Elia Gutierrez Qualls

Elia G. Qualls was born June 5, 1938 in Matiquas, Nicaragua to Aristides and Antonia Gutiérrez.

From a young age she staked her claim on the world, no matter the adventure or task, it was done with tenacity. If you had to sum up the tone of her life, it would be “what’s next?”.  Upon leaving Nicaragua to live in Costa Rica while attending a dance at the U.S. American Legion, she would meet Kently N. Qualls. In 1964 she came to the United States, got married, and temporarily lived in New Orleans.

Her time in the United States was not wasted, she embodied the American Dream and remained steadfast to her faith. Upon relocating to Lake Charles, she became a member of St. Margaret Catholic Church and later joined Our Lady Queen of Heaven parish.

She was devoted to her family, especially when Kent fell ill, she was determined to provide for her family. She was an exceptional seamstress and never minded taking odd jobs to help ends meet as well as investing in her own future. While raising three daughters, learning the American way, and keeping house she succeeded in gaining her citizenship in 1975 and saved enough to put herself through cosmetology school. Upon graduating school, she worked for a few salons before opening “Hair Gallery” on Prien Lake Rd, and in 1984 opened her second location on Nelson Rd. enjoying almost forty years of business until her retirement in 2017.

She cherished her time spent with family and especially enjoyed the time she had with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She always instilled in her family to “give it to God” when they had questions about life.

She was welcomed into Heaven on June 7, 2022 by her husband, Kent; a daughter, Kathy Qualls; and her parents, Aristides and Antonia Gutiérrez.

Those left to cherish her memory, her daughters, Jo-Anne Rogers and husband David, and Kristie Qualls; grandchildren, Carmen McGuane, Colin Rogers, Kendra Moreno, Shyla Hardesty, Lanie Benoit, Jace Qualls, Kelsey Qualls, Owen Bourque, and Danielle; fifteen great-grandchildren; three sisters, Aurora Saaverdra of Nicaragua, Odenia Gutierrez of Austin and Socorro Gutiérrez of Miami.

Family to welcome friends at Johnson Funeral Home, Friday, June 10, 2022 beginning at 4pm to 8pm. A Rosary to be prayed at 6pm. Visitation to resume Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 9am to 9:30. Funeral Mass celebrated by Father Levi Thompson at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church to begin at 10am with burial to follow at Consolata Cemetery.