Ella Mae “T-Mae” Booth, went to her Heavenly home on Monday July 10, 2023. She was born on Dec. 9, 1927, in Grand Chenier to Drozan and Clodia Miller. She had two beloved siblings whom she adored, Lee Miller and Corrine Miller Granger. T-Mae was a Queen from the second she was born. She loved her family and loved her faith. T-Mae married the love of her life, Earl “Red” Booth on July 6, 1945. After World War II, they began their lives together in Lake Charles. Over the next decade, she had her four loving children.
After the devastating Hurricane Audrey, T-Mae and Red opened their family-run grocery store, Booth’s Grocery, in Grand Chenier. T-Mae was one of a kind and all her customers were more like family. She fed the community daily with food, love, and stories. Booth’s Grocery business really took off when a video called “Cajun OnStar” went viral, hence the phrase “Booth’s Comma to da top.” T-Mae and her store became world renowned, and she was an instant icon in Louisiana. People traveled from across the country to visit her treasured store.
T-Mae was a faithful member of St. Eugene Catholic Church. She enjoyed serving her church by being a member of the Catholic Daughters, Eucharistic Minister, God’s Little Dusters, and the Ladies Alter Society. She was awarded the Medal for Devoted Service of the Diocese of Lake Charles in 2010 for her continuous contributions and service to her church parish.
Her love of traveling took her to India, France, Mexico, Canada, and every state in the United States.
She would love to tell anyone that she visited Alaska, Hawaii, and India twice. Her travels always included family members, especially her grandchildren. Her greatest joys were God, her family, and the church. These delights would make her blue eyes shine.
Those left to cherish her memory include, her children, Earl “Bodo” Booth, Jr. (Michaeil), Arthur Lee Booth (Bernice), Dona Booth Adams (L. J.), and Rose Granger Manuel (Harold); her grandchildren, Patrick, Sandy, Stacie, Earl, Clodia, Hannah, and Jason; her great-grandchildren, Tyler, Emily, Nathan, Madison, Ava, Ellarose, Brody, Brandon, Halie, Leland, Ryleigh, Thomas, Gabe, and Addie; and her great-great grandchild, Cian; her dear priest and friend, Fr. Vincent; and numerous nieces and nephews, and so many more she helped raise throughout the years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Lee and Adam Miller; her sister, Corrine Granger; her husband, Earl (Red) Booth; her daughter, Ella Louise Booth; her great-grandchild, Dakota Wayne Booth. Surely, she will have a grand reunion of family, friends, and loved ones waiting for her.
The family would like to thank the Amedisys Health Care System nurses, aides, social worker, and pastor for helping the Booth family through this difficult time. Also, the Grand Chenier community for their continued support and love.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 13, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, located at 3939 Lake St., Lake Charles. Reverend Jerish George, M. O. C. will serve as Celebrant. Burial will follow the service in Grand Chenier at St. Eugene Catholic Church Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home, located at 4321 Lake St. Lake Charles, on Wednesday, July 12, from 4 until 8 p.m., with a rosary being recited at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume on Thursday morning at the funeral home at 8:30 a.m. and continue until leaving in procession to the church.
What a blessing to have had T-Mae for 95 years. Her work is done here on Earth. “Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.” Amen.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.
(Paid Memorial)