Friday May 12, 2023: Before Dawn we said goodbye to our Angel On Earth, Our Steel Magnolia, Our Matriarch. Her mission was fulfilled. Some called her Mom, some Momma, Grandmother, MawMaw, Sister, Myrtle, Myrt, Myrtle the Turtle, Friend, Cousin – and she had a special name for each of us. But in our hearts she was much more then that. Our hearts are broken, yet our hearts are full of the love that she bestowed upon us, and the courage and support she gave us on a daily basis.
You see, all she wanted for everyone she knew was to enjoy life, do what you loved to do and follow your dreams.
She was born Myrtle Marie Louise Provost, born April 1, 1922, in St Mary Parish Louisiana, in the community of Baldwin. Her parents were Louis Provost and Cecile Landry. Married John Luther Elrod (D) from Ogelthorpe GA. in 1940. Most of their married life was spent in Lafayette, La. John and Myrtle had 4 children. Joan Charlotte (D), Linda Sue married Collins Neil Gill, Ebbitt Don Louis (D), & Karen Paula married Brian M Blanchard. She leaves grandchildren: Jeff Gill his wife Kimberly Smith Gill, Sonya Gill Williams and her husband Chris A Willliams, Jennifer Gill Loper and her husband Brian Loper, Randall Gill and his wife Tanya Moss Gill, Laurie Gill and her husband Henry O’Connor, Heather Elrod Garner, Shiela Solis and Adam Prior. She leaves 11 Great Grandchildren. Blake, Brandon, Jake, Micha, Nathan, Jacelyn, Colby, Blake, Ashley, Natalie, Zachary. And 1 Great Great Grandson.
She also leaves 2 cats – Little Mean and Rouxgaroux and 3 dogs, Harley, T-Boy and Riley. She LOVED animals.
One of those Great Grandchildren, Blake Williams, deserves so much love and gratitude, as he was her main caregiver for the past two years. He and I promised her we would do everything possible to keep her at home. We were determined. She has needed assistance for the past two years to get up and walk, and became bedridden about 2 months ago. We tried our best to make her daily life happy and carefree. Blake became known as Dr. Jeff and I was Nurse Paula. (lol). She had a brass bell that would ring each time she needed something. One of us would go running to see what she needed. I for one am so proud and thankful to Blake for all he has done for her and for me, for surely, without his help, she would have had to go to a nursing home for care. We then promised her that she would not die in the Hosptial and that was also accomplished. As she was released from the hospital at 4pm on Thursday night, Hospice was called out and arrived by 6pm. We got her settled in and took turns staying with her. She took her last breath on Blake’s shift at 2:05am Friday Morning, at peace in her own bed. Thank you Lord.
Thank you to my wonderful husband Brian for loving her and making her feel secure in our home. He supporter her and me all of these years
Thank you all to Sonya, Jeff, Chris, Blake, Lee, Karen T, Bron, Tyran, Susan for being their for our family.
Thanks to the caring staff at Memorial Herman Katy Hospital, Dr. Chavez, Nurses Bea, Tre, October and the rest of the team.
Thanks to Her Home Health Care Team: Angel’s Care Home Health out of Wharton, TX – Especially Nurse Laurie and Adreana.
While we turn the page on this chapter of our lives – our entire family and many more will carry a piece of her heart in ours. She will be with us, guiding us, encouraging us, and loving us for all of our days.
I love you Mom and will miss your smile and kiss and hearing you say to me each day; “I Love You.”
Graveside Services will be held Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 1:00pm at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home & Cemetary 1010 Pandora St. Lafayette, LA 70506.
Correspondence should be sent to: 1219 Pecan Ridge Lane – Sealy, TX 77474
In Lieu of flowers and because she was such an instrumental part of the creation and support of Sauver Des Chiens – donations may be made in her name www.sauverdeschiens.org.
