Mercedes Aguillard

Mercedes Babineaux Aguillard, seventy-eight, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at her home surrounded by her family. Born in Church Point, Louisiana, on January 19, 1946 to Nolton J. Babineaux and Ella Mae Babineaux, Mercedes then moved with her mother to Lake Charles, Louisiana where she met the love of her life, Jimmy Aguillard, and started a family.

In 1963, Mercedes married Jimmy Aguillard and began to grow her family for nearly 15 years with the births of her eight children. Her family was her greatest accomplishment as she devoted all her time and energy making sure everyone was fed and well taken care of. Mercedes could often be found out in the garden growing vegetables and flowers alike, with her green thumb. If she was not in the garden, she was standing at the stove cooking delicious cajun delicacies and sweet treats for the entire family to enjoy. Her grandchildren, along with her one great-grandchild, were her dearest treasures and she spent many days spoiling them, feeding them, and teaching them only the things grandmothers can teach.

When she could find a spare minute, Mercedes could be found with either a paint brush or sewing needle in her hand. She had a love for art as she was an avid painter and often sold or gifted her great works of art to people in the community. She was well known for her beautiful paintings of magnolias and Louisiana wildlife. Mercedes made many of her childrens’ clothes and mended everything from broken hearts to tractor seats and clothes. Through her many talents and creative thinking there was never a doubt of the love she held for her family.

Mercedes was an active member of Christ the King Church and the Ladies Altar society. Her faith and love of the Blessed Mother, carried her throughout her life and was a pillar of strength until her last breath.

Those left to cherish her memory are her eight children; Dr. Jeff Aguillard (Christi Bono), daughter; Jolene Michelle Aguillard Hardesty, son; Walter James Aguillard, Jr. (Miyuki), son; Jody Aguillard (Mitzi), daughter; Junice Nicolle Aguillard Messina (Sal), son; Jude Damien Aguillard, daughter Jessica Marie Aguillard Foreman (Kevin), son; Jordan Blaise Aguillard (Jessica), 21 grandchildren; Zoe, Ana-Claire, Lauren, Kyler, Zion, KoKoro, Trevor, Madi, Myah, Brayden, Grant, Nico, Marie, Jesse, Hunter, Hanson, Harper, Emilia, Branson, Jesslyn, and Blaire, 1 great-grandchild; Raisa, 1 grand-dog; Teddy.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jimmy Aguillard, her parents; grandson, Skyler Aguillard, and granddaughter, Kianni Berry.

The family would like to thank Della Guillory and Wanda Ramirez for their kind and thoughtful caregiving and Ginger at Harbor Hospice.

Visitation for Mrs. Mercedes will be Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a rosary to be recited at 6:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake St., Lake Charles, LA 70605. Visitation will resume at the funeral home on Friday, at 8:30 AM until 9:30 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 3, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 3939 Lake St. Lake Charles, LA 70605. Entombment will follow the Mass at Consolata Cemetery.