Eleanor Gill

Eleanor Gill, the matriarch of the Gill family, died suddenly at home Tuesday. She was 87. Eleanor is survived by her twin brother, John Marshall Chamberlin, sister Rose Alicia Prudhomme, both of Rambin, La.; and sister-in-law Patsy Chamberlin of Carmel, La. She leaves behind her children, Mary Ligon and husband Bill of Toledo Bend, La., Rita Lemoine and husband Curtis of Decatur, Tx., Richard Gill and wife Lynnel of Natchitoches, La., Francis Gill of Campti, La., and Therese Fonrouge and husband Richard of Hollywood, Fl. She’s also survived by 14 grandchildren, Philip and Alicia Fernbaugh and John Charles Lee; Katherine Lemoine; Erin Carnline, Susan McCart and Lydia Nauck; Lenée, Mary Frances and William Gill; Allison, Anne Marie and Gabrielle Fonrouge and Michael Gill, as well as 16 great grandchildren. She is pre-deceased by her husband, Lawrence Max and her sons Philip Lawrence, William Roger and Lawrence McCorkle. Eleanor was born on November 7, 1932 in Rambin, La. to Philip and Ruby Chamberlin. She graduated from Pelican High School in 1950 and went on to marry Lawrence Max the following November. She worked for the family business, Campti-Pleasant Hill Telephone Company, as an office manager and served on the board of directors. While juggling the demands of a large family and her phone company duties, she was elected councilwoman for the Town of Campti in the mid-1970s and went on to serve as Campti’s mayor, the first female mayor in Natchitoches Parish. Later in life, Eleanor left behind politics to pursue a career in nursing and eventually, a quiet life centered around family, her yard and her pets. She was known for her impeccable gardening abilities, her homecooked meals and an ever-revolving brood of pets that adored her. She loved her family dearly and was always nurturing – taking in strays of all kind, pets and people alike. A trailblazer in her own right, Eleanor lived a full and exciting life. She was an accomplished seamstress, loved to read, complete the crossword puzzle and dance. She was plainspoken and brave. Most of all, she was loved and will be sorely missed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 am on Saturday August 8, 2020, at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Campti, LA with Rev. Gus “Dutch” Voltz , III serving as celebrant. Burial will follow at Nativity Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Blanchard- St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches. The family will receive friends on August 7th from 5 pm until 6:30 pm with recitation of the Holy Rosary to be held at 6:30 pm at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, located at 119 Tally Street, Campti, LA 71411.