Family of Henri Valery Pitre & Marie Lea Ayo
Henri Valery Pitre was born 27 October 1868 St. Philomene, Labadieville, LA (baptism: 30 January 1869 St. Philomene), and died 10 December 1920 Plaquemine, LA. Burial was 11 December 1920 in St. Philomena Cemetery, Pitre Family Tomb.
Wife Marie Lea Ayo was born 18 December 1876 Vacherie, LA (baptism: 4 January 1877 Our Lady Of Peace) and died 28 February 1962 Plaquemine, LA. Burial was 3 March 1962 in St. Philomena Cemetery, Pitre Family Tomb. They were married 30 December 1891 St. Joseph, Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA. Link to photo.
Their children were:
1- twins Pitre b: 1893 Lafourche, LA; d: 1893 Lafourche, LA
2- Cyrille Charleston Pitre b: 2 December 1894 Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; d: 15 November 1945 Plaquemine, Iberville, LA; burial: 17 November 1945 St. Philomena Cemetery, Pitre Family Tomb
+Jean Cecile Mable Leonard b: 15 December 1898 Lafourche, LA; m: 27 August 1915 Lafourche, LA; d: 26 May 1994 Plaquemine, Iberville, LA; burial: 28 May 1994 Grace Memorial Park, Plaquemine, LA
3- Agnes Carrie Pitre b: 26 March 1896 Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; d: 15 January 1975 Port Arthur, Jefferson, TX
+Abdon A. Martinez b: 13 November 1892 Labadieville, Assumption, LA; m: 2 June 1919 St. Philomena, Labadieville, Assumption, LA; d: 30 July 1945 Atlantic Gardens, Port Arthur, Jefferson, TX
Notes for Agnes Carrie Pitre:
- The Lafourche Comet (Thibodaux, LA), Thursday, 30 January 1919: Miss Agnes Pitre and her grandmother, Mrs. G. Ayo, who reside about seven miles above Thibodaux, left last Friday to spend some time at Port Arthur, Texas.
- The Lafourche Comet (Thibodaux, LA), Thursday, 5 June 1919: The marriage of Mr. Abdon Martinez to Miss Agnes Pitre was solemnized last Monday forenoon at St. Philomena Catholic church, Labadieville. There was no maid of honor or best man, as the ceremony had been arranged in a hurry due to the fact that the groom had to be in Texas today to begin his work. Rev. Father Ravoire, who performed the ceremony, delivered an impressive talk to the young couple. He was prompted to do this, as the bride, who formerly attended the Labadieville Convent, had been very helpful in preparing children for their first communion, thus giving her pastor ample opportunity to see that she was a young lady above the average as regards the performance of her religious duties. She is a daughter of Hon. Henry Pitre, president of the School Board of Lafourche parish. The groom has the qualities that should make a good husband. Before the war he was in the employ of the Texas Oil Co. When his country called him he patriotically gave up his job and fell-in in defense of democracy and justice. He went to France where it was his privilege for five days to serve upon the firing line, hence he came back a hero. He arrived here recently and was informed by his former employers that he could return to work, but he must be ready to start in on the 5th of June - today. He thus hastened his marriage. May the choicest blessings of Heaven be showered upon the happy couple. The Comet has been ordered sent to the couple each week, thus keeping them in touch with home folks.
- 1950 Jefferson, TX: Ferman C. Martinez 28 postal clerk/post office, widowed mother Agnes Martinez 53, lodger Edward C. Stewart 28 [next door to Jake & Bridget Landry]
- Obituary, Beaumont Journal (Beaumont, TX), Tuesday, 31 July 1945: Abdon A. Martinez - Port Arthur, July 31 - Funeral services for Abdon A. Martinez, 53, who died suddenly at his home in Atlantic Gardens, Monday at 9 a.m. will be held in St. James Catholic church Wednesday morning and will be a military service. Mr. Martinez was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. The body will remain at the family residence until time of the service. Rosary will be recited at 6 o'clock Tuesday evening at the residence. Burial will be in Calvary cemetery.
