Doris LeBlanc

Doris Braud LeBlanc, known as “Mimi” to her family, passed away on November 1, 2023, at the age of 100. She was born on July 23, 1923, and was a Gonzales native and a resident at Francois Bend Senior Living.

She was a retired cosmetologist, a homemaker, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

She is survived by her daughter, Juanita Arceneaux (Philip); 2 sons, Steve LeBlanc (Mona), and Ricky LeBlanc; sister, Evelyn B. Logan of Madison, MS; 1 brother, Nolan Braud of Conroe, TX; 7 grandchildren, Todd, Blaine, Dale, and Lance Arceneaux, Scott and Joshua LeBlanc, and Stacy L. Carpenter; 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Samuel “Sam” LeBlanc; her parents, Virginia and Ed Braud, Jr.; 2 sisters, Viola B. Philippe and Shirley B. Leblanc; 2 brothers, Ed and Wilbert Braud; 2 infant siblings, Ruth and Ernest; and granddaughter, Mandy Arceneaux.

She lived a very active life. She was a 1940 graduate of Gonzales High School, a 1941 graduate of the New Orleans Academy of Cosmetology, and a 1957 graduate of Dorothy Lane School of Hairstyling. That year she opened her own Beauty Salon. She was chairwoman of the Gonzales Christmas Parade for 2 years, was past president of the Gonzales High School P.T.A. and American Legion Auxiliary #81. Mrs. LeBlanc was a charter member and past president of Cajun Country Quilters. She was an 82-year volunteer with the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, including being a charter member and officer of Court St. Theresa of Avila #1955. She also volunteered at the Gonzales Tourist Center. She was the first woman to serve on the Board of the Directors of the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce.  Mrs. LeBlanc was a member of the French Group “Allons Parler Cadien”.  She was the author of the book, “The Early Years, Gonzales, LA”. She loved working with her hands, besides the many quilts she made for her family, she knitted foot warmers for cancer patients and caps and booties for preemies.

Visitation will be at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church in Gonzales, Monday, November 6^th, 2023, from 8:00 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Hope Haven Garden of Memory in Gonzales.