Family of Cyrille Charleston Pitre & Jean Cecile Mable Leonard

 

                                                           

Cyrille Charleston Pitre was born 2 December 1894  Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA, and died 15 November 1945  Iberville, Plaquemine, LA.  Burial was 17 November 1945 in St. Philomene Cemetery, Pitre Family Tomb.  Link to photo.

 

Wife Jean Cecile Mable Leonard was born 15 December 1898  Lafourche, LA, and died 26 May 1994  Iberville, Plaquemine, LA.  Burial was 28 May 1994 in Grace Memorial Park, Plaquemine, LA.   They were married 27 August 1915 Lafourche, LA.  Link to photo.

 

 

Their children were:

1- Dibert Edward Jean Pitre  b: 27 July 1916  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA (baptism: 5 August 1916 St. Philomena's Church); d: 10 August 1980  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA; burial 12 August 1980 Greenwood Cem., #22 Palm, New Orleans, LA

     +Beverly Richardson Harris  b: 4 March 1917  2211 Burdett, New Orleans, LA (baptism: 29 April 1917 Christ Church Cath., N.O.); m: 8 July 1946  St. Andrew's Epis. Ch., New Orleans, LA; d: 23 August 1997  New Orleans, LA; burial 30 August 1997 Greenwood Cem., #22 Palm, New Orleans, LA

 

2- Cecile L. Pitre  b: 28 July 1918  Labadieville, Assumption, LA; d: 8 December 2007  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA

 

Notes for Cecile L. Pitre:

Cecile started driving late in life. She was terrible, couldn't back up. She wrecked the back and side of Buck's new truck when she tried to pull around it.  Cecile liked to gamble and fuss. She retired about 1988.

- Obituary:  The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), 10 December 2007:  Cecile L. Pitre - A retired vice president of Iberville Trust and Savings Bank and resident of Plaquemine, she died at 10:05 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at River West Medical Center, Plaquemine.  She was 89 and a native of Labadieville.  Visiting at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Plaquemine, on Monday, Dec. 10, from 8:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Cleo Milano, celebrant.  Interment in Grace Memorial Park.  Survived by her sister, Muriel P. Rhed, of Baton Rouge; three brothers and sisters-in-law, William J. and Theresa Pitre, Preston J. and Daisy Pitre and Harold J. and Ruth Pitre, all of Plaquemine; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by her parents, Cyril and Mabel Leonard Pitre; five brothers, Dibert, Cyril, Freddie, Arthur B. and Curtis; and four sisters, Camille P. Baron, Daisy P. LeJeune, Jennie and Judy Pitre.  Pallbearers will be her nephews.  Special thanks to Plaquemine Manor Nursing Home and River West Emergency Room staff.  Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, is in charge of arrangements.

 

3- Preston J. 'Pat' Pitre  b: 27 January 1920  Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; d: 7 December 2008  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA

     +Daisy Sanchez  b: 25 June 1918; m: 3 January 1942; d: 4 August 2009  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA

 

Notes for Preston J. Pitre:

  Pat started in the air force as a private, then private first class (PFC), Corporal, Buck Sergeant, then Staff Sgt. He left with 7 medals. He went first to Army Camp Beauregard near Alexandria. Then scored well enough on a written test to be transferred to the air force. Went to Keisler AF Field near Biloxi, then to Chanoot Field in Illinois, then Camp Kearns in Utah for overseas training. Then Camp Patrick Henry in VA, to prepare for going overseas. Then Camp Shank in NY, then by boat 11 days across the Atlantic to Wharton, England, then Prescott, Scotland. To LeBourget, France; another French camp; Frankfort, Germany; temporarily back in England; home "in style" on the Queen Mary to Camp Kilmer, NJ then to Hattisburg, MS. He was there when his father Cyril died. Another serviceman had just returned to Plaquemine and told Cecile where Pat was. His wife was living in N.O. with her parents, and she contacted him in time to get back the night before his father's funeral. He left the service November 1945. 

- Obituary:  The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), Monday, 8 December 2008:  Preston Joseph 'Pat' Pitre - A retired welder and a member of Ironworkers Local 623, Baton Rouge, he passed away on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, at his residence in Plaquemine.  He was 88, a native of Thibodaux and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served in Europe.  Visiting at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. until Rite of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Cleo Milano.  Entombment in Grace Memorial Park.  Survived by his wife of 66 years, Daisy Sanchez Pitre; two daughters, Patricia Pitre Melsheimer and husband Stephen, and Linda Pitre Passantino; sister, Muriel Pitre Rhed; two brothers and sisters-in-law, William and Theresa Pitre and Harold and Ruth Pitre; six grandchildren, Gretchen Hammond, Brian Passantino, Wendi Williams, Kirsten Schuster, Patrick Passantino and Carol Passantino; 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, Cyril and Mable Pitre; sisters, Cecile Pitre, Camille Baron, Daisy LeJeune and Jenny Pitre; brothers, Dibert, Cyril Jr., Freddie, Arthur B. and Curtis Pitre; and son-in-law, Ted Passantino.  He was a member of American Legion Post 167 and was an avid hunter and fisherman.  Special thanks to Comfort Care Hospice, especially his nurse, Kelly, and nursing assistant, Rushana.

 

 

4- Camille Maria Pitre  b: 30 September 1921  Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; d: 6 April 1981  Crowley, Acadia, LA

     + Earl Baron  b: 2 November 1911  Bellville, TX; m: 22 February 1938; d: 20 February 1990  Crowley, Acadia, LA

 

Notes for Camille Maria Pitre:

Camille had rheumatic fever early in life. It affected her heart so that she was ill the rest of her life.  She suffered from asthma and had a heart valve defect.  She had open heart surgery at Touro in 1954, 1960 & 1966.  Camille met Earl Baron when he came to the Plaquemine area from Texas to work for Humble Oil.  Camille and Earl ran off with another couple to get married.  They may have gone to Mississippi, since Camille was only 16 and needed her parents' consent.  Cecile said that their father said that when he found out who gave them a marriage license he was going to kill him.  The other couple separated because the wife didn't want to leave her family and go to Texas.

- Obituary:  The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), Saturday, 11 April 1981:  Camille Pitre Baron - Died Monday, April 6, 1981, at American Legion Hospital, Crowley.  Religious services were held at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, Crowley, at 3 p.m. Tuesday, the Rev. Ester Hammond officiated.  Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Crowley.  Survived by her husband, Earl Baron, Crowley; two daughters, Maria Sarver, Crowley, and Lana Gildersleeve, Baton Rouge, mother, Mrs. Cyril Pitre Sr., Plaquemine, seven brothers, Preston, William, Cyril Jr., Fred, Harold, Arthur and Curtis Pitre, all of Plaquemine; three sisters, Cecile Pitre, Plaquemine, Daisy Lejeune, Baton Rouge, and Muriel Rhed, Baton Rouge; three grandchildren, Meredith Sarver, Crowley, Tommy and Baron Gildersleeve, both of Baton Rouge.  Preceded in death by father, Cyril Pitre Sr.; a brother, Dibert Pitre.  She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Crowley.