- Tombstone Inscription, Calvary Cemetery, Port Arthur, TX: Mother / Agnes / Martinez / 1896 - 1975 /// Abdon A. Martinez / Texas / PVT. 321 M.G.BN. 82 DIV. / Nov. 13, 1892 - July 30, 1945
4- Henry Gabriel Pitre b: 11 June 1900 Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; d: 26 July 1949 Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; burial: 28 July 1949 St. Philomena Cemetery, Pitre Family Tomb
+Callie Elizabeth Bolnar b: 2 January 1901 Plaucheville, Avoyelles, LA; m: 5 February 1922 Plaucheville, Avoyelles, LA; d: 6 November 1991 New Orleans, LA; burial: 8 November 1991 St. Philomena Cemetery, Pitre Family Tomb
Notes for Henry Gabriel Pitre:
- Henry was in Port Arthur when he met Callie. (Her mother didn't speak English and her father didn't speak French.) He attended Port Arthur College to take business courses. At one time he was working in the Post Office in Port Arthur as a mail carrier. Doctors were afraid he would pass out and get run over. He would have little blackouts, drop his cigarette and stop talking for just a moment. As years passed the spells got longer and longer, more like seizures. Then he became ill, having suffered from the epilepsy for many years and was forced to retire. They returned to the Plaquemine area and moved into a smaller house behind the big one. The smaller house had been built about 8 years earlier, about 100 feet behind the original one for Elodie & Johnny. Possibly built from the boards of the other house Cyril & Mable had once lived in behind the original house. Callie arranged their living quarters in the back of the house, and she opened up a little grocery store in the front part of the house. Henry suffered from depression and eventually committed suicide by hanging himself. Henry was not allowed to drive or to go off by himself. One day he and Callie went into town. While Callie went to the grocery Henry said he needed to buy supplies for his chickens. Instead he bought some rope. When they returned home he went out to the barn, swung the rope over a rafter, tied the end around his neck and simply picked his feet up off the ground. Callie found him unconscious but alive. He died in hospital.
- Obituary, Times Picayune (N.O., LA), Thursday, 28 July 1949: Pitre - At his residence, R.F.D. Thibodaux, La., on Tuesday, July 26, 1949, at 6:15 o'clock p.m., Henry G. Pitre, beloved son of Lea Ayo Pitre and the late Henry Pitre; husband of Callie Bolnar; father of Henry R. Pitre of Port Arthur, Tex., Dalores Pitre of Thibodaux, La., brother of Mrs. A. A. Martinez, Mrs. J. P. Landry and Mrs. John Richard, all of Port Arthur, Tex., Mrs. G. A. Mire of Plaquemine, La., Lt. Col. George L. Pitre of Washington, D.C., and the late Cyril Pitre, Sr., aged 49 years. Relatives and friends of the family, also officers and members of the Lafourche Council 1114, Knights of Columbus, Thibodaux, La.
- Obituary, Times
Picayune (N.O., LA), Thursday, 7 November 1991: Callie Bolner Pitre,
a homemaker, died Wednesday at her home. She was 90. Mrs. Pitre was
born in Plaucheville, La., and lived in New Orleans for 43 years. She was
a parishioner of Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church. She is survived by a son,
Henry R. Pitre; a daughter, Dolores Ortego; a sister, Mae
DuBroc; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A Mass will
be said Friday at 9 a.m. at Jacob Schoen and Son Inc., 3827 Canal St.
Burial will be in St. Philomena Cemetery, Labadieville, La., are respectfully
invited to attend the funeral, which will take place from T. X. Landry & Sons
Funeral Home, Labadieville, La., on Thursday, July 28, 1949, at 4 o'clock p.m.,
followed by religious services at the St. Philomena Catholic church,
Labadieville, La. Interment in the St. Philomena Catholic cemetery,
Labadieville, La. Arrangements by Landry's Funeral Home.
