Family of Arthur Joseph Leonard & Oceana Marie Arcement
Arthur Joseph Leonard was born 25 August 1861 in Plattenville, Assumption, LA (baptism: 10 March 1862 St. Philomene); and died 30 March 1949 in Gretna, Jefferson, LA. Burial was in Hook & Ladder Cemetery, Gretna, LA.
First wife Myrthe Aysenne was born Abt. 1862; m: 4 June 1883 St. Philomene, Assumption, LA; d: Bef. 1896
Second wife Oceana Marie Arcement (Thompson) was born 4 November 1865 in Labadieville, Assumption, LA (baptism: 8 January 1866 St. Philomene), and died 13 November 1944 in Gretna, Jefferson, LA. Burial was in Hook & Ladder Cemetery, Gretna, LA. They were married 7 July 1896 at St. Philomene, Labadieville, Assumption, LA.
Their children were:
1- Theophile Henri Leonard b: 9 May 1897 Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; d: 29 November 1988 Louisiana; burial: Sacred Heart Cemetery, Cut Off, Lafourche, LA
+Edna Agnes Ford b: 22 March 1899 Louisiana; m: 8 December 1917 Louisiana [Louis Theodore/Adele Cecile Benoit]; d: 8 April 1978 Louisiana; burial: Sacred Heart Cemetery, Cut Off, Lafourche, LA
Notes for Theophile Henry Leonard:
- WWI registration record: Theophile Henry Leonard, Thibodaux, LA; b. 9 May 1897 Lafourche; wife Edna Ford Leonard; tall, light brown eyes & brown hair; 5 June 1918 Thibodaux, LA
- 1920 Lafourche, LA, W1, Bayou Road: Theophile Leonard 22 laborer/general farm, wife Edna 20, Pearl 1 year 3 months
- 1930 Westwego, Jefferson, LA: Theophile H. Leonard 33 machinist/shipyard, wife Edna A. 31, Pearl M. 11, Theodore C. 9, Earl A. 7, Rosalie G. 5, Floyd K. 2 years 6 months, widowed grandmother Ophilia Ford 75.
- 1940 Cut Off, Lafourche, LA: Theophile Leonard 42 mechanic/machine shop, wife Edna 41, Earl 17, Rosalie 15, Floyd 12.
- Tombstone Inscription, Sacred Heart Cemetery, Cut Off: (photo of couple) T.H. Leonard / born May 9, 1897 - died Nov. 24, 1988 / Edna F. Leonard / born March 22, 1899 - died April 8, 1978
2- Jean Cecile Mable Leonard b: 15 December 1898 Lafourche, LA; d: 26 May 1994 Iberville, Plaquemine, LA; burial: 28 May 1994 Grace Memorial Park, Plaquemine
+Cyrille Charleston Pitre b: 2 December 1894 Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; m: 27 August 1915 Lafourche, LA; d: 15 November 1945 Iberville, Plaquemine, LA; burial: 17 November 1945 St. Philomene Cemetery, Pitre Family Tomb
[Notes for Mable: (Thanks to cousin Lana Merliss for taping and transcribing talks with family members.)
There was a school near the White Plantation where Mable went until the 5th grade. She once said that she was so lonesome when they first moved to Plaquemine that she cried for 6 months. This was in 1929 during the Depression. One of Mable's Ayo relatives worked on the Evergreen Plantation in Plaquemine and told Cyril about a job opening. The plantation owners, the Wilberts, gave the families a free house and utilities. Mable was never close to her older step-siblings from her parents' first marriages.
Mable could make anything grow. She loved plants and flowers. Visits with her usually ended with a tour of the yard where she showed off her latest possessions. The large-leafed ivy-type vine growing up a huge oak in the side yard grew from a small piece Mable smuggled in her purse aboard a plane returning from a trip to California
Mable was an 'unbelievable' cook. On Sundays she'd cook enough for an army, never really knowing who was coming to eat. No matter who stopped by, or who called and received an invitation, there was always plenty to eat. One of her specialities was crawfish bisque. She laboriously cleaned the crawfish shells to be stuffed with dressing. When the grandchildren were served the bisque in soupbowls, they'd place the empty shells on the rim of the bowl to see who'd got the most. She threw out leftovers. Her breakfasts consisted of hot chocolate and bread topped with whipped butter. She usually served milk with meals but never with seafood. She never made iced tea; water or soft drinks replaced milk on Fridays or other 'fish days'. A coffee pot was always ready on the stove. Her cakes were always homemade. She'd start with creamed butter and sugar, done by hand. Then she'd add flour and other ingredients. When threatened with a bought cake mix, she replied, "Don't ya'll bring no cake mix in this house."
