Anna Lee Orr

Anna Lee Bergeron Orr, age 88, of Clinton, Mississippi gently passed away on Monday, May 20, 2024. Anna was the 8th child of 15 children born to Manalas and Julia Matte Bergeron of Eunice, LA. Anna was close to her siblings, always visiting and talking on the phone. When together, they loved to laugh and speak in French while eating a big pot of gumbo.

Anna was preceded in death by her aforementioned parents; four brothers, Jack Bergeron, Warren Bergeron, Nelson Bergeron and Melvin Bergeron; and six sisters, Yvonne Brown, Della Lee, Rose Rozas, Joyce Brown, Bonnie Leferink and Dolores Conque.

Anna met her husband Joseph Marion Orr, Sr., in Lake Charles, Louisiana where he was stationed as an airplane mechanic in the U.S. Air Force. They fell in love and married young: Anna only 19 and Joseph 21 years old. This past January they celebrated 68 years of marriage.

Anna is survived by her husband, Joseph, and five children: Nancy Lynn Potter (Chip) of Roanoke, VA, Julia Lee Williams (Mike) of Madison, MS, Joseph Marion Orr, Jr. (Lisa) of Madison, MS, James Russell Orr (Patti) of Hernando, MS, and Jeffery Wade Orr of Clinton, MS. Surviving siblings include one brother, Joseph “Pete” Bergeron of Duson, LA; three sisters, Mary Ann Broussard (Kelly) of Basile, LA, Eunice Leger of Carencro, LA, and Bernice Hudson of Eunice, LA. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

She lovingly supported her children through every scraped knee and long illness. Anna kept many of her grandchildren at home with her instead of daycare, and she often worked part-time at different daycares to be close to her grandchildren. She will always be remembered rocking a baby, which she treasured dearly, cooking for her family, and entertaining family and friends.

Anna was a devout Catholic making sure each child attended catechism and received all the sacraments (baptism, reconciliation, communion and confirmation) as they grew from children to young adults. Each night you could find both Anna and Joseph, along with all five children kneeling by the bedside, saying their nightly prayers. Their love for God was great, has been passed down and is strongly held by all of their children.

Anna was a former volunteer with Lifeline Pregnancy Crisis Hotline from 1976 to 1981. In 1981, she was asked to help start up a Birthright Pregnancy Center Chapter in Jackson, MS and served as the first Executive Director of Birthright of Jackson. Anna was often involved with working or volunteering to help children in various manners. She taught Sunday School at St. Therese Catholic Church and art classes at Sister Thea Bowman School in Jackson, MS. She volunteered each year at the St. Peter’s Fall Festival where you could find her painting the faces of the children.

Anna was an artist. She painted, wrote poetry and had a beautiful singing voice. She sang on the Radio in Eunice, LA as a young adult with her sister Bonnie Leferink. Anna sang in the church choir at St. Therese Catholic Church and the Cathedral of St. Peter Catholic Church in Jackson, MS. She comes from a line of musicians as her grandfather, Jules Matte, was known for playing the fiddle. All of her children were involved in music at some point of their life either in the band, choral music, and/or church choirs.

Anna will be remembered for her laugh, wit, and dry sense of humor. Her immense love and affection followed by “I Love You Big Time” was her trademark and will never be forgotten. She had nicknames for every grandchild and was fondly known as “Moo Moo” to her grandchildren and everyone who knew her. We have been blessed to have her in our lives and to be able to carry a piece of her heart in our own hearts forever.

A visitation for Anna will be held Friday, May 24, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Holy Savior Catholic Church, 714 Lindale Street, Clinton, Mississippi, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Anna will be laid to rest in Lakewood Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Birthright of Jackson, Inc. in Ridgeland, MS and Holy Savior Catholic Church in Clinton, MS.