 

5- Jennie Pitre  b: Abt. 1924; d: 26 May 1936  New Orleans, LA

 

6- Daisy Pitre  b: 20 October 1925  Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; d: 13 April 1988  Baton Rouge, LA

     +Philip Alvin Lejeune  b: 12 May 1923  Addis, W. Baton Rouge, LA; m: 31 January 1946 [Joseph Arthur/Leila Bergeron]; d: 13 May 2019  Baton Rouge, LA

 

Notes for Daisy Pitre:

- Obituary:  State Times Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), Wednesday, 13 April 1988:  Daisy Pitre Lejeune - Died 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 13, 1988, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.  She was 62, a native of Thibodaux and resident of Baton Rouge.  She was a retired Post American Corp. employee.  Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday and 8 to 9:50 a.m. Friday.  Religious services at St. Thomas More Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Friday, conducted by Monsignor William Greene.  Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park.  Survived by husband, Philip Alvin LeJeune, mother, Mable L. Pitre; two sons, Cyril and Ricky LeJeune; two sisters, Cecile Pitre and Muriel Rhed; seven brothers, Preston J., Cyril C., Freddie H., William J., Harold J., Curtis R. and Arthur B. Pitre; nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by father, Cyril Pitre Sr.; a brother, Dibert E. Pitre; and two sisters, Camille P. Baron and Jennie Pitre.  Pallbearers will be nephews.  She was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

 

7- Cyril Charleston 'Buck' Pitre  b: 11 June 1927  Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; d: 9 September 2000  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA

     + Delores Springer  b: Abt. 1930; m: August 1946 [James/Bertha Canella]; d: 13 March 1961

    *2nd wife of Cyril Charleston Pitre:

     + Bessie Roberts    m: 15 December 1965

 

Notes for 'Buck' Pitre:

Buck had double pneumonia & meningitis when he was young. The doctor visited daily and several times told his mother he wouldn't live another day. She made him a little gown to be buried in and someone constructed a little box to become his casket.  Cyril didn't believe he would die and told Mable something like "He'll grow up to be a big buck someday."  That's how he got his nickname.  Part of his treatment was a blood transfusion.  The doctor drew blood from Mable lying on one bed and transfused it directly into Buck on another bed.  There was no such precaution as blood typing.  Cyril was in attendance but passed out when the transfusion began.  Later in school, when other children noticed how dark his skin was they lengthened his nickname to Buckwheat.  As a youngster he made a game of throwing a marble as high as he could.  One day a marble came down and hit him right in the mouth, chipping one of his front teeth.

- Obituary:  Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), Tuesday, 12 September 2000:  Cyril C. "Buck" Pitre Jr. - A former employee of Kansas City Bridge Co. and a retired supervisor at Dow Chemical USA with 23 years of service, he died at 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, 2000, at his home in Plaquemine.  He was 73 and a native of Thibodaux.  He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.  Visiting at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. Tuesday.  Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Plaquemine, at 4 p.m. Tuesday, celebrated by the Rev. Dean Martin.  Burial in Grace Memorial Park, Plaquemine.  Survived by his wife, Bessie Roberts Pitre, Plaquemine; four daughters and sons-in-law, Debra and Ken Hertz, Pineville, Sherry and Andrew Swiger, Dallas, Carren and Marvin Schouest, Brusly, and Cindy and Dalton Hebert, Plaquemine; a son and daughter-in-law, Ricky J. and Sherry Lemoine Sanchez, Pride; two sisters, Cecile Pitre, Plaquemine, and Muriel Rhed, Baton Rouge; five brothers, Preston, Freddie, William, Harold and Arthur Pitre, all of Plaquemine; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.  Preceded in death by his parents, Cyril and Mabel Leonard Pitre; four sisters, Daisy LeJeune, Camille Baron, and Judy and Jennie Pitre; two brothers, Dibert and Curtis Pitre; and his first wife, Delores Springer.  Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Ricky Sanchez, Peyton Schouest, Brandon Schouest, Nicolas Hebert, Benjamin Hebert and Matthew Swiger.  He was a member of American Legion Post No. 167, Plaquemine.  He loved sports, hunting and fishing, and gave of himself to all who asked.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the ALS Research Foundation.

 

8- Freddie H. Pitre  b: 9 March 1929  Labadieville, Assumption, LA; d: 8 March 2002  New Orleans, LA

     + Estelle Schlatre  b: 18 January 1930  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA; m: 27 June 1947; d: 3 February 2013  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA

 

Notes for Freddie Pitre:

Extracts from obituaries:  Former Iberville Parish Sheriff Freddie Pitre died Friday morning after he was injured in a traffic accident Feb. 22 and later suffered a heart attack, Sheriff Brent Allain said.   "I think of him as a second dad," said Allain. "He took me under his wing from Day 1."  The two men began their careers with the Sheriff's Office on the same day in 1972, Allain said.  Pitre worked as the chief criminal deputy for the late Sheriff Jessel Ourso, and Allain, who was 19, worked as a radio operator.  Allain later served as chief deputy when Pitre was elected sheriff in May 1978. Pitre served as sheriff until he retired in June 2000.
Before his career with the Sheriff's Office, Pitre worked for 20 years at Kaiser Aluminum in Baton Rouge.  He is a graduate of St. John High School in Plaquemine.  Iberville Parish President J. Mitchell Ourso Jr. said he always admired Pitre because he was a survivor.  The two men had a joke they would share whenever they were together, said Ourso, the son of Sheriff Jessel Ourso.  Pitre would say, "Mitchell, yesterday is history; tomorrow is a mystery; and live for today," Mitch Ourso said.  "He did exactly that."  Pitre was a man who was easy to get along with and easy to work with, Mitch Ourso said. "Dealing with the common man like he did is what kept him elected," Mitch Ourso said.
Allain said he credits Pitre with bringing unity to the parish.  Pitre served with loyalty to the people and loyalty to the office, Allain said.  He remembered citizens by their first names, and he always put others first. "I'm grateful I knew him.  In 30 years, not a cross word between us," Allain said. "I respected every decision he made.  How could you not get along with your dad?"
- Obituary:  Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), Sunday, 10 March 2002:  Freddie H. Pitre Sr. - (photo)  "Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend of man," by Sam Walter Foss.  A resident of Plaquemine, he died at 11:45 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2002, at Tulane Medical Center, New Orleans.  He was 72 and a native of Labadieville.  His professional career included 28 years with Iberville Parish Sheriff's Department, having served as sheriff for 22 of those years and retiring as sheriff in June 2002, and 20 years with Kaiser Aluminum.  Visiting at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 8 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. Monday.  Mass of Christian Burial at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church at noon Monday, celebrated by the Rev. Dean Martin.  Interment in Grace Memorial Park.  Survived by his wife of 54 years, Estelle Schlatre Pitre, Plaquemine; two daughters, Jeanie Pitre and Charlotte Pitre Gomez and husband Wayne, all of Plaquemine; two sons, Freddie H. Pitre Jr. and wife Dianna Guillot and Tommy Pitre and companion Mark Ducharme, all of Plaquemine; a daughter-in-law, Sherri Edmon Pitre, Walker; two sisters, Cecile Pitre, Plaquemine, and Muriel Rhed, Baton Rouge; four brothers, Preston "Pat", William "Bill", Harold and Arthur B. Pitre, all of Plaquemine; five grandchildren, Henri and wife Rachel Ruiz, Michelle and fiance David Sanders, Brittany Pitre and Robbie and Colby Gomez; two great-grandchildren, Mya Pitre and Blake Ruiz; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by his parents, Cyril Sr. and Mable Leonard Pitre; a son, Robert "Robbie" Pitre; four sisters, Camille P. Baron, Daisy P. LeJeune, Jennie Pitre and Judy Pitre; and three brothers, Dibert, Cyril Jr. "Buck" and Curtis Pitre.  Pallbearers will be Sheriff Brent Allain, Paul Bouy Sr., Manny Courtade, Wayne Gomez, Dana Larpenteur, Nicky Migliacio, Henri Pitre and David Sanders.  Honorary pallbearers are Robbie and Colby Gomez, Blake Ruiz and the Iberville Parish Sheriff Deputies.  He was a 1947 graduate of St. John High School and a graduate of LSU Basic Training Academy.  He was a charitable minded man who dedicated and devoted his time, talents and life to the community he loved.  He was a member of Elks Lodge 1398, Louisiana Sheriff's Association, National Sheriff's Association, St. John Fathers' Club, Plaquemine-Iberville Chamber of Commerce, Woodmen of the World, Istouma Boy Scouts, Iberville Chemical Council, American Legion, CHER Task Force, Families Against Drugs, DARE Program, Boy Scouts of America, Iberville Municipal Association, Louisiana Peace Officers Association, Magnolia State Peace Officers Association, Louisiana Wildlife Association, Ducks Unlimited, Po-Boy Hunting Club, National Rifle Association and Louisiana Sheriffs for Better Law Enforcement. He received many recognition awards that included some from the following organizations, Kiwanis International, Iberville Living Center, American Legion, Federation of Unions, U.S. Child Safety Council, Ascension Lodge 251 F&AM, Iberville Council on Aging, Plaquemine Jaycees, Plaquemine Lions Club and Strategic Petroleum Reserve.  