She never questioned food prices, didn't drive and never owned a car. If company came and she needed something to cook, she'd call the grocery and tell them to deliver, say 5 pounds of round steak, and charge it to her daughter. There was a chest freezer in the kitchen where she kept containers of homemade soup, which she offered to anyone who was sick. She also kept her famous crawfish bisque there, which was served up and often given to guests to take home. The counter near the backdoor held the ever-present liquor: creme de menthe, cream de cocoa, whiskey, etc; and on holidays, bowls of candy. Homemade ice cream, often peach, was served in glasses on the old screen porch. There were old rockers with sealhide seats. The huge table was 'picnic' style with benches attached each side. The silverware 'mysteriously' often said U.S. Navy. Mable was always up early. She attended Mass most mornings. When she needed to wake up somebody in the back bedroom over the kitchen, she'd hit the ceiling with her broom handle.
At her funeral the theme of the priest's eulogy was "She died unto herself." He explained that when she was widowed 50 years ago with 12 children, she became completely selfless and gave her life to her children. (And later she was 'there' for her grandchildren as well.) He said God had not called her to be a mother or a grandmother, that He makes but one request of us all, to be perfect. If we do the best we can, then in His eyes we are perfect. He added that the pain felt that day was ours, not hers. There was a full Mass with prayers and communion.]
3- Clarence Joseph Leonard b: 19 August 1899 Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; d: 31 May 1961 New Orleans, Orleans, LA
+Nora Badeaux b: 14 September 1901 Larose, Lafourche, LA; m: Abt. 1921; d: 22 February 1975 Marrero, Jefferson, LA
*2nd Wife of Clarence Joseph Leonard:
+Marie Pizzolato b: 8 February 1916 New Orleans, LA; m: Bef. 1940 [Joseph J./Virginia Puleo]; d: 18 March 2005 Belle Chasse, Plaquemines, LA
Notes for Clarence Joseph Leonard:
- 1930 New Orleans, LA (1424 Terpsichore Street): Clarence Leonard 29 laborer/Todd dry dock, wife Nora B. 29, Clarence Jr. 8, Dorothy 6, Doris 5.
- 1940 New Orleans, LA (1046 Camp Street): Clarence Leonard 39 truck driver/motor freight line, wife Marie 24 waitress/restaurant.
- 1940 New Orleans, LA (Magazine Street): Nora B. Leonard 39 maid/public hospital, Clarence 18, Dorothy 17, Doris 16.
- Obituary: Times Picayune (N.O., LA), Thursday, 1 June 1961: Leonard - On Wednesday, May 31, 1961, at 2 o'clock p.m., Clarence J. Leonard, beloved husband of Marie Pizzolato; father of Charles, Marie, Gregory and Clarence E. Leonard, Mrs. Dorothy Bivalacque and Mrs. Doris Ducote; son of the late Ocena Arcement and Arthur Leonard; brother of Alvin, Theophile and Albert Leonard, Mrs. Mable Pitre and Mrs. Marie Barrios; son-in-law of Mrs. Virginia Puleo; age 61 years; a native of Thibodaux, La., and a resident of this city for 50 years. Relatives and friends of the family, also employees of The Dixie Machine Works are invited to attend the funeral. Services from the P.J. Donegan Funeral Home, 839 Jackson avenue, at Laurel, on Friday morning, June 2, 1961, at 10:30 o'clock. Requiem High Mass at St. Theresa of Avilla church. Interment in Greenwood cemetery. Parlors will be open Thursday morning, June 1, at 10 o'clock.
