Deville, Laura Belle Domingue

Deville, Laura Belle Domingue

Laura Belle Domingue Deville died peacefully in her home on Thursday, July 16. She was a resident of Baton Rouge and a native of Scott, Louisiana. To those who loved her, their lives will never be the same as she was a loving mother, grandmother, loyal friend and advocate.

She was born on October 23rd, 1926 to Lucas and Edith Domingue. She grew up in Duson, LA and graduated from Duson Elementary and then from Scott High School in 1943 at the age of 16. She graduated from Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now known as University of Louisiana – Lafayette in 1946 graduating in less than three years where she was president of the Girls Club – the largest female organization on campus. She returned to teach at Duson Elementary where she was a 4H leader, who lead the school to many awards and was even their boxing coach.

She met her husband Elliott Deville, who served in the Navy in the South Pacific, through writing letters during World War II as part of the Girl’s Club college project to support the troops. They married in 1950 and settled in Iota, LA where she taught science for two years before starting a family. They were married for 45 years.

In 1952, her first son Glen E. Deville was born deaf. His deafness would help change the course of deaf education in Louisiana. A courageous woman, she researched deafness, learned of special courses, and realizing there was limited services available for deaf children, began a journey to crusade for change. She was a relentless volunteer for the deaf and handicapped individuals and served as an unpaid lobbyist until the State of Louisiana funded and completed the new Louisiana School for the Deaf. She changed laws to better the lives of deaf individuals. She was equally involved with her three hearing children and devoted to her family, supporting all of their interests. Her true gift to us was her unconditional love, and her love was unwavering.

She was proud of being part of what Tom Brokaw called the “Greatest Generation.” In 1958, her husband and brother started a business, and she was integrally involved in the start-up of the business , which is known today as Chem Spray South, Inc. She was the CEO of our family – the Chief Emotional Officer. Though thought of as a homemaker, she was a capable businesswoman and was a partner with her husband in every way.

She cherished her family, was a champion for the rights of deaf people and believed in her Catholic faith. She was an agent of change, fought for the underdog and was steady, dignified, intelligent, tenacious, fair, a fighter, tough, accepting, honest, determined, compassionate, forgiving, witty, and most of all loving.

Laura Belle Domingue Deville left=2 0this world a better place and her spirit lives in all of her children and their spouses, grand children, great grandchildren and the family and friends, who have been so blessed to be loved by this wonderful, loving being. Visitation will take place on Monday, July 20 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home located at 823 Government Street beginning at 2 p.m. with a special memorial service at 6 p.m. A mass will be held on Tuesday, July 21 at 10:00am at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Grand Prairie, LA, followed by a Catholic burial at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery.

She is survived by her only daughter Karen Anne Deville of Baton Rouge and two sons, Charles Dean Deville and wife Sabrina of Clinton, LA and John Edward Deville and wife Brigitte of Prairieville, LA; daughter -in-law Karen Solet Deville Arabie (wife of the late Glen Deville) of Baton Rouge, LA. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Kristie, Vera, and Gabriel Deville of Baton Rouge, LA; Dean, Jacob, Robbie, and Katie Deville of Clinton, LA, Scottie Campbell of Baker, Brandon and Christopher Deville of Pineville; Hollie Deville of Prairieville, LA; one great grandson J.E. Deville; five step -grandchildren, Hythem Elsaleh and wife Kimmie, Tee Copler and husband James, Laila Elsaleh, Ahmed Elsaleh, and Sean Elsaleh; eight step great grand children Summer, Noah, Bailey, Aaralyn, London, Abriana, Layton, and Landon. Also survived by two special friends Leola Stevens and Bunnie Cannon.

She was prec eded in death by her beloved husband Elliott Deville, son Glen Elliott Deville, mother and father, Marie Edith Benton and Lucas Domingue; and brother Lucas Domingue Jr.

Memorial donations may be made to the Louisiana School for the Deaf Foundation Post Office Box 3074, 2888 Brightside Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70821 or to Hospice of Greater Baton Rouge9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810



I’m free; don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.

I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took his hand when I heard him call.

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day;

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way I found that peace at the close of day.

If parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my times seemed all too brief:

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and share with me.

God wanted me now, he set me free.