Mary Ezola Sonnier nee Bernard, age 87, of Houston, Texas, passed away on October 30, 2023. Born on February 28, 1936, to Paul Bernard, Jr. and Julia Comeaux in Carencro, Louisiana, Mary's first season of life consisted of a loving childhood including schoolwork, working on the farm and having fun with her nine siblings, especially her older sister Joyce. As a teen, she enjoyed going to the LaLa's and dancing to zydeco music while Sundays were devoted to attending the local Catholic church and sharing meals and time with family.

During the second season of her life, Mary met and married a handsome young man by the name of Clayton Sonnier. He convinced her to move to Houston where she gave birth first to a son she named Clayton Jr. (nicknamed Cookie by his Dad), and then a daughter she named Rose. Her family became the center of her world, and she served as a dedicated homemaker while her children were very young. Later, when her children were more self-sufficient, she took work outside the home often working more than one job in service fields, including the hotel and restaurant industries. But Mary spent most of her career working  as a private health care worker devoting herself to the care of others. She developed a love for Elvis and his music and westerns (what she called "cowboy movies.").

During the third season of her life, Mary retired and became a grandmother. She doted on her five grandchildren, Brandon, Eric, Carman, Chelsea and Dylan, and helped take care of them, showering them with love and attention. As they grew, she loved hearing about their many accomplishments in school, their careers, marriages and the births of their children (her great-grandchildren). She also began to focus her life inward, praying for others, watching religious channels and reading her bible. Her life became one of quiet solitude although she enjoyed her visits from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When asked if she needed anything, she would usually say, "I just need you to be happy." At the end of most visits with her she would say to her loved ones, "I love you and I pray for you."

During the fourth season of her life, Mary found herself no longer able to live independently and having to count on others to assist her in her day to day living. A stroke quickly followed by COVID in 2020, had left her unable to walk without assistance and resulted in irreversible damage to her kidneys. As someone who took care of others most of her life, it was not an easy adjustment for her, but she handled her change in circumstances with grace and dignity, always thanking those who performed even the smallest of tasks for her, whether it was bringing her fresh water or simply asking if she needed anything. A common refrain from the health care workers who interacted with her was, "She is so sweet."

Mary leaves to cherish her memories, her children Clayton Sonnier Jr. (Margret) and Rose Sonnier, both of Houston, TX; her grandchildren, Brandon Sonnier (Sarah) of Encino, CA, Eric Sonnier (Christine) of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Carman Sonnier (Alfred) of Humble, TX, Chelsea Gordon (Kyle) of Dayton, TX, and Dylan Sonnier of Houston, TX; 15 great grandchildren; her siblings, Lillie Bernard, Daisy Mouton, and Dennis Bernard; her in-laws, Beverly Bernard, Anna Sonnier, Gertrude Sonnier, Henry Heileman, Milton and Augusta Sonnier, Wilbert Sonnier, Eugene Sonnier, Murphy Gordon, Ruby and Clarence Williams, and Michael and Mabel Gibbs; and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton Sonnier, Sr.; her parents, Paul Bernard Jr. and Julia Bernard nee Comeaux; and her siblings, Dallas Bernard, Edwin Bernard, Peter Bernard, Viola Bernard, Edmond Bernard and Joyce Jolivette; and in-laws, Harry and Laura Sonnier, Paul L.J. Sonnier, Jesse Sonnier, Marie Heileman, Pearl & Kenneth Culton, Marie Sonnier and Rosa Nell Gordon.

The family wishes to thank everyone who prayed and/or cared for Mary during her fourth season of life, including the doctors and nurses who saw to her health needs; the medical professionals at Da Vita and the drivers who took her to and from her twice-weekly dialysis appointments; those who tended to her daily needs at Bridgecrest Rehabilitation Center; the clergy and religious who tended to Mary's spiritual needs including Fr. Schackleford and other members of St. Andrews Catholic Church who brought her Communion and prayed with her, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament-Houston who prayed for her at daily mass, and Fr. Christian (Chaplain at Memorial-Herman Hospital Medical Center) who anointed her with oil and prayed for her in preparation for her transition; and last but not least, Ms. Betty, her roommate at Bridgecrest who treated Mary like family, ensuring she was comfortable, operating the TV remote so that Mary could watch her westerns, and calling the nurses or letting Mary's family know if Mary was in need of anything. A special note of thanks to Ms. Betty's family too, including her son Paul, who worked in tandem with Mary's family to ensure things went smoothly at Bridgecrest.

Mary has now entered the eternal season of her life and will be remembered here on earth for her legacy of hard work, perseverance, kindness, humility and service.

Mary Ezola Sonnier departed this life October 30, 2023. Rosary November 11, 2023, at 9:15am., followed by a Memorial Mass at 10am. Services will be held at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church 4000 Sumpter St. Houston, Texas 77020.