- Obituary, Times Picayune (New Orleans, LA), Sunday, 23 February 1975: Mrs. Nora Badeaux Leonard, of Marrero, Louisiana, on Saturday, February 22, 1975, at 7 o'clock a.m., beloved wife of the late Ulysses Leonard; mother of Mrs. Oscar Chiasson and Miss Dolores Leonard; daughter of the late Aglia Bellanger and Joseph Badeaux; sister of Mrs. Felix Duet, Mrs. Randolph Olano, Mrs. Lee Hebert, Agnes, Albert, Kermit and Loney Badeaux; age 70 years, a native of Lafourche Parisha and a resident of Marrero, Louisiana for the past 45 years. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral. Services from Mothe Funeral Homes, Inc., 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana on Monday, February 24, 1975 at 11 o'clock a.m. Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Interment in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Larose, Louisiana at 2 o'clock p.m. Parlors will be open Sunday, February 23, 1975 from 6 p.m. until midnight.
- Tombstone Inscription, Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans: PULEO / Salvadore Puleo / Oct. 27, 1901 - Feb. 1, 1949 / Joseph Pizzolato / Jan. 12, 1886 - Aug. 21, 1959 / Clarence J. Leonard / July 29, 1900 - May 31, 1961 / Charles T. Rodriguez, Sr. / April 15, 1913 - Sept. 22, 1970 / Virginia Puleo / Feb. 12, 1897 - Sept. 30, 1970 / Bernadine Puleo / Sept. 2, 1899 - Jan. 15, 1982 / Juanita P. Rodriguez / June 16, 1918 - Feb. 11, 2002 / Marie P. Leonard / Feb. 8, 1916 - Mar. 18, 2005
4- Jean Arthur Leonard b: 9 February 1903 Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; d: Bef. 1910
5- Alvin Joseph Leonard b: 5 June 1905 Rayne, Acadia, LA; d: 30 January 1971 Gretna, Jefferson, LA; burial: 1 February 1971 Hook & Ladder Cem., Gretna
+Laura Rodrigue b: 18 February 1902 Napoleonville, LA; m: Abt. 1923 [Leo/Marie Maillet]; d: 17 February 1983 Gretna, Jefferson, LA; burial: Hook & Ladder Cem., Gretna
Notes for Alvin Joseph Leonard:
- 1930 Gretna, Jefferson, LA: Alvin Leonard 24 laborer/mill, wife Laura 25, Margaret 5, Roy 3; Arthur Leonard 70 laborer/oil co., wife Oceana 65
- 1940 Gretna, Jefferson, LA, 1118 Huey P. Long Ave.: Alvin Leonard 35 laborer/ship yard, wife Laura 38, Margarette 15, Roy 13, mother Oceana 75, father Arthur 76, niece Pearl 21 secretary/camera co.
- Obituary, Times Picayune (N.O., LA), Monday, 1 February 1971: Leonard - Alvin Joseph (Bruce) Leonard of Gretna, La., on Saturday, January 30, 1971, at 5:20 o'clock a.m., beloved husband of Laura Rodrigue; father of Mrs. Calvin Keller and Roy Leonard; grandfather of Peggy Keller; son of the late Oceana Arcement and Arthur Leonard; brother of Mrs. Mabel Pitre, Mrs. Marie Barrilleaux, Theophile Leonard and the late Mrs. Marie Dupont, Mrs. Lucille Melancon, Clarence and Albert Leonard and Jules and Numa Thompson; age 65 years; a native of Rayne, La., and a resident of Gretna, La., for the past 50 years. Relatives and friends of the family, also employees of Avondale Shipyards Inc., Advance Electric Inc., Orleans Shop Inc., and Tube-Kote Inc., are invited to attend the funeral. Services from Mothe Funeral Homes Inc., 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, La., on Monday, February 1, 1971, at 11:00 o'clock a.m. Requiem Mass at St. Joseph Church, Gretna, La. Interment in Hook and Ladder Cemetery.
- Obituary, Times Picayune (N.O., LA), Friday, 18 February 1983: Mrs. Laura Rodrigue Leonard, of Gretna, La. on Thursday, February 17, 1983 at 2:45 a.m. Beloved wife of the late Alvin J. Leonard, mother of Mrs. Margaret Keller and Roy Leonard, grandmother of Peggy Keller, daughter of the late Marie Maillet and Leo Rodrigue, sister of Edward Rodrigue, Mrs. Elise Hidalgo, Mrs. Alice Phils(?) and the late Mrs. Josephine Blanchard, Adam, Joe and Pete Rodrigue. Age 81 years. A native of Napoleonville, La. Relatives and friends of the family, also employees of Advance Electric Inc., are invited to attend the funeral from Mothe Funeral Homes Inc., 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, La. on Saturday, February 19, 1983 at 9 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment Hook and Ladder Cemetery. Parlors will be open on Friday evening from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. Masses preferred.