 

9- William J. Pitre  b: 4 December 1930  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA; d: 4 September 2017  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA

     +Theresa Mesa  b: 4 March 1931  Glendale, Maricopa, AZ; m: 14 October 1951  Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA [Ramon/Soila Yutze]; d: 5 January 2021  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA

 

Notes for William J. Pitre:

- Obituary:  Baton Rouge Advocate (LA), Wednesday, 6 September 2017:  William J. 'Bill' Pitre (photo) Bill passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home on Monday, September 4, 2017 at the age of 86.  A retired ironworker; he was a resident and native of Plaquemine, La. and a US Navy veteran who served in the Korean War.  Visiting will be at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 from 5 to 9pm and at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Plaquemine on Thursday, September 7, 2017 from 8am until Mass of Christian Burial at 10am.  Interment will follow at Grace Memorial Park, Plaquemine.  He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Theresa Pitre; daughters, Kathy Pitre Long and husband David "Shaky" Martin, Sandra Pitre Rivet and husband Gary, and Lori Pitre Fresina and husband Mike; son, Johnny Pitre; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister, Muriel Rhed; and brother, Harold Pitre and wife Ruth.  Preceded in death by his parents, Cyril, Sr. and Mabel Leonard Pitre; sisters, Camille Baron, Daisy LeJeune and Cecile Pitre; and brothers, Dibert, Preston, Cyril "Buck", Freddie, Arthur and Curtis Pitre.  Pallbearers will be Randy Martin, Corey Rivet, Brandon Pitre, Jacob Pitre, Justin Pitre and Anthony LeBlanc.  Honorary pallbearers will be Shawn Caliouette and Nicholas Rivet.  He loved to fish and was an avid baseball fan.  Special thanks to Comfort Care Hospice, Dr. Michael Greene, his granddaughters who were his caregivers, Heidi Rivet, Amy LeBlanc and Ashley Aguirre for their loving care and devotion.

 

10- Muriel A. Pitre  b: 1 September 1932  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA; d: 24 March 2021  Baton Rouge, E. Baton Rouge, LA

        +James Charles Rhed  b: 9 November 1928  Baton Rouge, LA; m: 28 March 1958; d: 11 January 1995  Baton Rouge, LA

 

Notes for Muriel A. Pitre:

- The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), Friday, 26 March 2021:  Muriel Pitre Rhed was a native of Plaquemine and a long-time resident of Baton Rouge.  She passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at the age of 88 from natural causes at The Crossing at Clarity.  She and her husband, J. C., spent a great amount of their time at their camp in Bayou Pigeon.  She had a career in the automobile dealership business, first with Capital City Ford, before retiring after many loyal years with Richards Ford.  Muriel's family ties were very dear to her for her entire life.  As one of the youngest of fourteen, family togetherness was a given.  Her personality and sense of humor were always entertaining and kept things interesting.  She was forever a great sport for the tall tales and good-hearted teasing of her eight brothers, as well as her sisters.  And her lively reactions and uninhibited excitability livened up every family gathering.  She and J. C. went to great lengths to bring the extended family together.  Their planned parties and impromptu events at Bayou Pigeon created priceless moments and memories for all involved.  They created an annual Cochon du Lait at their camp that has been carried on by later generations for 45 years and running.  For most of those years, an honorary king and queen were named at the event, and in that tradition, Muriel was widely known as the Queen Mother of the Pitre Cochon du Lait.  Muriel's constant curiosity and enthusiasm led her to keep in close contact with many members of the family for decades with frequent phone calls, some long and involved, others no more than 10 seconds, just to pass along some juicy tidbit of news that she had to share.  She was a voracious reader of many genres, but loved mysteries (earning her another of many nicknames, Agatha).  At annual family vacations to Panama City Beach, she could always be counted on to cook great family meals, to surprise the family (and the general public) with anything from songs to cheers to costumes.  Muriel was a fantastic cook and many of her signature dishes will be missed dearly.  At holidays, Muriel could be counted on to make her famous mirlitons and shrimp – with fresh mirlitons grown by her oldest son David in the garden behind her home.  Muriel loved playing cards, football boards, video poker or any game of chance.  She especially enjoyed weekend road trips to the casino or a favorite seafood restaurant, almost always with her devoted son, Jimbo.  Muriel is survived by her two sons, David Rhed and fiancée Becky Thibodeaux and James C. "Jimbo" Rhed, Jr.; grandsons Brian and Kevin Rhed; a brother, Harold Pitre and wife Ruth; sisters-in-law, Judy Pitre, Grace "Butsy" Pitre and Bessie Pitre; and a host of nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. S he was preceded in death by her husband J. C. Rhed, Sr.; parents Cyril, Sr. and Mabel Leonard Pitre; sisters Camille Baron, Daisy LeJeune, Cecile Pitre, Jenny and Judy Pitre; brothers Dibert, Preston "Pat", Cyril "Buck", Freddie, Bill, Arthur and Curtis Pitre.  Per Muriel's wishes, she will be interred next to her beloved J.C. in a private service at Grace Memorial Park in Plaquemine.

