Doris Sonnier

Doris Sonnier, 93, of Winnie, died Friday, May 12, 2017 at The Arboretum of Winnie. She was born on September 6, 1923, in Port Arthur, to Anastasia Boullion Henry and Ambrose Henry, the second of six children.  

In 1939, Doris met the love of her life, Lilton Sonnier, in a Port Arthur dance hall. They were married October 11, 1941, and lived for a while in Port Neches. In 1946, Doris and Lilton moved to Winnie, where they formed Winnie Welding Works. In early 1950, they bought and moved a dance hall off SH 73 and County Line Road, naming it the “73 Club”. Doris ran this while raising two boys, until the late 1970s. She loved to dance, listen to Cajun music, enjoyed life and who never met a stranger. She would go to Market Basket several times a day, just to talk to the young people. Doris’ grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her life. Wherever you saw her, Lilton would always be by her side.  

She had received many awards, from the CFMA club, Queen of the MardiGras of Houma, Louisiana, Crowley Rice Festival and other Cajun music organizations. She was proud of her Cajun heritage and supported many of the groups that promoted the Cajun life.  In celebration of their 75th wedding anniversary, Bishop Curtis Guillory presided over a renewal of Mr. and Mrs. Sonnier’s wedding vows at St. Anthony’s Cathedral in Beaumont, of which she was very proud. Their photo of that day with Bishop Guillory was one of her favorites that she enjoyed sharing with everyone.  

Doris is survived by her husband of seventy-five years, Lilton Sonnier of Winnie; sons, Leon James Sonnier and his wife, Charlene, and Vernon Sonnier and his wife, Linda, all of Winnie; grandchildren, Kevin Sonnier and his wife, Paje, of Winnie; Darlene Thibodeaux and her husband, Ken, of Winnie; Darrell Wayne Sonnier and his wife, Yvette, of Winnie; Jeffrey Brent Sonnier, of Winnie; and Jason Sonnier, of Winnie; and great-grandchildren, Maegan Sonnier, Jacob Sonnier, Cullin Sonnier, Dylan Thibodeaux, Kody Thibodeaux, Austin Sonnier, Mason Sonnier, Jenna Ayres, and Leanne Ayers.  

She is preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Dorothy Cimino; Agnes Johnson; Thomas Isaac Henry; Joseph Ray Henry; and Shirley Rutherford.

A gathering of Mrs. Sonnier’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with her Rosary recited at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, May 14, 2017, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive Winnie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 15, 2017, at St. Louis Catholic Church, 315 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie, with her interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie. 

Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Sonnier’s name to St. Louis Catholic Church, 315 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie, Texas 77665.