Notes for Arthur Joseph Leonard:
Census:
- 1 June 1900 Lafourche, LA (ED29): Arthur Leonard 39 farm laborer, wife Osiana 34, Mary 16, Jeb 13 farm laborer, Albert 12, Lucille 10, Mary 8, Numa 7, Theophile 3, Mable 1 (none could read, write, or speak English)
- 1910 Lafourche, LA (ED 36, W2, p. 93A): Arthur Leonard 49 plant overseer, 2nd wife Oceana 35, son Jule Thompson 23, Theophile 13, Maver 12, Clarence 9, Alvin 5.
- 1920 Gretna, Jefferson, LA (ED3): Oceania Leonard 55, husband Arthur 57 laborer/fuel oil mfg., Clarence 19 laborer/sugar refinery, Alvin 16 laborer/sugar refinery.
- 1930 Gretna, Jefferson, LA (ED5): Arthur Leonard 70 laborer/oil co., wife Oceana 65
- 1940 Gretna, Jefferson, LA: Arthur Leonard 76, wife Ociana 75; living with son Alvin's family.
Obituary: Times Picayune (N.O.), Thursday, 31 March 1949: Leonard - At the residence, 1118 Huey P. Long avenue, on Wednesday, March 30, 1949, at 1 o'clock a.m., Arthur Joseph Leonard, husband of the late Ocina Arcement; father of Albert Leonard, Mrs. Leo Barrios, Theophile Leonard, Mrs. Cyril Pitre, Clarence Leonard, Alvin Leonard; stepfather of Jules and Luma Thompson, Mrs. Anatole Melancon and the late Mrs. Marie Dupont; brother of Mrs. T. Clement, Mrs. A. Lasseigne and Misses T. and T. Leonard; also survived by 53 grandchildren and 60 great-great-grandchildren; aged 86 years; a native of Lafourche parish, Louisiana, and a resident of Gretna, La., for 30 years. Relatives and friends of the family, also employees of Gulf Refining Company, Cypress Camp No. 369, W.O.W. of Thibodaux, La., are invited to attend the funeral, which will take place from the Gretna home of Leitz-Eagan, 919 Amelia avenue, on Thursday morning, March 31, 1949 at 9:30 o'clock, followed by requiem mass at St. Joseph church, Gretna, La. Interment in Hook and Ladder cemetery.
Tombstone Inscription, Hook and Ladder Cemetery, Gretna: LEONARD / Oceana M. Leonard / Born Nov. 4, 1865. Died Nov. 13, 1944 / Arthur J. Leonard / Born Aug. 25, 1862. Died Mar. 30, 1949 / Alvin J. Leonard / Born June 5, 1905. Died Jan. 30, 1971 / Laura R. Leonard / Born Feb. 18, 1902. Died Feb. 17, 1983 / A. Roy Leonard / Born Sept. 23, 1926. Died June 25, 1983
Notes for Oceana Marie Arcement:
Obituary: Times Picayune (N.O., LA), 15 November 1944 - Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. today at St. Joseph church for Mrs. Ocina Arcement Leonard, who died Monday at 7.50 p.m. at the age of 80 years, and interment will be in the Hook and Ladder cemetery. Mrs. Leonard was a native of Assumption parish and lived at Gretna for 25 years. Besides her husband, Arthur Leonard, she leaves five sons and two daughters, Theophile, Clarence and Alvin Leonard, Jules and Numa Thompson, Mrs. Cyril Pitre and Mrs. A. Melancon; also two stepsons and a stepdaughter, Anatole Thompson, Albert Leonard and Mrs. Leo Barrilleaux, as well as 55 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. A. Morvant.
 Jean Cecile Mable Leonard & brother Theophile Henri Leonard |
Parents of Arthur Joseph Leonard
Parents of Oceana Marie Arcement
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Last updated: 15 March 2023.