Mrs. Deotha Gallow Guillory

Mrs. Deotha Gallow Guillory Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Lawtell, LA, for Mrs. Deotha Gallow Guillory, 92, who entered eternal rest, Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at her daughter’s home in Houston, TX. Interment will be in Holy Family Catholic Church Cemetery. Rev. Stanley Jawa, S.V.D. will officiate at the Mass of Christian burial. Deotha was a woman of remarkable strength, deep faith, and unwavering love. Orphaned at a young age, she and her eight siblings were separated and raised by various loving uncles and aunts. Despite these early challenges, she remained close to her family, and after turning 21, she married Thomas, the love of her life. Together, they not only built a life and raised five children of their own but also opened their hearts and home to help raise two of her younger siblings, Brian and Mildred. Additionally, they raised two young girls until they became adults, her niece, Patty Walker, and Dale McKnight. She had a passion for cooking that brought joy to many. She began her journey in the kitchen at Lawtell Head Start, and over the years, her love of cooking became one of the ways she showed love and care to those around her, always ready with a warm meal on the stove and a generous heart for her family and community. Her dedication to education was just as inspiring. After having her children, she went back to school and earned her GED. While raising five children and working, she commuted to Baton Rouge, driven by a desire to grow and serve her family better. Her determination paid off when she earned her bachelor's degree from Southern University, an achievement that made her family incredibly proud. She was an educator for Lawtell Elementary for twenty years. A devout Catholic, she lived her faith through service. She sang in the church choir, was a long-time Eucharistic Minister, a dedicated member of the Meritorious Fourth Degree Ladies of Grace, Mother Katharine Drexel, Chapter 7, member of the Ladies Auxiliary, St. Bridget, Court 40, Legion of Mary, and Ladies Alter Society. Her spiritual devotion was evident in every part of her life, from her community involvement to the love and guidance she offered her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Guillory is survived by three children, Claudia Crawford (Monie), Phyllis Beaver and Patrick Guillory, Sr. (Cynthia); daughter-in-law, Catherine Guillory; three sisters, Ruby Ned, Mildred Landry (Curtis), Gilda Townsend (Roy); three sisters-in-law, Francis Gallow, Georgia Gallow, Geraldine Guillory, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Mrs. Guillory was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Guillory; parents, Stephen Gallow and Aline Thibodeaux Gallow; two children, Randal Guillory, Sr. and Sandra Guillory Blatcher; siblings, Linus Gallow, Orelia Duhon, Redella Ned, Brian Gallow and Wilda Walker. Visiting hours will be observed from 8:00 AM to 10:45 AM Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church. A Rosary will be recited at 9:00 AM. Share words of comfort with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.net Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Williams Funeral Home of Opelousas, 337-942-2037.

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Mrs. Deotha Gallow Guillory

January 17, 1933 - September 24, 2025