Betty May Cormier

Published in Jennings Daily News April 19, 2024

JENNINGS — It is with great sadness that the family of Betty May Cormier, 92, announce her passing on April 18, 2024, after a long, beautiful, fulfilling life. Betty was born in Opelousas to Xavier Soileau and Hilda Lavergne Soileau on July 25, 1931. Betty was a longtime owner of the Tiger Drive In as well as The Strand Theater. She was also a faithful and lifelong member of the Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church. Betty loved her family and loved spending time with them, especially her grandchildren with whom she attended all of their school fieldtrips. In her spare time, she was an avid reader and she loved gardening. Betty was a kind and gentle soul who was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Betty is survived by her four children, Randy May (Darlene) of Iuka, Miss., Carolyn May Huval (Clarence) of Carencro, Rhonda May Dugas (Glenn) of Jennings, Donna May Fruge (Butch) of Jennings; her eight grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Xavier and Hilda Soileau; her first husband and father to their four children, Paul “Red” May; her second husband of fourteen years, Clarence Cormier, Sr.; her brothers, Irvin Soileau and Herbert Soileau; her sister, Earline Fontenot.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Betty’s life will be held at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Jennings on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.

A Gathering of family and friends will be held at Matthews and Son Funeral Home in Jennings beginning on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. with a rosary being recited at 6 p.m.. Visitation will resume on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 8 a.m. until the time of her service at 11 a.m.

To extend online condolences, please visit our website at www.matthewsandsonfuneralhome.net Arrangements have been entrusted to Matthews and Son Funeral Home.