Elmary B. Lee

Elmary Lee, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, was born on June 7, 1935, and entered into eternal rest peacefully on December 31, 2025, at the age of 90.

Elmary was the cherished daughter of Johnson Berzat and Ruby Augustine Francis. A proud graduate of Mansura High School, she carried her love for learning, people, and life with her always. Shortly after graduation, she married the love of her life, Ervin Lee, and together they built a beautiful home and family in DeRidder, Louisiana. Their marriage was blessed with six children: Clyde, Paul, Christopher, Vanessa, Cedrick, and John, who remained the center of her heart for her entire life.

A woman of deep and unwavering faith, Elmary was an active and devoted member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in DeRidder, where she served faithfully as a Eucharistic Minister, participated in the Come Lord Jesus ministry, and was a proud life member of the St. Joseph Kaycee Auxillary. Her faith guided her every step and was evident in the kindness, patience, and compassion she showed to everyone she met.

Elmary was known for her outgoing personality, joyful spirit, and contagious laughter. She had a special way of making people feel at home wherever she went. Even after the loss of her beloved husband Ervin, ten years ago, Elmary continued to live life fully and independently — a beautiful example of strength, resilience, and grace.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: playing Bingo, taking trips to the casino, cooking for those she loved, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and gathering her family together whenever she could. Elmary loved sports, especially baseball and football, and never missed a chance to support her favorite team, the New Orleans Saints. Sundays were often filled with laughter, friendly competition, and the sounds of the game playing in the background of her home.

Her kitchen was the heart of her home — a place of delicious meals, warm conversation, and unforgettable memories. She was well known for her cooking, having worked for a local catering company and the DeRidder Country Club, and later serving others as a personal care assistant, roles that perfectly reflected her servant’s heart.

Above all else, Elmary treasured time with her family. She loved watching her children grow, her grandchildren thrive, and her great-grandchildren laugh and play. Her warmth, encouragement, and gentle guidance shaped generations, and her love will forever live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Left to cherish her precious memories are her children Clyde, Cedrick, and John Lee; grandchildren Nicole Plenty, Stacy Kador, John Lee II, Jason Lee, Jordan Lee, Jailan Autry, and Christopher W. Lee; great-grandchildren Christopher J. Lee, Taijah Noel, Haleigh Kador, Marcus Kador Jr., Noelle Lee, John Lee III, Harrison Plenty, Layanna Lee, and Lyla Lee; her beloved brothers Gerald Berzat, Donald Berzat, and Russell Berzat; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Johnson Berzat and Ruby Augustine Francis; her devoted husband Ervin Lee; her children Paul, Christopher, and Vanessa Lee; her grandson Paul Lee Jr.; and her brothers Lyman Prier, Marshall Prier, and Vincent Prier.

Funeral services will begin at 3:00pm on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Mansura, LA with Fr. Brian Seiler officiating. Burial will follow at St. Paul the Apostle Cemetery in Mansura.

Visitation will begin at 1:00pm until 2:45pm on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Escude Funeral Home in Mansura.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Escude Funeral Home (318-964-2324) 6608 Porterie St. Mansura, LA 71350.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers: Christopher J. Lee, John Lee II, Jason Lee, Jordan Lee, Jailan Autry, John Lee. Honorary pallbearers: Clyde Lee, Cedrick Lee, Christopher W. Lee.

Special thanks to Cindy Garrick, whose loving care, home-cooked meals, and transportation to doctor’s appointments during Elmary’s later years were a true blessing to both Elmary and her family.