Ella Mae “Niney” Fontenot was born on Nov. 27, 1934 to the union of Maurice Sr. and Mary Ellen Fontenot of Lake Charles, La. She is the second born of six children, Genevieve, Rena Faye, Roy, Juanita, and Maurice Jr. She was a joyful and very active child.  She attended Washington High School where she participated in the choir and played on the basketball team.

She is survived by her son, Reginald Barker Sr. (Alicia) of Houston, Texas; her daughter-in-law, Carolyn Barker of Houston, Texas; her sister, Rena Gordon of Pomona Ranch, Calif.; her grandchildren, Lorena Barker of Houston, Texas, Brian Barker (Ahtavea) of Eugene, Ore., Pamela Hampton (Burl) of Fort Worth, Texas, Reginald Jr. (Mickala) of Houston, Texas, Julian Barker of Houston, Texas, Cassandra Barker and Johanna Elizondo of Houston, Texas.  She also leaves to cherish her memory her great-grandchildren, Xavier, Brian, Sarah, Princess, Keimya, Elisa, Janae’, and Jay-Lynn. Jacquetta Fontenot, her sister-in-law, and Elbert Lindsey, her brother-in-law will relish in the moments shared with Niney. Niney’s spunk and love for life will forever be smiled upon by her godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, and friends. Her partner in love, Mr. Carl Parker, will cherish and miss the companionship Ella Mae and he shared over the years.

She is preceded in death by three of her children, Pamela, Cynthia and Anthony Barker; her parents, Morris and Mary Fontenot; siblings, Maurice Fontenot Jr., Genevieve Lindsey, Roy Fontenot, and Juanita Roddy, and grandchildren, Xavier Barker and Jasmine Barker.