Delia Marcantel was born Delia Avilez on August 16, 1936 in Port Arthur, Texas. She was the daughter of Hermelinda and Anastasio Avilez. She was raised in Port Arthur, Texas and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1955. She then attended and graduated from Port Arthur College. In 1957, she married Clyde Marcantel. Together they raised four children Delia spent her life working in the ministry with Clyde until he passed away on March 8, 2003. Delia and Clyde worked in evangelism and as stateside missionaries, founding and pasturing churches in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.
Delia’s most powerful gift in the ministry, the raising of her children, and the support of loved ones and friends was her prayer life. When Delia offered her prayers for you, it was a serious offer. God listened to her earnest prayers for those that she loved and he answered those prayers for her. Her eldest son called her his “ Prayer Warrior ”. Her children would always be able to ask her to cover them in her prayers and love when things grew difficult for them and their families. Delia had an infectious smile and a warm loving spirit. She looked for the best in all people and those that she loved, she loved until her passing.
Delia Marcantel is survived by her children and families, son Clyde Marcantel, Jr and daughter-n-law Barbara, daughter Sharon Broussard, daughter Andrea Marcantel and son-in-law Steven Bordelon, and son Jeffrey Marcantel and daughter-in-law Ashley. Delia’s grandchildren are Jammie Marcantel, Justin Marcantel, Andrea Dawkins, Caleb McKey, Caleb Broussard, Shannon Broussard, Nicholas Broussard, Iscis Trattles, Tahliya Trattles, Kallie Marcantel, Kinsley Marcantel, Trenton Marcantel, and Ashlyn Marcantel. Delia’s great grandchild is Miles Marcantel and she has another great grandchild on the way.
Delia is also survived by her brother Robert Avilez and wife Meredith, sister Socorro Gonzalez and husband Jose, sister Rosa Guerra and husband Jaime, sister Yolanda Fischer and husband Craig and her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother Rudolph, her mother Hermelinda, and her father Anastasio.
A gathering of family and friends will be from 4-8 PM Sunday at Broussard’s Mortuary 505 12th. St. Nederland. Memorial services will be 10:00 AM Monday, April 24, 2006 at Broussard’s Nederland Chapel with Reverend Wilbert Ardion officiating. Enichment of cremains will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves.