5- George
Luke Pitre b: 17 November 1902 Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; d: 25 May
1973 Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; burial:
St. Joseph's Cem., Thibodaux, LA
+Hortense Eunice Seely b: 20 January 1899; m: 1924; d: 9 June 1976 Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; burial: St. Joseph's Cem., Thibodaux, LA
Notes for George Luke Pitre:
- George had a distinguished military career. While attending LSU he was in the ROTC program, and graduated with a commission as a second lieutenant. He served in the army, then became a principal of a K-12 school. At the outbreak of WWII he returned to the army. This time he stayed until he retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Army. He served at the Pentagon after the war. In 1950 he and his staff were busy writing a detailed history of the war. After WWII, his wife and 2 sons joined him in Germany. He served in Korea in 1952-3. He retired in 1957.
- 1950 Falls Church, Fairfax, VA: George L. Pitre 47 Armed Forces, wife Hortense 51, George L. Jr. 15.
- Obituary, Times Picayune (N.O., LA), Sunday, 27 May 1973: Col. George L. Pitre, U.S. Army, Retired, on Friday, May 25, 1973, at 12:05 o'clock p.m.; husband of Hortense Seely Pitre; father of Mrs. Rhea P. Ledet, New Orleans, La.; Mrs. Donald C. (Bobbie) Stanton of Arlington, Va., and Lt. Col. George L. Pitre Jr., Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas; brother of Mrs. Abdon Martinez, Mrs. Jake Landry, Mrs. John Richard of Grove, Texas, and Mrs. G. A. Mire of Plaquemine, La., and the late Cyril and Henry Pitre; also survived by six grandchildren and one great-grandchild; age 70 years. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral. Services from Landry's Funeral Home, Thibodaux, La., on Monday, May 28, 1973, at 10:00 o'clock a.m., followed by religious services at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation on Sunday from 10:30 o'clock a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and Monday, 8:00 o'clock a.m. until funeral time. Arrangements by Landry Funeral Home.
- Obituary, Times Picayune (N.O., LA), 10 June 1976: Hortense Seely Pitre, on Wednesday, June 9, 1976, at 4:10 p.m., wife of the late Colonel George L. Pitre, mother of Rhea Pitre Ledet, Bobbie Pitre Stanton, and Lt. Col. George L. Pitre Jr., sister of Mrs. Aline Blanchard, Mrs. C.J. (Lou) Boudreaux, Sidney (Pete) Seely, Dr. Chester E. Seely and the late Mrs. Hector Folse, Irby (Dub) Seely and Robert C. Seely; also survived by 6 grandchildren and pne great-grandson. Age 77 years. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral. Services from Landry's Funeral Home, Thibodaux, La., on Saturday, June 12, 1976, at 10 a.m. followed by religious services at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation on Friday 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 8am to funeral time. Arrangements by Landry's Funeral Home.
6- Clotilde Pitre b: 18 January 1906 Labadieville, Assumption, LA; d: 4 February 1994 Eunice, St. Landry, LA
+Gustave Andrew Mire b: 11 November 1904 Lafourche, LA; m: 6 June 1925; d: 1 July 1981 Baton Rouge, E. Baton Rouge, LA; burial: 3 July 1981 St. Philomena Cemetery, Pitre Family Tomb
Notes for Clotilde Pitre:
- One of Chloe's earliest memories was a lot of excitement when a neighbor was killed by lightning while he was plowing the field with a mule-pulled plow. They were always warned that a mule attracted lightning, so they were to keep away when the weather was bad. Everyone (oldest to youngest) went to the wake, the body placed in the parlour as there were no funeral homes. Chloe had been dressed in a white eyelet embroidered dress and her mother had sat her on the dining room table so she could dress some of the other children. Chloe found a pair of scissors and started cutting the embroidered designs in the skirt. Her mama was screaming "CLO-TILDE, what are you doing?" She said that she was cutting some feathers in her dress.
