Rita Marks

Opelousas - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Rita Doucet Marks at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 29, 2021, at St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas.  Msgr. Russell Harrington will celebrate the Mass.  Rite of Committal and interment will follow in the St. Landry Cemetery Mausoleum in Opelousas, La.

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Rita Doucet Marks, age 93, on Thursday, March 25, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.

Rita was an LPN in the dental field.  Most of career she worked for Dr. Horaist, Dr. Zoda and Dr. Robert where her patients adored her.  During her nursing career, she received an award for having the best bedside manner.

She was a loving mother and grandmother.  Rita and Joe often traveled around the U.S. and took Kipp and Summer with them.  Many days she looked after her grandchildren so her son Keith could work.  Even in her later years, she would pick Grace and Natalie up from school and she and Joe enjoyed the girls' company when they would spend the night.  Rita also enjoyed needlework, playing cards and dancing.

Being the youngest of 10 daughters, she was the last survivor of her siblings.  She adored her sisters and talked of them often.  All the sisters, including Rita, had tragedy in their lives, but when they got together, they would laugh and joke about things and had a deep appreciation for family and good times.  Rita will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by daughter-in-law, Julie D. Marks; many nieces and nephews; five grandchildren, Summer, Kipp, Tyler, Grace and Natalie Marks and five great-grandchildren, Gage Schexnayder, Kaylee, Kyrstin and Kohen Marks and Adeline Marks.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph D. Marks; her parents, Leo and Hermina Jeanise Doucet; her sons, John Thomasee, John Keith Marks and her nine older sisters, Theolise, Lezima, Estelle, Constance, Rose, Helena, Edith, Marie and Lily Doucet.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 28, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Skip Montet Memorial Chapel at LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home in Opelousas.  A Rosary will be prayed on Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the funeral home.  Visitation will continue on Monday from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.

Pallbearers will be Gage Schexnayder, Jude Higginbotham, Spencer Noel and Roger Guidry.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Lolita, her niece, Caroline Viator for always caring for Rita, Norma Hargroder and Sharon and Taylor with NSI Hospice for their care and support they gave Rita.

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

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