Dorothy Camille Mims

Like her patron saint, St. Therese of Lisieux, Camille Mims did the little things with great love and a smile. She was “joy” itself. Also, Like St. Therese, Camille no doubt, joined the realm of heavenly hosts as its newest angel in heaven with her Savior at an early age. She was born October 26, 2015, in Natchitoches to her Father, James F. Mims, Jr. (Jay) and Mother, Shelley Elizabeth Mims. And she departed this life on January 15, 2026. She was born into a family of big brothers, twins Jace and Christian Carpenter, a big sister Kennadi C. Harper, and a best friend and sister, Marilyn Mims.

Farm Life was special at “the Mims’ place” along Highway #1 for Camille was filled with adoring pets: dogs, cats, chickens and goats to name a few, who all waited longingly for Camille to feed them, play with them and run with them. They would race to the barn where all her homebound pets were excited to run and play and dazzle her with new tricks she and her dad taught them. She loved sitting on the front porch in the rockers and watching the beautiful arrays of sunsets or the gentle rainfall out over the hills or identifying the star-studded sky at night. With her pet dog, Cherrie, at her feet, she was in awe of the glory of God performed on her personal stage.

Hiking in the woods and around the small bayous on “the place” was a family experience for Camille, Marilyn and Jay. That’s where she learned about nature, how to identify birds and their calls, mushrooms, and wildflowers. Occasionally, in the summers, the three would hike the Kisatchie Forest and swim at “the falls”. Yes, and sometimes a dog or two would join them. She loved “hanging out” with her big brothers and all their friends, as well as cheering Jace on at his wrestling matches when he was at St. Mary’s. She was so proud when she attended both Christian’s and Jace’s graduations from basic training at Ft. Benning, Ga, and seeing them in formation in their Army uniforms.

Camille loved school, her teachers and her friends at St. Mary’s. As a Fourth Grader, moving from the Primary Building was a big deal. Now she and Marilyn were even closer. She excelled in her studies, because of her appetite for learning new things. She was always eager to help with tasks and loved the art and science projects. She enjoyed all her classmates and worked well on projects with them.

Swimming, Diving and Water tricks were great summer past-times at Cammie’s where Camille learned to swim as a toddler. She practiced standing on her hands, swimming underwater and racing others in the pool. Her passion was cannonballs off the diving board. She loved the family beach trips in the summers and all types of water sports.

She loved helping her family, friends, teachers, and schoolmates with whatever task was at hand. She enjoyed grocery shopping and tasks in the kitchen from simply putting away the groceries, setting the table, or concocting some special recipe for the next meal or treat. She loved decorating for holidays, particularly decorating gingerbread-houses at the annual parties at Christmastime with her cousins at her Cammie’s house. She even finished a house all by herself this time.

Prayer and Singing were a big part of Camille’s life. She loved attending Mass as a family, praying the blessing at every meal and listing her special intentions; and she loved the Rosary too as well as the annual May Procession. She learned all her dad’s favorite songs on the radio and they would sing them together when they traveled by car.

She participated in cheerleading camps, vacation bible schools, softball, piano lessons, and other extra-curricular activities. She loved all her friends and schoolmates, and enjoyed activities with them often.

Camille leaves behind a large family of loved ones in addition to her parents and siblings: Her grandparents, Mary and Richard White (Natchitoches), Nyava Dee Weeks (Goldonna), and Bruce Carpenter (Winnfield), and a host of other relatives including her Aunt & Uncle Jennifer & Romulus Roquemore (Natchitoches), and their family of cousins, Aunt Jamie Barron (Winnfield). Also, Great Uncles & Aunts, Stacy & Cynthia Williams (Shreveport) and John & Karen Williams (White House, Tx) and their families of cousins. Also, godparents, John and Claire Torrent. Camille was preceded in death by her grandfather, James F. Mims, Sr.

Camille was an organ donor and her death will help other children live.

Serving as pall bearers are John Torrent, John Keith Roquemore, Matthew Roquemore, Jace Carpenter, Christian Carpenter and Jay Mims.

Visitation will be held at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home, 848 Keyser Avenue, Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with the recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A funeral Mass concelebrated by Rev. Irion St. Romain, Pastor, and Rev. John O’Brien will be held Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 145 Church Street, at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment at Memory Lawn Cemetery.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the team of doctors, nurses, first responders, emergency technicians, sheriff’s deputies and Natchitoches policemen for their kindness and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to St. Mary’s School in Memory of Camille Mims, or a charity of your choice.