 

11- Harold J. Pitre  b: 27 October 1934  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA; d: 20 February 2023  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA

        +Ruth Cook  b: 13 July 1934  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA; m: unknown; d: 10 November 2021  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA

 

Notes for Harold J.  Pitre:

- Wilbert Funeral Home (Plaquemine, LA):  Harold J. Pitre, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2023, at 8:14am in Plaquemine, LA at the age of 88.  He was a lifelong resident of Plaquemine and retired from National Maintenance as a supervisor, Dow Plaquemine location.  Harold also was a member of Iron Works Local 623.  He served in the National Guard Reserve as a Sargent for 8 years.  Visiting will be at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine on Friday, February 24, 2023 from 8:30am until services at 12pm.  Interment will follow at Grace Memorial Park, Plaquemine.  Harold is survived by his son, Michael Pitre and wife Irma; granddaughters, Jennifer Dalbor and husband Boyd, and Ashley Pitre; four great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Judy Pitre, Grace "Busty" Pitre and Bessie Pitre; and a host of nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Ruth C. Pitre; daughter, Tami Pitre; son, Randy Pitre; parents, Cyril, Sr. and Mabel Leonard Pitre; sisters, Camille Baron, Daisy LeJeune, Cecile Pitre, Muriel Rhed, Jennie and Judy Pitre; and brothers, Dibert, Preston "Pat", Cyril "Buck", Freddie, Bill, Arthur and Curtis Pitre.

 

12- Arthur B. Pitre  b: 7 July 1937  New Orleans, LA; d: 28 July 2005  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA

        +Grace Hebert  b: 10 April 1936; m: 30 October 1954

 

Notes for Arthur B. Pitre:

- Obituary:  The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), Saturday, 30 July 2005:  Arthur B. Pitre Sr. - (photo) A retired operation supervisor with Borden Chemical and a resident of Plaquemine, he died on Thursday evening, July 28, 2005, at his home.  He was 68, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict and a native of New Orleans.  Visiting was at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, on Friday, July 29, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Visiting at the funeral home on Saturday, July 30, from 9 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Cleo Milano.  Entombment in Grace Memorial Park.  He is survived by his wife, Grace Hebert Pitre; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Jennifer and Ricky Vaughn, Inger and Roy Canezaro and Monica Guillot; three sons and a daughter-in-law, Arthur Jr. and Brenda Pitre , Steven Pitre and Gregg Pitre; two sisters, Cecile Pitre and Muriel Rhed; three brothers, Preston Pitre , William Pitre and Harold Pitre; grandchildren, Hannah Pitre, Madison Pitre, Vicky Church, Ricky Vaughn, Jenner Judice, Keslee Pitre, Randee Pitre, Caitlyn Pitre, Kristen Canezaro, Caroline Canezaro, Cory Guillot and Aaron Guillot; and great-grandchildren, Heather Marcum, Bella Church and Gabriel Vaughn.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Cyril and Mable Leonard Pitre; brothers, Dibert, Freddie, Curtis and Cyril "Buck" Pitre; and sisters, Camille Baron, Daisy Lejeune, Jenny Pitre and Judy Pitre. Pallbearers will be Johnny Pitre, Bobby Pitre, Freddie Pitre Jr., Tommy Pitre, James Rhed and Micheal Pitre .
 

13- Curtis Robert Pitre  b: 23 May 1940  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA ; d: 4 April 1995  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA

        + Judy Elaine Hochstein    m: 10 February 1962

 

Notes for Curtis Pitre:

For the wake and funeral, it seemed as though most of Plaquemine was there as the line to sign the visitors' book was quite long. Friends began entering long before the stated visiting time of 6 p.m.   His wife was having the attendant redo and smooth down Curtis' hair.  She said nobody ever saw his hair because he was always wearing his Saints cap.  Curtis had felt bad for about a month, then complained of severe heartburn.  He had a doctor's appointment the afternoon he died.   His wife found him dead on the kitchen floor, having suffered a massive heart attack and probably died instantly.  Masses of flower arrangements had been sent with many cards.  Curtis was entombed at the mausoleum in Grace Memorial Park.  Family and friends entered first, then the casket was brought in.  American Legion members lined the walk. There was a short service from the priest, then an American Legion representative spoke, followed by a gun salute. 
- Obituary:  Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), Wednesday, 5 April 1995:  Curtis Robert "Pete" Pitre Sr. -  Died 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, 1995, at his residence in Plaquemine.  He was 54, and a native of Plaquemine.  He was a retired maintenance supervisor at Dow Chemical with 29 years of service and a U.S. Navy veteran.  Visiting at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Thursday, conducted by the Rev. Eugene Engels.  Entombment in Grace Memorial Park Mausoleum.  Survived by wife, Judy Elaine Hochstein Pitre, Plaquemine; a daughter, Robin Ann Pitre, Plaquemine; a son and daughter-in-law, Curtis Robert "Bobby" Jr. and Paula Hernandez Pitre, Plaquemine; two sisters, Cecile Pitre, Plaquemine, and Muriel P. Rhed, Baton Rouge; six brothers, Preston J., Cyril Jr., William J., Arthur B., Harold J., and Sheriff Freddie H. Pitre Sr., all of Plaquemine; and two grandchildren, Christopher Robert and Kellie Rayne Pitre, both of Plaquemine.  Preceded in death by parents, Cyril Sr. and Mable Leonard Pitre; two sisters Camille P. Baron and Daisy P. LeJeune; and a brother, Dibert E. Pitre.  He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 167 in Plaquemine.


14- Judith Elisabeth Pitre  b: October 1944  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA; d: 30 November 1944  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA

 

15- twin girl Pitre  b: October 1944  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA; d: October 1944  Plaquemine, Iberville, LA

 

 

Notes for Cyrille & Mable:

- 1920 Lafourche, LA:  Cyril Pitre 25 farm laborer, wife Mabel 21, Dibert 3, Cecil 1 (Bayou Lafourche Road) [p. 1B]

- 1930 Iberville, LA:  Cyril Pitre 35 (20) sugar farm overseer, [renting - $25/mon], wife Maybel 31 (16), Dibert 13, Cecil 11, Camille 9, Jennie 6, Daisy 4, Cyril Jr. 3, Freddie 1  [ED17, W6, p. 6A]

- 1940 Iberville, LA:  Cyril Pitre 45 overseer/farm, wife Mabel 41, Cecile 21 stenographer/lawyer's office, Preston 20 attendant/filling station, Daisy 14, Cyril Jr. 12, Freddy 11, William 9, Murial 7, Harold 5, Artor B. 3  [W6, 24-18, p. 6a, Enterprise Road]

- 1950 Plaquemine, Iberville, LA:  Widow Mabel L. Pitre 51, Cecile L. 31 teller/bank, Muriel A. 17 clerk/dress shop, Harold G. 15 porter/grocery store, Arthur B. 12, Curtis R. 10 (ED 24-10, p. 10, 400 Church Street)

[I’m very grateful to my cousin Lana Merliss for taping and writing up notes from discussions with many family members.  Above & below is my distillation of that information.]

