PINE BLUFF — Mrs. Ilona Marie Fontenette

was born on March 29, 1943, in Baton Rouge, La., the only child of James Allen Trahan and Noelle Patin (Trahan) Wheeler. She attended St. Francis Xavier Elementary School and Southern University High School in Baton Rouge, La. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Xavier University; New Orleans, La. She was a Montessori trained teacher and earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

She was initiated in the Pine Bluff Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, incorporated on May 6, 1979, and was a dedicated Diamond Life member.

She volunteered tirelessly for her beloved St. Peter Catholic Church and was a past president and faithful member of the Altar & Rosary Society. The ongoing passion she had for cooking was matched by her passion for eating lavishly. She enjoyed sharing and celebrating her Creole heritage as one of the key organizers and planners for the Annual Mardi Gras Celebration that included the artistry of her murals. She was a devoted faculty member of the St. Peter’s Catholic School and especially relished teaching religion and art to students.

She was a committed employee of J.C. Penny Company and an accomplished artist and member of the Pine Bluff Art League.

Artist, homemaker, educator, cook, seamstress, family historian, Ilona approached each task with gusto and fearlessness. When she spoke her mind, you knew exactly what she meant; she never minced words. She loved reading autobiographies, learning about different cultures, and kept well abreast of current politics. Most of all, Ilona genuinely loved her immediate and extended family, and always had words of encouragement to share.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Edward Fontenette; daughters, Angelique Fontenette-Burton, MD. (Marty), and Dominique Fontenette, MD.; granddaughter, Alyssa Camille Burton; great-granddaughter, Kaylani Janae-Marie Wade; brother, Carlton Trahan; nephew, Eria Morrison (Megan); cousins, Shira Honoré-Armstrong (Lee), Darwin Honoré (Leslie); and a host of friends and family.

Services will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church, Pine Bluff, Ark., on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. Rosary at 10 a.m., Mass at 10:30 a.m. Services entrusted to P.K. Miller Mortuary. Online condolences can be made by visiting https://www.facebook.com/pkmillermortuary.pb.1