Sedonia Duffel

Sedonia Manuel Duffel was born on June 15, 1921, to the late Benjamin J. Manuel and Mary Rankin Manuel. She transitioned peacefully on Wednesday, January 26 at 7:18 p.m. at Touro Infirmary. A native of New Orleans, she was one of 14 children and was a caregiver for most of her siblings before their passing. The centenarian grew up in uptown New Orleans beginning in a shotgun double on Louisiana Avenue and eventually in her current home on Austerlitz Street that she and her late husband, Whelmon L. Duffel, purchased more than 50 years ago. She attended Tommy Lafon Public School and was meticulous about using proper grammar in the spoken word. As with many women of her generation and today, Mrs. Duffel was good at multi-tasking. She was a homemaker, seamstress, teacher, and a voting poll worker. She continued to keep up with politics and current events with her daily subscription to the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate as well as local and cable TV news until her death. During the 1950’s, Mrs. Duffel was baptized at Macedonia Baptist Church on Sixth Street, where she remained until its dissolution. She then joined Mt. Moriah Baptist Church where she had been a dedicated member for more than 50 years. During her membership she served as a Sunday School teacher as well as Superintendent of the Sunday School. She also used her beautiful voice as a member of the choir. Her favorite songs were “Blessed Assurance,” “Jesus Paid it All” and “His Eye is on the Sparrow.” Her favorite scripture was Psalms 136 which says in part: “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endureth forever.” When she was no longer able to attend church in person, she continued her daily bible readings and watched broadcasts of religious services. Mrs. Duffel was matriarch and ‘Queen’ of the family, but she was humble and generous in her reign. Steeped deeply in her faith, she lived it daily with her kindness to strangers and welcoming spirit. She was always willing to share a meal or cup of coffee with neighbors. No one ever left her house hungry. She was not only industrious, but selective in her choice of food and clothing, always seeking the best for her husband, children, and extended family. She embodied the virtuous woman that King Lemuel spoke of in his advice regarding how to choose a wife when he said, “many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” (Proverbs 31:29) Mrs. Duffel was preceded in death by her parents, all her siblings, her husband Whelmon L. Duffel, and her son Carlos Smith. She leaves a legacy of love and generosity to be passed forward by her seven children: Anthony Duffel (Myrt), Joseph Duffel, Ronnie S. LaCabe, Amanda S. Boutte, Tyrone Duffel (Joann), Mona Duffel Jones (Alonzo) and Valencia Q. Duffel. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Lori Duffel Medina (Rick), Aaron LaCabe (Val), Troy LaCabe (Ronette), Jacinda Boutte, Tamara B. Dioubate (Michel), Todd Boutte (Latrelle), Katrina and Helena Duffel, Ayana Barbarin, Marcus Brown (Laura), Churita H. Hansell, Krystal Broussard (Matthew) and Jared Harris (Keshona); devoted niece Ingrid Manuel, nephews Phillip and Terrence Manuel and Jerome Reddick, great nephews Issac and Cornell Manuel (Damali) and other great nephews. She is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren, a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. Relatives and friends of the family as well as priest and parishioners of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, pastors, officers and members of Mt. Moriah B.C., Austerlitz Street B.C., Franklin Avenue B.C. and City Church of New Orleans are invited to attend the Funeral Service on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at Austerlitz St. B.C., 819 Austerlitz St. at 11:00 a.m. Visitation at the church from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Rev. James Frazier officiating. Masks and social distancing required. Interment will follow at Providence Park and Mausoleum, 8200 Airline Hwy., Metairie, LA 70003. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue. Please visit www.rhodesfuneralcom to sign the guestbook.

Sedonia Duffel

January 26, 2022