Irene Johnwell (Irena Jean Noel) was born to the late Carmelus Johnwell and Ozelia Pappion Fontenot Johnwell on Oct. 25, 1937, in Mamou, La. She was baptized at an early age at St. Ann Catholic Church and graduated from Joseph Celestine High School as valedictorian of her class. On May 18, 1958, Irene Johnwell and Sires Ceaser were joined in holy matrimony. They settled in Lake Charles, La., where they would raise their three sons, Sires Dwayne, Ray Anthony and Tony Lynn Ceaser and would become faithful members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.
Irene was employed by One Hour Martinizing for 42 years, and she also owned the restaurant “Super Soul” for several years. After she retired, she spent her time enjoying family and friends. She worked as a Cooking Angel for the priest of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and other churches. She was also a member of the Knights of Peter Claver Women’s Auxillary and a proud member of the NAACP. Irene was an excellent cook and Thanksgiving at the Ceaser home was always a grand occasion. Until her health failed her, Irene did most of the major cooking herself and only asked that other family members bring desserts. Her absence will leave a void in the family that will never be filled.
Irene departed this life for peaceful rest in her heavenly home on Friday, June 17, 2022. She leaves to lovingly mourn her departure, two sons, Sires D. Ceasar (Judy) of Lake Charles, La., and Ray A. Ceaser (Angela) of Lakewood, Wash.; one sister, Laura Arceneaux of Houston, Texas; two grandsons, Billy Dwayne Ceasar and Sires Dwayne Ceasar III; one granddaughter, Rayna N. Ceaser; seven great-grandchildren, Dwayne, Falisha, Latisha, Lisa-Marie, Lillian, Kaitlyn and Apollo; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Carmelus and Ozelia Johnwell; beloved husband, Sires Ceaser; loving son, Tony L. Ceasar; devoted daughter-in-law, Deidre Mazique Ceaser; brothers Cleveland Fontenot, Odius Johnwell and Joseph “Cliff” Johnwell; and sisters, Ethel Guillory, Eva Fontenot, Annie James, and Camile Soileau – all of whom will welcome her into her heavenly home.
A wake service will be held on Friday, June 24, 2022, from 5 to 8 p.m. at King’s Funeral Home with a Rosary at 6 p.m. Funeral service is Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, visitation at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Entombment will follow in Sacred Heart Mausoleum under the direction of King’s Funeral Home.