Verna Belsom Williams, age 82, of Lafayette, Louisiana passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. A proud graduate of Ursuline Academy, Interior Designer by trade, and avid bridge player, Verna will be truly missed by many.

Verna is survived by her spouse of four years, David Peter Ghere; sons Patrick, Scott, and Nicholas Williams; grandchild Del Cope; and great-grandchildren Ainsley and Avery Cope. She was predeceased by her spouse of 52 years, Raymond H. Williams; parents Joseph Walter and Elina Waguispack Williams; and daughter Ravern M. Williams.

A visitation for Verna will be held Sunday, May 28, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124. A funeral service will occur Sunday, May 28, 2023 at 12:00 PM, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, Louisiana 70124. An interment will occur Sunday, May 28, 2023 at Lake Lawn Park, 5454 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana 70124.

Donations can be made in her name to: Lauren Phipps, Ochsner Dept of Philantropy, 1514 Jefferson Highway, BH607, New Orleans, LA  70121  504-842-6585,   laurenphipps@oschner,org 

Zerelene E. Jones, better known as Zerky, age 90, of North Wales, PA passed away on May 9^th, 2023.  Zerky is survived by her husband of 66 years, Isaac Jones Jr., her son Isaac Jones III, and her two daughters, Yvonne Jones and Yvette Jones.  Zerky grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana, where she graduated from Paul Breaux High School and received her college degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She served two and a half years in the Air Force, where she met her husband, Isaac. They started their family while living in Kansas City, Missouri but moved numerous times, living in upstate New York, Colorado, and New Jersey then retiring to Louisiana until a couple of years ago, when declining health forced a move to Pennsylvania to live with her daughter, Yvonne.   She easily made great friends wherever she lived. She thoroughly enjoyed being a physical education teacher and tennis coach during the early years. Her favorite past-time was playing bridge, traveling the country to attend tournaments and becoming a Life Master, as well as a beloved teacher of the game for many.  

Jana was born in Fargo, ND on February 17, 1947, to Shirley and Juel Marifjeren. Jana lived in and went to school in various places during her early years and ultimately, graduated from Stanley High School in Fargo, ND. She met and married her husband, the love of her life, Philip J. Ahneman and after Phil’s military service, the family moved to Lafayette, Louisiana in 1981. She managed Lafleur’s Florist for several years until she purchased her own shop, Flowerland, which was voted best by The Times of Acadiana several years in a row. She eventually sold Flowerland and retired.

She will always be remembered for her giving heart, unconditional love, contagious laughter, her famous cookies, and being a Ruby Life Master bridge player.

She is survived by her daughter, Carrie Lynne Ahneman of Carencro, LA; her son, Christopher Robert Ahneman of Lafayette, LA; her grandson, Cole Hunter Ahneman who was the joy of her life; her sisters, Judy (Bill) Raymer of Denver, CO, and Joni (Roar) Rommesmo of Fargo, ND; one sister-in-law, Kathy (Juel)Marifjeren of Hudson, IL; along with many special nieces, nephews and treasured friends.

Jana is preceded in death by her husband, Phil; her parents, Juel and Shirley Marifjeren; and her brother, Juel Marifjeren.

Fifi was born in New Orleans’ Hotel Dieu on September 15, 1931. At the time, her New Orleans-born father taught English at Jesuit High. His departure to work in United Nation refugee camps in Italy and North Africa brought the family to her mother’s hometown of New Iberia, where in 1944 she began New Iberia High School, remembering it as “four fabulous, fun years.” Next, she attended SLI (University of Louisiana,) however at World War II’s conclusion her parents relocated to Tokyo. At 17 years old in 1948 she traveled from Louisiana to join them, and attended the University of Tokyo, until the Korean conflict redirected American families out of Occupied Japan, and she returned to SLI. Her father’s academic career then moved the family to Champagne, Illinois. In 1952 she completed a degree in Home Economics with a minor in Chemistry at the University of Illinois. She worked briefly as a Home Economist in Joliet, Illinois. After marrying Louis E. Billeaud in 1953, she continued to work in Louisiana, until they began a family in 1955.

She was a dedicated teacher. In 1969 Fifi returned to the University of Southwestern Louisiana for an Education Degree. She taught high school English/Language Arts in Lafayette for approximately 15 years. Soon after retiring, she opened her floral business as a licensed florist. And also was a Master Gardener and an avid Duplicate Bridge player. But it was her education-based charitable and philanthropic pursuits Fifi found most satisfying. She enjoyed her time with Friends of the Humanities, a dynamic organization that promotes the Humanities by providing support to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s College of Liberal Arts. This formidable group of fundraisers managed to create an Endowed Professorship. Fifi served as a President 2006 - 2007. She was also a member of Les Vingt Quatre, fund-raising arm of the Lafayette Museum. She belonged, as well, to the charitable Les Deux Douzaines. She also volunteered with Hospice of Acadiana. In between non-profit work she traveled. Her adventurous spirit inspired excursions throughout Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Aegean. Inspired by memories of a large house in which she had lived in “beautiful, mystical Kyoto,” she returned to Japan when she was 84 years old. But most of all Fifi enjoyed herself while with family.

Fifi is survived by her 7 children and their spouses: Virginia Billeaud Anderson and her husband, Don Franks, Yvonne Billeaud Mitchell and her husband Mark Mitchell, Louis E. Billeaud, Jr. and his wife Carolyn Schexnayder Billeaud, David M. Billeaud and his wife Paige Taylor Billeaud, William J. Billeaud and his wife Michele Webb Billeaud, Richard R. Billeaud and his wife Dara Doty Billeaud, and Marie Billeaud Dugas and her husband, Mark Dugas; 14 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Louis E. Billeaud, Sr., her mother, Adeline Conrad Artigues, her father, Roland J. Artigues, Sr. and her brother, Roland J. Artigues, Jr.
 

Born in Pittsburg, Kansas, Fran grew up in Breaux Bridge. She attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau and graduated from Breaux Bridge High School. She received her RN nursing degree from USL and spent 46 years as a nurse at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. The Serenity Prayer guided Fran's daily life.

Fran was a loving daughter, sister, mother, wife, and friend who lived a full and active life. She loved to dance and play tennis. Once retired, Fran enjoyed gardening, bridge, and volunteer work. She was an Associate member of Les Vingt Quatre and enjoyed her time at Lafayette Museum events. She was a volunteer at Hospice of Acadiana and Meals on Wheels. Most important to Fran was her service to the Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association Ladies Committee. Fran cherished the dear friends she made through her participation in the museum, the Ladies Committee, and her bridge club.

Fran is survived by her son, James Kainer, and by three grandchildren: Maddi Kainer, Ginni Kainer, and Jack Kainer, and their mother, Betsy Kainer. Fran is also survived by her siblings; Dr. Marelle Yongue Scholermann (Gary), Paul Yongue (Penny), Susan Yongue (Mike), and Ricky Yongue; her sisters-in-law, Pie Yongue and Hazelann Yongue; and her nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Also surviving Fran are her "adopted" family of Bari, Travis, Jimmy, and Eric Seaman.

Fran was preceded in death by three sons: John Kainer, Michael Kainer, and Paul Kainer, as well as her husband William Kellner. Also preceding her in death were her parents, Dr. Ernest M. and Mrs. Virginia O. Yongue; her brothers: Johnny Yongue, Danny Yongue, Tommy Yongue, and Jimmy Yongue; and her sister, Anne Yongue.