- Chloe attended college and taught school for a couple of years before she was married. She met Geese there. When she was about 45 she went back to work for the state at the Capitol Annex building. She retired 20 years later.
- Chloe also worked as a film extra. In "Hurry Sundown", in opening scene, walking through hospital, she's in the background walking down a corridor in Spedale Hosp. in Plaquemine (about 3 seconds). She was also in "Band of Angels" with Clark Gable & Yvonne DeCarlo.
- Chloe and Geese's hunting camp was used for most of the scenes in LA for "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman". Geese had actually bought an old slave quarters house and converted it to a camp on a piece of property off I-10 at the Gros Tete exit. When the film crew discovered it they used it for almost the entire movie, redecorating the inside to change it for many different types of buildings. Sometimes it looked like a house, sometimes a church or the school. Geese used to cook outside in an old hollow tree stump. The filmmakers copied that in the film. When someone in the movie meets Jane Pittman on a pier, that's the family's old rickety wooden pier. The family was paid $75 a day and were allowed to watch the filming and to eat with the cast and crew, but they didn't get any mention in the credits even though Bayou Pigeon did.
Misc.: The Lafourche Comet (Thibodaux, LA), Thursday, 31 May 1923: Misses Clothilde Pitre and Yvonne Basset, of the upper portion of the parish, spent last week at Lutcher, visiting relatives and friends.
- Obituary:
The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), Monday, 7 February 1994:
Clotilde Pitre Mire, 88 of Eunice - Died 5:45 a.m. Friday, Feb. 4, 1994, at her
residence in Eunice. She was 88 and a native of Labadieville. She
was a retired Louisiana Department of Employment Security employee with 27 years
of service. Visiting at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, 6 to 9 p.m.
Sunday, with recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m., and 8 to 9:45 a.m. Monday.
Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Plaquemine,
at 10 a.m. Monday, conducted by Father Eugene Engels. Entombment in St.
Philomena Catholic Church Cemetery, Labadieville. Survived by a son and a
daughter-in-law, Gerald E. Sr., and Marilyn Stevens Mire; two sisters,
Elodie Richard and Bridget Landry, both of Port Arthur, Texas; three
sisters-in-law, Mabel Pitre, Plaquemine, Velma Mire and Gertrude
Bergeron, both of Port Allen; six grandchildren, Mrs. S.J. (Chloe Lyn)
Benandi, Mrs. Walter (Mary Dell) Herbert, Gerald E. Mire Jr., Mrs. Kevin (Lea)
Quigley, Gustave Andrew "Andy" Mire II and Mrs. Glenn (Emma) Burge; and 13
great-grandchildren, Stacy, Andrea and Pia Benandi, Robin, Heidi, Nicole,
Wendi and Jody Herbert and Kylie Mire, Mallori and Drew Mire, Glenn Jr. and
Tiffiny Burge. Preceded in death by a husband, Gustave Andrew Mire;
a sister, Agnes Martinez; and three brothers, Cyril, George and Henry
Pitre. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court
St. John No. 1214.
- Obituary, State Times Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA), Thursday, 2
July 1981: Gustave A. Mire. Died at 3:10 p.m. Wednesday, July 1,
1981, in Baton Rouge. He was 76, a native of Lafourche Parish and a
resident of Plaquemine. Visiting at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, from
4:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday and from 8 to 10:45 a.m. Friday. Religious
services at 11 a.m. Friday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church,
Plaquemine. Burial in St. Philomena Catholic Church Cemetery,
Labadieville. Survived by his wife, Mrs. Clotilde Pitre Mire,
Plaquemine; a son, Gerald Earl Mire, Sr., Plaquemine; a sister, Mrs.