 

Cyril was the oldest of Henry and Lea's children, born 1894 in Lafourche.  When he was 5, the family moved into the newly purchased house on Hwy. 308.  In the summer after he'd turned twenty he married 16-year-old Mable Leonard.  (This line of Leonards were originally French.  Her 3 x great-grandfather Jean Baptiste Louis Leonard had come from Liege in the Low Countries and married in 1730 at St. Louis Church (now Cathedral) in N.O. to another French immigrant, Anne Coudray.)  Mable's family lived in the same general area as Cyril's but on the other side of the bayou.  [Bayou Lafourche used to be much larger, big and deep enough for paddle wheelers to move up and down.]  Her father worked on White's Plantation (about 2 miles past the church going south on the right side of Hwy. 1) and her mother was a cook there.  Cyril and Mable may have met at a Saturday night dance.

 

When Cyril & Mable were married they lived in a smaller house behind the main one (purchased by Henry and Lea in 1899).  The children arrived quickly and in only 14 years they were a family of 10, so Cyril moved the family to Plaquemine in 1929.   (Grandmother Philomene was a midwife who actually delivered many of her own great-grandchildren including the first 7 of Cyril & Mable.  The others were delivered at Plaquemine Hosp.)

 

When one of the girls was only about 4 years old she visited school with an older sister.  She kept up with the older children so well, that the teacher told the family she could stay.  When the teachers told her to bring a birth certificate, MaPete told her to tell the teachers that her mother didn't speak English and couldn't understand what they wanted.  This was to get around the age requirement for entry to school, and it worked.  The teachers had to speak French to manage the children but the lessons were in English.  On the playground everyone spoke French. 

 

When Cyril came home for lunch, he liked red beans, but he wanted them cooled off so he wouldn't burn his mouth.  When MaPete forgot to put them on early enough and they were still too hot when Cyril sat down to lunch, he would get mad.  But when he fussed, MaPete would soon shut him up.  When she would start fussing back, he would come out with something like "OK, Ma, I'm through.  I won't say anything else."  When he took the money to do so, Poppa drank straight whiskey, Cream of Kentucky.  Cyril was very even tempered, and never did the correcting of the children.  MaPete really took care of things.  She had so much work to do, yet didn't expect or ask for much help.  The only chore the sons remember doing regularly was putting wood in the house.  They had 2 cows, a son milked one and MaPete the other.  She worked very hard rearing her family: sewing, gardening, washing, milking cows, cooking, killing hogs, etc.  Once Mable and sister-in-law Chloe decided to make crawfish bisque.  Someone brought them each a sack of crawfish.  An hour later Mable had finished, Chloe hadn't even started.  Mable acted like Chloe and Bee's second mother.  She also made Bee's school clothes.

 

Cyril smoked, drank beer, didn't fish but loved to hunt.  He trained a bird dog and a rabbit dog.  He was also a real Yankees baseball fan.  One of the girls used to listen to the game on the radio, taking down the stats in shorthand while he was working in the sugarcane fields, then reading the notes back to him at night.  The radio worked only part of the time, but the children knew not to walk between Cyril and his radio when he was listening to a ballgame.  He also liked boxing and other ball games.  He'd get so excited, he would have never lasted through a TV game!  He was tall, and turned gray early with a bald spot on the back of his head. 

 

The house on Hwy. 308, bought in 1899, by Henri Pitre & wife Lea and approx. 100 acres of land was sold in 1973 to Jack Wise, real estate attorney in Thibodaux, for approx. $35K.  The land is between Labadieville & Thibodaux.  An uncle had cared for it until his death.  Once he caught a guy with a dragline collecting and selling the dirt off the levee.  Each of the 12 children received about $400, 1/12 of their father's share.

 

The house had cypress siding on the outside, a tin roof, doors & windows on front and sides, and a front porch with posts.   The 3 rooms across the front left to right were a son's bedroom, a large living room and Grandma Cattoon's room.  Behind them were 3 more rooms: Grandpa Cattoon's smaller room, a large storage room (which also contained the stairs to the attic), and Grandma Lea Pitre's room.  There also used to be a porch, dining room and kitchen with pantry.  The kitchen extended the "long way" back behind Grandma Pitre's room.  The dining room was behind Grandpa Cattoon's room and part of the storage room.  The kitchen, with a kerosene stove, was behind the dining room.  There were 2 fireplaces, one being on the north side (in the son's bedroom).  Grandma would put 2 "firebricks" in the fireplace during the day.  At night she would sprinkle a little water on them, wrap them in cloth, and put them under the covers.  There was a swing on the front porch outside Grandma's room.  There are indications that storage areas were marked off under the house. 

 

There was no indoor plumbing, running water, or electricity.  They used lamps and candles for light.  The outhouse was to the left out back.  They had chamber pots (porchams) to use at night.  The well was out back to the south side.  There were some nice pieces of furniture in the family rooms, including a piano, a big mahogany table that sat 10 or more, and a pretty mantlepiece with an old wind-up clock.  In Papere's room there was a corner piece of furniture for hanging clothes.  In Grandma's room there was a bed, an armoire, a washstand with marble top with a bowl and pitcher in it.  In Grandma Cattoon's room there was a bed, a sideboard with drawers and a mirror, a washstand with marble top with a bowl and pitcher on top and a bottle of Holy Water.  She sprinkled the Holy Water when it was needed.  (One of the daughters said that when she was a child and bad weather came up in the night, Ma Pitre would get all the children up, dress them and sprinkle Holy Water.)  The son's room had a dresser with a square mirror, a bed, and a chamber pot.  Grandpa Cattoon died in his little room in the back of the house.  A neighbor, who often performed the same task, washed and dressed him there.  He was waked in the living room.  The funeral home brought a coffin to the house and he was then taken to the church for his funeral and burial.

 

There were 3 plantations right together, The Myrtle Grove, the Star, and the Enterprise.  They were living on the Enterprise Plantation in 1939.  The "big house" featured a spiral staircase and had wrought iron columns.  The walls were so thick that the kids could climb into them and run around and play in them.  Hay was stored there after it was no longer lived in.  The older boys played poker upstairs.  One night, while they were playing cards, they heard a noise on the stairs.  When they investigated, it turned out to be a horse coming up the stairs.  The boys left the upstairs area by sliding down the banisters.  That house has since burned down.  Later, they lived closer to town (Plaquemine) on a plantation they called The Island.  They were living on the Evergreen Plantation when Cyril died (called Poppa by the family).  Cyril (Buck) had left home at 17 to join the Navy.  He was away when his dad died.  By chance he ran into a fellow from Plaquemine who had been home the summer before and told him that he was sorry to hear about his father's death.  Buck said, "You are mistaken, my father's not dead."  But the other man said he had been told on that visit home.  Eventually about a year's worth of mail caught up with him including letters about his father's death. 

 

Later they moved to the plantation they called The Island.  This is where MaPete and 9 of the children moved in 1945 following the death of Poppa Pitre (Dibert was in the navy, two others were married, three had died.)  The family had been living on 'The Island' on Bayou Jacob Rd. in an overseer's house provided by Poppa's employer, the Wilbert family.  "The Island" was so named because it was surrounded in front and one side by Bayou Jacob and on the other side by another bayou.  On his death, they naturally had to vacate, but the Wilberts offered to sell them their choice of houses in town.  MaPete chose the one at 400 Church St.  Dibert and Cecile probably worked together to fund the purchase. 

