"Death Notice & Funeral Details"

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Co-Founder, President, and Manager, Mary Ellen Fondel Semien. Mrs. Semien along with her Husband, Antoine Semien Sr. were the Co-Founders of Semien-Lewis Mortuary, LLC in Jennings, Louisiana in 2009.  She also served as a Funeral Director with her family owned Funeral Home, Fondel Memorial Chapel for over 35 years and was a narrator for the Rosa Fondel Spiritual Program sponsored live each Sunday morning for 36 years.  Mary Ellen was the first black registered nurse in the Surgical Department at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and later served as an assistant to former Lake Charles Mayor, Randy Roach.  Mary Ellen was a Licensed Funeral Director for 51 years, a Notary Public, Licensed Florist, a Lyric Soprano, a Community Leader, a Political Activist, and an Entrepreneur.  She was a 1955 graduate of the historical W. O. Boston High School, 1956 graduate of Oakwood College in Pre-Nursing, 1958 graduate of the University of Missouri at Kansas City General Hospital School of Nursing, Most importantly, she was a servant of God, her church at both the district and state level.

Mrs. Semien passed away suddenly on Monday evening, September 14, 2020, at Jennings American Legion Hospital at the age of 85.  She was married to the love of her life, Antoine Semien, Sr., and they have six children, Gwendolyn Ann Semien, Donnie Patrese Lewis Page, Antoine Semien, Jr., Arthur J. Lewis, II, Franklin David Lewis, Sr., and Kevin Ray Lewis.

Her motto was, "If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain."