Theresa Eloise Johnson

Theresa Eloise Augustine Johnson, age 97, passed peacefully on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at her home in Mansura, Louisiana. A woman of remarkable faith, resilience, and unconditional love, Theresa was the matriarch of her family and a cherished pillar of her community.

Born the youngest child in her family, Theresa endured profound loss at an early age with the passing of both parents. Raised by her older brothers and sisters, she learned early the values of perseverance, humility, and service. Though she was only able to complete sixth grade while working the fields as a sharecropper, her wisdom, compassion, and spiritual insight far exceeded that of any formal education. Those who knew her would never have guessed she had not earned a college degree, as she carried herself with unmatched grace, intelligence, and depth of understanding.

In 1972, Theresa began her career with the Avoyelles Parish School Board, where she faithfully served as a cafeteria worker at Mansura High School for 20 years. Her warm smile, nurturing spirit, and homemade touch made her a beloved presence to generations of students and staff. She retired in 1992, leaving behind a legacy of service and love within the school community.

Theresa was a devout Catholic who prayed the rosary daily and spent much of her time immersed in Catholic programming. Theresa's faith wasn't just spoken, she lived it. Even after the passing of her beloved husband, Anthony Walker Johnson, she continued to live independently with strength and dignity, cooking for herself and anyone in the community who needed a warm meal or a kind gesture. Despite enduring arthritis, she lovingly prepared her favorite dishes and baked her famous dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, gingerbread, and sugar cookies, gifts of love that brought comfort to many.

She was united in Holy Matrimony to Anthony Walker Johnson on November 8, 1950, and together they built a family rooted in faith, hard work, and unwavering devotion.

Those left to cherish her precious memory include her son, Daiman Johnson (Vanessa) of Redondo Beach, California; four grandchildren, Tenae’ Johnson-Lucas (Philip), Malik Emanuel Johnson, Amir Xavier Johnson, and Bilal Ashad Frank-Johnson; and three great-grandchildren, Zaccheus Johnson, Ace Lucas, and Messiah Johnson. She is also survived by a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Walker Johnson; her parents, Modella Augustine, Sr., and Louise James Augustine; and her siblings, Louanna Benjamin, Clara Sampson, Joseph Lones Augustine Sr, Edna Murray, Raphael Augustine, Sr., Modella Augustine Jr., Ruby Francis, Herman Augustine, and Eunice Washington.

Funeral Mass for Theresa Eloise Augustine Johnson will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2025, at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Mansura, with Fr. Brian Seiler officiating. Burial will follow at St. Paul the Apostle Cemetery in Mansura.

Visitation will begin from 8:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2025, at Escude Funeral Home in Mansura.

Pallbearers honored to serve are: Daniel Murray, Kenneth Augustine, Derion Alexander, Dwayne Holmes, Keith McKinley, and Eric Sampson.

Honorary Pallbearers include:Daiman Johnson, Malik Johnson, Amir Johnson, Bilal Johnson, Zaccheus Johnson, Messiah Johnson, Ace Lucas, Bruce Jackson, Damon Rideau, Eric Fletcher, Chad Massey, Joseph Augustine III, James Augustine, John Augustine, Allen Augustine, Donald Augustine, Anthony Francisco, Charlie Barrow, and Joseph Dupas.