Leonce Bergeron, Port Allen; six grandchildren, Chloe Lynn Benandi,
Port Sulphur, Mary Dell Herbert, Eunice, Gerald Earl Mire Jr. and
Gustave "Andy" Mire II, both of Plaquemine, Lea Robicheaux,
Lafayette, and Emma Burge, Brusly; 11 great-grandchildren, Stacy,
Andrea and Pia Benandi, all of Port Sulphur, Robin, Heidi, Nichole Ann,
Wendi and Jody Herbert, all of Eunice, Glen Burg Jr. and Tiffany Burg,
both of Brusly, and Kyle Mire, Plaquemine. He was a member of
St. Louis Hunting Club, The Farm Bureau, Plaquemine, and Volunteer Fire
Department.
- 1950 Iberville, LA: Gustave Mire 49 plantation manager/farm plantation, wife Clotilde 48
7- Bridget Estelle Pitre b: 2 June 1908 Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; d: 10 February 1996 Port Arthur, Jefferson, TX
+Jake P. Landry b: 6 December 1908; m: Abt. 1927 St. Philomene, Labadieville, Assumption, LA [Albert/Lydia Barrilleaux]; d: 6 February 1971 Port Arthur, Jefferson, TX
Notes for Bridget Estelle Pitre:
- Bee attended college. Bee met Jake when she was teaching in a little country school near Labadieville in 1926. She married and moved to Port Arthur where Jake was a mechanic for the city buses, eventually retiring as general manager of Beaumont City Lines. After Bee was married, she reluctantly took a job cooking for some priests and did that for 20 years. About 1940 they adopted Ileta Katherine Silvers aka Alita Catherine Pitre Landry (1939-2013), who was the daughter of Bridget's cousin Lillian Pitre (Silvers).
- 1950 Jefferson, TX: Jake P. Landry 40 bus maintenance superintendant/City Bus Lines, wife Bridget 40, adopted daughter Alita 10.
- Tombstone Inscription, Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves, TX: Bridget / 1908 - 1996 / LANDRY / Jake P. / 1908 - 1971
8- Elodie Pitre b: 5 April 1911 Thibodaux, Lafourche, LA; d: 24 October 2000 Port Arthur, Jefferson, TX
+John Richard b: 24 August 1908; m: Abt. 1929; d: 2 August 1989 Beaumont, Jefferson, TX
Notes for Elodie Pitre:
- Elodie was given the nickname Snooks after a comic strip character, Baby Snooks. Growing up she had a job weighing sugar cane at Trial Plantation and French Plantation. Her dad worked with her. Her husband Dickie joined the Marines after high school then served in the Reserves for 6 years. During the Korean War he was recalled for 18 months, serving 13 months in Korea.
- 1950 Jefferson, TX: John F. Richard 44 bus driver/City Bus Company, wife Elodie 38, Richard 20 routeman/heavy construction company.
Notes for Henri Valery Pitre:
- 1900 Lafourche, LA: Henry Pitre 31 (Oct 1868) farmer, wife Lea 23 (Dec 1876) [mar. 8 yrs.; 4 children/2 still living], Cyril 4 (Dec 1895), Agnes 3 (Mar 1897); Gustave Ayo 51 (Nov 1848) farm laborer, wife Philomene 48 (Feb 1852) [mar. 33 yrs.; 3 children/3 still living] (p. 3B)
- 1910 Lafourche, LA: Henry Pitre 41 overseer, wife Leah A. 33 (mar. 13 yrs.; 8 children/6 still living), Ceril 15, Agnes C. 13, Henry G. 9, George L. 7, Clotilde A. 4, Bridget E. 13 months, Gustave T. Ayo 64 farm laborer (father-in-law), wife Philomene A. 57 (mar. 41 yrs.; 3 children/3 still living) (Pitre Road) [p. 6B] (only Lea & her parents put French, Henry & the children put English)
- 1930 Lafourche, LA: Widow Mrs. Henry Pitre 52, parents Gustave Ayo 82 (20) & Mrs. Gustave Ayo 74 (16), Preston Pitre 10 grandson (I3).
