On November 13, 2020, Matilda Breaux Redfud went home to be with the Lord.  During her 98 years on earth, Matilda lived a long and meaningful life which was filled with an abundance of blessings.  Known to many as "Aunt Matil", she possessed a quick and sassy wit and was known for her hearty laughter.  She was a strong and fiercely independent woman who instilled a strong work ethic in her descendants.  She had a gentle and caring spirit and was a sweet joy to all that encountered her.

Matilda was born to Stella and Delma Breaux on February 28, 1922 in Lake Charles, LA where she was raised with her six sisters and two brothers.  After graduating from Second Ward Colored High School, she married Paul Redfud in 1939.  They welcomed four children (Johnny Paul, Gwendolyn, Beverly, and William aka Arnie) into their family and thrived as a couple until his untimely death in 1944.  Matilda later gave birth to two more children (Sheila and Barry) as a result of her union with Lawrence Langlinais.

Matilda was a praying woman who was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  Everyone that met her quickly learned that the most important thing in her life was her relationship with God and her unwavering faith in Him.  Her steadfast and unfaltering love for God was followed by her love for her large and close-knit family.

Every Sunday after returning home from church, Matilda demonstrated her love for her growing family by cooking a large meal which always included the baked spaghetti and cheese that the Breaux family was known for.  Matilda offered up her delicious homecooked food to everyone who entered her home – whether they were her own children, grandchildren, extended family members, friends, or friends of friends.  This was done almost every Sunday up until a few years ago when dementia robbed her of her independence.

Matilda was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, six siblings (Thelma Sallier, Margaret Breaux, Louise Pennix, Annie Mae Rious, Lloyd Johnson, and Joseph Johnson) and four of her six children: William Arnie Redfud, Beverly Redfud Byers, Sheila (George) England Walker, and Gwendolyn (McDonald) Redfud James.  She will be tremendously missed by her surviving sisters, Mildred Breaux Jones and Stella Mae Breaux; two surviving children, Johnny Paul Redfud and Barry (Madeline) England; and grandchildren: Kevin (Sharon) James, Sharon Byers, Michele Byers, Michael (Trish) Redfud, George (Christen) Walker, Tisha Walker, Rodrick James, Melissa England Fowlkes, Talia Walker, Dalia Walker, Jada (Devone) Jackson Bolden, and Mia (Brandon) England McKay, (33) great-grandchildren, (13) great-great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many "adopted" relatives who are too many to name.

Matilda was the glue that bonded her clan together, and they will remain forever grateful for the many wonderful memories she left them with.  They'll miss her bright and beautiful smile and always cherish and celebrate her legacy of always putting God first and family second.