October 16, 1939, to May 3, 2026
Clara Belle Bourque Dupre, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 3, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, devotion, and quiet strength. Born on October 16, 1939, in Youngsville, LA, to the late Sidney and Nedia Hebert Bourque, she was one of seven children and part of a large and loving family.
From a young age, Clara dedicated her life to caring for those she held closest to her heart. She began caring for her sister, Gracie Jean Bourque, at just eight years old and continued to do so for over 50 years with unwavering compassion and selflessness. She was a constant source of comfort and support, and in many ways, a saint in the eyes of her family. She was the true matriarch of her family, the one everyone looked to for love, guidance, and strength.
Her faith was a guiding force throughout her life. She held a deep devotion to Christ and the Virgin Mary, and where some women had many pairs of shoes, Clara had many rosaries, each one a reflection of her steady faith.
In her younger years, Clara had a true green thumb and found joy in tending to her plants. She spent countless hours outdoors, always hard at work, often with an orange Sunkist and a straw in hand to cool off in the Louisiana heat.
She welcomed family and friends into her home with open arms. Her home was a safe haven and a refuge, a place where anyone who walked through her doors felt comfort, warmth, and a sense of belonging. A true Cajun woman, Clara always had something cooking on the stove. She was well known for her lobster dressing, crawfish étouffée, crab cakes, and something a little sweeter, bouillie.
If you ever found yourself celebrating the Delcambre Shrimp Festival at “Granny Belle” and “Pop Johnny’s home, you knew you were part of something special.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, William Johnny Dupre, Jr. (Tina), and Clarissa Dupre Delcambre (Lenny), as well as her bonus daughter, Kimberly Ann Pullin, and her son in law, Terry LeBlanc; her beloved grandchildren, Michael Paul Dupre (Natasha), Sheila Marie Dupre Abshire (Keith), Clay James LeBlanc, Brenna Claire Delcambre (Alex), and bonus grandson, Jackson Thomas Pullin, as well as her great-grandchildren, Landon Sanders, William Sanders, Gabby Duhon, Ty Duplechin, Melissa LeBlanc, Gabriel Abshire, and Noah Abshire, with a great-great-grandchild soon to be welcomed into the family.
Along with her parents Clara was preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, William Johnny Dupre, Sr. whom she deeply loved and cherished; her daughter, Deborah D. LeBlanc; two sisters, Gracie Jean Bourque and Audrey Mae B. Melancon and two brothers, John “Clifford” Bourque, Sr. and Loyce Bourque.
She will be remembered not only for her warmth and strength, but for the little traditions that meant so much to those who loved her. One of those was her familiar saying, “I love you more than that,” often shared at the end of phone calls or goodbyes, turning into a playful back-and-forth of who could say it last. It was a simple phrase, but one that carried a lifetime of love.
Her life was one of quiet sacrifice, deep love, and unwavering dedication to her family. She will be remembered for the way she made everyone feel at home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church with Fr. Buddy Breaux officiating. Following the Mass, she will be laid to rest at the church mausoleum.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Thursday at Evangeline Funeral Home from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm. St. Anne’s Altar Society members will pray a Rosary at 6:00 pm. The funeral home will reopen at 8:00 am on Friday morning until 10:30 am.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Keith Abshire, Allen Bourque, Tommy Snead, William Sanders, Terry LeBlanc and Troy Doucet. Landon Sanders and Ty Duplechin are honorary pallbearers.
Clara’s family would like to thank the entire staff of Southern Grace Hospice for making mom’s transition easier with your patience and love. Special thanks to her nurse, Madelyn Richard, RN (whom became like a little sister) and was sure to make sure Clara had every comfort possible to make her journey to the next life as smooth as humanly possible. Thank you also to Allegra and her sitter, Victoria Broussard. Granny Belle loved all of you.
Relatives and friends are invited to share their condolences and memories and view the movie presentation by visiting her memorial at www.evangelinedelcambre.com
Evangeline Funeral Home of Delcambre is in charge of arrangements.
