Eavy Mae (Ellis) Simien

Eavy Mae Ellis Simien passed away on Saturday, January 29 in Lake Charles, Louisiana at the age of 79

Eavy had a long and full life. She was born May 23, 1942 to Henry Jessie Ellis and Susie Brown Ellis in DeRidder, Louisiana. 

She was a former member of Midway Baptist Church (Rev. Mark Stevens) in Moss Bluff, La and was a faithful member of  Word of Hope Family Worship Center  (Pastor Charlie Williams III) for the last 20 years.

Eavy met her husband, Donald James Simien, in 1959 when they were classmates at W.O. Boston High School. They married in 1962 and had 3 children: Tammie, Jessie, and Karen. 

Eavy was an employee at McNeese State University for 30 years until her retirement in 2015. Never one to sit idle, in 2017, she went back to work at the Lake Charles District Probation & Parole Office.

Eavy adored her family and especially loved being “Granny” to her great-grandchildren. She was truly an anchor and beacon of strength to her family and anyone who was lucky enough to be in her presence. 

Affectionately known as “Ms. Mae”, she touched the lives of her McNeese colleagues and all the student workers she impacted in her years at the McNeese post office. 

Those left behind to cherish her memory include her daughter, Tammie Murrell (Alonzo) and son Jessie Simien of  Lake Charles, La. Her grandchildren, Shauna Simien, Daneisha Davis-Harger (Jacob), Terri Williams (Charlie), Ashanti Avery (Nate), Robert Davis, and Ariel Terry.  One brother, Billy Ray Ellis of Lake Charles. She leaves behind nine great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

She also leaves many other family members and dear friends who will sadly miss her.

Eavy was preceded in death by her husband, Donald James Simien, Sr., daughter Karen Gates; parents, Henry Jessie Ellis and Susie Brown Ellis; brothers, James Bilbo, Gene Wilson Ellis, and Henry Ellis Jr.; sisters, Mable Williamson, Mary Francis Ellis, and Shirley Ellis Henderson.

Please send any memorial gifts to:  Stevens' Funeral Home 823 North Shattuck Street • Lake Charles, LA 706061

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