Gayle D. Fontenot

Gayle D. Fontenot, 82, passed away peacefully at her home in Lake Charles following courageous fight with cancer. 

Gayle was a native of Lake Arthur, educated in Ronoake and longtime resident of the Lake Area. She met her husband in Lake Charles in 1968 and was married in 1969. They were married for 46 years before he preceded her in death in 2014. 

Gayle was an excellent chef and enjoyed life! Besides cooking for Governor Edwards, Blanco and Foster, she worked for Bobby Leach from 1989 to 2009 and also cooked for Grosse Savant Hunting Lodge in Big Lake, Lake Charles Country Club and LA Outfitters. Many of her recipes have been featured in Southern Living and numerous local cookbooks. After retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her boyfriend, singing Karoke several times a week, and still continued with her passion of cooking meals an entertaining others. Gayle leaves a legacy of love and good eating with her family. 

She leaves to mourn her loss, her daughter, Michelle Fontenot,, son Roland “Roggie” Fontenot; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and great-great- great-grandchildren. Preceding Gayle in death are her husband and love her life, Hubert Pierre Fontenot; beloved companion, Harold Williams; parents, Guy Alcee and Elizabeth Reynolds Durapeaux; children, Jimi “Bubba” Macon, Matt Macon, Dale Macon, Gayle Ann Macon and Tony Fontenot; ; siblings, Carol Naegele, Wilhelmina Oxford, Jean Burke, and Kenneth Durapeaux.

Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM on Friday August 9, 2024 at the chapel of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. A Celebration of Life will begin at 2:00 PM. As to Gayle’s wishes, her remains will be buried alongside her husband in Jennings at Greenwood Cemetery.