 

 

  

Christmas 1965:

front: Bill; 

kneeling (l to r): Preston (Pat), Harold, Cyril (Buck), Dibert (Dub); 

3rd row: Daisy, Grandma Pete, Cecile, Muriel; 

4th row: Freddie, Arthur B., Camille. 

(Curtis wasn't present because he was away with the Navy.)

 

Obituaries for the children:

Dibert Edward Jean Pitre:  Times Picayune (N.O.), Tuesday, 12 August 1980:   Dibert E. Pitre, at Plaquemine, La., on Sunday morning, August 10, 1980 at 3:00, beloved husband of Beverly Harris, father of Diane M. and Wendy K. Pitre, son of Mabel Leonard and the late Cyril Pitre, also survived by many brothers and sisters.  Age 64 years.  Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral.  Services from McMahon-Coburn-Briede Funeral Home, 600 Moss St., on Tuesday afternoon, August 12, 1980 at 1:30 o'clock.  Followed by Religious Services at the funeral home.  Interment Greenwood Cemetery.  Friends may call on Tuesday after 10 A.M.

 

Cecile L. Pitre:  The Advocate, Baton Rouge, 10 December 2007:  Cecile L. Pitre.  A retired vice president of Iberville Trust and Savings Bank and resident of Plaquemine, she died at 10:05 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at River West Medical Center, Plaquemine.  She was 89 and a native of Labadieville.  Visiting at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Plaquemine, on Monday, Dec. 10, from 8:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Cleo Milano, celebrant.  Interment in Grace Memorial Park.  Survived by her sister, Muriel P. Rhed, of Baton Rouge; three brothers and sisters-in-law, William J. and Theresa Pitre , Preston J. and Daisy Pitre and Harold J. and Ruth Pitre , all of Plaquemine; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by her parents, Cyril and Mabel Leonard Pitre ; five brothers, Dibert, Cyril, Freddie, Arthur B. and Curtis; and four sisters, Camille P. Baron, Daisy P. LeJeune, Jennie and Judy Pitre.  Pallbearers will be her nephews.  Special thanks to Plaquemine Manor Nursing Home and River West Emergency Room staff.  Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, is in charge of arrangements.

 

Preston J. Pitre:  Preston Joseph "Pat" Pitre, A retired welder and a member of Ironworkers Local 623, Baton Rouge, he passed away on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, at his residence in Plaquemine.  He was 88, a native of Thibodaux and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served in Europe.  Visiting at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. until Rite of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Cleo Milano.  Entombment in Grace Memorial Park.  Survived by his wife of 66 years, Daisy Sanchez Pitre; two daughters, Patricia Pitre Melsheimer and husband Stephen, and Linda Pitre Passantino; sister, Muriel Pitre Rhed; two brothers and sisters-in-law, William and Theresa Pitre and Harold and Ruth Pitre; six grandchildren, Gretchen Hammond, Brian Passantino, Wendi Williams, Kirsten Schuster, Patrick Passantino and Carl Passantino; 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by his parents, Cyril and Mable Pitre; sisters, Cecile Pitre, Camille Baron, Daisy LeJeune and Jenny Pitre; brothers, Dibert, Cyril Jr., Freddie, Arthur B. and Curtis Pitre; and son-in-law, Ted Passantino.  He was a member of American Legion Post 167 and was an avid hunter and fisherman.  Special thanks to Comfort Care Hospice, especially his nurse, Kelly, and nursing assistant, Rushana.

 

Camille Maria Pitre:  Advocate, Baton Rouge, Saturday, 11 April 1981:  Died Monday, April 6, 1981, at American Legion Hospital, Crowley.  Religious services were held at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, Crowley, at 3 p.m. Tuesday, the Rev. Ester Hammond officiated.  Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery, Crowley.  Survived by her husband, Earl Baron, Crowley; two daughters, Maria Sarver, Crowley, and Lana Gildersleeve, Baton Rouge, mother, Mrs. Cyril Pitre Sr., Plaquemine, seven brothers, Preston, William, Cyril Jr., Fred, Harold, Arthur and Curtis Pitre, all of Plaquemine; three sisters, Cecile Pitre, Plaquemine, Daisy Lejeune, Baton Rouge, and Muriel Rhed, Baton Rouge; three grandchildren, Meredith Sarver, Crowley, Tommy and Baron Gildersleeve, both of Baton Rouge.  Preceded in death by father, Cyril Pitre Sr.; a brother, Dibert Pitre.  She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Crowley.

 

Daisy Pitre:  Baton Rouge State Times:  Daisy Pitre Lejeune:  Died 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 13, 1988, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.  She was 62, a native of Thibodaux and resident of Baton Rouge.  She was a retired Post American Corp. employee.  Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday and 8 to 9:50 a.m. Friday.  Religious services at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 10 a.m. Friday, conducted by Monsignor William Greene.  Burial in Greenoaks Memorial Park.  Survived by husband, Philip Alvin LeJeune; mother, Mable L. Pitre ; two sons, Cyril and Ricky LeJeune; two sisters, Cecile Pitre and Muriel Rhed; seven brothers, Preston J., Cyril C., Freddie H., William J., Harold J., Curtis R. and Arthur B. Pitre ; nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by father, Cyril Pitre Sr.; a brother, Dibert E. Pitre; and two sisters, Camille P. Baron and Jennie Pitre.  Pallbearers will be nephews.  She was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

 

Cyril Charleston Pitre:  The Advocate, Baton Rouge, 12 September 2000:  Cyril C. 'Buck' Pitre, A former employee of Kansas City Bridge Co. and a retired supervisor at Dow Chemical USA with 23 years of service, he died at 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, 2000, at his home in Plaquemine.  He was 73 and a native of Thibodaux.  He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.  Visiting was at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday.  Visiting at the funeral home from 10 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. Tuesday.  Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Plaquemine, at 4 p.m. Tuesday, celebrated by the Rev. Dean Martin.  Burial in Grace Memorial Park, Plaquemine.  Survived by his wife, Bessie Roberts Pitre, Plaquemine; four daughters and sons-in-law, Debra and Ken Hertz, Pineville, Sherry and Andrew Swiger, Dallas, Carren and Marvin Schouest, Brusly, and Cindy and Dalton Hebert, Plaquemine; a son and daughter-in-law, Ricky J. and Sherry Lemoine Sanchez, Pride; two sisters, Cecile Pitre, Plaquemine, and Muriel Rhed, Baton Rouge; five brothers, Preston, Freddie, William, Harold and Arthur Pitre, all of Plaquemine; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.  Preceded in death by his parents, Cyril and Mabel Leonard Pitre; four sisters, Daisy LeJeune, Camille Baron, and Judy and Jennie Pitre; two brothers, Dibert and Curtis Pitre; and his first wife, Delores Springer.  Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Ricky Sanchez, Peyton Schouest, Brandon Schouest, Nicolas Hebert, Benjamin Hebert and Matthew Swiger.  He was a member of American Legion Post No. 167, Plaquemine.  He loved sports, hunting and fishing, and gave of himself to all who asked.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the ALS Association, 270001 Agoura Road, Suite 150, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301-5104.

