Iva Lee Meshell

Funeral services for Iva Lee Meshell, 93, will be held Monday, November 4, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 307 Hammond St., Zwolle, Louisiana. A burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. A visitation will be held Sunday, November 3, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 9891 Texas Hwy, Many, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Father Timothy Hurd. Bubba Lance Rivers will be leading the Rosary. 

Iva Lee was born on September 20, 1931 to Albert Ebarb and Frances Knight Ebarb in Ebarb, Louisiana and passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2024 in Zwolle, Louisiana. 

Iva Lee was preceded in death by her husband, Emmett Meshell; parents, Albert and Frances Ebarb; sons, Dewayne Meshell and Donnie Meshell; grandson, Chad Meshell; great-grandson, Clay Meshell; 1 sister; and 5 brothers. She is survived by her sons, David Meshell and Dennis Meshell; sisters, Joan Sneed and Ethel Paddie; brother, Roy Ebarb; a special niece, Francis Martinez; 8 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren and extended family. 

Iva Lee was the epitome of a gracious southern lady. She was gentle, kind, and generous with her time and devotion as the matriarch of her family. At home she could be found either in the kitchen cooking her famed chicken n’ dumplings and banana pudding, or outside working in her yard or in the garden. 

Iva Lee was a beloved member of the community and volunteered her time and talents in a variety of capacities. She was a Eucharistic Minister for St. Joseph Catholic church of Zwolle; a member of St. Vincent de Paul society and St. Helen circle, as well as the Parish Council of Women. She sang in the choir and served on the finance committee church council. She was awarded Diocesan Medal from Bishop William B. Friend for promoting the message and spirit of the gospel. 

Iva Lee served on the Sabine Parish Library Board of Control as a trustee and treasurer for 14 years. She was a member of the board of directors of the Sabine Council on Aging and served on the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta board, the Building Committee for Zwolle High School, and the Sabine Parish Planning Zoning Commission. 

Iva Lee served on the Board of Directors of People’s State Bank for over 20 years. 

She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary and the recipient of an Outstanding Community Service Award from Modern Woodmen of America Insurance Group. She volunteered for the Knights of Columbus and received a certificate of merit for exceptional service. 

In 2006, Iva Lee was named as the First Lady of the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta. In 2008, she was inducted into the Sabine Hall of Fame. In her earlier years, she was a member of the Aimwell Volunteer Fire Department, The Toledo Lake Association, and the Sabine Parish Green-Gold Committee. 

Though no longer with us, Iva Lee’s spirit lives on in each and every act of kindness we do in her name. 

Honoring Iva Lee as pallbearers will be Clint Meshell, Aiden Lowe, Kade Meshell, Kevin Meshell, Morgan Meshell, Jr., and Hunter Rivers. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Pete Abington and Joann Picket.