Ella Mae “Mim” Sonnier Voan, 82, of Winnie, died Saturday, April 17, 2010.  She was born December 26, 1927, in Belle City, Louisiana to Merante Landry Sonnier and Lucas Sonnier. 

Ella was a sales clerk for a department store for many years before starting a family. She then went on to waitressing for Miller’s Café as well as being a mother and housewife.  Ella Mae enjoyed cooking, planting and harvesting her own garden, and dancing.  She enjoyed listening to Cajun music, especially on Sunday mornings. Most of all she loved spending time with her family and friends.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Winnie, Eastern Star and Rainbow Girls.

Survivors include her husband of thirty-nine years, Louis James Voan, Sr. of Winnie; children, Murlene Blanchard and her husband Donny, N.J. “Bubba” Ortego, Jr. and his wife Mary Lou, Kenneth Wayne Ortego and his wife Suzie, and Tammy Ortego; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and two very special friends that were dear to her heart, Elva Burlin and Hilda Lopez.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph Hodges Sonnier; sister, Lou Ella Poole; son, Roger Lee Ortego; daughter, Rita Gayle Ortego; and granddaughter, Scottie “Wayne” Ortego.

Her funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at Broussard’s, 134 W. Buccaneer, Winnie with burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery.  A gathering of her family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, April 19, 2010, at Broussard’s.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 124 Freeman Street, Winnie, Texas 77665 or to Odyssey Healthcare of Beaumont, 550 Fannin, Beaumont, Texas 77701.