Elodie Soignier Hays

Funeral services celebrating the life of Mrs. Elodie Mary Soignier Hays, 103, of West Monroe, LA, will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, September 16, 2020, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe, LA, with Rev. Frank Coens and Deacon Kenneth Soignier officiating. Interment will follow in St. Paschal Catholic Cemetery.

Mrs. Hays died September 13, 2020, at Rosemont Assisted Living in West Monroe, LA.

Elodie was born in Arnaudville, LA and moved to West Monroe at an early age. She spent most of her life in West Monroe attending Crosley Elementary and St. Matthew Catholic High School. Elodie married Harry R. Hays in 1939 and started her family. She and her husband were charter members of St. Paschal Catholic Church. She was a retired associate with J.C. Penney, where she worked until 1983. In 1957, Elodie was named Mother of the Year, by the Monroe News star and in 1987, she was named Queen of the West Ouachita Senior Citizens Center. In 1999, she was awarded the Diocesan Medal of Honor by Bishop William Friend for her service to the St. Paschal’s and the faith she demonstrated for the Catholic religion.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry R. Hays, Sr.; her son, Harry Hays, Jr.; son-in-law, Hugh Britt; and 8 brothers and sisters.

Survivors: Daughters, Harriett Flanagan, Martha H. Guraedy and husband, Richard, Mary Britt, Dorothy Tannehill and husband, Benny, and Cynthia H. McGibboney and husband, John; Son, James R. Hays and wife, Cindy; Sister, Mrs. Etta Mouille; 15 Grandchildren, 25 Great Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Roger Flanagan, Brandon Hays, Luke Hays, Josh Hays, Ben Tannehill, and David Soignier. Honorary pallbearers will be Roland Black, Dickie Soignier, and Ray Soignier.

Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at Mulhearn Funeral Home. The family would ask to wear a mask, practice social distancing and come and go to allow them to visit with everyone.

Memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Community Pharmacy 502 Grammont St. Monroe, LA 71201.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff and residents of Rosemont Assisted Living for the special care they gave our Mother all these years.