Shirley Guedry

Opelousas - Funeral services for Mrs. Shirley Thomas Guedry will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2008, at 11:00 am in the Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home Chapel in Opelousas with the interment in the St. Landry Catholic Church cemetery.

Mrs. Guedry, age 67, a resident of Opelousas, died on Friday, February 8, 2008 at Opelousas General Health Systems.

Mrs. Guedry is survived by her husband of 37 years, Earl V. Guedry of Opelousas, a brother David E. Thomas, III and wife, Christa Weber Thomas of Thuengen, Germany and a nephew, Marcus Thomas of Thuengen, Germany.

She was preceded in death by her parents, David E. Thomas, Jr. and Mary Dot McClenahan Thomas.

Shirley T. Guedry was born Shirley Jean Thomas on July 20, 1940 in Tampa, Florida. She graduated from LSU in 1963 with a degree in Speech. She went on a two-year mission for her church in California and then returned to Baton Rouge taking a state civil service test in which she qualified as a welfare worker. She took a job with the welfare office in Opelousas and moved there in 1966. She married Earl V. Guedry, Jr. in 1970. She taught school for three years, worked at Dunbars Camera Book Shop for a couple of years and then went back to work for the state eventually as a Home Finder for foster children in the Lafayette office. She retired in 2000.

In 1974 Shirley was invited to become a member of the Opelousas Civic League, a Junior Club affiliated with the General Federation of Womens Clubs. Immediately she was named to the State Junior Board as Junior Education Chairman. She served as a club President in 1974 and 1975. Then the district was deemed too large so it was
ided in two. She was elected second District President for two years and then ten years later another two years. She was chosen Junior Community Improvement Chairman and represented Louisiana club women at the CIP Seminar sponsored by Sears in Atlanta. She was later again named Community Improvement Chairman and attended that years Seminar sponsored by Chevron in Washington D.C. She was sent to Washington for a Conservation Seminar sponsored by Shell and seminar on Mentoring and Literacy. In 1976 Shirley was invited to join The Opelousas Womans Club, which had been active in the community since the early part of the century. She continued to be as active as possible In the club projects, in spite of her health problems. She served two terms as club president. Mrs. Guedry served as chairman of Epsilon Sigma Omicron E.S.O. a reading sorority within the federation. ESO was important to her as she held the responsibility to keep it going since 1979. Commitment was very important to Mrs. Guedry. She also enjoyed working with the New Life Center in Opelousas and other civic organizations. She also was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Opelousas stake.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 12, 2008, at Lafond Ardoin Funeral Home in Opelousas from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and will continue on Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Lafond Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas is in charge of the arrangements. Telephone number 337 942-2638.
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