Aldonia Priestley

Obituary Of Aldonia Celestine Priestley
In celebration of a life so beautifully lived and a servant soul so abundantly loved.

Aldonia Celestine Priestley entered into eternal rest on June 30, 2026 at the age of 97.
Affectionately known as Dee and Grandma Dee. She was born on November 8, 1928 in St.James, LA to Johnny and Alena London Celestine.

She was baptized at an early age at St. Luke Baptist Church, Moonshine, LA in the Mississippi River. Upon marrying Jessie C. Priestley, she joined St. James Catholic Church,St. James, LA and to this union eight children were born.

Aldonia was an excellent cook and could be found tending her flower garden, window shopping, and dining out. She never met a stranger and was a true servant of God, helping others in the community with a grateful heart.

She lived the timeless principle from Luke 12:48 “To whom much is given, much will be required.”

Aldonia loved to travel but the journey she prepared for and patiently waited for was to see God and hear the words “Well done, my good and faithful servant”, and on Tuesday, June, 30, 2026 in the quiet of the night she answered God’s call to eternal rest until the resurrection of the faithful.

Aldonia is survived by her eight children: Jessie Priestley, Jr., San Antonio, TX, Mary
Priestley, Vacherie, LA, Marcelite Priestley, Boutte, LA, Jules (Vernita) Priestley, Vacherie,
LA, Shirley Priestley, Vacherie, LA, Peter (Sharnette) Priestley, San Antonio, TX, Virginia
(Mark) Rigsby, Aiken, SC, David (Elena) Priestley, Boutte, LA. Her grandchildren: Walisha
Simms, Twanna (Bruce) Sanders, Kimberly (Donnell) Hamilton, Sara Bastain, Natasha
Priestley, Jason Priestley, Joshua Priestley, Markesa Rigsby, Kyra Priestley and Kaylana
Priestley.

Also, survived by 13 great grandchildren including Londyn Knighten, who she treasured
spending time with and who captured her heart, sister Joesphine Jones, and a host of
nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by: Husband Jessie C. Priestley, grandparents Esau and Mary London, parents Johnny and Alena Celestine, (10) siblings: Royal Sr. (Eliza) Celestine, Albert, Sr. (Willie Mae) Celestine, Johnny Jr. (Julia) Celestine, Evelina (Ernest) Davis, Alberta (Claybert) Baptiste, Charles (Cecile) Celestine, Augustine Celestine, Gertie Celestine, Gertiva Celestine, and Joseph Celestine and great-grandson Caden Priestley.

Aldonia's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at St. James Catholic Church, 6613 LA 18, St. James, LA; visitation from 9:00AM to 11:00AM followed by Mass for 11:00AM. Entombment St. James Catholic Church Cemetery.

Final care and professional services entrusted to Treasures of Life Funeral Services,
315 E. Airline Hwy., Gramercy, LA 70052.

"When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a TREASURE"