BIOGRAPHY

Lorena Guillot was born in Ossun, Louisiana, United States on 19 January 1911. She was the eldest of five children born to Francois “Frank” Guilbeau (1891–1986) and Andrea Broussard (1889–1988). She had three brothers—Wilson (1912–2000), Clifton (1916–2007), and Joseph—and one sister, Mae Arceneaux (1919–2011). Her parents instilled in her the values of hard work, honesty, integrity, and compassion, which she exemplified throughout her life. A devout Catholic, she had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and recited the rosary several times a day.

From an early age, she helped care for her siblings while also working in the fields, picking cotton and digging sweet potatoes. On 28 November 1931, at the age of 20, she married Whitney Guillot. They enjoyed 53 years of marriage until his passing on 23 April 1985. She spent most of her life in Bosco, where she owned and operated Guillot’s Grocery Store for 20 years, while her husband worked as a barber for 40 years. Together, they had two daughters, Anna Lou (1939–2002) and Sadie.

In 1998, at the age of 87, she moved to Beau Sejour Apartments in Carencro, where she lived for 17 years. During much of that time, she volunteered at the nearby Evangeline Oaks Nursing Home, while also caring for her brother and two sisters-in-law who resided there. She enjoyed independent living at Beau Sejour until the age of 104, when she returned to the Ossun property where she was born. Some of her favorite pastimes included vegetable and flower gardening, picking pecans, drinking Coca-Cola, eating boudin, and cutting grass. She also enjoyed playing bingo and taking the occasional trip to the casino. At 100 years old, she was honored with the key to the City of Carencro, a recognition she took great pride in.

For many years, she was a devoted parishioner of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Mire, as well as St. Peter Catholic Church in Carencro. Additionally, she was a dedicated member of the St. Anne Society in Carencro for 84 years.

Lorena Guillot passed away in Ossun, Louisiana, USA, on 17 January 2023 at the age of 111 years, 363 days, just two days shy of her 112th birthday. She was survived by her daughter Sadie, six grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great-grandchildren, one great-great-great-grandchild, her brother Joseph, and a large extended family.

RECOGNITION

On 5 February 2021, following the passing of 111-year-old Marguerite Cooper, she became the oldest (known) living woman in the U.S. state of Louisiana, at the age of 110 years, 17 days.

On 5 January 2022, following the passing of Lawrence Brooks, she became the oldest (known) living person in the U.S. state of Louisiana, at the age of 110 years, 351 days.

Upon her passing, Louise Smith succeeded her as the oldest living person in Louisiana.

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Acadia Parish native celebrates 108th birthday” – KATC, 21 January 2019

* “Lorena “Ti-Moon” Guillot Obituary” – Melancon Funeral Home Inc

* Lorena “Ti-Moon” Guilbeau Guillot – Find A Grave

GALLERY