Nevers Marie Derouen

Nevers was born to Gladys Irion Monschau and Felix Monschau on November 10, 1922 in Cheneyville, Louisiana. She was raised on Theoda Plantation in Bennettville, LA. by her mother and grandmother (Emma Bennett Irion), after her father passed away when she was four years old. Nevers went to Louisiana Tech in Ruston, LA. at the age of fifteen, graduating by nineteen and returning to her hometown to teach. At a local USO dance, she met Lee Roy DeRouen, and they were married in 1943. As Lee went off to war, Nevers bravely ventured to New York City for work, where she developed a love of the city and returned many times. After Lee returned from the war, he and Nevers lived at the LSU married student housing. Nevers occupied her time working at B. Dalton department store in Baton Rouge. During this period, their first child, Irion, was born. Then Lee was recalled into the service and sent to Fort Ord, California, where their second daughter, Margaret Lee, was born. Returning home to Louisiana, Lee went to work for Union Texas Petroleum and the young family moved to Lake Charles. There, in 1956, their third child, James (Jimi) Arthur, was born. The family would reside in Lake Charles for the majority of the rest of their lives. Soon after settling in Lake Charles, Nevers went to work at The Lake Charles American Press as Society Editor. Her love of fashion and etiquette made this an ideal position. The highlight of her time there was meeting and interviewing Jacqueline Kennedy during a campaign visit. She then worked at Muller's Department store in the art department, sketching all the latest fashions for the local paper. She also worked for many years at the McNeese State University Library and finished her working career as a travel agent at Malcolm Travel. Nevers was very social and enjoyed her bridge groups, book clubs, and DAR meetings. She continued to be active in her college sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. Among her many passions were reading and traveling. She constantly had a book in hand and was always packed for a trip. Traveling, many times solo (or with her beloved brother in law, Billy Simar), she visited six continents. Once, in the 1980's, she even booked a tour to Turkey with American Express and was surprised to discover that she was the only one signed up. Amex honored her reservation, and off Nevers went on a private tour for seven days. A lover of cats and ballet, Nevers will also be remembered for the many beautiful costumes she created for the Lake Charles Civic Theatre, most notably elaborate gowns for "The King and I". She was devoted to the theatre and always stepped in if they needed her. An avid learner, Nevers continued her education, taking many classes at McNeese State University, earning an MFA in both American Literature and Educational Technology. She taught at S.J. Welsh Junior High and was a substitute teacher at all the local schools, sharing her love of knowledge. Nevers passed "to her great reward" (as she called it) on July 26, 2015 in Houston, Texas with her daughter, Margaret, who had cared for her for several years. She was the only 92 year-old woman in the South without a line on her forehead, thanks to her beautiful Magnolia complexion. Her humorous sayings endeared her to everyone she met, most especially her grandchildren, who often quoted their Mimi. Nevers is survived by her three children: Irion DeRouen (Sherman Oaks, CA), Margaret Perkins (Sugarland, Texas) and Jimi DeRouen (Lindy) (Ventura, CA); Seven grandchildren: Lauren Nabours Breaux (David) (Lake Charles, La.), Gabrielle Braden (Andrew) (Brookline, MA), Julia Taylor (Alex) (San Mateo, CA), Elizabeth Perkins (Tomball, Texas), Dashiell DeRouen-Hawkins (Sherman Oaks, CA), Andrew Beau DeRouen (Ventura, CA), and Clayton DeRouen-Hawkins (Sherman Oaks, CA); Five great grandchildren: Katiebelle Heflin (Baton Rouge, LA), Atticus Braden (Brookline, MA), Caroline Braden (Brookline, MA), Elias Taylor (San Mateo, CA) and Kate Taylor (San Mateo, CA). Her funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Ronnie Estes will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and continue on Saturday from 8:00 AM until the start of the service.