RYNELLA — A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted for Mrs. Ray Sonnier, the former Joy Rita Broussard, age 75, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at St. Marcellus Catholic Church with Fr. James Nguyen officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Family Mausoleum.

Visitation will take place at Evangeline Funeral Home on Monday from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. with a rosary being recited at 7 p.m. by the Men’s Rosary Group. Visitation will continue on Tuesday at 8 a.m. until service time.

A native of Youngsville and resident of New Iberia, Joy Rita passed away on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans.

Joy Rita was born on April 22, 1942 to the late James Broussard and Louise Romero Broussard Bourque. She was a kind and loving mother who cared deeply for her family and friends. Joy Rita’s greatest love was for her great grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Big Maw Maw.” She had a passion for family history and genealogy. Joy Rita had binders full of the family tree from both sides of her family. She was very involved in, and was a big part of, the Spanish Festival Organization and the Class of 1960 committee that would plan reunions. When she wasn’t helping out, Joy Rita was traveling around the world with her husband in tow. A loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Joy Rita will be truly and deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Ray Sonnier; son Kevin Sonnier of New Iberia; daughters Sylvia Dartez and husband Mitchell of New Iberia and Loretta “Lynn” Bonin and husband Ty of Avery Island; brothers Gordy Bourque of New Iberia and Jerry Bourque of Erath; grandchildren Angel Boutte and husband Allen, Joshua Sonnier and wife Alyssa, Ryan Bonin and wife Kayla, Mitchell R. Dartez and wife Mallori, and Micah Bonin; great-grandchildren Peyton Boutte, Aria Sonnier, and Luke Bonin; god-daughter, Anna Benoit and husband Carl; and best friend, Merline Delahoussaye and husband Jimmy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Broussard and Louise Romero Broussard Bourque; stepfather Reaul Bourque; sisters Mary Lou Bourque and Carrie Lancon; and brothers Gerald Bourque and Bryant Bourque.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Sonnier, Ryan Bonin, Mitchell R. Dartez, Micah Bonin, Mitchell Dartez, Ty Bonin, and Peyton Boutte.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Bourque, Carl Benoit and Allen Boutte.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Lafayette General Medical Center LTAC, and Tulane Medical Center for their support and care.

To view the on-line obituary, video tribute, and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

Evangeline Funeral Homes of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.