Gene Sonnier

Joachin “Gene” Sonnier, age 82, passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2021at his residence at 8:37a.m. He was surrounded by his loving family. Gene is a native of Lake Arthur, Louisiana in Jefferson Davis Parish, and a resident of Houma.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Maria Immacolata on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. and burial to follow in St. Francis Cemetery No. 2.

Gene is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Etta Blanchard Sonnier; sons, Dr. Keith Sonnier and wife, Charlene, of San Diego, California; Michael Sonnier and wife, Sindi, of Houston, Texas. He was a proud Pawpaw of five grandchildren, Leslie Sonnier, Zac Sonnier and wife, Lena, Sara Sonnier Henderson and husband, Josh, Alec Sonnier and Austin Sonnier and the great-grandfather of Jamison, Maddie, Zeke and Remington Sonnier; Jacob Shannon, Lincoln and Carsyn Oestmann, and Chloe Ceja; great-great-grandfather of J.J., Camryn and Caisson Ceja. He is also survived by his brother, Ruston Sonnier and two sisters, Ella Mae Sonnier Hebert, and husband, Lovess, and Joyce Marie Sonnier Broussard and husband, Nelson.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Joachin Sonnier and Marie Olite Benoit Sonnier and eleven siblings, Mabel Sonnier, (twins) Clara Mae and Clara Bell Sonnier, Theresa Russie Sonnier Vincent, (his twin) Elgene Ann Sonnier, (twins) Wanda Lou Sonnier Mallett and Warren Charles Sonnier, Irvin Paul Sonnier, John Lawford Sonnier, Lester James Sonnier, and Willard Lewis Sonnier.

Family and Church were extremely important to Gene. He served as Eucharistic Minister for many years at Maria Immacolata Catholic Church. Gene was also known for his love of music and dancing. After he retired from teaching American History (over 30 years—almost all of it at Terrebonne High School) he became a choreographer and instructor of Choreographed Ball Room Round Dancing. He and his wife Etta were cuers and instructors for the Flares, a local Round Dance Club. They traveled around the country cueing for various clubs, and he choregraphed many dances which are still popular today.

Gene requests that no one wear black to his funeral because his funeral is a celebration of a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to TCU Food Bank, 922 Sunset Avenue, Houma, LA 70360.

Chauvin Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Gene Sonnier.