- 1940 Lafourche, LA: John Richard 35 merchant/retail grocery ['upkeep'], wife Elodie 29 saleslady/retail dry goods, Richard 10, mother-in-law Mrs. Henry Pitre 63 widow [29-13, W5, rural Thibodaux, p. 25a, Greenwood Plantation]
- 1950 Lafourche, LA: Widow Lea A. Pitre 73, widowed daughter-in-law Callie E. Pitre 49, granddaughter Dolores Pitre 18 (TX) (Other Places, 29-30, W5, p. 3).
Henry was the eldest son of Leandre Pitre and Odille Vicknair, born 9 months after their marriage in 1868. He may have been born into tough times but he was sent to school and learned to read, write and speak English as well as his first language French. When he was 23 he married 15-year-old Lea Ayo. (The Ayo were originally French, not Acadian. Her 2 x great-grandfather Mathurin Ayo had been a petty officer on board "L'Amitie", one of the 7 ships which brought the Acadian exiles from France to Louisiana in 1785.)
Henry and Lea had 7 children over the next 20 years, and during 1899 bought a house on what is now Hwy. 308. (They didn't move in until Chloe was about 2 weeks old as they had to wait for the previous owner to die.) All the family plus Lea's parents lived in the 4-bedroom house that was originally only 4 rooms (2 large and 2 smaller). The interior walls were constructed by "studs" raised, then having lattice-work type pieces attached. These were filled in with a mixture of horse hair, mud, water, and dried moss. This made a sort of plaster that they could whitewash (a lime mixture which dried white.) In back of the 4 rooms was a very large rectangular room, with a fireplace, used as the dining room. There was a long dining room table, lots of chairs and a beautiful sideboard. The sideboard was solid mahogany, marble-topped, with a large mirror, a small shelf on either side, a drawer used for the better tableware (Roger's heavy silverplate), and doors underneath. The outside was covered with cypress siding and a tin roof. The original supports were tree trunks or stumps. (The house along with 100 acres was sold in 1973 to Jack Wise for $35,000.) [In late 2004, the house was moved to the LSU Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge. An article about the house and its restoration appears in 'Market Bulletin' , June 9, 2005. The article includes a reference to a pencilled inscription on a doorframe: "Peace and Victory, Monday Nov. 11, 1918" and "Clothilde Pitre broke her leg Mon. Jan. 28, 1918."]
During the early years there were always one or two uncles who would become unemployed (probably Lea's brothers) and they would come to live at the house. Lea never complained although she was sometimes cooking for up to 13 people 3 times a day. Breakfast would be pans of cornbread and coffee milk fixed in a large pot. Lea milked the cow before the children were out of bed. She'd boil the milk first then pour in a pot of coffee, then some sugar. (George always wanted the corners of the cornbread as they were the crispiest bits.) She would then pour the coffee into cups and carry them on a tray to everyone still in bed.
Lea's 1st cousin (once removed) Gustave V. Ayo and wife Emelie Trosclair (Fiet) lived nearby. There was a picket fence around 'cousin' Fiet's property. Fiet was a sweet old lady and she gave the children mandarins and oranges. She was remembered as having bumps on her face.
Henry was a farmer and did some bookkeeping as well. Henry's early death at the age of 52 must have been quite difficult for everyone. (Most of the men in our direct Pitre line of descent died in their early 50's.) He had proved to be a respected member of the community as he was President of the Lafourche Parish School Board at the time of his death. A resolution was passed by the remaining board members honoring him, saying he was "a noble and patriotic citizen and (to) his family a loving and dutiful father." He was buried at the St. Philomene Church Cemetery in what was to become the Pitre family tomb. Lea lived another 41 years and finally passed away at the great age of 85. But even at that age her death was so sudden that she died before last rites could be administered. She said she wasn't feeling well, sat down in a chair, and asked someone to go to the kitchen to get her a glass of water. She died right there before they got back. She was also buried in the family tomb.
