Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia for Lela Pierce Mayeaux, 85, of Columbia, who passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021, in Morgan City, Louisiana. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia. Rev. Chris Turnage will officiate the service. Vicki Olszewski and Jana Lankford will provide special music. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Hathorn Funeral Home.

Lela Pierce Mayeaux was born June 9, 1936, in Columbia, Mississippi. She was the third of five daughters born to Clarence and Amanda Singley Pierce. Lela attended Columbia City Schools all twelve years, graduating in May of 1954.

Following graduation, Lela worked in a number of locations in Columbia, but then she and her family relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana. Lela and her husband, E.J., developed a successful trade show business while living in New Orleans, which they later relocated back to Columbia. They continued to manage the trade show business from Columbia until their retirement.

Lela gave her life to the Lord Jesus Christ at age twelve at East Columbia Baptist Church, where she attended with her family. At the time of her death, Lela was an active member of Edna Baptist Church. During her time at Edna before her health failed, she was very active serving as Sunday School teacher and in other areas of ministry.

Lela enjoyed reading, shopping, beading, traveling and being a homemaker for her family after retiring from many years in the working world.

Lela was preceded in death by her Husband of almost thirty-three years, E.J. Mayeaux; her Parents, Clarence & Amanda S. Pierce; one Son, Robert H. Chance, Jr.; and two Sisters, Hilda P. Hill, Doris P. Thibodeaux.

Lela is survived by her Daughter, Pamela June Chance, of Covington, Louisiana; three Granddaughters, Natalie Chance Cannata (Sammy), of Patterson, Louisiana, Amanda Sheridan Pigott (Stephen), of Tylertown, Mississippi, Katie Sheridan Sexton (Rhett), of Knoxville, Tennessee; one Grandson, Deric Sheridan (Robin), of Pearl River, Louisiana; seven Great Grandchildren, Dominic, Dean, & Santos Cannata, Brooklyn & Sutton Pigott, Madelyn & Rylee Sheridan; two Sisters, Linda Shepherd (Billy), of Panama City, Florida, Betty Reagan (Lester), of Montgomery, Alabama; four Nieces, Gail Hill Mulford, of Monticello, Mississippi, Sandra Thibodeaux, of Destrehan, Louisiana, Jana Lankford (Phillip), of Montgomery, Alabama, Vicki Olszewski (Eddie), of Montgomery, Alabama; five Nephews, Gary Hill (Sherry), of Oak Vale, Mississippi; Rocky Thibodeaux, of Destrehan, Louisiana, Don Shepherd, of Mobile, Alabama, Mike Shepherd (Deena), of Lynn Haven, Florida, Russ Shepherd (Julie), of Lynn Haven, Florida; and a number of Cousins, Great Nieces, and Nephews.

Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia is in charge of the arrangements. Friends may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com.