Louise Lula Roach Shelton

Louise Lula Roach Shelton Mire - Funeral services will be held at Assumption of the BVM Church in Mire, October 10, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. for Louise Lula Roach Shelton who died Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Acadia St. Landry Hospital in Church Point, LA. Interment will be in Assumption of the BVM Masoleum in Mire next to her husband John Shelton. She was born 23 May 1919 on the family farm where she and John lived for the past 30 plus years. She was the last surviving child of the late Marciel Roach and the late Marie Jean Arabie. Her family included two brothers, Calvin and Chester Roach, and seven sisters, Aminte Roach, Rosella Roach, Yolande Sonnier, Ethel Hutchinson, Wilma LeBlanc, Eloise Sonnier and Genevieve Hulin. Lula was a nurse at the old St. Mary's Hospital in Rayne before joining the WAAC (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps) in 1943. Her Basic training was at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. She was stationed at Richmond Army Air Base, VA; Mariana Army Air Base, FL; and Mitchel Field Army Base, Long Island, NY. During her in the service, she was part of the transition of women into the Women's Air Corps, and subsequently in the Women's Air Force, commonly known as Air WAC. Lula attained the rank of Sgt. as a teletype operator and Crypto clerk (later called Communication Center) in Signal Corps. It was at Mitchel Field, she met her boss and future husband, John Shelton. She married John in 1948 at Mitchel Field. While serving her county, she received the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and Women's Army Corps Medal. Lula loved her cajun roots and spoke French as often as she could. She loved to dance in local dance halls especially Cajun Twist and line dancing. Lula was one who always stepped in and helped out. After the devasting flood of 1940, she volunteered to help prepare food for people to eat and mattresses for them to sleep on. This helped establish the school lunch program in Mire. While living in Newburgh, NY between 1958-1978, she was a Red Cross Volunteer at Stewart AFB, NY Clinic and West Point Academy Hospital. She also served as a Den Mother for her son's pack and a Brownie Leader for her two daughters troops. Since moving back to Louisiana, she was active member of the Ladies Altar Society at Assumption of the BVM Catholic Church in Mire and American Legion Post 77 in Rayne, LA. Lula enjoyed spending time with her children, dear nieces and nephews, extended relatives, neighbors and friends. She was truly grateful for all the loving persons who helped since John died, especially all her nieces and nephews, dear friends and neighbors. If she were here, she would say Merci Beaucoup to all and Bon Soir from Tante Lula. To the nieces and nephews on the Shelton side, it would be Merci for being so nice and helpful and Beaucoup Amour from Aunt Lula. In addition, a big Merci Beaucoup to her wonderful doctor, Dr. Karen Smith, and her staff, the 2 West staff at Lafayette General Hospital, and Dr. Mike Williams and the wonderful staff at Acadia-St. Landry Hospital. She is survivied by her son, LtCol (ret) John R. Shelton, III and wife Marina of Poquoson, VA; daughter Loretta Shelton and partner Gregg Thomas of Sydney, Australia; and daughter, Col (ret) Lorraine Shelton-Gaines and husband CDR (ret) James Gaines of Helotes, TX; grandson John S. Shelton and wife Niki with great grandsons Shaiden, Sawyer, and Silas of Kill Devil Hills, NC; grandson Mark S. Shelton of Kill Devil Hills, NC; grandaughter Marybeth S. Shelton of Richmond, VA; and numerous loving nieces and nephews. Contributions can be made in rememberance of Louise Lula Roach Shelton to Assumption of the BVM Church Building Fund, 6080 Mire Hwy., Church Point, LA 70525 A rosary will be recited Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, LA. Relatives and friends will be received at Gossen Funeral Home, Inc., Rayne, LA. Tuesday, October 9, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday, October 10, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.. Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337)334-3141

Louise Lula Roach Shelton

May 23, 1919 - October 6, 2012