Abbeville -A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Cleve Thibodeaux, the former Elizabeth Mary Bessie Guarino, 88, will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville. She died at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 15, at her home in Erath. Father Wayne Duet will be the celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Entombment will follow in Our Lady of Lourdes mausoleum in Erath. Visitation began at David Funeral Home in Abbeville on Monday, July 16, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. and will continue on Tuesday, July 17, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. A Rosary was prayed by the Catholic Daughters on Monday, July 16, at 7:00 p.m. Music ministers of the Mass will include choir members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and other area churches, accompanied by Tommy Guidry and directed by Natial dAugereau. Readings will be proclaimed by Susan Couvillon. Gift bearers will be Faye and Carlin Trahan, and Norma Dugas will serve as Extraordinary Minister of Communion. Bessie Thibodeaux was born in Abbeville, Louisiana, on March 27, 1919, to Salvatore Sam Guarino and Jenny LaBruzzo Guarino. She graduated from Abbeville High School and received a teaching certificate from Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana). She taught elementary school in Cow Island, Erath, Kaplan, and Leleux. She later taught elementary religion classes for 28 years at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Erath and did substitute teaching at the public schools in Erath. She had lived in Erath since 1947. Bessie was a charter member of the Catholic Daughters of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Erath. She had also been a charter member of the Demitasse Coffee Club in Erath. With her husband, she had been a member of Eraths Twelve and Go Club. Along with several others, she was instrumental in having a grotto constructed at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. She loved cooking, reading, and fishing. Survivors include her daughter, Clevie Elizabeth Thibodeaux of Erath; her son, Samuel Emile Thibodeaux, D.V.M. and his wife Sonia Cahanin Thibodeaux of Erath; a step-granddaughter, Kourtney Blythe Thibodeaux; a step great-granddaughter, Anna Leigh Klaire Thibodeaux; three sisters, Josephine Guarino, Rita Guarino, and Mary Ann Guarino, all of Abbeville; a brother, Anthony Tony Guarino of Abbeville; a brother-in-law, Eluse Dugas; seven nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Cleve Joseph Thibodeaux; an infant sister, Laura Guarino; her sisters-in-law Enid Guarino, Georgis Thibodeaux, Vida Madeline Thibodeaux, and Leurline Dugas; and a brother-in-law, Brady Thibodeaux. Pallbearers will be Dr. Mitchell Dugas, Jude Dugas, Nathan Thibodeaux, Edward J. Thibodeaux, Earl Thibodeaux, and Julian Hinckley. Honorary pallbearers will include Tony Guarino, Eluse Dugas, Rodney Dugas, and Emile Thibodeaux. The family is grateful to Lucille Stroder, Ozite Trahan, Tina Bouillion, and Sandy Irwin. These wonderful caregivers were loving, kind, and patient, and enriched Bessies life in a multitude of ways. David Funeral Home of Abbeville is in charge of arrangements.
