It is with heavy hearts that the family of Ella Olivier Bernard announces her passing on September 15, 2026, in Eunice, LA at the age of 95. She entered Heaven peacefully surrounded by her family.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Ella Olivier Bernard will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Father Billy Massie will celebrate the Mass. Readers will be Ashley Doucet, Lindsey Brooke Kincaid and Stacey Durant. Rite of Committal and Burial will be held at Bellevue Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Adam Bernard, Gavin Olivier, Mitch Pitre, Joseph Myers, Joshua Freyou and Hank Pitre. Honorary pallbearers will be Hunter Pitre, Jack Shealy and Tucker Boenig.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Skip Montet Memorial Chapel at Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas. A Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Friday evening. The funeral home will re-open on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

Born Mary Ella Lee, to Sena and Ferdinand Lee, on March 13, 1931, in Ville Platte, LA.

Ella leaves behind the memory of a life lived with a wonderful sense of humor, quick wit, incredible strength and a whole lot of spiciness. She worked for Howard Brothers in Opelousas, LA for 13 years and as a caregiver for the elderly for many years. Ella was a devout Catholic and a longtime parishioner of St. Bridget Catholic Church in Lawtell, LA. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, sister and Taunt. Ella loved her family fiercely. You could always find her in her happy place- the kitchen. Some of her most requested masterpieces were her chicken and sausage gumbo, baked macaroni and cheese, and greasy roast rice and gravy. All holidays were festively spent in her home filled to the brim with food, family and laughter. Maw Maw/Taunt Ella welcomed all to her table with a smile and open arms. She also loved working in her yard planting flowers, mowing, cleaning and rearranging to always make it look like new.

Ella will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her children Terry Olivier (Charlotte), Sandra Pitre, Darrell Olivier (Glenda), Patricia Olivier Freyou, Randal ‘Boo’ Olivier (LeeAnn), Brenda Olivier all of Eunice, LA and Joey Bernard (Christy) of Opelousas, LA; stepchildren, Donna Bernard, Becky Ortego, Cindy Foret, and Timmy Bernard (Karla); 27 grandchildren, 59 great and 36 great-great grandchildren; brother, Ronnie Lee and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was greeted in Heaven by her parents; spouses, Harry Olivier and Louis Bernard; brothers, Leas, Dillard, Ray and sisters, Mary, Eula Mae, Nell, Rose, Helen; great grandson, Ian Richard, who she lovingly nicknamed ‘Blue’.

Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com.

Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA 70570 (337-942- 2638) has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.