CHAMPAGNE

Elma Ruiz Champagne, daughter of the late Emmanuel and Emma Ruiz, died on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at the age of 96.

She was preceded in death by her husband Vital Pierre Champagne; siblings, Frank, Percy, Bridget, Roy and Mable. Mother of Ann Theresa Colon and her husband Royce Joseph Colon; the late Charlene Rita Thibodeaux and husband, Ophey Joseph Thibodeaux, Jr. The Grandmother of Andrea, Nicole, Shelly, Jill, Greg and Ashley; Great-grandmother of Brandy, Whitney, Jordan, Amber, Michael, Jr., Christian, Gregory, Jr., and Alexis.

Elma was born in Belle Alliance and was a cherished resident of Norco for 67 years where she was a member of the Sacred Heart Ladies Altar Society. Visitation will be Friday, May 23, 2008 from 9 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. from the H. C. Alexander Funeral Home in Norco. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, May 23, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. from the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Norco with Fr. Terry Hayden as the Officiant. Interment followed in the St. Charles Cemetery Mausoleum in Luling. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Breast Cancer Foundation, 1220 East Joppa Rd., Suite 332, Baltimore, MD 21286; and Masses.

Friends are encouraged to send their condolences and thoughts to www.mem.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of H.C. Alexander Funeral Home in Norco.