Elaine Pevoto Heape

Elaine Pevoto Heape, 86, passed away on June 13, 2024, in a local hospital. She was born on June 24, 1937, to Olizeam and Gertie Mae Trahan Pevoto in Johnson Bayou, Louisiana. Her family moved to Carlyss, Louisiana, in 1955 when she was in the eighth grade. She relocated to Lake Charles in 1975 and lived there ever since.

Elaine dedicated 25 years of her professional life as a Legal Secretary for Raleigh Newman, retiring in 2001. Her commitment to her profession was evident through her active involvement in the local, state, and national legal secretary associations, serving as president of the Lake Charles association from 1991 to 1992, and president of the state association from 1995 to 1996. She was honored as Lake Charles Legal Secretary of the Year twice, in 1985-1986 and 1991-1992.

A devoted member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Elaine served on the pastoral council for six years. Her dedication to her faith community included roles as Eucharistic Minister, Altar Society member, Funeral Choir member, Vocation Committee Chairperson, and Volunteer Coordinator. In 2010, she was awarded the Papal Benemerenti Medal, a testament to her outstanding service. She was also named Evangelizer of the Year in 2001 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.

Since 1997, Elaine was a dedicated member of the Lake Charles Serra Club, serving as Vice President of Vocations for most of that time. She was the District Governor of the Serra Club from 2007 to 2010. Her exceptional service earned her the President’s Award in 2000 and the title of Serran of the Year in both 2004 and 2014.

Those left to cherish her memory are, her children, Robert Alan LeDoux of Houston, TX, Mary Catherine LeDoux of Deer Park, TX, Barbara Gayle Snell (Rich) of Sulphur, LA, and Joan Elizabeth Chesson (Curtis) of Sulphur, LA; 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Herman T. Heape, Jr.; her parents, Olizeam Eldaw and Gertie Mae Trahan Pevoto; her two sisters, Gertrude Myrl Robinson (Charles, also deceased), and Oneida Fay Barton (Wesley); and one great-grandchild.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Rev. Josh Page will serve as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin on the evening of Tuesday, June 18, at 4:00 PM and will continue until 8:00 PM, with a rosary being recited at 6:30 PM. Visitation will resume at the funeral home on Wednesday at 11:00 AM and continue until leaving in procession to the church for the 1:00 PM funeral mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.