Mary Nell Rion

On November 13, 2010 Mary Nell Cole Rion suffered an irreparable broken heart when her beloved husband, Dick Rion, won his battle with cancer and went before her to that land where there is no pain and suffering. The past 44 months have been marked by a distinct decline as the Mary Nell, known and loved by so many, descended into a depth of grief and heartache that no one should have to endure. On Monday evening, September 1st, Mary Nell peacefully left this life for her eternal one. She is reunited with Dick and Todd and finally at peace in the presence of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. Mary Nell (Cole) Rion was born May 9, 1945 in DeQuincy, LA. She was a graduate of DeQuincy High School, class of 1963. On June 21, 1963, she married the love of her life and took on what she would tell you was one of her most important roles in life, that of being Dick Rion's wife. She became a mother - to Jill, to Todd, and to Rhesa - and eventually grandmother to Nichole, Baylee, Sidney, Josie and Cali - and great-grandmother to Kenson and his new baby sister, Karlee. She was beloved as daughter and sister, and always as friend. Mary Nell was one of those people whose ready smile and caring heart reached out and touched so many and always without prejudice. From derelicts to doctors, and all of us in-between, Mary Nell was quick to share her talents and her heart. She and Dick made quite a team. He, too, was a man with heart for people. This dynamic duo was constantly reaching out to anyone they encountered with any kind of need. Dick's "jack of all trades" talents - and Mary Nell's gift for making everything she touched better than it was before - endeared them time and again to the people who were blessed by their presence and the touch of their helping hands. Whether it was on the campground in Tioga, in a doctor's office, a church, a hospital hallway, or someone's home - Mary Nell always left a unique fingerprint on the place and the person. Ambiance was the name of the store she owned and operated in Lake Charles from 1996-2002. That word, however, captures the essence of Mary Nell Rion. Ambiance. Every room she ever walked into called out to a gift deep inside her that said, "Make me beautiful." So, she did. A lamp - a rug - the perfect piece of furniture in the perfect position - a candle to burn, potpourri in a bowl. Ambiance is what she created; Ambiance is what she was. She decorated homes and offices, hospitals and businesses but her special love was decorating churches. From helping with design and checking drawn up plans to actually executing the installation of carpet and placement of pews and hanging of artwork - from kitchens to classrooms - family life centers to sanctuaries - Mary Nell loved to be a part of God's great church and she knew it was not defined by any certain four walls. The remarkable thing is that if the books were to be opened and a true accounting made of what she did and what she received payment for, what she purchased and what was paid back to her, God was at work in her generosity. She gave away a lot; He made up the difference. Mary Nell is survived by her two daughters: Jill Bogard (husband, Glyn) of Lake Charles, and Rhesa Baggett (husband, Glyn) of Nashville, TN; granddaughters Nichole Ferguson (husband, Nick), Baylee, Sidney, Josie, and Cali along with her great-grandson Kenson and newborn great-granddaughter, Karlee. She is also survived by her sister, Martha Kellogg of DeQuincy. The countless individuals across our state and our nation who were touched by Mary Nell and blessed by her incredible gifts will never forget her. She was preceded in death by her son, Todd Rion and her husband, Richard "Dick" Rion. She was also preceded by her parents, Verbia and Marsalee Cole, and her two brothers, Jerry and Micka Cole. Visitation will be Thursday, September 4th, from 2:00 p.m. at First Pentecostal Church of Lake Charles with a memorial home-going service beginning at 6:00 p.m. Officiants will be: Reverend Glyn Bogard and Reverend Jeffery Ralston. Pallbearers will be: Stephen Dwight, Kenric Lormand, Nicholas Perioux, Dale Pete, Jeff Pitre and Lanny Thornton. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Donnie Wayne Donahue, Lin McDonald, Jan Peebles and Warren Smith. Interment will be at 10:00 AM at Ritchie Cemetery on Friday, September 5, 2014.