LAKE VILLAGE — Isabelle Mansour

died peacefully on May 2, 2020 at her home in Lake Village. She was 100 years old. Ms. Mansour was born in Lake Village on January 19, 1920, the fourth of seven daughters born to the late Saleem Ameen Mansour and Zacia Malouf, who migrated to the United States from Lebanon. She graduated from Lakeside High School and attended the University of Arkansas for one year, then transferred to Fontebonne University in Saint Louis, Mo., graduating with a BS in chemistry. Ms. Mansour continued her education at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, where she received a MS in Dietetics and Nutrition.

Her professional life took her to Louisiana, first as a dietitian at Charity Hospital in New Orleans and then to health centers in Monroe. When her mother fell ill and was bedridden, she gave up her professional career and moved back to Lake Village to manage the family home. Known by all as “Aunt Izzy”, she was the center of the extended Mansour Family, caring for nieces and nephews after school while their mothers, her sisters, were working at the family department store. Although she never had children, her fifteen nieces and nephews considered her their second mother and mentor. She was also well loved by her 28 great-nieces and nephews.

Isabelle Mansour was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church and actively participated in the parish’s Altar Society. She was known for her beautiful handwork and gourmet cooking, organizing multiple fundraising events for the benefit of the Church, as well as for community causes. Her delicious meals and international holiday sweets were enjoyed over the years by her family and many friends throughout the Delta.

In later years, Ms. Mansour went back to work as a dietitian at Chicot Memorial Hospital. Her last professional occupation was at the family business, where, on a daily basis, after morning Mass, she picked up the mail and opened Mansour’s Department Store, until it’s closing in 1998.

Ms. Mansour was preceded in death by her parents and six sisters, Elizabeth Mansour (who died as an infant), Jewel Michael, Saleema Black, Patricia Abide and Agnes Mansour of Lake Village, and Astrid Wolfe of Hot Springs Village.

Later in life, Ms. Mansour was blessed with the attention of many loving caregivers and the family thanks them all. Dorothy Tyler was a special angel during Ms. Mansour’s last years.

A funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church and burial at St. Isidore Cemetery in Lake Village with Father Stephen Hart presiding. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the funeral will be limited to a small family group. The family hopes to have a memorial service celebrating Aunt Izzy’s life at a later date.

Memorials may be sent to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Lake Village, Ark.

Arrangements are by Bishop-King Funeral Home of Lake Village, Arkansas.