Mercedes Turner

Mercedes "Merk" Jeanne Avet Turner passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 in the loving presence of her daughters at the age of 93.   Her long and happy life was characterized by service to others and devotion to her Catholic faith.  Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the visitation on Friday, June 2, 2017 at St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church beginning at 9:00 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Francis de Sales Cemetery No. 2. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eloise Walker and Onezippe John Avet, Jr.; her beloved husband of 54 years, Thomas Warren Turner, Sr.; her cherished son, Thomas Warren Turner, Jr.; her son-in-law Pete Wolbrette; and her siblings, Royce Avet, O.J. Avet, III, Rosalie Avet Mayo, and James Merlin Avet. She is survived by her daughters, Jeannie Turner Sawyer (Thomas Sawyer) of Lafayette, Lizbeth Turner of New Orleans, Laurie Turner Conkerton (John Conkerton) of New Orleans, and her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Turner of Sugar Land, Texas; her grandchildren Brian Earl DeHart, Jason Paul Sawyer, Wade Sawyer, and Rebecca Sawyer; and her great grandchildren Bailey DeHart, Rowan DeHart, Rami DeHart, Cameron DeHart, and Ben Sawyer. Mercedes was a lifelong resident of Houma, Louisiana.  She worked at Barrow Drug Store, where she met Warren, until she started her family.  Together, their greatest joys were raising their family and camping all over the United States and Canada. She was a dedicated parishioner of St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church, where she served for decades on the Ladies Altar Society.  For over 50 years, she was a Eucharistic minister at Maison de Ville nursing home.  She volunteered in this capacity until shortly before her 93rd birthday. The family wishes to thank the staff of Chateau de Notre Dame and the caregivers from New Orleans and Houma for their compassionate care.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church, Vandebilt Catholic High School or your preferred charity. Chauvin Funeral Home is honored to serve the Turner family.