Mary Irene Dartest was born on January 1, 1923 in Bellevue, LA. to the late Louis Chavis, Sr. and Ophelia Taylor Chavis.  She departed this life on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 3:05 a.m. at her residence.  Mary Irene Dartest, better know to all as "Mother."  She is at peace with her Lord rejoicing at her new Heavenly Home.

She was Christened on January 20th.  She remained a faithful and dedicated member of Christ the King Catholic Church until moving to Jennings in 1956, at which time she and her family united with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.

Mary Irene was united in matrimony to Loumas Dartest on December 1, 1942.  To this union, ten children were born, Joyce, Willie, Donald, Mary Elaine, Carolyn, Marilyn, Marena, Martha, Shelia, and Margaret.

She leaves to cherish her joyous memories, one son and eight daughters, Joyce (Robert) Durham of Victorville, CA., Willie (Judy) Dartest of New Iberia, LA., Mary Elaine Manuel of Lake Charles, LA., Carolyn Soileau of Rancho Cucamonga, CA., Marilyn Faye Dartest of Beaumont, TX., Marena (Timothy) Lewis of Lake View Terrace, CA., Martha (Eddie) Sinegal of Jennings, LA., Shelia (Alvin) Lawrence of Lake Charles, LA., Margaret Reed of Jennings, LA., Lelia (Phil) Arceneaux of Jennings, LA. who she loved like her own, one daughter-in-law Shirley Dartest.  One sister, Delores Cormier of Jennings, LA; one brother Louis (Shirley) Chavis of Jennings, LA; twenty-eight grandchildren; fifty-nine great grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; a host of relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Loumas Dartest; her parents Louis Chavis, Sr. and Ophelia Taylor Chavis; one son Donald Dartest; two son-in-laws Fredinand Manuel and Herbert Soileau; three grandchildren Robert Durham, II, Melanie Dartest, and Kyna Bill; two great grandchildren Anissa Durham and Kyndall Matthews; four sisters Louise Guidry, Laura Rideaux, Lydia Ross, and Willie Vic Lewis, four brothers Junius Chavis, Lus Chavis, Lester Chavis, and Nelson Chavis; a special friend Walter (Soul) Leopold.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Jennings, LA.  Visitation will be in the church at 8:00 am until the time of Mass.  A Rosary will be recited at 10:30 am in the church.  Burial will be in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church Cemetery under the direction of Semien-Lewis Mortuary of Jennings, LA.