 

Freddie H. Pitre:  The Advocate, Baton Rouge, 9 March 2002:  Former Iberville sheriff, Freddie Pitre, dies at 72.  Former Iberville Parish Sheriff Freddie Pitre died Friday morning after he was injured in a traffic accident Feb. 22 and later suffered a heart attack, Sheriff Brent Allain said.  Arrangements are pending at Wilbert Funeral Home in Plaquemine for Pitre, who would have turned 73 today.  "I think of him as a second dad," said Allain.  "He took me under his wing from Day 1.  "The two men began their careers with the Sheriff's Office on the same day in 1972, Allain said.  Pitre worked as the chief criminal deputy for the late Sheriff Jessel Ourso, and Allain, who was 19, worked as a radio operator.  Allain later served as chief deputy when Pitre was elected sheriff in May 1978.  Pitre served as sheriff until he retired in June 2000.  Before his career with the Sheriff's Office, Pitre worked for 20 years at Kaiser Aluminum in Baton Rouge.  Pitre is survived by his wife, Estelle Slaughter Pitre.  He is a graduate of St. John High School in Plaquemine.  The former sheriff's vehicle was hit by another car while Pitre was driving on La. 77.  The driver of the other car, an off-duty sheriff's deputy, died at the scene of the crash.  State Police said Pitre suffered moderate injuries, but hours after surgery to repair his pelvis, he suffered a heart attack.  Iberville Parish President J. Mitchell Ourso Jr. said he always admired Pitre because he was a survivor.  The two men had a joke they would share whenever they were together, said Ourso, the son of Sheriff Jessel Ourso.  Pitre would say, "Mitchell, yesterday is history; tomorrow is a mystery; and live for today,"  Mitch Ourso said. "He did exactly that."  Pitre was a man who was easy to get along with and easy to work with, Mitch Ourso said.  "Dealing with the common man like he did is what kept him elected," Mitch Ourso said.  Allain said he credits Pitre with bringing unity to the parish.  Pitre served with loyalty to the people and loyalty to the office, Allain said.  He remembered citizens by their first names, and he always put others first.  "I'm grateful I knew him.  In 30 years, not a cross word between us," Allain said.  "I respected every decision he made.  How could you not get along with your dad?"

The Advocate, 10 March 2002:  Freddie H. Pitre Sr.:   "Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend of man," by Sam Walter Foss.  A resident of Plaquemine, he died at 11:45 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2002, at Tulane Medical Center, New Orleans.  He was 72 and a native of Labadieville.  His professional career included 28 years with the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Department, having served as sheriff for 22 of those years and retiring as sheriff in June 2000, and 20 years with Kaiser Aluminum.  Visiting at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 8 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. Monday.  Mass of Christian Burial at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church at noon Monday, celebrated by the Rev. Dean Martin.  Interment in Grace Memorial Park.  Survived by his wife of 54 years, Estelle Schlatre Pitre, Plaquemine; two daughters, Jeanie Pitre and Charlotte Pitre Gomez and husband Wayne, all of Plaquemine; two sons, Freddie H. Pitre Jr. and wife Dianna Guillot and Tommy Pitre and companion Mark Ducharme, all of Plaquemine; a daughter-in-law, Sherri Edmon Pitre, Walker; two sisters, Cecile Pitre, Plaquemine, and Muriel Rhed, Baton Rouge; four brothers, Preston "Pat", William "Bill", Harold and Arthur B. Pitre, all of Plaquemine; five grandchildren, Henri and wife Rachel Ruiz, Michelle and fiance David Sanders, Brittany Pitre and Robbie and Colby Gomez; two great-grandchildren, Mya Pitre and Blake Ruiz; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by his parents, Cyril Sr. and Mable Leonard Pitre; a son, Robert "Robbie" Pitre; four sisters, Camille P. Baron, Daisy P. LeJeune, Jennie Pitre and Judy Pitre; and three brothers, Dibert, Cyril Jr. "Buck" and Curtis Pitre.  Pallbearers will be Sheriff Brent Allain, Paul Bouy Sr., Manny Courtade, Wayne Gomez, Dana Larpenteur, Nicky Migliacio, Henri Pitre and David Sanders.  Honorary pallbearers are Robbie and Colby Gomez, Blake Ruiz and the Iberville Parish Sheriff Deputies.  He was a 1947 graduate of St. John High School and a graduate of LSU Basic Training Academy.  He was a charitable minded man who dedicated and devoted his time, talents and life to the community he loved.  He was a member of Elks Lodge 1398, Louisiana Sheriff's Association, National Sheriff's Association, St. John Fathers' Club, Plaquemine-Iberville Chamber of Commerce, Woodmen of the World, Istouma Boy Scouts, Iberville Chemical Council, American Legion, CHER Task Force, Families Against Drugs, DARE Program, Boy Scouts of America, Iberville Municipal Association, Louisiana Peace Officers Association, Magnolia State Peace Officers Association, Louisiana Wildlife Association, Ducks Unlimited, Po-Boy Hunting Club, National Rifle Association and Louisiana Sheriffs for Better Law Enforcement.  He received many recognition awards that included some from the following organizations, Kiwanis International, Iberville Living Center, American Legion, Federation of Unions, U.S. Child Safety Council, Ascension Lodge 251 F&AM, Iberville Council on Aging, Plaquemine Jaycees, Plaquemine Lions Club and Strategic Petroleum Reserve.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be made to St. John Alumni Association Memorial Fund or American Heart Association.

 

William J. Pitre:  Baton Rouge Advocate, Wednesday, 6 September 2017:  William J. 'Bill' Pitre (photo) Bill passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home on Monday, September 4, 2017 at the age of 86.  A retired ironworker; he was a resident and native of Plaquemine, La. and a US Navy veteran who served in the Korean War.  Visiting will be at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 from 5 to 9pm and at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Plaquemine on Thursday, September 7, 2017 from 8am until Mass of Christian Burial at 10am.  Interment will follow at Grace Memorial Park, Plaquemine.  He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Theresa Pitre; daughters, Kathy Pitre Long and husband David "Shaky" Martin, Sandra Pitre Rivet and husband Gary, and Lori Pitre Fresina and husband Mike; son, Johnny Pitre; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister, Muriel Rhed; and brother, Harold Pitre and wife Ruth.  Preceded in death by his parents, Cyril, Sr. and Mabel Leonard Pitre; sisters, Camille Baron, Daisy LeJeune and Cecile Pitre; and brothers, Dibert, Preston, Cyril "Buck", Freddie, Arthur and Curtis Pitre.  Pallbearers will be Randy Martin, Corey Rivet, Brandon Pitre, Jacob Pitre, Justin Pitre and Anthony LeBlanc.  Honorary pallbearers will be Shawn Caliouette and Nicholas Rivet.  He loved to fish and was an avid baseball fan.  Special thanks to Comfort Care Hospice, Dr. Michael Greene, his granddaughters who were his caregivers, Heidi Rivet, Amy LeBlanc and Ashley Aguirre for their loving care and devotion.

