Duplantis Gerard (son), Christopher Gerard (grandson), Reginald Gerard (grandson), Jovan Clayton (grandson), Neil Albert (nephew) and Edward Mendy (son-in-law). 

Honorary Pallbearers will be Cecil Wiltz (nephew - Cecile's son), Norman Mallery (nephew - Juanita's son), Fabian Pierre (nephew - Lucille's son), Duplantis Pierre (nephew - Rose's son) , Nelson Albert (nephew - Modeste's son), Kaine Clayton (Modella's great-grandson). 

Pellerin Funeral Home (337-332-2111) of St. Martinville is in charge of arrangements.