Viola Domingue Stevens

Jeanerette– A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Viola Domingue Stevens will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with Father Francis Damoah officiating. Readers for the Mass will be Mary Ann Romero, Mary Lynn Romero and Kenneth Stevens. Gift bearers for the mass will be Brielle Romero and Alyssa Romero. Burial will follow at the Beau Pre Mausoleum in Jeanerette.

Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Jeanerette on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 5:00PM until 10:00PM and resume on Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 8:00AM until the time of the service. A rosary will be prayed in the funeral home on Wednesday evening at 6:30PM by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Mystical Rose Chapter #1353 and the Knights of Columbus.

Viola was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, matriarch, sister, aunt, friend and long-time resident of Jeanerette, who left this world peacefully at her home on April 19th at age 89. Viola will be greatly missed by her many friends, neighbors, family and community, who remember her exceptionally generous, caring and determined nature; her wit, wisdom and boundless sense of humor; and her love and respect for everyone she met.

Born with her twin sister Valerie on a houseboat in the Atchafalaya, Viola spoke only French until starting elementary school at the age of 10. She lived in many places in the region, including Franklin, where at the age of 17 she met Leonard Stevens, her husband of 67 years. They moved to Jeanerette in 1954.

Always remembering she started out having nothing but guts, generosity and great faith, Viola showed a lifelong concern for lifting others up and encouraging them to also trust in God. She always helped others in need and over the years took many family members into her home.

She enjoyed cooking for and hosting large events for city employees, church groups, local candidates for office, friends and family, and was featured in the Food section of the Daily Iberian several times. A member of the Catholic Daughters for over 55 years, she also loved dancing; entertaining; French language, culture and music; being with her family and friends; traveling; going to the casino; fishing and boating; and building and staying at the family camp at Lake Fausse Point.

She was happy to have met seven generations in her family and is survived by her sons, Leonard G. Stevens, Jr. and wife Kay of Florence, AL and Kenneth Joseph Stevens and his wife Daphne of Lafayette; her twin daughters, Mary Ann Romero and her husband Raymond “Ray” of Youngsville and Mary Lynn Romero and her husband Daniel of New Iberia; special nephew and niece Craig and Leslie Stevens, her sisters, Patricia Boutte of New Iberia and Retta Blanton of Bossier City; her brother, Simon “Mack” Domingue of New Iberia; her grandchildren, Raymond Romero, III and his wife Mandy, Ryan Romero and his wife Sarah, Jeannelle Denae Wolf and her husband Blake, Shannon Albert and companion Martha, Clay D. Romero and his wife Mary, Jill Marie McKinney and her husband Richie, Scott Stevens and John Stevens; her step-grandchildren, Damon Smith and his wife Tiffany and Lora Morrow and her husband Billy; 11 great grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; and 4 step great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard G. Stevens Sr.; parents, John Baptiste Domingue and Lorena Adams Domingue; brothers, Theodore "Toot" Domingue, Lawrence “Bozo” Domingue, Clarence "Pete" Domingue, Lawrence Domingue, Edward Domingue, Arthur Domingue, Robert Domingue; sisters, Helen Ledoux, Laura Leblanc, Loretta Wellman, Vallerie Domingue, Emily Hendrix, Martha Greene and Carol Verrett.

Special thanks to Viola’s family, friends, Father Francis Damoah (also her friend), caregivers and hospice team, who stayed and visited and worked together as a caring community to create the environment of love, respect and fun that allowed her to transition at home in peace as she wished. She loved each of them and they loved her.

Honored to serve as Pallbearers are Raymond Romero III, Ryan Romero, Clay Romero, John Stevens, Scott Stevens and Carter Romero. Honorary Pallbearers will be Craig Stevens, Bailey Albert, Tim McKinney, Dakota McKinney, Ethan Romero, Colt Romero.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mrs. Stevens’ honor to Our Lady of Rosary Catholic Church, 11200 Old Jeanerette Rd. Jeanerette, La. 70544.

Family and friends may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org

David Funeral Home of Jeanerette, 400 Provost St. 337-276-5151 is in charge of arrangements.