Erath - A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Iry J. Melancon, the former Doris Mae Flowers, 85, will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 11:00AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Erath with Rev. Msgr. J. Douglas Courville officiating. Burial will follow in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Erath. Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Erath on Monday, September 12th, beginning at 3:00PM and ending at 9:00PM. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, September 13th, beginning at 8:00AM until time of services. A Rosary will be recited by the Catholic Daughters at 5:00PM and also at 7:00PM on Monday, September 12th. Mrs. Doris passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family and dear friends. Mrs. Melancon will be remembered fondly by several generations of Henry and Erath students. Mrs. Melancon received her B.A. in elementary education from Southwestern Louisiana Institute now ULL, in 1945. She began her teaching career at Henry High School in 5th grade in 1945. Mrs. Doris left Henry in 1946 on maternity leave and returned to teaching in 1947 after giving birth to their first daughter. Mrs. Doris was at Erath High School from 1947 until 1955 where she taught both 6th and 1st grade. In 1955 Mrs. Doris took her 2nd maternity leave giving birth to their 2nd daughter. She returned again to Erath in 1956 and continued teaching 1st grade until 1959 when she took her 3rd and final maternity leave giving birth to their 3rd daughter. In 1960 Mrs. Doris returned to Erath where she taught until her retirement in June of 1973, during these final years of her teaching career Mrs. Melancon taught 1st and 2nd grade, and also reading. In 1973 after retiring from teaching she began her most anticipated role as Maw-Maw . She shared this role with her best friend and beloved husband, Mr. Iry J. Melancon. As the list of grandchildren grew the Melancon home buzzed with excitement. The family speaks fondly of Saturdays where the kitchen became Mels diner and everyone was served Maw-Maw and Paw-Paws home-made hamburgers. Mels was open for business every Saturday and the family gathered to share stories and enjoy each others company. Mrs. Doris was a remarkable daughter, sister, wife, aunt, teacher, mother, grandmother, and friend. In each role she shared her unconditional love and wisdom with those closest to her. Mama you will be deeply missed, but we know that you would pray with us that we might find the Serenity to accept the things we cannot change, Courage to change the things we can, and the Wisdom to know the difference. We also know that the ship sails in both directions and although we are seeing the ship getting smaller now; the shores of heaven are lined tonight with our special angels waving and cheering as the ship comes into view. Mrs. Doris is survived by her three daughters and their husbands: Marilyn and her husband Paul MC Trahan of Erath, Mary Pat and her husband Oray Huval of Henry, and Celina and her husband Guy Bergeron of Erath. Nine Grandchildren: Paul Trahan of Erath, Mary Elise Trahan and her companion and endearing friend of the family Jenny Ham of Erath, John Trahan and his wife Melissa of Youngsville, Katie, Chelsey, and Jason Huval of Henry, Amy Stakes and her Husband Alan of Abbeville, Kelli Hollier and her husband John Derek of Erath, Guy Toogie Bergeron of Abbeville and his fianc Shalee, and Ahna Bergeron and special friend Josh Suire of Erath. Nine Great Grandchildren: Blake Arceneaux, Trevor Trahan, Garrett Trahan, Karoline Hollier, Isabella Hollier, Gabriella Hollier, Olivia Stakes, John Paul Trahan, and Anthony Trahan. Brothers-in-law: Hubert and Ivy Melancon, Sisters-in-law: Lorraine Melancon Trepagnier and her husband Etienne Butsie Trepagnier, Dorothy Melancon Jennings, and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her Parents: Emory Doyle Flowers and the former Celine Dupre, Her beloved husband of 47 years Iry J. Melancon, Sister: Ethel F. Kendrick, Brother-in-law: Travis A. Kendrick, Aunts: Beatrice, and Lucy Dupre, Cousins: Wallace and Cecile Sis Dupre, Half- brothers: Francis and JD Flowers and Brother-in-law: Jessie Jennings. Serving as Pallbearers will be: Guy Bergeron, Guy Bergeron II, Paul F. Trahan, John Trahan, John Derek Hollier, Alan Stakes, Oray Huval Jr., and Sterling Broussard. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be: Paul MC Trahan, Etienne Trepagnier, Ivy Melancon, and Hubert Melancon. The family sends special thanks to: Abbeville General Hospital, Dr. Ronald Lahasky, Mrs. Doriss Special sitters, Dear friend and care giver Cottye Peters and Hospice of Acadiana. David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam St., (337) 937-0405, will be handling the arrangements.
