Ginger Hession Domingue

GRAND COTEAU- Ginger Cox Hession Domingue was born on July 15, 1923 in Athens, TN and entered eternal rest on Saturday, May 29, 2021. She died peacefully at her home in Lafayette, LA after a brief illness. The funeral Mass will be celebrated by Reverend Mark Kramer, S.J., with Deacon Cody Miller as homilist on Monday, June 14, 2021 at 11:00 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Grand Coteau, LA, with visitation that morning from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Sibille Funeral Home in Sunset, LA. The rosary will be prayed at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. The burial will take place in Bellevue Cemetery in Opelousas, LA immediately following the Mass. Musical selections for the Mass will be provided by Katie Rees and the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia with Dr. Frankie Kelly accompanying on the keyboard and organ. Readers will be Michelle Hession Griffith and Alexandra Bewley.

Ginger was born Bessie Lee Cox and was one of three children of Charlie and Mae Cox. Ginger relocated to Hartford, CT at age 19 to seek work since World War II had already begun. It was in Hartford that she casually met a Navy Recruiter who gave her the idea that she “would look good in a Navy uniform.” So at age 21, Ginger enlisted in the United States Navy and became a Hospital Corpsman. In Ginger’s own words, “it was the best time of my life.” She was honorably discharged in 1946 and soon thereafter attended Tennessee Wesleyan College for one year in her hometown of Athens. Her studies included the ground course for pilot training for one semester. In June 1947, Ginger literally hitched a ride to Florida with some relatives and they dropped her off in Tampa where she began working as a waitress in a restaurant in the heart of the city. After settling in Tampa, Ginger got her papers organized to enroll in one of the local universities. She was planning to finish her pilot training, earn her 4-year degree and re-enter the US Navy as a pilot and an officer. Ginger’s plans were quickly diverted as she had the good fortune of meeting William (Bill) M. Hession, Sr. on September 1, 1947. At the time, Ginger was working as a waitress at an iconic diner in downtown Tampa called Goody Goody. Three weeks later on September 22, 1947, Ginger and Bill were married and Ginger’s life was forever changed. Ginger began instructions in the Catholic faith immediately after her marriage to Bill. She received her sacraments, and they had their marriage blessed in August 1948 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Bill and Ginger established their home in Sunset, LA and had six children. In 1960, they established several small businesses in Sunset—-H&R Washateria, Hession’s Gift Shop, and later, H&R Furniture Store. Ginger also did some substitute teaching while her six children were attending Sunset Elementary and Sunset High School. After 40 years in Sunset, Ginger and Bill relocated to Lafayette.

Ginger was a true American patriot and was very proud to have served as a Wave during World War II. One of her greatest memories was being able to visit Washington, DC with Honor Air in 2008. She was one of four veterans who had the honor to walk up the steps and lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery.

Ginger was a past member of the Catholic Daughters of America and the American Legion. She was also a member of the choir at St. Charles Borromeo Church for several years.

Ginger was a very hard-working and devoted wife and mother. She and Bill spent their extra time attending all of their children’s school activities. Ginger was an excellent cook and she quickly learned how to cook Cajun food with such great flavor in every dish. She cherished her time with family and friends especially the time spent around the kitchen table.

Ginger is survived by four children: Sister Mary Andrew Hession, O.P., Nashville, TN; Matt Hession (Marcela Gonzalez), Lafayette, LA; Charlene Vivlamore, Arlington, TX; Bonnie Hession, Lafayette, LA. She is survived by six grandchildren, Michelle (Sean) Hession Griffith, Heather (James) Duplantis, Ashley Vivlamore, Alexandra (Austin) Bewley, Valeria Noguera, and Jennifer (Nick) Johnson and is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Ginger is also survived by one sister, Evelyn C. Bonneau, Tullahoma, TN., and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by William (Bill) M. Hession, Sr., after 49 years of marriage, Robert Domingue, her second husband of six years, and two children: Michael C. Hession and Pamela M. Peoples. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Mae Benton Cox, and one brother, William Mansel (Mildred) Cox, Sr.

The pallbearers who will serve are: Matt Hession, James Duplantis, Austin Bewley, Wayne Jude Trafficano, Brent Hession, Bill Cox, and Nick Judice. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Brent Prather, Ken Neavel, Carlos Contreras, and Osvaldo Perez.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Cecilia Congregation, 801 Dominican Drive, Nashville, TN, 37228 or Academy of the Sacred Heart, P.O. Box 310, Grand Coteau, LA 70541 or via the online link, www.sshcoteau.org/giving. Masses offered for the repose of her soul will be greatly appreciated.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.