Louise Ellen Barq

Mrs. Lou Ella (Viator) Barq, 97, of Biloxi, MS, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 2, 2023 surrounded by her family.

She was born in Biloxi on January 17, 1926, to Victoria Eve Capo and Joseph Jaubert Viator Sr. She attended St. Joseph’s Academy in Bay St. Louis, where she graduated in 1945. A devout Catholic, she considered becoming a nun, but as fate would have it, Mr. William A. “Bill” Barq, swept her off her feet with a first date aboard the Barq family yacht, the Susan McK. Soon after, the couple married in 1946 at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Biloxi. The couple had a son, Barrett W. “Barry” Barq, and remained in wedded bliss for 56 years, until Mr. Barq’s death parted them in 2002.

The happy couple traveled across Europe on a month-long excursion aboard The Queen Mary shortly after their marriage. For many decades, Mrs. Barq spent her time supporting her husband behind the scenes, including traveling the country for business functions and soft drink conventions for the Barq’s Root Beer Bottling Co., during his career.

After Mr. Barq’s passing, Mrs. Barq spent her time faithfully attending Mass and observing holy prayers during her personal time at home and joyously sharing her faith with those around her. She cherished her friends and family, including spending time with and looking at pictures of her seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Mrs. Barq never missed a family function and loved to go out on the town with her family, such as attending a dance recital or sporting event for one of her great-grandchildren, an Engelbert Humperdinck concert at the Beau Rivage or simply sharing a family get together at the Olive Garden. A fashionista, Mrs. Barq dressed her husband and herself daily in the best of fashion taste, always coordinating their wardrobes and accessories from head to toe. A true Southern belle, for over 50 years, she also enjoyed her weekly hair appointments at Mark I Beauty Bazaar, of Ocean Springs.

The matriarch and historian of the Barq family, Mrs. Barq took great pride in maintaining the Barq legacy on the Coast. She was a one-of-a-kind wife, mother and grandmother, and will be truly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brother, (Joseph Jaubert “Bud” Viator Jr.); and her step-grandson, (Sheppard Gonsoulin, Jr.). She is survived by her son (and wife Kitty) of Biloxi; grandsons, St. John (and wife Stephanie) Barq, of Biloxi and Jason Barq Johnson, of Biloxi; step-grandson, Dean Bellais, of Gulfport; and granddaughters, Brandy (and husband Adrian) Ontiveros, of El Paso, Texas, Ashley (and husband Zeb) House, of Saucier, and Victoria (and husband John) Broehm, of Arlington, Virginia.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Hillary, Katlyn, Gaige and Colin Barq, Jaqe and Elleigh Johnson, Tucker and Zoe House, Andru Ontiveros, Amelia Lou and G. Welles Broehm, and Devon and Mary Caitlin Poulos; and by her great-great grandchildren: Leighton Ella Marchioni and William Hailey.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to The Blake staff of Biloxi, and Mrs. Nadine Lalich, of Gulfport, for their love and support during her final days and always.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Friends may visit from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow service at Southern Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in Mrs. Barq’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. 1-800-805-5856

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Lou Ella (Viator) Barq.