Matthew Chenevert

Matthew Chenevert, Jr. was a man of humble beginnings, born to Matthew and Ella Chenvert on January 7, 1942 in Lebeau, Louisiana. He was the third child of 10 children all raised in the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, in Lebeau.

Matt was born in an “in-between” era. In between western and modern times. In between slavery and “Integration”. He remembers people riding horses and carriages instead of automobiles. Hitching posts were at every place of business. He recalls men wearing holsters and carrying guns. He and his sisters would ride to an aunt’s house to get milk, on horseback. He did a lot of traveling on foot or hitchhiking.

Matthew had little formal education but was able to achieve many feats. He left Louisiana in 1963 and relocated to California where he met and married Janie Boudreaux of Compton, CA in February 1965. To that union they were blessed with two children; Dyna and Nicholas. Dyna and Nicholas added to the family with their children. Destannie was born to Dyna. Then Nicholas had two daughters; Myeisha and Mariah with his first wife, Gwendolyn Goltl. Our fourth generation began when Destannie added two daughters; Desiriah and La’Niyiah and Myeisha had a son, Exaivier.

Before the family grew Matthew and Janie were able to work and buy a home in Compton. When Dyna was born Matt was blessed with his own business, Pacific Rentals in Compton in 1973 and later they relocated to Moreno Valley in 1989 and then opened a business, Shoe’s Machine Shop (an automotive machine and repair shop) in Beaumont, CA.

Matthew was always a very innovative and competitive person. He was also a person who was always willing to help those in need. He thrived on learning new things to better his education. He played and sang for bands in Louisiana, as a young man. He loved learning sports: badminton, bowling, tennis, football, golf and his favorite of all was DRAG RACING.

His wife, Janie wrote his biography, “More Alone Than You Know” which tells more about the “man, the myth and the legend”.

Matthew finished his last quarter mile on earth and rests in Heaven. He leaves behind to cherish his memory: his wife of 54+ years Janie, his children: Dyna and Nicholas (wife Yvonne), grand and great-grandchildren: Destannie and fiancé Kym (Desiriah and La’Niyiah), Myeisha (Exaiviar) and Mariah, his step grandchildren: Aaron, Priscila and Jacob, brothers and sisters: Murray, Janette, John, Beverly, Hershel, Gardenia, Ruth and Layne (and their families) and a host of family and friends. Matt often said “linger long, but die you must”.

RIP Matthew