 

Muriel A. Pitre:  The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), Friday, 26 March 2021:  Muriel Pitre Rhed was a native of Plaquemine and a long-time resident of Baton Rouge.  She passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at the age of 88 from natural causes at The Crossing at Clarity.  She and her husband, J. C., spent a great amount of their time at their camp in Bayou Pigeon.  She had a career in the automobile dealership business, first with Capital City Ford, before retiring after many loyal years with Richards Ford.  Muriel's family ties were very dear to her for her entire life.  As one of the youngest of fourteen, family togetherness was a given.  Her personality and sense of humor were always entertaining and kept things interesting.  She was forever a great sport for the tall tales and good-hearted teasing of her eight brothers, as well as her sisters.  And her lively reactions and uninhibited excitability livened up every family gathering.  She and J. C. went to great lengths to bring the extended family together.  Their planned parties and impromptu events at Bayou Pigeon created priceless moments and memories for all involved.  They created an annual Cochon du Lait at their camp that has been carried on by later generations for 45 years and running.  For most of those years, an honorary king and queen were named at the event, and in that tradition, Muriel was widely known as the Queen Mother of the Pitre Cochon du Lait.  Muriel's constant curiosity and enthusiasm led her to keep in close contact with many members of the family for decades with frequent phone calls, some long and involved, others no more than 10 seconds, just to pass along some juicy tidbit of news that she had to share.  She was a voracious reader of many genres, but loved mysteries (earning her another of many nicknames, Agatha).  At annual family vacations to Panama City Beach, she could always be counted on to cook great family meals, to surprise the family (and the general public) with anything from songs to cheers to costumes.  Muriel was a fantastic cook and many of her signature dishes will be missed dearly.  At holidays, Muriel could be counted on to make her famous mirlitons and shrimp – with fresh mirlitons grown by her oldest son David in the garden behind her home.  Muriel loved playing cards, football boards, video poker or any game of chance.  She especially enjoyed weekend road trips to the casino or a favorite seafood restaurant, almost always with her devoted son, Jimbo.  Muriel is survived by her two sons, David Rhed and fiancée Becky Thibodeaux and James C. "Jimbo" Rhed, Jr.; grandsons Brian and Kevin Rhed; a brother, Harold Pitre and wife Ruth; sisters-in-law, Judy Pitre, Grace "Butsy" Pitre and Bessie Pitre; and a host of nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. S he was preceded in death by her husband J. C. Rhed, Sr.; parents Cyril, Sr. and Mabel Leonard Pitre; sisters Camille Baron, Daisy LeJeune, Cecile Pitre, Jenny and Judy Pitre; brothers Dibert, Preston "Pat", Cyril "Buck", Freddie, Bill, Arthur and Curtis Pitre.  Per Muriel's wishes, she will be interred next to her beloved J.C. in a private service at Grace Memorial Park in Plaquemine.

 

Harold J. Pitre:  -Wilbert Funeral Home (Plaquemine, LA):  Harold J. Pitre, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2023, at 8:14am in Plaquemine, LA at the age of 88.  He was a lifelong resident of Plaquemine and retired from National Maintenance as a supervisor, Dow Plaquemine location.  Harold also was a member of Iron Works Local 623.  He served in the National Guard Reserve as a Sargent for 8 years.  Visiting will be at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine on Friday, February 24, 2023 from 8:30am until services at 12pm.  Interment will follow at Grace Memorial Park, Plaquemine.  Harold is survived by his son, Michael Pitre and wife Irma; granddaughters, Jennifer Dalbor and husband Boyd, and Ashley Pitre; four great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Judy Pitre, Grace "Busty" Pitre and Bessie Pitre; and a host of nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Ruth C. Pitre; daughter, Tami Pitre; son, Randy Pitre; parents, Cyril, Sr. and Mabel Leonard Pitre; sisters, Camille Baron, Daisy LeJeune, Cecile Pitre, Muriel Rhed, Jennie and Judy Pitre; and brothers, Dibert, Preston "Pat", Cyril "Buck", Freddie, Bill, Arthur and Curtis Pitre.

 

Arthur B. Pitre:  The Advocate, Baton Rouge, 30 July 2005:  Arthur B. Pitre Sr., a retired operation supervisor with Borden Chemical and a resident of Plaquemine, he died on Thursday evening, July 28, 2005, at his home.  He was 68, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict and a native of New Orleans.  Visiting was at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, on Friday, July 29, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Visiting at the funeral home on Saturday, July 30, from 9 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Cleo Milano.  Entombment in Grace Memorial Park.  He is survived by his wife, Grace Hebert Pitre; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Jennifer and Ricky Vaughn, Inger and Roy Canezaro and Monica Guillot; three sons and a daughter-in-law, Arthur Jr. and Brenda Pitre , Steven Pitre and Gregg Pitre ; two sisters, Cecile Pitre and Muriel Rhed; three brothers, Preston Pitre , William Pitre and Harold Pitre; grandchildren, Hannah Pitre, Madison Pitre, Vicky Church, Ricky Vaughn, Jenner Judice, Keslee Pitre, Randee Pitre, Caitlyn Pitre, Kristen Canezaro, Caroline Canezaro, Cory Guillot and Aaron Guillot; and great-grandchildren, Heather Marcum, Bella Church and Gabriel Vaughn.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Cyril and Mable Leonard Pitre; brothers, Dibert, Freddie, Curtis and Cyril "Buck" Pitre; and sisters, Camille Baron, Daisy Lejeune, Jenny Pitre and Judy Pitre.  Pallbearers will be Johnny Pitre, Bobby Pitre, Freddie Pitre Jr., Tommy Pitre, James Rhed and Micheal Pitre .

 

Curtis Robert Pitre:  Died 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, 1995, at his residence in Plaquemine.  He was 54, and a native of Plaquemine.  He was a retired maintenance supervisor at Dow Chemical with 29 years of service and a U.S. Navy veteran.  Visiting at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Thursday, conducted by the Rev. Eugene Engels.  Entombment in Grace Memorial Park Mausoleum.  Survived by wife, Judy Elaine Hochstein Pitre, Plaquemine; a daughter, Robin Ann Pitre, Plaquemine; a son and daughter-in-law, Curtis Robert "Bobby" Jr. and Paula Hernandez Pitre, Plaquemine; two sisters, Cecil Pitre, Plaquemine, and Muriel P. Rhed, Baton Rouge; six brothers, Preston J., Cyril Jr., William J., Arthur B., Harold J., and Sheriff Freddie H. Pitre Sr., all of Plaquemine; and two grandchildren, Christopher Robert and Kellie Rayne Pitre, both of Plaquemine.  Preceded in death by parents, Cyril Sr. and Mable Leonard Pitre; two sisters Camille P. Baron and Daisy P. LeJeune; and a brother, Dibert E. Pitre.  He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 167 in Plaquemine.

 

 

 

Parents of Cyrille Charleston Pitre

Parents of  Jean Cecile Mable Leonard

 

 

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Last updated:  20 August 2023.