ST. MARY PARISH, LA. Obituary for: PEREZ, JOAN R. Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. Source: Twin City Funeral Home, Morgan City, La. Died Sunday, June 5, 2011 ======================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml ======================================================================= NOTE: If a Photo is available for an obituary record, a reference note will be included with the record. ======================================================================= PEREZ, JOAN R. (October 10, 1946 - June 5, 2011) ========== A photo is available for this file. Please go to http://usgwarchives.net/la/stmary/obits/dateobits/2011/sm1106.htm and click on the name of interest. ========== Joan Elizabeth Rhodes Perez, a native of New Iberia, and a resident of Patterson, passed away peacefully June 5, 2011 at Teche Regional Medical Center surrounded by her loving husband Jake, sister Pat, and brother-in-law W.J. Joan was born on October 10, 1946. Joan was a loving wife, mother, and devoted grandmother to her three granddaughters. She always had a beautiful smile on her face and was always willing to do what she could to help her friends and family. She loved to give to all. She never met a stranger. She only had friends that she hadn't met yet. Joan had a very special devotion to the Lord whom she loved above all, and had a unique and beautiful relationship with her husband. Joan was a graduate of Mount Carmel of New Iberia and of the University of Southwest Louisiana with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of Education. She graduated Cum Laude. Joan taught at Patterson Elementary, then went on to Berwick Elementary, and was nominated for St. Mary Parish Teacher of the Year. She then taught at St. Stephens preschool. After giving birth to a son, she took several years off to raise him. She was instrumental in starting St. Bernadette Preschool and teaching there for 10 years. She then retired from teaching. Joan is survived by her very devoted loving husband and best friend of 42 years, Jake (Jacob) Perez; son, Jakie (Jacob) Perez Jr. and wife Ursala Thornburg Perez; three granddaughters, Brittany, Brooke, and Ivy Perez; two sisters, Patricia (Pat) Rhodes Delahoussaye, Mary Kathryn (Mickey) Rhodes Ortego; one brother, James Gordon Rhodes. She is also survived by one aunt, Ada Fangue; eight nieces, Vicky Perez Abu-Shamais, Sentina Annaloro Tune, Kelly Perez Cavelier, Kimberly Perez Duval, Denise Rock Arceneaux, Lisa Rock Landry, Tiffany Deranger, Katie Pritchett; seven nephews, Scott J. Delahoussaye, Christopher R. Ortego, Paul Annaloro, Gerald Perez, David Perez, Alray Perez, Carl Perez Jr.; great nephew Dylan Delahoussaye; and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Otis J. Rhodes and Anna Belle Gordon Rhodes, paternal grandparents, maternal grandparents, one nephew, John Perez. A celebration of Joan's life will be held Friday, June 10, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Twin City Funeral Home with a Rosary being said at 7:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Saturday, June 11, 2011 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Berwick. A service of Christian Burial will begin at 3:00 PM. Pallbearers will be James Rhodes, Scott Delahoussaye, and Christopher Ortego. ===================