Louella Bowers Duffel

Louella Bowers Holmes Duffel, was born in Empire, La. on March 23, 1928 and entered peacefully into eternal life on July 29, 2025 at the age of 97.

Louella was preceded in death by her parents, Alvro L. Bowers and Lydia Rigaud of Empire, La., brother Lionel "Pete" Bowers, first husband Robert M. "Maurice" Holmes, second husband Arthur P. Duffel, and granddaughter Allyson M. Kirby.

A beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Louella bravely left home at age 17 in 1945 to go by train to Northwestern State University, where she was awarded an Associates degree. She began dating Maurice "Coach" Holmes when he returned from service in the U.S. Army in 1947. They married in 1949 and raised three children in Empire, La. while her husband taught and coached at Port Sulphur High School and became a Plaquemines Parish School System Supervisor. In 1970 Lou began a career as a school teacher at Buras High School, where she was loved and appreciated by co-workers, staff, administrators and hundreds of students, from whom she often received birthday cards up until the present day. After Maurice's death and her retirement from teaching, Louella met and married Arthur P. Duffel of Kenner, La. in 1989, with whom she lived independently until 2022. She resided with daughter Lydia and son-in-law John Kirby in Mathews, La. for the past three and one-half years.

Louella is survived by her sister, Joyce Bowers Ruettger of Belle Chasse, La. sons Wayne S. Holmes (Debbie) of San Antonio Tx. and Michael R. Holmes of Belle Chasse, La., daughter Lydia H. Kirby (John) of Mathews, La., grandsons Christopher Holmes (Laura) of Cypress, Tx., Jeffrey Holmes of Austin, Tx., and Matthew Kirby (fiancee' Beth) of Broussard, La., granddaughter Madison Holmes of Baltimore, Md., great-grandchildren Joshua, Anna, and Benjamin Holmes of Cypress, Tx. and Mallory Kirby of Broussard, La., goddaughter Jane Bowers Mahon of Lumberton, Ms., stepdaughter Cindy Smith of Pollack, La. stepson Ray Duffel (Vickie) of Destrehan, La. and a host of step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to visitation at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 4, 2025 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 8968 Hwy. 23, Belle Chasse, La. 70037, followed by mass at 12 noon and interment at the OLPH cemetery in Belle Chasse. Masses preferred in lieu of flowers, or donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.