Elton-A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Barbara Ann Bertrand Deshotel, 87, at St. Paul Catholic Church on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 10 o'clock a.m.  Rev. Jose Vattakunnel will officiate.  Burial will follow at Liberty Cemetery under the direction of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.

The family will receive visitors at Ardoin Funeral Home of Elton on Monday evening, June 24, 2024, from 4-9 p.m.  A Vigil Service will be held at 6 p.m. followed by the praying of the Holy Rosary.  Visitation will resume at the funeral home on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024, from 8 a.m. until time of service.

Barbara Ann Bertrand Deshotel was born on August 3, 1936, to the union of Maxiel and Vida Bertrand.  She was a lifelong resident of Elton, Louisiana as well as a lifelong member of St. Paul Catholic Church where she served as a choir member for over 50 years.  The dedication and love for her Catholic faith never wavered.  Barbara was a caring mother of six children whom she loved unconditionally.  She was a 1954 graduate of Elton High School.  After completing high school, Barbara attended McNeese State University with a band scholarship where she was a member of the MSU Marching/Concert bands.  She graduated in 1958 with a degree in Business Education and English.  Barbara retired from teaching in 1997.  She loved her plants and working in her yard.  Barbara's family loved all her holiday treats, but especially her banana cakes that she would often make for their birthdays.  One of her favorite things to do was to make fig preserves from her own fig trees.  The joy and happiness she must have felt to be reunited with her son, sister, brother and loving parents is unimaginable.  She will be truly missed by all who loved her.

Those left to cherish Barbara's memory include her three sons, Matthew Jacobs and wife, Sheila, Tony Jacobs and spouse, Victor Bourque, and Phillip Jacobs; two daughters, Cynthia Wakeley and husband, Kent, and Stefanie Jacobs; 11 grandchildren-Angelle Daigle, Teressa Myers, Davin Jacobs, Emily (Kate) Johnson, Nicholas Wakeley, Andrew (Luke) Wakeley, Erin Fink, Patrick Jacobs, Madison McCrea, Tyler McCrea, and Dylan Goodley; 33 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents Maxiel and Vida Bertrand; her two spouses, Verlion Deshotel and Irving Jacobs; one son, Andrew Jacobs; one brother, John D. Bertrand; one sister, Peggy Smith; and one great grandchild, Isabella Jacobs.