- 1 June 1900 Census: Henry Pitre 31, Lea 23, Cyril 4, Agnes 3 (Henry, but not Lea could read, write, and speak English.)
- April 1930 Census: Lafourche (ED11, W5) by French Plantation: Mrs. Henry Pitre 52 widow (Owned house, value $1000; went to school during the year, can read/write); parents Gustave Ayo 82 & Mrs. Gustave Ayo 74 midwife (married at 20 & 16 respectively; neither can read/write); Preston Pitre 10 grandson (school/read/write) [Widow Emelie Ayo 72 lives next door]
Obituary: The Lafourche Comet (Thibodaux, LA), Thursday, 16 December 1920: A Splendid Citizen claimed by death - In the sudden death of Hon. Henry Pitre, who expired last Friday evening at 6:30 o'clock, the parish of Lafourche loses another of its splendid citizens. Mr. Pitre, whose age was 52 years, 1 month and 13 days, was one of the most influential citizens of the 5th ward, which section of the parish he represented, as a member of the School Board, for 14 years. His excellent service as a member of that body commended him for the presidency in 1917, when Dr. Stark, the former president, resigned to become sheriff, and when death came to cut short Mr. Pitre's exemplary life, he had just been re-elected to serve as president for a term of six years more. In referring to his public service, Supt. Lafargue declared Friday that the deceased was one of the most sincere, honest, and faithful public men that he has ever met. "No obstacle," Sipt. Lafargue remarked to us, "hindered Mr. Pitre from coming from his home in the country to give attention to his official duties. He was a devoted public servant. Nothing seemed to afford him greater pleasure than to see an elegant school building being erected, he being particularly proud of the L.T. School." Mr. Pitre is survived by his wife and seven children, three sons - Cyril, George and Henry; and four daughters - Mrs. A.A. Martinez, of Port Arthur, Texas; and Misses Clothilde, Brigitte and Elodie Pitre. The funeral took place Saturday afternoon at St. Philomena Catholic church, Labadieville, where Rev. Father Ravoire, performed the last sad rites.
- Thibodaux Commercial Journal, 18 December 1920 - School President Passes Away - The community was surprised and shocked last Friday evening to learn of the sudden death of Mr. Henry Pitre resident of the fifth ward of this parish, President of the Parish School Board, thrifty and enterprising farmer and citizen. He had been under the weather for some time, and to those intimate with him it was suspected, in fact known, that he had heart trouble. His death was sudden, and with little or no warning. He was 56 years of age, married, and is survived by his widow and several children. Deceased was of a quiet and retiring disposition, given to attending to his own affairs, but always interested in anything affecting the public good. He took an interest in local politics and was filling his second term on the school board. He succeeded to the presidency of the board, on the election of Dr. Stark to the office of sheriff, and had recently been re-elected for a term of six years from his ward, without opposition. The flags on the court house and all schools were at half mast until after the funeral. Being affiliated with the St. Philomena Catholic Church at Labadieville, living near that church, his funeral was held there Saturday, with interment in the cemetery adjoining. Despite the inclement weather there were a good number at the funeral. The family have the sympathy of their many friends. Deceased was always a friend of this paper, a frequent caller, and one of our earliest subscribers. We had occasion to know him pretty well, getting his ideas on different matters, as they developed. The vacancy in the school board caused by the death of Mr. Henry Pitre, member from the fifth ward, will be filled by appointment. Governor Parker will fill the vacancy, we assume, as soon as recommendations are made him, the names of Mr. Ernest Roger Jr. and Mr. Robert Seely, have been prominently mentioned in connection therewith, either one of whom would make ideal members. The appointment necessarily will be made on the recommendation of the Parker followers in this parish. There are also other names mentioned.
