Lafayette, LA - Louise Mumford Twilley, of Lafayette, Louisiana, a dedicated wife, mother and teacher passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the age of 73. Louise was born on November 21, 1952, in Pitt Memorial Hospital, and grew up in the small but charming community of Ayden in Eastern NC where her Dad ran a family grocery business for two generations serving the local community.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Harry Gardner Mumford of Greenville, NC and Lenora Haller Mumford, of Hopewell, VA. She is also preceded in death by two sisters, Anne Smith (Allen "Buddy") of Beaufort, NC and Christine Beaman (Malcolm) of Charlotte, NC.

She is survived by her husband, Robert R. Twilley; her sons, Ryan Twilley (Andrea), Russell Twilley (Anna) and her daughter, Leah Anne Denis (Jean). She was Mom-Mom to three lovely grandchildren, Caroline, Charlie, and Brannon. They were the angels in Louise's life, as she provided them the arts, crafts, and cooking experiences they will carry with them the rest of their lives. Louise has three very special nieces, Shaye Ray (Howard) of Isle of Palms, SC, Tammy Hunsucker (J.P. Gooch) of Beaufort, NC, and Kathy Hunsucker of Morehead City, NC., who shared so much of their lives together with Louise which brought laughter throughout their journey.

Louise was a graduate of Ayden High School (AHS) where she was editor of the high school annual, The Wheel 1971. She attended East Carolina University where she was a proud 'Pirate Fan' showing the purple pride to anyone who would listen. She married her high school sweetheart in 1974 and they began a journey lasting 51 years that followed Robert through the academic world of higher education. They left Pitt County and ECU in 1976 to live in Gainesville, FL, for five wonderful years. From there they traveled back to Robert's roots on the Eastern Shore in Cambridge, MD, where her two sons were born. From Cambridge, Louise and family finally settled in Lafayette, LA, in 1986 where she quickly fell in love with the culture and friendships that supported her the rest of her life. At each stop along this journey, Louise taught elementary school, usually in small rural communities where she loved the honesty and values of the children she taught. Louise gave her all to make sure that her students built skills to carry them through their early years of youth. She retired from Green T. Lindon Elementary in 2013 with 24 cumulative years in various school systems (including Guchereau Early Childhood Development) working with faculty, staff and students. Her daughter, Leah, teaches at Green T. Lindon today carrying on her mother's love for teaching kids the values of life. Louise was also honored to be the inaugural queen, Queen I, of the Krewe of Sans Sous, a small group of family friends. She is survived by Queen II Cindy Barry, Queen III Mimi Anderson, and Queen IV Diane Keogh. These families enjoyed twenty years of Mardi Gras parties with Louise as one of the key planners.

The family requests that visitation be observed at Martin & Castille's SOUTHSIDE location on Friday, April 3, 2026 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. A funeral service will be held in La Fleur de Lis Chapel at the funeral home on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM followed by a celebration of life in Le Cafe at Martin & Castille Funeral Home.

Kyle Deroche, Director of Spiritwind Worship Ministry, Asbury United Methodist Church, will lead the services.

Special thanks to the many family members, friends, and caregivers who offered their love, prayers, and support during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Louise Twilley's name to the United Way of Acadiana.

Martin & Castille Funeral Home - SOUTHSIDE - 600 E. Farrel Rd, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508, 337-984-2811.