Elma Abraham

Funeral service for Elma Abraham will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, March 9, 2012, at Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Natchitoches, LA with Father Stephen Scott Chemino officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, LA. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm on March 8, 2012, with a rosary held at 7:00 pm, at Blanchard - St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA. Elma Abraham, 82 years of age, passed away March 3, 2012. She was born October 7, 1929 to the late Louis Clanan and Mary Larinda Davis Clanan in Gandy, LA. Elma was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a "mother" to many children in Natchitoches Parish over the years, as she ran a daycare out of her home for many, many years. She had a servant's heart, and served in numerous capacities at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church; including running the concession stand for the Knights of Columbus Bingo for St. Mary's School and founding the gift shop at the church hall. Elma was a prayer warrior, and interceded daily for her family and friends. One of her favorite quotations was "Seven days without prayer makes one weak." She was truly a great lady, and will be dearly missed by all of her family and friends. She is survived by her children, Leo Abraham, Jr. and wife Sally of Robeline, LA, Louis Abraham and wife Sherry of Edgewood, NM, Anita Maricelli and husband Rod of Shreveport, LA, James Abraham and wife Dianne of Cary, NC, Laura Gorum of Natchitoches, LA, Raymond Abraham and wife Beverly of Minden, LA, John Abraham and wife Janis of Natchitoches, LA, David Abraham of San Antonio, TX, Linda Folden and husband Dewayne of Winnfield, LA, and Dean Abraham of Crystal City, TX; twenty-two grandchildren, Chris Abraham, Brandy Abraham, Robert Carter, Shalene Sharp, Paul Abraham, Ryan Abraham, Jennifer Abraham, David Abraham, Michael Maricelli, Danny Abraham, Chad Abraham, Brad Abraham, Christopher Gorum, Casey Gorum, Bradford Matens, Becca Matens, Drew Abraham, Randy Achord, Jarrod Abraham, Stephanie Castaneda, Jessica Abraham, and Nicole Folden; twenty-six great grandchildren; one brother, Albert Clanan and wife Jackie of El Paso, TX; one sister, Laura Cecelia Hebert of Ragley, LA; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Joseph Abraham, Sr.; her parents, Louis Clanan and Mary Larinda Davis Clanan; three grandchildren, James Daniel Abraham, Jr., John Andrew Abraham, Jr., and Chasity Danielle Achord; two brothers, Leo Clanan and Allen Clanan; and one sister, Germaine Powell. Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be her grandsons. Active pallbearers will be Michael Maricelli, Brad Abraham, Christopher Gorum, Casey Gorum, Drew Abraham, and Jarrod Abraham. Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Abraham, Paul Abraham, Ryan Abraham, David Abraham, Danny Abraham, Chad Abraham, and Randy Achord. The family would like to thank our long-time caregiver, Melva Mitchell, for her many years of service and devotion to our mom. In addition, we would like to thank our week-end caregivers, Deloris Cornwell, Barbara Middleton and Bobbie Washington. Finally, we would like to thank Glenda Guillet and the staff of Hospice of Natchitoches for their support, and the caring staff at the Courtyard of Natchitoches. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Mrs. Abraham to The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, P.O. Box 13, Natchitoches LA 71457 or to St. Mary's Catholic School, 1101 East Fifth Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457.