Carmelite Louise "Lita" Brown Chappuis

Carmelite Louise "Lita" Brown Chappuis Rayne, LA - A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne, Louisiana to celebrate the life of Carmelite Louise “Lita” Brown Chappuis, who died peacefully at her residence in Lafayette on Sunday, March 29, 2026. Interment will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery # 2 in the Mausoleum. Lita was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 7, 1930 to Charles Adrien Brown and Carmelite Boesch Brown. Lita married her husband of 63 years Charles William “Moon” Chappuis, Sr. on January 20, 1951. Moon and Lita made their home in Rayne for many years where they raised six children. She was a resident of Lafayette for the last 10 years. Lita was preceded in death by her husband Moon, her parents, an infant son, Joseph Chappuis, and her brother, Charles “Fritz” Brown. She is survived by her children Charles W. Chappuis, Jr (Karen), Anne Leonards (Leo), Joan Jurisich, Lynn Rogers (Michael), Mary Gayle O’Connell (Patrick), Tracy Moody (Kevin) and daughter-in-law Cynthia Glass. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, Courtney Chappuis Farmer, Catherine Chappuis Darigo, Adam Leonards, Benjamin Leonards, Erin Jurisich Holland, Joel Jurisich, Natalie Jurisich Gilmore, Adrian O'Connell Nohr, Katherine O'Connell Parin, Lindsey Rogers Bush, Tyler Rogers, John Thomson and Michael Thomson and numerous great grandchildren. Lita was a devout Catholic and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She had a special devotion to St. Thérèse of the Little Flower whose message of doing simple acts with great love was reflected in the way Lita lived her own life. Moon affectionately gave her the nickname “Biggie.” In time, her children and grandchildren shortened it simply to “Big,” a name that perfectly captured the size of her heart. Lita’s home was a place of hospitality. Whether planned or unannounced, visitors were always welcomed. Lita was an outstanding cook whose recipes for dishes such as seafood gumbo, crawfish bisque, hot pepper jelly, rice o’brien, and cheese straws became family traditions and are generational. Her cornbread dressing recipe, often affectionately referred to as “Biggie’s cornbread dressing” now appears on the tables of her children and grandchildren at holiday dinners and undoubtedly will for years to come. At her home in Rayne, she loved to work in the garden and had a green thumb for growing beautiful plants and flowers that surrounded the outside pool patio. She also had a special talent for refinishing and restoring old pieces of furniture into treasures, some of which are still used in the homes of her children and grandchildren. Before moving to Lafayette, Lita was an avid bridge player and rarely missed her weekly bridge game. Those gatherings brought her joy, laughter, and life-long friendships. Lita enjoyed a long and blessed life, full of the family and friends she loved so dearly. She had many interests and hobbies, including sewing, swimming, and gardening. Lita also enjoyed having coffee with friends, being with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and making a regular Wednesday shopping trip to Lafayette. She also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and overseas with Moon, taking family beach vacations, and listening to opera. The family would like to thank Hospice of Acadiana and the staff of Agnes’ Loving Care, especially Kathy, Lena, Rose, Tracy, and Loraine for their excellent care and compassion. Pallbearers will be her six grandsons. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Carmelite nuns at the Carmelite Monastery, 1250 Carmel Drive, Lafayette Louisiana, 70501-5299. Visitation hours will be held at Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, LA, on April 9, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., with the recitation of the Rosary at 11:00 a.m. led by the Catholic Daughters of America. 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. Gossen Funeral Home, Inc.

Carmelite Louise "Lita" Brown Chappuis

August 7, 1930 - March 29, 2026