Beatrice Rougon Harris, (Biddie) (Mert), retired state employee, died August 15, 2022 at age 96 of heart failure. She was a native of Rougon, LA. (formerly Chenal). She attended Rougon Graded School and Lakeland Elementary through 5th grade, and St. Joseph Academy in New Roads through 9th grade. She transferred to Rougon High School when it was built in 1941. She was a member of the second graduating class of 1943. After attending L.S.U. for two semesters, she joined the Cadet Nurse Corps and was trained at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. In October of 1944, she married her soldier fiance'. Since married students were not allowed in nursing school, she resigned to become a wife and mother. In 1952, she and her two children moved to Baton Rouge. She worked for the Dept. of Highways (now DOTD) and later for the Dept. of Elections and Registration, and retired after 30 years of service. Biddie was a past president of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Retired State Employees Association (RSEA). She was also a volunteer for the Friends of the LSU Libraries Book Barn and annual Book Bazaar since 1998. She is survived by a son, Rev. Robert W. Harris and his wife, Rev. Donna B. Harris; a daughter, Karen Beth Harris; a stepson, Gary M. Harris; grandchildren, Regan M. Harris, Rachel H. Crist and her husband DJ, Peyton C. Wood, step grandson, Bradley M. Harris and his wife Jennifer; great grandchildren, Ryan, Braden and Gavin Crist, Alexander Rougon Wood, Isaac and Jackson Harris; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Martin Harris, a veteran of WWII, Korean Conflict and Viet Nam; by her parents, Joseph Vilas Rougon and Beatrice Major Rougon; two brothers, Percy Vilas Rougon and Milton M. Rougon. Biddie was the last living grandchild of PV Rougon and Marie Blanche LeBeau Rougon. She will be buried in Port Hudson National Cemetery alongside her husband. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Mert's favorites, or any others that you prefer. Suggestions include: Church of Glad Tidings, PO Box 1630, Yuba City, CA 95992 (on line at... churchofgladtidings.com); International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, 303 East Wacker Dr., Suite 2300, Chicago, IL 60601 ([email protected]); St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, Montana 59004 (www.stlabre.org). Special thanks to the FABULOUS caring people at Baton Rouge General Hospital, especially ICU-C, and at the BRGH Mid-city BUTTERFLY WING, and Dr. Nakia Newsome, her wonderful Cardiologist. All of you will be forever in our hearts. Rabenhorst Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
