Melba Dean Doty

Melba Dean Foreman Doty fondly referred to as “Dean” or “Melba Dean” left our world and joined her husband on December 23^rd in the comfort of her daughter’s home.

Melba was born October 7^th of 1931 on a rice farm in Indian Bayou Louisiana.  She was married to the love of her life Foster Doty for 66 years.  She attended Indian Bayou elementary, middle, and high school.  She was sent off by her family to Lafayette to finish her education where she attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute of Liberal and Technical Learning.  She later completed her education earning a degree in banking services at SOWELA Technical Community College.  Melba Dean started her brief, yet successful, banking career at Gulf National Bank before becoming a homemaker.  She went from training bookkeepers to managing her home, a job she took very seriously earning her the designation as “Family Estate Manager''.  You won’t find her accomplishments written in a newspaper or exhibited through trophies mounted on the walls, but rather manifested through those she loved and supported.  She was her husband’s biggest fan, hardest critic, and best friend.  Foster would tell anyone who would listen that Dean made him the best version of himself, always acknowledging her role in whatever success he had at the time.  Her vibrant personality could light up any room she walked in.  She had an innate ability to make anyone she spoke to feel special.  Her laugh was infectious.  She loved to host parties, large family gatherings, or afternoon coffee.  She made sure no one ever went hungry or without a cup of coffee. She will forever be known for her fashion.  Foster always indulged her, even if he thought she didn’t need the third pair of red kitten heels.  She was known to walk through The Mall of Acadiana as he’d carry her shopping bags, shopping was by far her favorite hobby.  She was a member of The Lake Charles Pioneer Club, The St. Patrick’s Pink Ladies, and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Turner R. and Queen Grace Foreman; in-laws, Oscar Albert Sr. and Eula Doty; son-in-law, Dennis Guillory; her brothers, Ralph and Paul Foreman; and her husband, Foster Doty.

She leaves behind her only daughter, Kristi Doty Guillory; and her grandchildren Donovan, Kaelyn and Kristin Guillory; and great grandchildren, Decker and Hannah Guillory.

Her funeral service will be 10:00 AM on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Father Levi Thompson will officiate.  Burial will follow at Consolata Cemetery.  Visitation will be at University Baptist Church on Tuesday, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM with a rosary at 6:00 PM.  Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 9:00 AM until the start of the service at Our Lady Queen of Heaven.