Thelma Johnson Derouselle

Breaux Bridge - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, September 20, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for Thelma Johnson Derouselle, 86, who passed away peacefully on September 12, 2024 at her residence in Breaux Bridge.

A visitation will take place at the funeral home in Breaux Bridge on Friday from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

A rosary will be prayed at 9:00 AM on Friday.

Rev. George will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Reader will be Keila Landry. 

Burial will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery No. 2.

Thelma Williams was born in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana on October 25, 1937, to Louisiana and Joseph Williams. She never liked diving too deeply into her childhood, she just stated that she had to work the fields and do housekeeping for other people, instead of going to school. She spoke often about getting paid a dime for a full days' work, and how she and her sisters and brothers had to take their dimes home to her parents so they could buy groceries. Everyone had to chip in.

She worked at Gary Memorial Hospital (St. Martin Hospital/Ochsner) for fourteen years as a Surgery Tech. Even as a child, Thelma's love of music and dancing was evident, which is why, in her adult life, she ran and owned several nightclubs. She loved Zydeco music, rhythm and blues, and even rap music. She was an avid trail rider and loved her denims and snakeskin boots.

What Thelma enjoyed most of all was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was a "tell it like it is lady," who held back no punches. With Thelma, you knew where you stood at all times. Family meant everything to her.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband of 53 years, Clopha Nell Derouselle, Jr. Her children: Children of her son Felton Johnson: Satonia (Marcus) Sam, Tyrus (Tameisha) Demouchet, Felton Johnson, Jr., Thelma (Guy) George; Chelsea Batiste, Devonte' George, Albert (Nancy) Johnson: Natasha and Omar Rico Johnson; Prenella (John) Weatherall: Lucretia Lewis (Debony), Carolina (Kramon) Comeaux, and John Weatherall, III; Freddie (Liz) Johnson: Shaunqueta Calais; Michael (Linda) Johnson: Delilah Martin, Michelle and Roberta Lewis; Tracey (Mike) Landry: Divini Dalcourt and Marcus and Keila Landry; and one sister, Marita Alexander  

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Felton Johnson, Sr.: her brothers Dalton and Alton Williams; one grandchild, Tony Felix; one sister, Mildred Noel; as well as nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Felton Johnson, Jr., Keelan Lando, Omar Rico Johnson, Malik Calais, Talon Alfred, Brandon Watson,, Isiah Lewis and D'Qualyn Augustine. 

Honorary pallbearers will be Albert Johnson, Freddie Johnson, Michael Johnson, Marcus Sam, Jr., John Weatherall, Jr., John Weatherall, III, Michael Landry, and Marcus Landry.

The family is leaning on this adage: The Lord never gives you more than you can handle...Our mother was love personified. She showed us the meaning of unconditional love. When someone in the family died or was sick, she was there to comfort them, not for one day, but for as long as they needed her. She believed family was everything.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to her niece, Stella Alexander, who came for over a year every Sunday to bathe her aunt. Her granddaughter, Michelle, who continued to look after MawMaw even when she was no longer the sitter. Her grandson, John, who was there on weekends and holidays to snap pictures and videos of MawMaw. Her sitter, Kisha Hamilton, who prayed with our mom and went above and beyond to deliver care. Hospice of Acadiana and her nurse, Allison for their care and consideration. Dr. Michael Alexander and his office, who made the transition to Hospice as easy as it could be. If your name was not mentioned, just understand that you are in our hearts.

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