Opal Duplantis

Opal Scales Duplantis, 88, passed away on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at Regional Medical Center of Acadiana in Lafayette. She was born in Orange, Texas on October 14, 1921. She loved school, baseball and basketball, and riding horses. After high school graduation, she moved with her family to Houma and married her husband Justin Duplantis. Justin’s National Guard unit was mobilized prior to WWII, and they lived in a number of states during his training. Opal was proud that she attended welding school during the war. After WWII, Justin was employed in the oilfield, and they lived in Harvey, Gretna, Lafayette, and Ruston, Louisiana, McComb, Mississippi, Beaumont, Texas and Houma, Louisiana. Opal moved back to Lafayette in 1978 to care for her husband and her mother. Part-time work led to her becoming the first female manager of a chain of discount retail stores in Houma, Louisiana. She retired as Assistant Manager for Lerner, Inc, in Lafayette, Louisiana. She then became involved with volunteer work at University Medical Center, in their gift shop and on the Volunteer Board. Opal held the offices of President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. She loved making flower arrangements and visiting with those who had loved ones in the hospital. Opal also volunteered with the Salvation Army and worked at the “Christmas Tree” located at the Acadiana Mall for many seasons. After many years of taking care of others she moved in with her granddaughter and her family. Opal came in contact with many generations while living with them. She always found a way to touch each and everyone she came in contact with. She enjoyed bingo at the Rosehouse, pushing a shopping cart for exercise, and eating fried catfish at any restaurant in Lafayette. Opal leaves to mourn her son, John Duplantis and his wife Gerry of Lafayette, and her daughter Patricia Comer and husband Wally of St. Albert, Alberta, Canada. She has seven grandchildren: Randall and his wife Barbara and Dennis Lynch of Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Jacob Lynch of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Jeffery Duplantis and his wife Toni of Baton Rouge and Scott Duplantis and his wife Anne of Evans, Georgia; Brandi Leon and her husband Danny of Lafayette, and Julia Erwin and her husband Fallon of Scott. She has seven great-grandchildren: Kyle, Kurtis and Jayla Lynch, Justin and Katie Duplantis and Michael and Allie Leon. She has three great-great grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Riley, Ashton and Aiden Leon. She is survived by one brother, Melvin Scales and his wife Emma Joy of Bridge City, Texas. She had a special place in her heart for her sons-in-law, Douglas Lynch of Airdrie, Calgary, Canada and Connie Allen of Lafayette. She will be remembered by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends in Houma and Lafayette, Louisiana and in the Orange, Texas area. She was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Hildred G. Scales, her husband Justin Duplantis, her daughter Susan D. Allen, her sister Betty Jean Sanders, and her brothers J.W., Wallace, Elmer Jr., Gilbert and Richard Scales. The family would like to thank her companion in recent months, Stephanie Beaugh, for the cheer she brought to Opal’s days. Thanks to the staffs of the 5th floor and ICU at the Regional Medical Center of Acadiana, and the staff and volunteers of Hospice of Acadiana. Special thanks go out to Dr. Linda Oge for the years of medical care, and to Drs. Manuel and Hall for their medical advice during the family’s time of need. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at an 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille in Lafayette honoring the life of Opal Scales Duplantis. Reverend Louis Allen Breaux, Associate Pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Scott, will be the Celebrant of the funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille's Downtown Lafayette location on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with a Rosary prayed by Ethel Leger and the St. Joseph's Women's Altar Society of Rayne at 7:00 PM and will continue on Wednesday from 9:00 AM until time of service. Funeral services will also be held on Thursday, March 25, 2010 at a 1:00 PM Mass of Christian Burial in the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma, Louisiana, 500 Goode St., Houma, Louisiana to continue honoring the life of Opal Scales Duplantis. Her nephew, Reverend Danny Poche of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Morgan City, Louisiana, will be the Celebrant of the funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. The family requests that visitation be observed in Chauvin Funeral Home, 5899 Hwy 311, Houma, Louisiana, on Thursday from 11:00 AM until time of service. Opal will be laid to rest at St. Francis de Sales Mausoleum in Houma, Louisiana. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Randall, Dennis and Jacob Lynch, Jeffery and Scott Duplantis and Danny Leon. Honorary pallbearers will be great-grandsons, Justin Duplantis and Michael Leon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Mrs. Duplantis' name to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503 or on their website at www.HospiceAcadiana.com or to United Blood Services, 1503 Bertrand Dr., Lafayette, LA 70506.