Wilford "Freak" And Melba Sonnier

Wilford “Freak” Sonnier and Melba Jane LaVergne Sonnier.

Wilford was born on August 21, 1932 to John Alcie and Sylvia Lejune Sonnier in Sulphur and passed away on January 23, 2021. Melba was born on October 21, 1933 to Ramie LaVergne and Stella LaVergne Whittaker in Jennings, LA and passed away on January 27, 2021.

Freak worked on a Mule train for Mr. A.J. West and he grew up breaking and training horses. He purchased his own dump truck where he loaded it by shovel twice a day for sale to locals. He also worked for Carr Truck Service for 40 plus years. Red Adair himself would request him to come and work blowouts to cap off the fire and so would boots and coots. He was the last person to back a mack truck for commit up ramps at an oil rig. He was selected as Hard Hat King by a popular oilfield magazine. After retiring from Carr Truck Services he went to work for Austin Industries for a few years as part of the clean up crew. Through his life he owned and trained racehorses. He loved working in the yard and building anything and everything and tending to his fruit trees. In his spare time he loved spoiling his grandkids.

Melba worked as a nurses aid at St. Pats Hospital in the 1950’s with the Sisters Charity. She was the crossing guard for the CPSO where she wore her CPSO uniform and badge proudly. She spent many hours preparing meals for the special need’s adults at CARC. After falling in love with horse racing, she became an employee of Delta Downs Racetrack where she was a jack of all trades. She worked at Our Lady of LaSalette as a cook and housekeeper for many years. She was always involved with her kids when it came to anything they were doing from FFA, 4-H, and volunteering at church. In 1981 she was awarded mother of the year award for Toreadors readers and in 1973 she was awarded Mother of the year for FFA. After retirement she spent all of her time with her family.

Melba and Freak are survived by his sister Betty Sonnier of Sulphur, LA; seven children, John and Judy Sonnier, Richard and Rita Sonnier, Vickey and Carlton “Boko” Leger, Wilford and Cheryl Sonnier, Patsy and Stephen Hebert, Sam and Grey Melder, and Bobbie and Andy Clopton; 20 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren and three more on the way.

Freak is preceded in death by his great granddaughter, Savannah Vincent; his parents, his siblings, Carrie Manard, Mamie Duplichan, Willrey Sonnier, AD Sonnier, Odrey Sonnier, Grace Ancelet, Annie Jean Vaussine, and Thaddeus Sonnier.

Melba’s survivors include her sister, Mildred Trahan of Houma, LA, Ellis Whittaker of Sulphur, LA and Penny LaVarne Cane of Tennessee, and Dewayne Whittaker of Kansas. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years, Wilford “Freak” Sonnier; and her siblings, Alice Alexander, Velma Trahan, RJ LaVergne, and Larry LaVergne.

Pallbearers for Mrs. Melba include Mike Leger Jace Gibons, Gavin Olsen, Clay Hebert, Clint Hebert, Chase Hebert.

Pallbearers for Mr. Freak include Cody Sensat, Aaron Melder, Dylan Clopton, Fred Lopez, Trooper LeBlanc, and Cody Sonnier. Honorary Pallbearers Chad Marinkovich, Michael Martin, Braidon Hoffpauir.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, January 30, 2021 at Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a Cursillo Rosary being prayed at 6:30 PM on Friday, January 29, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Carlyss. Visitation will resume from 8:00 AM until leaving for the Church at 10:00 AM in preparation for procession to Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church. Burial will be at Mimosa Pines Cemetery South under the direction of Miguez Funeral Home. Fr. Andrews Kollannoor will officiate services.