- School Board Proceedings: Thibodaux, Louisiana, December 20, 1920:
The Lafourche Parish School Board met this day in special session with the following members present: Saigner, Percy, Price, Toups and Sampay. The secretary having informed the board of Mr. Henry Pitre's sad death causing a vacancy in the Presidency of the Board; Mr. P.R. Percy, on a motion duly made and seconded was unanimously made President. On the motion of Mr. Toups seconded by Mr. Sampey, the following resolution was adopted by a rising vote: RESOLUTION - Whereas, our Heavenly Father, has removed from this earthly sphere all that was mortal of our late and revered President, Hon. Henry Pitre and Whereas, by his unswerving loyalty and devotion to the cause of Public Education he had endeared himself to the children, the teachers and the people of the Parish, therefore: Be it resolved that we the members of the Lafourche Parish School Board deplore the death of our noble and upright friend and associate in that the Parish has lost a stalwart champion of the School System, the State a noble and patriotic citizen and his family a loving and dutiful Father. "He was a friend of truth, of soul sincere; in action faithful and in honor clear; who broke no promises, served no private ends; sought no title and forsook no friends." Be it resolved that we tender to his grief stricken family our sincere sympathy and we bid them take consolation in the thought that his soul has been ushered into a happier realm. "Where the faded flowers shall freshen, Freshen never more to fake; Where the shaded sky shall brighten, Brighten never more to shade. Where the sun blaze never scorches, Where the star beams cease to chill, Where no tempest stirs the echoes, Of the wood or wave or hill. Where no shadow will bewilder, Where life's vain parade is o'er, Where the sleep of sin is broken, And the Dreamer dreams no more." Be it further resolved that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family and published in the Official Journal and that a special page in the minute book be set aside for the inscription of these resolutions. The board then adjourned out of respect to the memory of their deceased President.
Tombstone Inscription: St. Philomena Cemetery. Labadieville, Assumption, LA: HENRY PITRE / 1922 / Gustave Toussaint Ayo / 1847 - 1937 / Philomene Trosclair Ayo / 1854 - 1938 / Henri Valery Pitre / 1868 - 1920 / Lea Ayo Pitre / 1876 - 1962 / Gustave Andrew Mire / 1904 - 1981 / Clotilde Pitre Mire / 1906 - 1994 / Callie Bolnar Pitre / 1901 - 1991 / Henry Gabriel Pitre / 1900 - 1949 / Cyrille Charleston Pitre / 1894 - 1945 / Jennifer Pitre / 1924 - 1936 / Judith Pitre / 1945 - 1945
%201896%20-%201975%20-%20Copy.jpg) Agnes Carrie Pitre 1896 - 1975 |
 George Luke Pitre 902 - 1973 |
 Clotilde 'Chloe' Pitre 1906 - 1994 & Elodie 'Snooks' Pitre 1911- 2000 at the 1990 Pitre's annual Cochon de Lait |
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This house was the home for the Henry Pitre family for 70 years. |
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| The Bergeron House was built on the east bank of Bayou Lafourche in Lafourche Parish near the Assumption Parish town of Labadieville. The house was originally pledged to the E. D. White Museum in Thibodaux, but was moved from Lafourche to the Rural Life Museum in late 2004. The house was made entirely by hand. The restorers found bousillage, a plaster-like mixture of Spanish moss and mud under the beaded paneling. In some places the bousillage had cracked and revealed the slender barreaux (cross bars) stakes the Acadian builders used to hold the wet moss/mud mortar in place. It is mortised, pinioned and pegged into place. | |
 On the porch in August 2011 is Brian Rhed, 2xgreat-grandson of Henri Valery Pitre and great-grand-nephew of the Clotilde Pitre mentioned on the door frame. |
.png) Photo is of the writing on a door frame: Written in pencil on the frame in a neat cursive script: "Clothilde Pitre broke her leg Mon. Jan. 28, 1918" and “Peace and Victory, Monday Nov. 11, 1918.” That 'Clotilde Pitre' was the daughter of Henri Valery Pitre & Marie Lea Ayo, born 18 January 1906. |
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Last updated: 15 March 2023.