Kinder-Della Margaret Ashford passed away peacefully October 3, 2014 after suffering a stroke. Mrs. Ashford was born In Basile, Louisiana to Ophelia Vidrine and Ellie Fontenot on December 7, 1925.
After graduating as Valedictorian in 1942, she married and raised her children in Basile. Working in retail most of her life, she gained a wealth of friends, some lasting a lifetime. She also worked in the preschool classroom of the new W.W. Stewart Elementary School in Basile and was in charge of the Daycare Center for St. Augustine Catholic Church. She also volunteered her time as a Cub Scout leader.
Mrs. Ashford was a giving person who volunteered her time and energy to her church and community. After moving to Kinder in 1967, she became involved in the Altar Society at St Philip Neri Catholic Church where she volunteered on committees too numerous to mention, and held every office within the organization including two terms as President. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of America.
She worked as a volunteer with the Allen Parish Council on Aging, serving as President of the Board of Directors. She was an active member of the Red Hat Society, Kinder Chapter until her health prevented her from participating as much as she wanted to. She enjoyed traveling and thoroughly enjoyed the millennium cruise she took when she was well into her seventies.
Mrs. Ashford was an exceptional seamstress and cook. The family will always treasure the memories of her lovingly sewing school clothes and special occasion dresses for her daughter and her holiday dinners of pork roast, gumbo and pecan pie. She was a generous and loving mother and grandmother who was always there for her family.
She leaves to honor her memory one daughter, Alice Faye Drake and husband, Tommy of Orange, Texas; one son, Atkins Paul Sonnier and wife, Sylvia Faye (whom she loved as a daughter) of Kinder; Grandchildren Daniel L. Juneau of Westlake; James M. Juneau and wife, Lisa of Round Rock, Texas ; Stacy Moore and husband, Tom of Baton Rouge; seven great-grandchildren , Ryan Juneau, Madeline, Lux , and Della Juneau and Thomas, Sandlin , and Banks Moore; one brother, LJ Fontenot and wife, Jean of Eunice; one sister, Ludra Chapman of Basile.
She was preceded in death by Mayous Sonnier, father of her children; her second husband, Lettel Ashford ; and brothers Dillon and Hubert Fontenot.
The family will receive visitors at Ardoin Funeral Home of Kinder from 3-9 p.m. on Sunday, October 5, 2014. The Holy Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Visitation will continue on Monday morning from 8 a.m. until time of service.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 6, 2014, at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. Rev. Keith Pellerin will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Augustine Catholic Church Mausoleum of Basile under the direction of Ardoin Funeral Home of Kinder.