Agnes Miller Lyons Sonnier

It is with sorrow for the loss of their Matriarch and with joy for Christ's gift of eternal life ever after that the family announces the passing of Agnes Miller Lyons Sonnier. Jesus earnestly and tenderly called her home to rest in the arms of God on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 7:10 pm at Lafayette General Medical Center. Her life will be celebrated by her family and friends at 10:00 am on Monday, August 6, 2012 in the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers. Interment will take place at Lafayette Memorial Park. Agnes was born in Woodlawn, LA to Blanche Fruge Miller and Offord Miller on January 15, 1917. She was the eldest of twelve siblings, two of whom survive her, sister, Betty Miller Lee of Lawtell, LA, and brother, Ralph D. Miller of Sulphur, LA. Agnes (known to those who loved her a NaNa) was loved by many throughout her life and she is preceded in death by two husbands: Dewey Lyons and Issac Sonnier, as well as her parents and nine siblings. She is survived by two daughters, Barbara Lyons Benitez of Lafayette, LA, and Lois Lyons Baker of Lafayette, LA; two step sons, Ronald J. Sonnier of Baton Rouge, LA and Rudolph Sonnier; four granddaughters, Yvonne Benitez Bell, Jeanne Benitez Manuel, Beulah Fornea Dwyer, and Rachael Fornea; five great grandchildren Miley Ann Blackard, Elliot A. Bell, Clayton Guy Rayon, Deryl Elizabeth Blackard, and Mason Dallas Ryals; one great great grandchild, Steven Hayes Blackard; one sister, Betty Miller Lee; one brother, Ralph Dewey Miller; and a special niece, Delores Miller Soileau. Na-Na moved to Lafayette with her family in 1950. For many years she worked as a waitress at the Evangeline Hotel - a single mother during a very difficult time. In 1968 she married Isaac Sonnier, the love of her life. Her life then was devoted to her marriage, her home, and her adoring grandchildren. Following Isaac's death in 1985 she continued to fill her life with good things. She loved her Sunday School group at Northside Baptist Church. She loved flowers. Plants of many kinds flourished under her care. She loved family and pursued time with her children, their children, and her siblings and extended family as long as she could get into a car and get up the road a bit. She loved babies, and they responded to her with gusto! She was a Christian. However much this Life meant to her - and it meant a lot - she knew that death is not the end. She was tender hearted, resilient, had strength of character to make good decisions. She was full of wise sayings and good advice. With all that was in her she loved to dance. She loved to prepare and enjoy good food. In her latest years she could be found with her daughters on Wednesday evenings at the first high-top table in the bar at Don's Seafood Hut where she held a place not unlike a queen, enjoying the attention, the food, the atmosphere, and the repartee. Her daughters are particularly grateful to the Don's Hut family for their sweet attention to Na-Na. She was 95 and 1/2 at the time of her passing. She enjoyed her life -always coming through any sorrows to new and full joy on the other side. She was well-loved She will be well missed. We - her children, grand children, great grand children, and great-great grandchild know that she was a special and dear gift to us, and we are grateful to have had her. We watch to see how the world will change without the presence of this grand old lady. The family would also like to acknowledge and thank her special caretakers, Eva Rose Shelvin and Nita Thibeaux. She is also survived by the many members of her eleven siblings. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home of Lafayette on Sunday from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm and on Monday from 8:00 am until the time of service. Personal condolences may be sent to the Sonnier family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Agnes Miller Lyons Sonnier

January 15, 1917 - August 1, 2012